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, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 20, 2005
THE FIRST THING WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THEN THE OXYGEN SENSOR AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM. MEXT THERE WAS, AND STILL IS, THE JERKING TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR DRIVING ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY, THE TRANS SHIFTS HARD COMMING OUT OF FIRST INTO SECOND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR INTO SEVERAL NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND TO THIS DAY, NO ONE HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER ALTIMAS INCLUDING SEVERAL RENTALS WHILE MINE WASIN THE SHOP AND THEY DIDN'T SHIFT LIKE MINE. THE NEXT PROBLEM IS THOSE HEADLIGHTS. THEY HAVE REPLACED ONE OF MY LIGHT ASEMBLIES AN GREAT RIVER NISSAN BUT THE OTHER HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. NEXT, THERE WAS THE HEATER COIL THAT LEAKED AND IT TOOK ALMOST 6 MONTHS TO DETERMINE BECAUSE IT DIDN'T LEAK INSIDE THE CAR. NEXT THERE WAS THE IGNITION COILS THAT WERE REPLACED 2X WITHIN A WEEK AND STILL CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. AFTER THE IGNITION PROBLEM THE MECHANICS AT STERLING MCCALL NISSAN TOLD MY THAT IT WAS MY SPARKPLUGS THAT HAD HUST BEEN CHECKED ABOUT 2 WEEKS PRIOR AT GREAT RIVER NISSAN IN MISSISSIPPI. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INVITED THE SERVICE MAN TO A NICE LONG RIDE. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES, I STOPPED THE CAR AND LE IT SIT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE CAR STARTED AND HE SMILED. HE SAID, "SEE THERE IS NONTHING WRONG." AFTER EXPLAINING THAT HE NEEDED TO LET THE CAR SET FOR A WHILE AND THEN TRY TO START IT, HE SAID THAT IT IS STILL GOING TO START.AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, I ASKED THE SERVICE MAN TO STEP OUTSIDE AND LETS GIV THE CAR A START... TO NO SUPRISE, WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE CAR PUTTERED, SPITTED, JERKED, AND EVERYTHING ELSE BUT STARTED. IT WAS DETERMINED THE NEXT MORNING THAT THERE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CATALYST THAT WAS JUST REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2005
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 4 CYLINDER HAD A RECALL THAT CERTAIN ENGINES MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF THE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS RESTULTING IN INCREASED OIL COMSUMPTION AND ENGINE FIRE THE PRE-CATALYST WAS TO BE TESTED AND IF THERE IS DAMAGE, A NEW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN 11/04 TO BE CHECKED. SUPPOSEDLY NOTHING WAS WRONG. LAST MONTH, MY OIL LIGHT FLASHED AND WE CHECKED AND I WAS DOWN 2 QTS OF OIL. I BROUGHT IT IN LAST MONTH AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. ONE WEEK LATER, I WAS DOWN ANOTHER 2 QTS AND THEN THEY ADVISED ME THAT I NEED A NEW CATALYST CONVERTER. I BROUGHT IT TO NISSAN AND THEY ARE REQUESTING MY DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL MY OIL CHANGES EVEN THOUGH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT RUN BEFORE THIS PROBLEM STARTED. AUTOSPA IN MEDFORD, LONG ISLAND WHERE I BRING MY CAR HAD A COMPUTER CRASH AND LOST ALL COCUMENATION AND HAD TO GET NEW COMPUTERS. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I ASKED THEM DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY CAR GOES ON FIRE AND THEY RESPONDED THAT IT WILL BE CHEAPER TO REPLACE AN ENGINE THEN TO CHECK IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. NISSANS VOICE SERVICE EVEN STATES THAT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 5/20/03 ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED MINE IN 1/02. I FEEL THE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR ARE MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS. MY OIL CHANGES SHOULD NOT DETERMINE IF MY CAR SHOULD BE LOOKED AT WHEN THE COMPANY IS ADMITTING TO HAVING PROBLEMS. I PULLED MY CAR OUT OF NISSAN AND HAVING MY PERSONAL MECHANIC PUT IN A NEW CATALYST CONVERTER. IF MY CAR GOES ON FIRE AND EITHER MYSELF OR MY SON IS INJURED, THERE WILL DEFINITELY BE A LAWSUIT.
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2005
I AM VERY UPSET. JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN, I STARTED HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE REPAIR STORE FOR NEW TIRES AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK OUT THE NOISE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND THAT IT WAS A VERY SERIOUS, DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE 02 VALVE BACKED OUT OF THE CATALITIC CONVERTER AND BECAUSE THE CATALITIC CONVERTER AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WERE ONE PIECE, THEY ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ADIVSED ME THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE ADVISORY OUT ON THIS AND IT WAS VERY SERIOUS. IT COST ME $900.00 TO GET THIS FIXED AS I WAS IN FEAR OF MY LIFE TO DRIVE THIS ANY LONGER. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THERE WAS NOT RECALL ON THIS AND I AM REQUESTING MY MONEY BE REFUNDED. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING FOR A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. IF I DO NOT RECEIVE SOME TYPE OF CONTACT ON THIS COMPLAINT, I PLAN TO CONTACT THE BBB AND POSSIBLY AN ATTORNEY. IF THIS PROBLEM WARRANTED A SERVICE ADVISORY, IT CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE WARRANTED A RECALL.
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2005, fire
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD BANG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED IT AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. AS THEY ACCELERATED SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS WALKING AWAY FROM IT TO CALL FOR HELP WHEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2005
MY CAR HEATING SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THEN MY CAR HAD OVERHEATED. MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO OVERHEAT CAUSING A CRACK IN MY ENGINE. CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 75,781 MILES.
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2005
ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND THE CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AT 70MPH ON A HIGHWAY. CAR WAS RESTARTED BUT QUICKLY SHUTDOWN AGAIN WHEN TRYING TO RETURN TO HIGHWAY SPEED. MANAGED TO PULL OVER, BUT WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO PARK THE TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AND IS BEING LOOKED AT. CAR HAS A RECENT HISTORY OF STALLING 1 SECOND AFTER COLD START, INCLUDING AT LEAST ONCE WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AS IT STALLED WHILE STILL IN PARK. PRIOT TO THIS SHUTDOWN, THE DEALER WAS NOT VERY COOPERATIVE AND HAD ONLY FOUND TWO SETTINGS OUT OF SPEC IN THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND RESET THEM (TWICE, 2 DAYS APART).
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 2, 2005
THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW ENGINE WAS PLACED IN THE CAR IN NOVEMBER, THEN TWO MONTHS LATER, IT NEEDED A NEW DRIVESHAFT, AND CURRENTLY NEEDS MOTOR MOUNTS. THERE WAS A MOVING SENSATION WHEN FIRST TAKING OFF. WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE OWNERSHIP. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2005
RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V455000 CRANK SHAFT FAILURE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS RECALL REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED FOR THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER THE PERFORMANCE CHANGED. THEN, VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE REAR. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK CONSUMER KEPT OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES, ENGINE FAILURE. *BF
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Mar 23, 2005
FIRST WAS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF. THEN I NOTICED AS I ACCELERATE THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE, WHICH WAS GETTING MORE PRONOUNCED DAILY, FINALLY THE LAST TWO DAYS AS I WAS TRAVELING AND ACCELERATED TO GO FASTER IT WAS ALMOST LIKE IT WAS SLOWING DOWN INSTEAD OF INCREASING IN SPEED. THE NOISE ALSO IS OBVIOUS IN PARK NOW. I WENT ON-LINE AND NOTICED A RECALL (03V455000) FOR THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS SO I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD "NO THAT DOES NOT INCUDE YOUR VIN #, WE GO BY VIN#'S AND YOURS ISN'T LISTED. I SAID"BUT THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR AND IT SAYS IT CAN STALL AT HIGH SPPEDS AND CRASH". SHE SAID SHE COULD CHARGE ME $85 TO HOOK IT UP AND CHECK IT OUT BUT IT IS NOT UNDER A RECALL NOR WARRANTY. PERHAPS THEIR RECALL IS NOT BROAD ENOUGH AND SHOULD INCLUDE MORE VIN#'S... NOT SURE WHAT TO DO FROM HERE, AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, AND THE DEALER IS 50+ MILES AWAY. ANOTHER RECALL (03V061000) IS FOR DRIVER AIR BAG INTERMITTENT WHICH IS ALSO WHATS GOING ON IN MY CAR. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2005
LOST OF HEAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE WATER PUMP,HEAT BOX,TERMOSTAT'S, FLUSHED COOLING SYSTEM & STILL I LOSE HEAT. THEY HAVE CONTACTED THE ENGINEERS IN CALIF. AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WRONG EITHER. ONE SHOULD BE HERE IN DETROIT BY MARCH 22,2005 TO TRY AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE CAR IS BURNING OIL, WHIN IN A WEEK I HAVE TO REPLACE OIL IN THE CAR BECAUSE ALL THE OIL IS GONE AND IT'S NOT LEAKING. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2005
ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING UP INTO PIECES AND THIS PIECES GOING INTO THE ENGINE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 26, 2005, fire
NO COLLISION- WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MADE A LARGE NOISE AND SUDDENLY EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN.THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND WE HAD CAR TOWED. CAR NEEDS COMPLETE NEW ENGINE. TWO DIFFERENT AUTO SHOPS SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. CAR HAD ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. NISSAN WAS NOTIFIED AND CAME TO TAKE PICTURES OF CAR IN NOVEMBER 2004. HAS BEEN UNDER "LEGAL REVIEW" EVER SINCE AND COMPANY HAS BEEN LESS THAN COOPERATIVE WHEN WE'VE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM NUMEROUS TIMES, SO WE'VE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jan 25, 2005
NISSAN'S RECALL DEALS SEVERELY WITH THE MOTOR. HEAT SENSORS WERE NOT INSTALLED ON THE MOTOR ALLOWING THE MOTOR TO REACH EXTREME TEMPERATURES, THUS BURNING OFF THE OXYGEN SENSOR INTO THE PRE-CATALYST CONVERTER CAUSING MY MOTOR TO LOSE 3 QTS. PLUS OF OIL PER DAY. NISSAN KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I HAVE 117,000 MILES HAVE KEPT UP WITH OIL CHANGES, NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY 50% OF THE COST TO FIX MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO NISSAN'S 800 NUMBER AND OVER 20 PLUS CALLS WENT UNANSWERED. I THEN DROPPED MY VEHICLE OFF AND LEFT IN ORDER TO GET SOMEONE TO RETURN MY CALL. NISSAN THREATENED ME WITH THE TOWING OF MY VEHICLE OFF THEIR PREMISES AND HAVE DONE SO. I AM NOW OUT OF A VEHICLE AND NISSAN WONT BUDGE OFF OF THEIR 50% SPLIT FOR A MOTOR. THIS WAS NISSAN'S FAULT IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE VEHICLE NOT MINE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 22, 2004
RECALL CAMPAIGN, REPLACED EXHAUST CAT SHIELDS AND FRONT PIPE. SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS. *BF AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONSUMER EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HE NEEDED A LONG BLOCK ENGINE ASSEMBLY, A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2004
ENGINE HAD A CLICKING SOUND. THERE WAS NOISE WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THEN, PEDAL WAS LOOSE, AND ENGINE WAS HARD TO START.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 1, 2004
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN A HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM THE CONSUMER MADE MANY ATTEMPTS TO NOTIFY REPRESENTATIVE. VEHICLE STALLED 4 TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TC
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2004, crash, fire
REPORTING 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA ACCIDENT/FIRE; AND REQUESTING ASSISTANCE ON HOW TO GET REIMBURSED FOR AUTO REPAIRS. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH HE RE ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE. THE OTHER VEHICLE DROVE AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT WITH LITTLE TO NO DAMAGE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 16, 2004
ATTEMPTED TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE BY WAL-MART. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE THE OIL ON THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLE DUE TO THE DIP STICKS BREAKING OFF IN MANY OF THE CARS THEY HAVE SERVICED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART,BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Aug 26, 2004
(1) MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SHUTTERS AND DIES WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT LOW RPMS. I.E.(HEAVY TRAFFIC, OR STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT). (2) IT SHUTS COMPLETELY OFF WHEN IN MOTION. (3) I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED LAST WEEK, FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND IT'S BACK AT THE SHOP AGAIN TODAY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL ISSUE, BUT KEVIN AT URBAN NISSAN IN DUNCANVILLE TOLD ME THAT ACCORDING TO HIS SYSTEM, THERE WERE NO RECALL ISSUES FOR MY CAR. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2004
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR( 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA) THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND A ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I DROVE MY CAR TO THE DEALER MIKE SHAD NISSAN IN JACKSONVILLE ,FLORIDA AND THEY CHECK MY CAR AND ADVICE ME THAT THEY FOUND THE NUMBER ONE SPARK PLUG CLOSED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A POORLY MANUFACTURER CATALYST CONVERTER BY NISSAN AND ADVICE ME THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THIS IS THE THIRD ENGINE ON THIS CAR THIS CAR STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT HAPPEN TO ME TWICE AND RESENTLY AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE I WAS EXECUTING A TURN THESE CARS 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS WITH THE 2.5 4 CYL ENGINES MUST BE RECALL OR HAVE THE DEALERS ADVICE THE OWNERS TO BRIGN THEIR CARS IN FOR CHECK, BEFORE SOMEONES GEST KILLED AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE NISSAN MAKE ME PAY THE DEALER $498 TO HAVE MY MOTOR LOOK AT .WHY SHOULD I PAY MIKE SHAD NISSAN $498 TO TAKE MY ENGINE APART TO FIND A PROBLEM THAT THE NISSAN CORPORATION KNOWS THAT IS WRONG WITH THEIR CARS THE FAILURE OF MY ENGINE WAS CAUSE BY A FAULTY DESIGN PART. THE 2002 ALTIMAS ARE PLAGUE WITH PROBLEMS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2004
BOUGHT CAR USED IN MARCH 2003 WITH 28451 MILES FROM DECORMIER NISSAN IN MANCHESTER, CT 06040. SINCE I HAVE HAD CAR THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. NO STARTING, CAR WOULD STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, CAM POSITION SENSOR REPLACED (TWICE), 5 RECALLS, BRAKES REDONE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORRISION, AFTER BRAKES REDONE NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WARPED ROTORS, RADIATOR REPLACED AFTER BOTTOM SEAM BLEW OUT. LATEST PROBLEM IS WHAT I FEEL IS EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL. CAR ORIGINALLY DID NOT USE OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES (3000 MILES). CAR IS CURRENTLY USING JUST OVER 1 QUART PER 3000 MILES. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER WITH 52,281 MILES TO PERFORM OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. BROUGHT CAR BACK WITH 53,924 MILES. IN 1,643 MILES CAR CONSUMED 0.6 QUART OF OIL. DEALER SAID THIS IS ACCEPTABLE. HAVE SINCE CONTACTED NISSAN OF AMERICA (1-800-NISSAN1) TO START CASE #4630040. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT RECALL FOR PRE-CATALYST (DONE ON 9/23/03) BECAUSE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PRE-CATALYST. MATERIAL FROM A DAMAGED PRE-CATALYST COULD ENTER THE ENGINE AND RESULT IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE PRE-CATALYST AND THERE WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS. PRE-CATALYST RECALL IS ON THE NISSAN OF AMERICA WEB SITE THEN WHY IS THE DEALER NOT AWARE OF THIS?*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2004
RECALL 03V084000 CONCERNING ENGINE COOLANT. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE CONSUMED TOO MUCH OIL. DEALER CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE SHOULD NOT USE MORE THAN 1 QUART OF OIL PER 5000 MILES, EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL WAS DONE. CONSUMER FELT THAT VEHICLE WAS STILL USING TOO MUCH OIL. AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2002 NISAAN ALTIMA AND HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE. IT HAS BEEN IN TWICE ALREADY FOR THE HEATER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN CAR IS AT IDLE BELOW 2500 RPM. IT WAS TAKEN IN TWICE AND TEMPORALILY FIXED. THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. ALSO THE ENIGINE WOULD RUN ROUGH AND SOMETIMES STALL, THIS WAS INITIALLY RECALLED AS A BAD ENGINE CRANK SENSOR. I HAD IT IN A SECOND TIME WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR AGAIN. THE SAME EVEINING WHEN I GOT HOME THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I CONTACTED THE SERVICE AGENT TWICE WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. NOW THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPETIATIVE PROBLEMS THE CAR NOW SMOKES WHEN IT IS STARTED, IT ALSO IS ROUGH STARTING. AT THE LAST OIL CHANGE THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN 2 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL. THE OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON A REGULAR BASIS BETWEEN 3000 AND 4000 MILES EVERY TIME. THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN START APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO, I HAD TO TAKE OUT THE SPARK PLUGS AND CLEAN THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE SO FOULED OUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE CAR HAS JUST OVER 43000 MILES AND THE LAST INCIDENTS THAT ARE THIRD TIME OFFENDERS ALONG WITH THE SPARK PLUGS BEING FOULED HAVE TRANSPIRED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED OF COURSE. *AK