2002 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 1,062 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 30 involved a crash and 28 involved a fire. 27 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingNov 14, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V527000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 14, 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
Campaign 07E074000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 21, 2007
CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND INFLUENCED THE AIMING POSITION. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ANZO AT 909-628-1440.
Campaign 07E063000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsJul 25, 2007
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 315-1145L-AS AND 315-1145R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP REFLECTOR SHAPE DEFORMED CHANGING THE SHAPE OF THE OPTIC SURFACE. THIS WILL CHANGE THE OPPOSITE POSITION OF LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM OPTICSAND CHANGE THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND ILLUMATED LOCATION WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Campaign 07E054000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingNov 17, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 03V455000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyJul 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. AT EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE IN THE FUEL TANK COULD FREEZE AND FORM ICE CRYSTALS. THESE ICE CRYSTALS MAY OBSTRUCT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP.
THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.
Campaign 03V251000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeMar 11, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.
EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Campaign 03V084000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleFeb 27, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 03V061000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 17, 2002
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. ON CERTAIN 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MARCH 16, 2002, ONE OF THE SENSORS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS WELL AS EXPECTED IN HIGH-SPEED OFF-SET CRASH SITUATIONS.
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS EXPECTED.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261, CONCERNING THE PROBLEM.
Campaign 02I001000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
687 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 22, 2008
CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH A MISFIRE#4 IN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG,COIL, AND INJECTOR. SAME PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED A HIGH VOLUME OF OIL CONSUMPTION. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SHAKES DURING A COLD OUR HOT START. SMOOTHES OUT THEN THE CAR RUNS FINE. DEALER IS SAYING IT PASSED THE PRESSURE TEST BUT IS SAYING I NEED A NEW MOTOR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2008
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT 83,000 MILES. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, I FOUND AND NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THE MATTER. ENGINES THAT ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF SHOULD NOT DIE AT 83,000 MILES. THIS ALL STARTED IN JUNE WHEN MY CAR STARTED BECOMING DIFFICULT TO START. I BROUGHT MY NISSAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SOME RECALL ITEMS AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE HARD START WHILE IT WAS IN THERE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND SUGGESTED A FUEL SYSTEM TUNE UP (WHICH I DID) AND IF THAT DIDN'T WORK I MIGHT NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP. THIS WORKED WELL FOR A WHILE BUT THEN IT STARTED AGAIN. I PAID FOR NEW SPARK PLUGS, OIL CHANGES, AIR FILTERS, ALL SEEMED TO HELP FOR A DAY AND THE HARD START WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SUDDENLY THE COMPUTER FINALLY GOT A READ OF O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING BEFORE THE 80,000 MILE WARRANTY RAN OUT AND IT WAS MIS-DIAGNOSED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT UNLESS I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER, WHICH I DID. WHEN I GOT THERE THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE ON TOP OF THE O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AND THAT NISSAN DENIED MY REQUEST TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2008
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL WITH 119K MILES, PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR POOR EMISSION/ENGINE CONSTRUCTION. APPEARS WE NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO CONVERTER BREAKING DOWN AND BEING SUCKED INTO ENGINE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 17, 2008
AT 78K MILES, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND SOON AFTER, IT STARTED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION FOLLOWED BY A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN POWER, ESPECIALLY IN TAKE-OFF SPEED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEED TO CHANGE THE ENGINE FOR CLOSE TO $5000. APPARENTLY, THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AFTER I DID A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE MODE SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS WELL AS ATTESTED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE PROBLEM. CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS ODDLY DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE THERMALLY WEARS AND SENDS CHIPS INTO THE ENGINE WHERE BY SCORCHING THE CYLINDER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. MY CAR HAS 140K MILES AND I HAVE AN IMPECCABLE SERVICE RECORD AND HAVE ALL OF MY RECEIPTS FROM EVERY OIL CHANGE AND SERVICE I HAVE EVER DONE--ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AT NISSAN DEALERS. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY CAR BEGAN BURNING OIL VERY QUICKLY. IT WAS NOT LEAKING OIL AT ALL, I JUST STARTED GOING THROUGH A QUART OF OIL EVERY WEEK. THE ENGINE ALSO BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH SOMETIMES. SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER TO BE FIXED. I PAID $1200 AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM (REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ETC). HOWEVER, THE CAR STILL USED A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF OIL (BUT DOES NOT LEAK OIL) AND RUNS ROUGH. IT NOW ALSO RUNS AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE (MAXED OUT ON THE THERMOSTAT) AND I GET NO HOT AIR OUT OF MY VENTS. SO I BROUGHT IT BACK IN TO THE SAME NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THIS TIME, THEY TELL ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DECIDED TO LOOK ONLINE FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE LITERALLY FOUND HUNDREDS (IF NOT THOUSANDS) OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH 2002 NISSAN ALITMA 2.5 ENGINES WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S THAT CAUSES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO FAIL AND THEN TEAR APART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 AND HAS HAPPENED TO MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR CAR AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINES FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW WITH THEIR CAR AND THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND YOU NEED TO ACT NOW BEFORE MORE CONSUMERS ARE TAKEN BY NISSAN ON THIS PROBLEM! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 10, 2008
ENGINE LIGHT. SEE SERVICE BULLETON 06009. NHTSA# 100119613. CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, THEN WANTED TO REPLACE IPDM. HAD CAR CHECKED BY AAA CERTIFIED SHOP. CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH NOW I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH HOW CAR RUNS. AM AFRAID CAR WILL STALL ON HIGH WAY. SEVERAL MECHANICS STATED THAT THEY BELIEVE THE DEALER IS GUESSING ON THE DIAGNOSIS. NO CODES EXCEPT U1000 AND U1001 ARE BEING STORED IN COMPUTER. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. THIS AFFECT ALL 2002-2006 NISSAN. CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 6, 2008
MY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS ABOUT 50 OTHER COMPLAINTS I FOUND ON THIS SITE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERT FAILED AND THE ENGINE INGESTED PARTICLES THAT SCORED THE CYLINDER HEADS. NOW THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP DIFFER THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PAST THE 80,000 MI. WARRANTY PERIOD AND WE DID NOT BUY ENOUGH NISSAN VEHICLES IN THE PAST TO WARRANT ANY GOOD WILL. IN FACT THE REGION NISSAN REP REFUSED TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SHE HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF THIS SAME PROBLEM EVERY YEAR. IN READING RECALLS LIKE 03V084000, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT NISSAN HAS AGREED TO REPAIR VOLUNTARILY, BUT IS NOW NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR AGREEMENT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO PERSUADE NISSAN TO HELP OUT. ALSO, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS OF THE 03V455000 RECALL BUT THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. EVEN THE DEALERS OWN DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS THE P0335 CKP SENSOR CIRCUIT ERROR CODE IS STILL A PROBLEM. CAN A RECALL BE PERFORMED TWICE IF A FAILURE OCCURS AGAIN? THE INFO PROVIDE IN YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARDS INSTALLED UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL 01V357 WERE STILL DEFECTIVE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2008
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ALREADY FAILED, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ECM AT THE COST OF $500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,359.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 3, 2008
I BOUGHT A USED 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL 2 MONTHS AGO. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN SERVICE CENTER 2 TIMES FOR IN 2 MONTHS FOR OIL CHANGE. LAST TIME I GOT "ENGINE CHECK SOON " ICON SO I ASKED TO DO DIAGNOSTIC ENGINE CHECK AND REQUIRED REPAIR. THEY DID IT AND SAID COOLANT LEVEL IS LOW AND ENGINE CAP IS LEAKING PRESSURE SO NEED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR CAP. AFTER 1 MONTH I HAD A MECHANICAL FAILURE PROBLEM ON HIGHWAY SUDDENLY AND A ROD THREW FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE OUT AND MADE A WHOLE ON ENGINE. THIS ENGINE WAS CALLED FOR A RECALL IN MARCH 2008 AND IT WAS DONE. BUT NOW I GOT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND NOW TURNED OUT TO BE A BIG PROBLEM TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE. I'M A STUDENT AND I CAN'T PAY $4500 FOR THIS. NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND BARE THE COST. THIS CAR'S WARRANTY PERIOD IS ALSO OVER. BUT AS NISSAN SERVICERS KNOW THAT WHEN ENGINE CHECK SOON PROBLEM OCCURS IN THESE VEHICLES IT IS GOING TO CRASH BUT THEY DON'T TELL THIS. NISSAN MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY LOSSES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 3, 2008
I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER. MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO BE LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE MAY BE BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT LINE. THEY BLED THE LINE, REFILLED IT AND IT WAS FINE FOR AWHILE. I HAVE NO HEAT AGAIN. THEY CHECKED AND COULD FIND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR, AND EVERY FEW MONTHS I NEED MY COOLANT REPLACED AND BLED. I'VE GONE TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND NOBODY CAN FIND THE LEAK. I'VE SEARCHED MANY SITES AND FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF CAR. THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING BECAUSE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, THE CAR IDLES ROUGH AND IS DRIVING W/ HIGHER RPMS THAN IT USED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 3, 2008
I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER. MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO BE LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE MAY BE BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT LINE. THEY BLED THE LINE, REFILLED IT AND IT WAS FINE FOR AWHILE. I HAVE NO HEAT AGAIN. THEY CHECKED AND COULD FIND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR, AND EVERY FEW MONTHS I NEED MY COOLANT REPLACED AND BLED. I'VE GONE TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND NOBODY CAN FIND THE LEAK. I'VE SEARCHED MANY SITES AND FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF CAR. THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING BECAUSE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, THE CAR IDLES ROUGH AND IS DRIVING W/ HIGHER RPMS THAN IT USED. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 30, 2008
TOO MANY ISSUES TO REMEMBER THAN ALL BUT I'LL TRY: - EXCESSIVE OIL USE - EXCESSIVE COOLANT USE - OVERHEATING TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ISSUES - INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES - FAILING AIRBAG - ELECTRICAL ISSUES - BROKEN SENSORS - CATALYTIC CONVERTERS GONE BAD - OXYGEN SENSORS GONE BAD - INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO START - INTERMITTENT CAR SHAKING AND SO ON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2008
AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE COOLANT STARTED LEAKING INTO TO COMBUSTION CHAMBER, HAD TO HAVE THE HEADS RESURFACED, AND CAT CONVERTERS REPLACED. NOW THE CAR BURNS OIL, HAS TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT 1000 MILES (COMPLETELY EMPTY IF I LET IT GO TO 1500 MILES). THE CAR NOW STOPS WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT DIES WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2008
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER PRECATALYST SUCKED INTO ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED NISSAN TO DECLARE MY ENGINE WAS SHOT. THIS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN. HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVE REPORTED IT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED BY NISSAN AND ENGINES REPLACED FOR FREE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2008
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L. I HAD MY CAR LOOKED AT IN EARLY 2008 BECAUSE MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING. THE MECHANIC SAID THE COOLANT WAS LOW BUT COULD FIND NO PROBLEM SO HE TOPPED IT OFF AND TOLD ME TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT. IN THE SUMMER OF 2008 I NOTICED IT WAS GOING THROUGH COOLANT AGAIN. IT WOULD ALSO SHUDDER WHEN FIRST STARTED AND A FOUL BLACK SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS OUT. SO HE IS REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET. HE JUST ORDERED THE PARTS AND HIS SUPPLIER SAID THEY WERE SENDING OUT ABOUT ONE A MONTH, WHICH IS A LOT. THEY ALSO HAVE A DIFFERENT NUMBER, SO IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD GASKET. INITIAL COSTS PUT IT AROUND $1500. I DID INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR STARTING AROUND 87,000 MILES. THE INTERNET ALSO MENTIONED PROBLEM WITH THE PRE-CAT AND OXYGEN SENSORS. I FEEL THAT A CAR ONLY 6 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL I STARTED HAVING SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2008
AFTER REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSOR VARIOUS TIMES, I BEGAN TO GET HUGE AMOUNTS OF OIL CONSUMPTION WHERE I HAD TO ADD EVERY WEEK. AS A RESULT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SHOT, AND ALSO RUINED THE ENGINE. DURING THAT PERIOD, MY 2002 ALTIMA HAD SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE OPERATING ON CITY ROADS AND INTERSTATE FREEWAYS. DESPITE HAVING PERFECT MAINTENANCE AND COMPLETING ALL RECALLS (SEE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 03V084000 OR NISSAN RECALL R3007), I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE DESIGN IS COMPLETELY FLAWED AND NO RECALL WILL CORRECT THIS BAD DESIGN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2008
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5L OIL CONSUMPTION! I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 18 MILES, I HAVE DONE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3K. I LOSE ALMOST A QUART EVERY 1K MILES. I HAVE SEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THE VQ AND STILL NO RECALL. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 28, 2008
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA - ENGINE IS GOING THROUGH 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 100 MILES. I HAVE DONE SOME SIMPLE RESEARCH ON THIS AND FIND THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY NISSAN IS AWARE OF IT YET CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THE BASICS OF THE ISSUE ARE THAT AN INTERNAL PART OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS GETTING SUCKED BACK UP INTO THE ENGINE SCORING THE CYLINDER. MY DAUGHTER'S CAR HAS ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT HOWEVER THERE ARE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ON VARIOUS BLOGS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AS SOON AS 50-60,000 MILES. HER CAR HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE IS $5,000. I HAVE READ STORIES OF ENGINES HAVING BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES ON THE SAME CAR. DOES NISSAN HAVE TO ADDRESS THIS OR CAN THEY JUST BLOW OFF THE CUSTOMER AND PRETEND THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE MOTOR, CONVERTER ETC? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Aug 27, 2008
OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA; REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER 6/2005 @ 71K MILES. IT FELL UNDER FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY. 7/2008 SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN AND SEEM TO BE BURNING THROUGH OIL. TOOK INTO BALISE NISSAN - CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, NEEDS MORE EXPENSIVE TESTS TO DIAGNOSE OIL ISSUE. GOOGLED 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA PROBLEMS, CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE HAD POST AFTER POST OF OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS I'VE HAD/HAVING. ULTIMATE FIX, NEED TO REPLACE ENGINE. ONE MAN REPLACED ENGINE TWICE AND CAR IS STILL NOT CORRECT. CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS, THE REGIONAL REP, CATHERINE, WHO WAS EXTREMELY RUDE AS THOUGH I WAS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING TERRIBLE, SAID SHE REVIEWED MY COMPLAINT AND THERE IS NOTHING NISSAN WILL DO BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS PENDING AND THE CAR IS A 2002 AND NOW HAS 126K ON IT AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. I TOLD HER THE INITIAL PROBLEM HAPPENED WHILE I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND OBVIOUSLY THAT HAD TO BE A PROBLEM ALSO BECAUSE A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE SHOULD NOT BURN THROUGH 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN 6 YEARS AND ALSO NEED A NEW ENGINE. I ALSO TRIED TO BRING HER ATTENTION TO THE COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, SHE DID NOT WANT TO DISCUSS IT. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES...PLEASE HELP!!!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,764.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 21, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, A ROD FAILED AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE NISSAN DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 20, 2008
RECENTLY THE CAR WOULD BE ROUGH TO START. AND WHEN IT DID START IT WOULD SPUTTER AND SHAKE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A NISSAN SERVICE FACILITY. AFTER THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS I WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SHOT. ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE RESERVOIR. THE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON SO I HAD NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 105,000 MILES. I HAVE NO OIL LEAKS, SMOKE COMING OUT WHEN I DRIVE BUT MY CAR IS CONSUMING A QUART OR MORE A WEEK. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THEY HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. BUT ON CAR COMPLAINTS THERE ARE SEVERAL. I AM AFRAID MY ENGINE WOULD BLOW WHEN I AM DRIVING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 15, 2008
2002 ALTIMA 2.5 ENGINE- BEGAN USING OIL, A LITTLE BETWEEN CHANGES, INCREASED TO USING 4 QUARTS FOR A 16 MILE ROUND TRIP. CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE , BECOMING A HAZARD TO OPERATE, DUE TO THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE SCREEN. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC , NISSAN HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN, BUT NOT RECALL ON PROBLEM OF CAT. CONVERTER FAILURE, CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL AROUND 100K. *TR