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
276 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jan 1, 2016
STALL AT STOP AND IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS HOT.
Structure, Nov 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ACCELERATING OFF FROM A COMPLETED STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RUST WAS FALLING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Structure, Oct 31, 2015
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR IS RUSTED THRU. THE HOLE IS ABOUT 6 X 9. IF MORE OF THE RUST IS REMOVED, I KNOW IT WILL BE MUCH BIGGER. I WAS QUOTED $900-$1200 FOR THE REPAIR. IS THERE A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN FOR THIS PROBLEM. IM TOLD THIS IS COMMON FOR, THIS CAR. IF THERE ISN'T THERE SHOULD BE. [XXX] FIXED NOW WILL I GET REIMBURSED? THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2015
DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR PANS ARE RUSTING THRU. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH LOW MILES FOR IT'S AGE. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR EXCEPT IN THESE AREAS. THE INSPECTOR NOTED THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE ODI SITE, I'VE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY AND STRUCTURAL ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN BY NISSAN FOR YEARS, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACT UPON IT. THE VEHICLE CAN NOW BE CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY FAULT OF DESIGN OF THE MANUFACTURE. PLEASE HAVE AN INVESTIGATOR OPEN A TICKET TO HAVE A RECALL, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, A MANUFACTURE FIX SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE...EVEN THOUGH NISSAN IS STATING THAT IT ISN'T AND THEY WON'T ACT...THIS SHOULD BE A NEGLIGENCE CASE ON THE PART OF NISSAN.
Engine, Jul 30, 2015
NISSAN WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE RECALL RQO600/RO606.
Structure, Jun 23, 2015
I OWN 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. I FOUND A HUGE RUSTED HOLE ON THE PASSENGER/RIGHT SIDE FLOOR PAN/FLOORBOARD. MY WIFE FELT VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE HOLE IS GETTING BIGGER WHICH CAN CAUSE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. A LOCAL MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT HE SAW A COUPLE OF CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND IT ESTIMATED AT LEAST $1,500 TO FIX AND FIGURE OUT THE REASON OF WATER LEAKING. I THINK NISSAN HAS TO RECALL THE CARS.
Air bags, Jun 12, 2015
MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR !
Air bags, May 13, 2015
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAY'S ON ALL THE TIME WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING
Structure, Apr 9, 2015
MY 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE FLOOR BOARD. I FEAR THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE> NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS YET THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THESE CORROSION ISSUES, CLAIMING THERE ARE NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, Apr 7, 2015
THERE IS SEVERE RUST/ROT VISIBLE ON AT LEAST THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED FROM A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER AND THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WHY THIS WAS NOT DETECTED DURING A RECENT NYS DMV INSPECTION. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THIS ISSUE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFICIENCY/DEFECT... SEVERE ROT SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN JUST 10 YEARS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO AND THIS REPAIR WILL NOT LIKELY BE COST EFFECTIVE. *TR
Structure, Apr 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED AND HAD HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 5/28/15 *TA UPDATED 11/23/2015*JS
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Apr 1, 2015
FOUND OUT THAT THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY PANELS (FRONT FLOOR PANELS) ARE ROTTING OUT. ISSUE IS IF THEY FAIL CARS TIRES WILL TILT IN AS THE SUSPENSION IS TIDE INTO THE FRONT FLOOR PANELS. *TR
Steering, Mar 27, 2015
ITS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPENED, ITS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT,EVEN WHEN CHANGING LANE AT LOW SPEED LIKE 20 MPH,IT REQUIRED EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL,THE BINDING FORCES WAS INTERMITTENT AT CERTAIN STEERING WHEEL POSITION,NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THIS(48080-8J000 LOWER STEERING U_JOINT),BEFORE SOMEONE HAVE A DEADLY ACCIDENT. *TR
Structure, Mar 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARDS WERE CORRODED AND DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,500.
Steering, Mar 12, 2015
MY NISSAN IS DOING THE SAME THING WITH THE STEERING COLUMN THAT NISSAN JUST RECALLED 2002-2004 FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES OVER 600,000 VEHICLES WERE RECALLED IN THE US. (THIS RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE MY ALTIMA) THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT HAS CORROSION THIS IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE WAS MADE IN THE SAME PLACE THAT THE RECALLED VEHICLES WERE MADE. SO WHY IS MINE NOT RECALLED. I SEARCHED ONLINE NISSAN HELP AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS PRICE IS ABOUT $129.00 BUT APPARENTLY IN YORK PA IT IS $227.00 FOR THE PART AND ANOTHER $115.00 LABOR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR EVEN TO A SERVICE CENTER TO GET IT FIXED. SO ON TOP OF THE $360 PLUS DOLLARS TO FIX IT I NOW HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT TOWED $95.00 *TR
Steering, Mar 11, 2015
PROBLEM VEHICLE IS 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 50,000 MILES. NOTICED WHEN DRIVING THAT STEERING WHEEL WAS BINDING WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE VEHICLE. SEEMS LIKE POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT. HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED WITH FLUID AND POWER STEERING PUMP. NOT THAT SO DURING THE COURSE OF THE DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BIND BOTH DURING TURNING AND WHEN RETURNING THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHT. THE BINDING (REQUIRING BOTH HANDS) TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO RETURN THE WHEELS TO STRAIGHT BECAUSE THE BINDING PREVENTED THE WHEELS FROM RETURNING TO STRAIGHT . THE BINDING IS BAD ENOUGH THAT IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT. BECAUSE OF THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE DIFFICULTY IN STRAIGHTENING THE WHEELS. THE BINDING FORCE WAS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMED TO BE RELATED TO CERTAIN PLACES IN THE ORIENTATION OF THE WHEEL. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE MAJOR ACCIDENTS COULD HAPPEN. I AM AFRAID THE STEERING IS GOING TO GO OUT COMPLETELY AND CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TR
Structure, Mar 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 20, 2015
WHILE I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, MY CAR JUST CUT OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO EVEN TAKE IT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT UNTIL RECENTLY AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE GOING BAD AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1100 TO GET IT FIXED. SO I CHECKED ONLINE TO SEE IT WAS ANY RECALLS ON IT AND IT WAS SEVERAL BUT WAS TOLD IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR. SINCE THE FIRST TIME THAT IT CUT OFF IT HAS DONE IT AT LEAST 6 MORE TIMES. ONCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE RECALLS SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL AND MILEAGE OF MY ALTIMA BUT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE MY CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 5, 2014
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR NOT LONG AFTER I HAD IT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
Structure, Nov 19, 2014
I NOTICED ONE DAY SOMETHING HANGING FROM UNDER MY DRIVER SIDE UNDER BODY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICE THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE UNDER BODY TO BE CORRODED OUT WITH ABOUT A 5 X 11 HOLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND THINK NISSAN SHOULD BE SENDING OUT A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Nov 13, 2014, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON OCTOBER 20, 2014 AND MY INSURANCE CONSIDERED CAR AS " TOTAL LOSS" AFTER APPRAISAL BUT AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SEVERE DAMAGE AS I REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT. I DID SUFFER MUSCLE ACHE FOR COUPLE OF DAYS BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED EVEN MY PRESCRIPTION GLASSES FOR DISTANCE BROKE WITH IMPACT PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR " SENSOR" ISSUES EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH CAR AND I HAD TO BEAR THE EXPENSES EVERY TIME THE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERY YEAR FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND I COMPLAINED TO NISSAN BUT THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT & NOW WITH AIR BAG NOT OPENING WITH TOTAL DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS VERY WORRISOME. I DO HAVE PICTURES / POLICE REPORT FOR ACCIDENT & NISSAN REPAIR WORK DONE IN PAST FOR SENSOR ISSUES IF NEEDED THANK YOU FOR INVESTIGATING..UPDATED 12/05/14*BF
Structure, Nov 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED RUST AND CORROSION UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Structure, Oct 6, 2014
I HAVE TWO SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. 1) THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAS HOLES DUE TO RUST. 2) THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD IS RUSTED THROUGH WITH A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 10" X 20". I TOOK THAT CAR TO FRED MARTIN NISSAN FOR AN INSPECTION. THEY STATED THAT THESE ISSUES ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, RECALL OR GOODWILL CAMPAIGN. THESE ISSUES APPEAR TO BE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *TR
Engine, Oct 2, 2014
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED DOING HIGHWAY SPEED. GARAGE REPLACED CAM SHAFT SENSOR. 2 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN. GARAGE REPLACED CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. PROBLEM RESOLVED BUT THIS SEEMS TO COME UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. WHEN LIGHT WAS ON THERE WAS SEVERE LOSS OF POWER SINCE THE BAD SENSOR WAS CONFUSING THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. DANGEROUS SITUATION DEMONSTRATING NEED FOR RECALL. *TR
Structure, Sep 17, 2014
DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF AS I WAS TRYING TO ENTER VEHICLE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, ANOTHER BROKE OFF. THERE IS SHARP PLASTIC WHERE IT WAS BROKEN AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT CUTTING YOURSELF. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE QUICKLY AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR