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, Oct 5, 2006
THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLS REPEATEDLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE FAILURE INCLUDES THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR SAFELY. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE POWER VALVE SCREWS COMING LOOSE AND GETTING INTO THE ENGINE. THE SCREWS MUST BE REPLACED WITH LOCK TIGHT ONES AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSOR HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED. NISSAN HAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IS NTB05058. THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS HAVE THE SAME ENGINE AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY NISSAN AS WELL. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V455000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 2004 CONCERNING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V455000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 20, 2006
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VENTS WERE BLOWING WARM AIR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO START. *KB AFTER THE DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS TOO MUCH FREON IN THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2006
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. I HAVE SEEN THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED RECALLS FOR NEWER MODELS BASED ON THE ENGINE CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. I HAVE NOTICED THE SAME THING HAPPENING ON MY CAR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS AND HAVE BEEN SORT OF BLOWN OFF AND TOLD I AM NOT CHANGING THE OIL OFTEN ENOUGH. I RECENTLY WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL FOR THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND WHILE THERE HAD A 90000 MILE SERVICE DONE. AFTER THAT SERVICE, THE ENGINE WAS GOING THROUGH OIL ROUGHLY EVERY 500 MILES OR SO. IT USED TO GO THROUGH IT EVERY 4000 MILES OR SO, WHICH SEEMS INCREDIBLY QUICK. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST ON THE NEWER MODELS BUT ON OLDER MODELS AS WELL. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD AND WOULD LIKE THE MATTER LOOKED INTO FURTHER. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2006
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S DIFFICULT TO START, WILL FREQUENTLY STALL ONCE STARTED AS SOON AS ITS PUT INTO GEAR. (NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO "BAD FUEL"-CHARGED $500 TO DRAIN TANK AND REFILL..PROBLEM STILL EXISTS..) BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE STALLED, STEERING BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD, UNABLE TO MANEUVER CAR, HIT TREE AND CRACKED SPOILER/DENT BUMPER. NOT SAFE TO TAKE ON HIGHWAY, AS YOU CANNOT "MERGE" INTO TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.. IF YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, IT WILL BUCK AND STALL. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 8 MONTHS, EVEN AFTER DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY "FIXED THE PROBLEMS" . LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON. VEHICLE STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR THROUGH A/C THIS SUMMER. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID "TOO MUCH FREON" AND CHARGED $300. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED THE NEXT DAY. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP.. CHARGED ANOTHER $100 TO DO "DIAGNOSTICS".. NO PROBLEMS EVER FIXED. LIGHT STILL ON. NISSAN NOT ADDRESSING IT. BASICALLY IGNORING THE LIGHT, EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS BEEN IN THERE FOR OVER $1000 WORTH OF "REPAIRS" IN 1 MONTH. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2006
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I WENT TO START MY CAR AND WOULD NOT START. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I LEFT THE CAR PARKED WHERE IT WAS. ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER I STARTED THE CAR FINE. A WEEK HAD PASSED WITH NO KNOW PROBLEMS WHEN SUDDENLY MY "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN BACKING UP FROM THE DRIVE WAY, AND AGAIN WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER. THE DEALER CLAIMS THE CHECK ENGINE CODE CAME UP AS "APP POSITIONING SENSOR" WHICH IS THE THROTTLE CHAMBER. I THOUGHT THIS WAS WARRANTED FOR UP TO 60,000 MILES? *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 2, 2006
CAR NEEDS AN OIL CHANGE EVERY MONTH BECAUSE IT BURNS SO MUCH OIL. NO HEAT IN THE WINTER BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTIONING RADIATOR. ALMOST HAD SEVERAL SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON HIGHWAY FROM THE ENGINE STALLING, LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2006
I HAVE HAD MY 02 ALTIMA FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND HAVE ABOUT 85000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 15000 MILES AGO, THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER, BURN OIL, BURN SPARK PLUGS AND BURN O2 SENSORS. I HAVE SINCE SPENT $1000'S OF DOLLARS TRYING TO PREVENT/REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. NISSAN WON'T TALK TO ME AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE CROOKS WHO HAVE BEEN CHANGING RANDOM PARTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SOON MY ENGINE WILL BLOW JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS. BEING IN THE MILITARY, I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO KEEP THIS UP. THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS AND NISSAN IS DODGING A HUGE BULLET. I HAVE NOTIFIED EVERYONE I CAN THINK OF AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM DESPITE THE MASSIVE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! I HAVE TOLD EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THE CAR AND THE WAY NISSAN IS ADDRESSING THE SITUATION, NEITHER MYSELF OR ANYONE I KNOW WILL EVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!! *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2006
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. CONTINUOUSLY FAILS TO START. REDUCED ENGINE POWER. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2006
MY 2002 ALTIMA HAD THE RECALL FOR THE HEAT SHIELDS AND EVERY OTHER ONE I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT. MY CAR STARTED CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. ON APPROXIMATELY MAY 5 I DROVE THE CAR IN THE MORNING, PARKED IT IN MY MOMS YARD, WENT TO LEAVE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD TO TOW AT MY EXPENSE THE CAR TO THEM. THE CAR HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT BUT I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I THOUGHT I WAS OKAY. WELL DEALER SAYS THAT TO TEAR IT APART AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG HE NEEDED TO GET AUTHORIZATION FROM THE WARRANTY COMPANY. I WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE I DID ALL THE OIL CHANGES MYSELF, THEY WOULDN'T AUTHORIZE IT, EVEN THOUGH I COULD GET A STATEMENT FROM THE GARAGE ATTESTING TO THIS FACT ALONG WITH MY OWN PERSONAL LOG WHERE I RECORDED ALL MY GAS UPS AND OIL CHANGES. ANY IDEAS HOW I CAN GET THEM TO FIX THIS CAR I STILL OWE THREE YEARS ON IT. AND I THINK IT IS BS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO PAYUP. MY CAR FAILED EXACTLY HOW THEY DESCRIBED IT WOULD ON AOL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOLDER AND THEY KNOW IT!!! THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 5, 2006
I HAVE FOLLOWED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS MAINTENANCE AND HAVE SO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO REVISIT THIS MODEL AND DETERMINE IF IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE AN 02 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE HEATER WAS REPLACED IN THE 2ND YEAR, THIS YEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE STRUTS ARE WORN OUT. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE LONG RUN, NOT WITH A NEW CAR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2006
THE ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CAME ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO MY LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT. THEY SAID THAT THEY GOT A CATALYTIC INEFFICIENCY CODE BUT WERE POSITIVE THE CATALYTIC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DECIDED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED GOOD. ONE WEEK LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILED AND PIECES OF IT BROKE OFF AND GOT INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE CONVERTOR AND ENGINE. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON MY CAR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM BUT APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T. I HAVE PLACED SEVERAL CALLS TO THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM ANYBODY, FOR NOW MY CAR IS SITTING AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, INOPERABLE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2006
I HAVE A 2002 ALTIMA WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH. I WAS TOLD THAT THE #1 CYLINDER WAS SHOWING UP FAULTY ON THE COMPUTER READING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND REPLACED THE PLUGS. THE WHOLE TIME THEY WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE NISSAN FACTORY TECH TEAM. 2 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AFTER ANOTHER TRY TO THE DEALER THEY INSTRUCTED ME THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND FILLED IT. 2 WEEKS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE COOLANT LEVEL DROPPED. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND NISSAN TECH SAID TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. BOLTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY TOOK A MONTH TO COME IN. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND THEN DISCOVERED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NOW BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 2 MONTHS, MADE 2 CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT I DID NOT HAVE, AND AM GETTING PRETTY ANNOYED. I CONTACT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, WHO WAS SOOOO VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE PROBLEM SINCE I HAD A WARRANTY AND THE MONEY WAS NOT COMING OUT OF MY POCKET. FURTHERMORE, THEY HAD MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO ATTEND TO SINCE THE 2006 ALTIMA RECALL. THESE TOOK PRECEDENCE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN MY ENGINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF CARING FROM THIS COMPANY. I HAVE YET TO DECIDED WHERE TO TURN NEXT. IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. 8JB
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Electrical system, Jul 21, 2006, fire
OIL CONSUMPTION VERY HIGH , ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT.ON HIGHWAY ENGINE STALLED AND BURNED SOME RUBER HOSES ETC..CAR INOPERABBLE.NISSAN STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM DUE TO MILES ON CAR WERE HIGH..I PAID $7,000.00 IN CANADIAN MONEY FOR REPAIR THAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT..I AM ANGRY AT NISSAN FOR SAYING IT WAS MY PROBLEM...WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OTHER WARNING , I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS NORMAL...
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2006
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD SPARKS PLUGS CHANGED AS A MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED SERVICE. AFTER I PICKED THE CAR UP AND DROVE IT FOR SOME TIME I WOULD PERIODICALLY SMELL GAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. LATER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CEASED WORKING AND I AM TOLD THE CAR HAS TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE BY THE DEALER BEFORE THE 60,000 MILE MARK. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT MY CAR'S ENGINE WAS ALSO USING EXCESSIVE OIL AS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE MEDIA. I AM TOLD BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS PASSED, THERE IS NOTHING THAT NISSAN WILL DO. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY CLAIM THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE CAR. I HAVE READ IN THE NEWS REPORTS THAT NISSAN WILL RECALL ALL ALTIMA'S BACK TO THE 2003 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE THE 2002 MODEL WHICH WAS THE FIRST LINE PUT OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I AM WONDERING WHAT RIGHTS I HAVE. IF NISSAN DOES RECALL ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2002, HOW CAN MY CAR BE REPAIRED IF THE ENGINE HAS ALREADY FAILED? I WOULD LIKE TO SEND IN ALL OF MY DOCUMENTATION SO MY CASE CAN BE STUDIED AND I CAN KNOW WHERE I STAND. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2006
MY 2002 ALTIMA IS USING OIL EXCESSIVELY. ONE QUART IN 500 -700 MILES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V223000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAD TO ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE EVERY 500 TO 800 MILES. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2006
I BOUGHT AN '02 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JAN. 2002. IN 2003 I HAD RECALL WORK PERFORMED FOR THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (CAT CONVERTER DEFECT) AND AT THE TIME I COMPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE WENT THROUGH EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT MY CAR DID NOT NEED ANY REPAIRS AND THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. AT 97,167 MILES I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND MY WARRANTY WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. ALSO ADVISED THEM THAT I HEARD WATER RUNNING BEHIND THE DASH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ALL I NEEDED WAS A TUNE-UP DUE TO THE MILEAGE BUT OTHER THAN THAT MY CAR WAS GREAT. AT 100,460 MILES MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND FLOODED SEVERAL TIMES. HAD TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD START THE CAR JUST FINE AND THAT I HAD FLOODED THE VEHICLE. AGAIN RECOMMENDED TUNE-UP AND REPLACING SPARK PLUGS. (I HAD JUST REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS MYSELF) NEXT THING I KNOW...MY CAR WON'T RUN AND SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HAD TOWED TO INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND ADVISED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO CAT CONVERTER. I MADE THE DEALERSHIP TOW THE CAR TO THEM AND THEY INFORMED ME OF THE SAME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $5000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. THE SERVICE MGR. TOLD ME THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT THIS WILL OCCUR,AND THAT WHEN THEY CONTACTED THE NISSAN REP THEY DECLINED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO THE MILEAGE. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND GOT A TOTAL RUN AROUND AND TOLD ME THAT MY MILEAGE WAS TOO HIGH AND THEY HAVE HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. BULL!!! NISSAN MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP BACK LOT FOR 3 MONTHS!!! I AM CONTACTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MAKING MY VOICE HEARD AND OTHERS NEED TO VOICE AS WELL BECAUSE NISSAN IS TRYING TO SWEEP THIS UNDER THE CARPET....NOT ANYMORE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON DRY ROADS, THE MOTOR STALLED. HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED OPERATIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 22, 2006
THE OXYGEN SENSOR ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED ITSELF. THE FRAGMENTS OF THE SENSOR SHATTERED THE MAIN CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PIECES OF THE PARTS MIXED WITH THE OIL DAMAGING THE ENTIRE ENGINE, IE. PISTONS AND OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS, RENDERING THE ENGINE NOT SERVICEABLE. NEW ENGINE IS NEEDED AT A COST OF ABOUT SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS. I HAVE NOTIFIED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FROM THE MAIN CATALYST. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V084000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 8, 2006
ENGINE FAILURE: AT JUST UNDER 78,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER AN EXTENDED CRANK. COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURIZED INSTANTLY UPON COLD START IN A.M. MECHANIC SUGGESTED TOWING TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE HE SUSPECTS A POSSIBLE CYLINDER HEAD PROBLEM. HE SAYS THE 02 ALTIMA HAS A WELL-KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS THE ENGINE WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING OUT OF OIL AND COOLANT. THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP WERE REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A FULL TUNE UP WAS DONE. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER READING MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL WORK THAT I HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY WAS EITHER NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY OR SOMETHING ELSE IS NOT QUITE RIGHT. A NISSAN SHOULDN'T HAVE A RUINED ENGINE WITH THIS FEW MILES. THIS IS MY SECOND ALTIMA AND MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH NISSAN IS FADING FAST. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2006
MY NISSAN ALTIMA (2002) WITH VIN#[XXX]) ENGINE'S STOPPED WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AS I DROVE TO A SAFE LOCATION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND SHOWS A CODE P0335 AND I WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC (SERVICE GARAGE) THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2002 ALTIMA'S WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED NISSAN DEALER IN TUCSON AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN # DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALLED GROUP. UPON CALLING THE NATIONAL CONSUMERS AFFAIRS OFFICE @ (888)737-2647 I SPOKE TO MACY SPENCER (EXTENSION 8510). SHE LOOKED UP THE VIN # AN INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED IN MAY OF 2004 AND THAT IT ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM NISSAN IN JULY 2005. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, May 9, 2006
1) ON 4/15/06 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOT RUNNING RIGHT, AND WAS MISSING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN CORONA, CA. 2) THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED CYLINDER #1 MISFIRE, BUTTERFLY BOLT FELL INTO #1 CYLINDER BROKE SPARK PLUG. 3)REMOVED INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPLACE BUTTERFLY BOLT. REMOVED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR INSPECTION, MINOR HAIRLINE CRACK NO CODES. CUSTOMER DECIDED TO HAVE OLD CAT REINSTALLED. REINSTALLED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPLACED RELATED GASKETS. 4) SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND KNEW WHAT IT WAS RIGHT AWAY. THEY CHARGED ME $727 TO REPAIR AND I STILL HAVE A CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HAVE CHECKED OUT MESSAGING FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR NISSAN ALTIMA'S. *JB