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: power train
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Sep 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PART STORE FOR A COMPUTERIZED READING WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR, SPEED SENSOR AND THE CAM SHAFT ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Power train, Engine, May 10, 2014
ON MY WAY HOME I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH, THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND STARTED TO STALL. I PULLED OVER AND TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT STARTED FINE. I MADE IT TO NAPA AND ONE OF THE GUYS TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND SAID IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T MOVING. SO I GOT THAT AND HAD MY FATHER PUT THAT PART ON AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT STILL DID NOTHING. I PARK IT BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY AS I NORMALLY WOULD WITH THE LITTLE POWER THAT IT DID HAVE, AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST MADE A LOUD THUMP. MY FATHER TELLS ME TO START IT UP AND I STARTED IT UP AGAIN AS I NORMALLY WOULD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTS WHINING. THIS JUST HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE, THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING ABOUT TO HAPPEN. NO LIGHTS WERE ON, NO WEIRD NOISES, AND THE POWER WAS DOING COMPLETELY FINE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 18, 2011
CAR WAS BACK TO DEALER ABOUT 16 MONTHS AGO FOR RECALL NTB06-051A. AT THAT TIME CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED . THIS MONTH AUGUST 2011 SAME SYMPTOMS BUCKING HARD TO START STALLING. TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT SHOP AND CONFIRMED ANOTHER CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. *KB
Power train, Aug 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS WITH HESITATION AND JERKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME, WHERE THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power train, Jun 22, 2010
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA 5 SPD MANUAL CLUTCH. LAST WEDNESDAY I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND NOTICED THE CLUTCH WAS GETTING LOWER AND LOWER TO THE FLOOR. I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR TO LEAVE, I PRESSED ON THE CLUTCH AND IT JUST STAY DOWN ON THE FLOOR. AFTER THE CAR COOL IT SEEMED TO WORK PROPERLY THE NEXT DAY BUT NOW IT IS HARD TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR AND THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE TO GO INTO 2ND ALL OTHER GEARS SEEM OKAY. CURRENTLY I HAVE ONLY SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THERE APPEARS TO BE MANY. I DO NOT HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A MECHANIC BILL, ACTUALLY TODAY I ONLY HAVE 15.00 TO MY NAME. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS TO GET TO MY JOB THAT PAYS HALF MY BILLS AND AT THIS TIME I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR
Power train, May 12, 2010
2004 ALTIMA CLUTCH LOOSES PRESSURE AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. *TR
Power train, Sep 18, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. GEAR SLIPPAGE HAS INCREASED THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A LOCAL MECHANIC FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. NO REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 21, 2009
WE PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM CRATE LAKE MAZDA, MEDFORD, OR JAN 31,2009. TWO WEEKS AFTER WE HAD THE VEHICLE IT STARTED TO BUCK AND ACT LIKE IT WANTED DIE WHEN YOU STOPPED AT A LIGHT. WE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SALES PERSON THAT SOLD US THE CAR AND WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY WE HAD TO PAY. WE TOOK IT TA A MECHANIC AND THEN WENT BACK TO DEALER AND HE DIDN'T SEEM INTERESTED IN HELPING WE WERE MADE TO FEEL IT WAS OUR FAULT. I THEN CALLED NISSAN AND FOUND OUT THAT WERE 2 RECALLS OUT ON THIS CAR. THE ONE WAS FOR A POWER VALVE FAILURE WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH OUR VEHICLE. THIS ENDED UP COSTING US $785.00. WE HAD NOT EVEN MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT ON THIS CAR. WE THOUGHT WE HAD PURCHASED A GOOD CAR AND WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS WHOLE MESS. WE ARE SENIORS AND ON A LIMITED INCOME THIS REPAIR WAS RATHER DEVASTATING TO US. OUR MECHANIC USED ALL NISSAN FACTORY PARTS AND TO THEIR SPECS. THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY THE NISSAN DEALER IN GRANTS PASS, OR. SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. *TR
Power train, Jan 13, 2009
CLUTCH DOESN'T RE-ENGAGE AND DROPS TO FLOOR ON HOT DAYS IF USING THE CLUTCH A LOT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON A FEW OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEARS SLIPPED AND JOLTED WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DIMMED BRIEFLY, AND HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVER SINCE. HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Power train, Apr 23, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND VICE VERSA, THERE IS A HARD JERK. IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO DROP. THE FAILURE OCCURS ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER WHEN THE CONTACT BRINGS THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE DEALER FIRST SUGGESTED THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS NEEDED, BUT LATER STATED THAT A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE CURRENT ONE WAS FAILING. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 20, 2007
NISSAN ALTIMA 2004. HAS AROUND 91,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JERK A LITTLE, LIKE IT WAS JUMPING INTO GEAR. CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTART THE CAR. THREE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT. THIS TIME IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO START THE VEHICLE. AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IT STOPPED AGAIN THE SAME DAY BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP (CAR IS IN GERMANY DUE TO MILITARY). THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR FALLS UNDER 2 RECALLS. BOTH THE VALVE SCREWS AND THE SENSOR. I MAY END UP HAVING TO PAY FOR IT ALL EVEN THOUGH NNA SAYS THEY "SHOULD" HANDLE IT HERE. *TR
Power train, Jan 30, 2007
ALTIMA KEPT DYING AT RANDOM TIMES AND PLACES. ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AS THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. DEALER TRACED PROBLEM TO A BAD SENSOR. CAM AND CRANK SENSORS REPLACED AND SO FAR THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. $$$ . *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 24, 2006
I RENTED VEHICLE FOR THE WEEKEND AND USED IT FOR 1 DAY. I DROVE IT DOWN STATE TO CHAMPAIGN 250 MILES AND MADE A STOP. WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT UP, IT HESITATED TO CHANGE GEARS BUT DID, SO I TURNED AND DROVE THE CAR HOME TO CHICAGO. THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS VERY FRIDGET OUTSIDE . WHEN I GOT TO CHICAGO THE VEHICLE STOPPED I COULD START IT UP BUT IT WOULD GO INTO GEAR. THE ENGINE SOUNDED VERY FINE THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE NOTICEABLE, NO LOUD NOISES IN THE CAR. I CALLED ENTERPRISE AAA TOWED THE CAR TO THE ENTERPRISE RENTAL PLACE. I RENTED A SMOKE COLOR VEHICLE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THAT HE IS CHARGING ME $5,000.00 FOR A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION FOR A 2005 NISSAN AND FOR A SERPENTINE BELT AND A OIL CHANGE . THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED. I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ON ANYTHING OR ITS WHEREABOUTS. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Sep 21, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. IT BEGAN TO LEAK AND SMOKE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,400 MILES. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THIS OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2005. THIS WAS THE NINTH TIME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION, FUEL PUMP, AND AXLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE THIS NEW TRANSMISSION HAS ONLY ABOUT 5000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION FIVE TIMES. *AK
Power train, Feb 10, 2005
MODEL: 2004 ALTIMA-4 CYLINDER-AUTO PROBLEM: PROBLEM: ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAR WON'T DRIVE FORWARD, PRESSING GAS PEDAL DO NOTHING. THE CAR IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED ON TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING IN A BUSY ROAD, ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN.*AK
Power train, Apr 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, A TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. *AK