2004 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 276 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 14 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
Engine and engine coolingJul 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE 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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 06V242000 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
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 19, 2006
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE MANIFOLD, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND OFF TWO OR THREE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING . THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATIONS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STALL OR INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
Electrical system, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2005
A FEW PROBLEMS HERE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. FROM THE SECOND I TOOK IT OFF THE LOT THE HEAT DID NOT WORK. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER, DO YOU THINK I WAS HAPPY? SO THEY FIXED THIS PROBLEM ON A BRAND NEW CAR. THEN LAST YEAR IN 2004 MY CAR DECIDED IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE STARTER THAT WENT AND THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD. SO BECAUSE OF THIS I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED FROM MY DRIVEWAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEN THE LATCH BROKE OFF ON THE CENTER CONSOLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I AM NOT ROUGH USING IT AT ALL. ITS NORMAL USE FOR THIS LATCH YET IT BROKE OFF AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A YEAR. THE PROBLEM THAT I FACE NOW IS THAT I CANNOT GET OUT OF MY CAR!!!!!! I ARRIVED HOME ONE DAY AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT AND WAS VERY SCARED WHEN I FOUND THIS PROBLEM. WHAT IF THERE IS EVER A CAR FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT AND I CANNOT GET OUT? YOU CAN OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT NOT THE INSIDE. HYANNIS NISSAN CLAIMS ITS A DOOR LATCH PROBLEM AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. SO SINCE MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT I HAVE TO PAY $192.00 TO GET THIS REPAIRED. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? ON A 2004 VEHICLE? TALK ABOUT UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS!!!! THE LAST PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A BAD SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS IN THE VEHICLE UPON TURNING THE CAR ON. NOT SURE WHAT THAT PROBLEM IS. COULD THAT BE HAZARDOUS TO MY HEALTH? NOT SURE BUT IT WORRIES ME WITH THE BABY I AM CARRYING. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PAYING FOR REPAIRS WHEN THE PROBLEM IS NOT ME ITS NISSAN YET I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. AND TO THINK I HAVE TO PAY $433.00 PER MONTH FOR THIS VEHICLE PLUS PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD. IT'S NOT FAIR AND NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO PAY.*JB
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2005
MY '04 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SE HAS JUST OVER 15,000 MILES. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS (3 MONTHS APART), THE CAR WOULD NOT START--IT ONLY HAD ENOUGH BATTERY POWER TO MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS. ON EACH OCCURRENCE, NOTHING WAS LEFT ON OR OPEN WHICH COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DEPLETE. ALSO ON EACH OCCURRENCE, THE CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE THE DAY BEFORE WITH NO PRECEDING SIGNS OF A DYING BATTERY. ON EACH OCCASION, THE CAR WOULD SUCCESSFULLY START BY JUMP STARTING FROM MY OTHER VEHICLE. ON EACH OCCASION, THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO A DEALER (TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS) FOR INSPECTION--EACH TIME NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. ONCE STARTED, THE BATTERY WILL RECHARGE NORMALLY AND HOLD THIS CHARGE AND OPERATE NORMALLY FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 10, 2005
DT: 2004 NISSIAN ALTIMA CONSUMER'S VEHCILE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT. CAME ON AND THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE LIGHT AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE COMPUTER CHIP, THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THE MOTOR STARTED SHAKING. DEALER FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SCREW LOOSE. THEY FOUND THE SCREW MISSING IN THE POWER VALVE. THEY HAD TO THE REMOVE THE EXHAUT MANAFOLD TO GET THE SCREW OUT, THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE MANAFOLD INTAKE/GASKET THROTTL/ A SPARK PLUG/BEARING SEAL/THE GASKET EXHAUT/GASKET ADAPTER, AND THE GASKET MANAFOLD. TWO DAYS LATER CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE VEHCILE STILL SHAKING WHEN DRIVING OVER 40 MPH . CONSUMER FOUND THAT WHEN TEST DRIVING VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 80 MPH. PROBLEM STARTED ON JUNE 1, 2005. *AK
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2005
MY CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING, EVERYTHING GOES COMPLETELY DEAD. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 8000 MILES. SINCE THEN, IT HAS CUT OFF AT LEAST 5 MORE TIMES. MY CAR ONLY HAS 11,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY RAN NUMEROUS DIAGNOSTICS ON MY CAR AND THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION ON WHY MY CAR KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING IN A BUSY ROAD, ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN IS BOUND TO HAPPEN. THE LAST TIME I CALLED THE DEALER THEY STATED I PROBABLY PUT BAD GAS IN THE CAR???? WHAT?S UP WITH THAT? I DON?T FEEL I SHOULD BE MAKING A CAR PAYMENT ON A BRAND NEW CAR AND HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. I WAS BETTER OFF WITH THE JUNK THAT I HAD. AT LEAST I WAS SAFE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2004
LOST OF POWER WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM STOP.. "ENGINE SERVICE SOON LIGHT" CAME ON!! P2135 TP SENSOR CODE FOUND. REPLACED PART BY NISSAN STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.. NOT IT SURGES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE.. P0507 ISC CODE FOUND.. NISSAN REFUSED TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER AT THIS TIME.*AK NEW CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEM.. NISSAN HAD FAILED TO MAKE RECALL FOR THIS PART.. ALL 2004 NISSAN ATLMIA HAS THIS PROBLEM.. FORCE NISSAN TO FIX ALL CARS OR TAKE BACK ALL 2004 MODELS.