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 and engine cooling
599 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2009
MY CAR STARTED STALLING AND GOT HARDER AND HARDER TO START. PREMIER NISSAN (METAIRIE, LA) SAID A POWER VALVE SCREW CAME LOOSE, FELL INTO THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE WAS RUINED, AND I NEEDED TO BUY A NEW ENGINE. I GOOGLED THE MATTER. MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS FOR SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR (2002). (THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THE 2003 MODEL ALSO.) AND THIS WAS EXACTLY THE SUBJECT OF A NISSAN RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 ALTIMAS (NISSAN #: P5202; NTB05-058B). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 13, 2009
I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM CITY FORD LINCOLN MERCURY LOCATED IN BRONX, NY.. ON 4/11/2009.. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR IT STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES. I CALLED AND INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE SITUATION. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN TO THEIR REPAIR SHOP.. THEY NEVER FIXED THE CAR AND THEY'RE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. THEY EXPECT TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND THE ENGINE IS SMOKING AND MAKING LOUD NOISES WORSE THEN IT WAS WHEN I HAD IT.. I NEED HELP ON HOW I GO ABOUT GETTING THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE CAR.. THEY'VE OFFERED ME TO GET ANOTHER CAR & HAVE IT FINANCED RATHER FOR THEM TO FIX THE CAR OR PROVIDE ME WITH A REFUND. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED BACK HOME (WITHIN 300 MILES) THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF MORE OIL. THE LOW ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PLACED MORE OIL INTO THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC VERIFIED THE LOW OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAKAGE ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND OVER 700 COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 178,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 9, 2009, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 LITER ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY IN MARCH OF 2006 AND AGAIN IN MAY OF 2009. SHE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 ON THE INTERNET AND REALIZED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES WITH HER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN 2006, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED AND CHARGED $1,000 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. A RECALL NOTICE IN 2002 DID NOT STATE THAT IT WAS RELATED TO A VIN AT THAT TIME. THE RECALL WAS LATER AMENDED IN 2006 AND 2008 TO PERTAIN TO A SPECIFIC VIN. IN MAY OF 2009, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND BLACK SMOKE AND OIL POURED OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAD CONSUMED OIL. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN AS LONG AS THE OIL DOES NOT LEAK. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS UNUSUAL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED THIS FREQUENTLY. THE FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE RECENT FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000. UPDATED 062909 *BF UPDATED 07/02/09.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2009
AT 112,000 MILES THE SES LIGHT ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L CAME ON. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED A $1500 REPAIR JOB. AFTER CONSULTING MANY MECHANICS IN THE AREA, VIEWING MANY, MANY WEBSITES THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR FOR THIS SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE PROBLEM IS BY THE TIME SES LIGHT INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM IT IS TOO LATE AS THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE TO THE ENGINE AND THOSE THAT HAVE PAID THE $1500 TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED ENDED UP HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER!!! THIS COST UP TO $5000 TO HAVE DONE, BRINGING THE TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR TO $6500 DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE, BUT NOT DETECTABLE DURING REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND OFTEN TIMES HAS OCCURRED AFTER THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY AND JUST SHUT DOWN, AS I'VE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD, A 2 YEAR OLD AND NEWBORN AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THEM AROUND IN THIS CAR. PLEASE DO THE RESEARCH AND I FEEL REST ASSURED THAT YOU WILL SEE THE COMMONALITY OF THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FROM A VERY DISTRAUGHT 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH HER CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR EMISSIONS TESTING, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 06/10/09 *BF UPDATED 06/11/09 UPDATED 06/30/09. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS/HER COMPLAINT. UPDATED 03/01/10 UPDATED 03/05/10
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2009
ENGINE STARTED BURNING OIL BEFORE 100,000 MILES. COME TO FIND OUT NOT ONLY DOES THIS VEHICLE HAVE A BAD CATA LYTIC CONVERTER BUT THAT MANY NISSAN BUYERS GOT STRUCK WITH THE SAME DRAMA AND UNBELIEVABLE COSTS THAT NISSAN WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR. NOW MY DREAM CAR IS DEAD IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NISSAN WANTS $4600 FOR AN ENGINE AND I STILL OWE $7900 ON THE CAR. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 12, 2009
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, 2.5L ENGINE. I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. THE CAR HAS STOPPED ON ME TWO TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR OR TWO. IT CAME TO A HALT IN SEPTEMBER 2007 IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR FOR A TOW TRUCK. AT THAT TIME I HAD THE SENSOR DETECTOR REPLACED BY A NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE. ON LAST TUESDAY, THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT MOVE BUT I HAPPENED TO BE IN PARKING LOT AND WAITED 3 HOURS TO GET MY CAR MOVED. THIS TIME THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A NISSAN DEALER AND THE SENSOR DETECTORS WERE AGAIN REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE WAS COMING APART INTERNALLY BIT BY BIT AND I WOULD NEED THE ENGINE REPLACED OR RUN THE RISK OF HAVING THE ENGINE STOP ON ME AT ANY TIME. I HAVE CHANGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, HAVE AN OIL LEAK AND SOME GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I PUT OIL IN MY CAR EVERY WEEK BECAUSE THE LEAK WAS NOT REPAIRED. I NEVER SEEN ANY OIL ON MY DRIVEWAY AND DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS LEAKING. WHEN I CHECKED TO SEE IF I COULD FIND AN ENGINE FOR LESS THAN WHAT THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME, I FOUND 400 COMPLAINTS ON ONE WEBSITE AND 99 ON ANOTHER WEBSITE COMPLAINING OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5L ENGINE OF WHICH I AM COMPLAINING. MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE REPORTING ENGINE FAILURE OR BREAKDOWN. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AND I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY NISSAN AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 9, 2009
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING. LOSING POWER AND NOT REACHING SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. READ SEVERAL REVIEWS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH ENGINES GOING BAD AND STARTED OUT WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND PROBLEMS WITH HARD CRANK, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOING BAD AND CAUSING ENGINES TO GO BAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 8, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS KEEP FAILING IN HER VEHICLE. IN 2004, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT IS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $300 TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2009
PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN ALTIMA IN SEPT. 2002 AND WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE AN EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORD. BROUGHT THE CAR IN LAST MONTH FOR A LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE ENGINE BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY "COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG." THEN THE ENGINE STARTED A RACING NOISE AND I IMMEDIATELY DROPPED IT OFF. NOW I AM TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE AT THE TUNE OF $4,700.00. I ONLY HAVE 94,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT AND AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. I HAVE HAD ALL OF THE NUMEROUS RECALLS FIXED OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIFFY LUBE FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ONE WEEK LATER. SHE CHECKED THE DIPSTICK AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO JIFFY LUBE AND OIL WAS ADDED; HOWEVER, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE SHOP AND THEY FOUND NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OIL WAS ENTERING INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE PISTON RING. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HER BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO START. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FAULTY AND A RECALL WAS PENDING FROM 2004 FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL IN 2004; THEREFORE, THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE IS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 21, 2009
A MONTH OR SO AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. MY CAR IS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, 104,000 MILES AND THE MECHANIC STATED IT NEEDS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND POSSIBLY A NEW ENGINE . THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) IN 2004, BUT THAT RECALL HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. THIS IS RIDICULOUS- THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF EXACT FAILURES AND NO RECALL??? NISSAN SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR NOT REPAIRING THE MATTER. THE SMALL FIX IN 2004 DID NOTHING TO AVERT THE LONG TERM ISSUE. THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO THIS CAR ARE IMPECCABLE. OIL CHANGES DOCUMENTS EVERY 3000-5000 MILES USING TOP GRADE SYNTHETIC SYNPOWER MOTOR OIL. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ASIDE FROM DESIGN FLAWS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE CHECKING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. HE REPLACED THE OIL WITH AT LEAST TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING AROUND THE RINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ECM FAILURE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE FAILED. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT PARTICLES FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGED THE CYLINDER WALLS IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE FAILURE THAT HE EXPERIENCED, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 17, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A SERVICE CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE OIL RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. ONE WEEK LATER, THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) IN 2004, BUT THE RECALL HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 13, 2009
ONE MONTH AGO OIL LIGHT WENT ON, CHECKED OIL AND LOW. MECHANIC SAID THE OIL WAS NOT LEAKING, YET WE WERE LOSING OIL EVERY 100 MILES. WENT TO NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY SAID THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, 80,000 MILES NEEDS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE .RESEARCHED ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A ENGINE FIRE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 10, 2009
AT APPROX 100K MILES, MY ALTIMA WAS CONSUMING ALOT OF OIL, RUNNING POOR, EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE FAILED, HAD ENGINE REPAIRED, BEGAN SAME OIL BURNING PROBLEM AGAIN, HAD CAT CONVERTER HALLOWED OUT, ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOW. HE PLACED 11/2 QUARTS OF OIL INTO THE VEHICLE AND HAD A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP CHANGE THE FILTER AT THE COST OF $42.68. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOSING A QUART OF OIL PER WEEK. EACH WEEK, HE WOULD ADD A QUART TO REFILL THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AT THE COST OF $28.96; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND ERROR CODE PO420 WAS PRODUCED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CRANK CASE PRESSURE WERE FAILING. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $4,500. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE COULD NOT PRODUCE MAINTENANCE RECORDS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT EVEN WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD STILL FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,158 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,400.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2009
THE CAR, NISSAN 2002 ALTIMA 2.5S, WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS STARTING TO HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2009. NISSAN REPLACED THE CRANK & CAM SENSORS. THEY STATED THEY WEREN'T COVERED UNDER ANY NISSAN SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 26, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAIN CATALYST FAILED DUE TO INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2009
MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION AT 80,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2009
THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IN THE NISSAN MOTORS VQ35DE AND VQ40DE ARE PRONE TO FAILURE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS REVISED THE PARTS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING BUT THOSE PARTS ARE ONLY INSTALLED AFTERTHE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE COST TO HAVE THIS DONE PRIOR TO FAILURE IS VERY HIGH. SURELY NISSAN SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING BEFORE PUTTING THESE MOTORS INTO PRODUCTION...*TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN JULY OF 2004; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IS RECURRING DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 19, 2009
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE; ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MUST BE REPLACED. *TR