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 and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2009
NISSAN RECALL RO606 FOR 2003 AND 2004 ALTIMAS AND SENTRAS WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINES TO REPROGRAM THE ECM ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SINCE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IF IT CANNOT TAKE A PROPER READING. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN SEVERAL TIMES AND SOME WHILE TRAVELING 45 -55 MILES PER HOUR WHICH COULD BE VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN ON A CONGESTED 3 OR 4 LANE HIGHWAY AS I TRAVEL DAILY. THIS IS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS AND FAR DIFFERENT THAN THE RECALL STATES THAT IT ONLY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAD THE ECM REPROGRAMMED PER THE RECALL BUT STILL HAVE SAME ISSUES OF THE CAR NOT WANTING TO START THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND A SCAN OF THE COMPUTER (ECM BRINGS UP CODE THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS FAULTY HOWEVER REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR ISN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL AND THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECN DOESN'T FIX THE ISSUE. MANY ALTIMA OWNERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A NEW CRANKSHAFT SENSOR TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM OF THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING OR BEING STRANDED BECAUSE IT DOESN'T START ONCE IT SHUTS DOWN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 29, 2009
MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND IS HARD TO START. I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSIS OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON MALFUNCTION ON THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I HAD THIS SENSOR REPLACED IN 2007 OR 2008. THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. UPON ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS, IT IS THE SAME SENSOR. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY STATED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT ADVISED ME TO GO TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS DONE. WHICH I DID AND OF COURSE THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT MY MECHANIC HAD ALREADY STATED. AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ORIGINAL PART WHICH IS PLASTIC ALLOWED OIL TO LEAK IN AND CAUSES A BURN OUT OF THE SENSOR SO THEY CHANGED IT TO HAVE A METAL FITTING. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN AGAIN, THEY STILL SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT AN UPGRADE OF THE PART. IN MY EYES, THAT IS NOT AN UPGRADE, THAT IS A REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF BUT ARE ONLY ADDRESSING IN CERTAIN VEHICLES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ALREADY ON FILE AND ON THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT AS I FIND MYSELF IN WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED! I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A TOTALLY UNFAIR PRACTICE THAT NISSAN IS DOING AND I AM ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS TO YOU AND TO NISSAN DIRECTLY IN HOPES THAT AS A CONSUMER, WE COULD OBTAIN SOME SORT OF RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 27, 2009
04 ALTIMA JUST TURN OFF DOING 65MPH ON THE I5. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT WAS NOT IN RUSH HOUR AND DID NOT HIT ANYONE IN FRONT OF ME , BUT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS NOT SO LUCKY HE HAD TO RUN OUT OFF THE FWY SO THAT HE WOULD NOT HIT ME. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE NET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM. (ECM, CRANKSHAFT , AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS) GONE BAD. I CALLED DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN DIAGNOSE THE CAR WITH OUT CHARGING FOR THE INSPECTION AND CHARGING ALMOST $600.00 FOR A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD COVER AS A RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ECM. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAM SHAFT. THESE TWO COMPONENTS CAUSE SEVERAL VEHICLES TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN TO HIS VEHICLE AFTER THE ECM IS REPLACED. HIS VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HE FEELS THAT THIS WILL NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Electrical system, Jun 14, 2009
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS BEEN JUST DYING OUT FOR NO REASON, VERY DANGEROUS, IN TRAFFIC CAR JUST STALLS OUT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE TOOK APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES TO RESTART AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 AND NISSAN RECALL NUMBER R0606, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE THE DEALER COULD REPAIR THE RECALL ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE CRANKSHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $200 BEFORE THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR COULD BE REPAIRED. THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO THE CONTACT SO SHE CALLED THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY WILL NOT RETURN HER CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 17, 2009
CKP "CRANK POSITION SENSOR" TROUBLE CODE FOUND WHEN SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS LOOKS IDENTICAL TO ISSUE FOUND IN RECALL 06V242000. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2009
CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED. LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. CAR'S DTC CODE SAID THE FAULT WAS CAUSED BY THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS 2004 ALTIMA HAD BEEN TO DEALER FOR THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE RECALL. *TR
Suspension, Apr 24, 2009
BANGING IN RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TOOK THE CAR TO APPLE NISSAN AND WAS TOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT IT NEED FRONT STRUTS THE CAR ONLY HAS 23 THOUSAND MILES I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THERE IS NO WAY THE STRUTS SHOULD GO BAD THIS QUICK THEY QUOTED A PRICE OF $500 TO $600 DOLLARS. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 7, 2009
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE ON THE RUN DUE TO FAULTY CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR. I FIXED CRANK SENSOR 2 YEARS BACK AFTER A DEATH INCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST MONTH. THIS TIME ITS THE SENSOR NEXT TO THE OTHER. THE CAM SENSOR. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2002 TO 2008 ALTIMAS AND SENTRAS. AND NISSAN CONTINUE TO MAKE FAULTY CHEAP SENSORS TO PUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AT RISK AND NOT EVEN CARED ABOUT HAVING A RECALL. *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 14, 2009
I OWN A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON SEPTEMBER 2007, WHILE DRIVING ALONG A BUSY HIGHWAY IN ARIZONA OUR VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL ON CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE RECALL STATED THAT IT WAS ONLY TO BE RE-PROGRAMMED BUT WE CHOSE TO REPLACE THE PART INSTEAD. STARTING ON OCTOBER 2008, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE READ "CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR". I HAVE READ A RECALL FOR 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V455000, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSEQUENCES MATCH EXACTLY ON WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 2003 AND IT WAS MANUFACTURED ON JUNE 2003. MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *TR
Tires, Jan 26, 2009
ON DECEMBER 01, 2006 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES BIG O T/R EURO TOUR P205/65R16 DOT ID 3D3PT1N2906. THESE TIRES CARRY A 4 YEAR 70,000 MILE WARRANTY. WITHIN 5 MONTHS AND ONLY 3758 MILES (APRIL 2007) I BEGAN TO HAVE TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. I RETURNED TO THE BIG O TIRE STORE AND THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS A BAD VALVE STEM THAT THEY HAD REPLACED WHEN I BOUGHT THE TIRES AND REPAIRED IT. IN MAY 2007AFTER 18 MONTHS AND 26596 MILES I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THIS TIME THEY FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD A SEPARATED BELT AND REPLACED THE TIRE. AT THIS TIME I TRIED TO GET THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS LOT OF TIRES AND GET THEM TO REPLACE THE OTHER THREE. THEY REFUSED TO DO SO, SAYING THAT IF I HAD OTHER PROBLEMS THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT WHEN IT HAPPENED. TODAY JANUARY 26, 2009 I WENT IN TO THE BIG O TIRE STORE TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED. AFTER THEY HAD FINISHED AS I WAS ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. SO I WENT BACK TO THE STORE. AFTER SOME TRIAL AND ERROR THEY HAVE FOUND THAT A SECOND TIRE THAT HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN ON THE RIGHT FRONT HAS A BELT SEPARATION PROBLEM AND ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT. SINCE TWO OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES HAVE FAILED IN THE SAME WAY I HAVE ASKED THAT THEY REPLACE THE OTHER TWO ORIGINAL TIRES BEFORE I HAVE MORE PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE MORE SEVERE. SO FAR THE ANSWER HAS BEEN NO FROM THE LOCAL STORE AND FROM THEIR NATIONAL CONSUMER CONTACT. MY VIEW IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR ME BUT FOR OTHERS. *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, Jan 7, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT ERROR CODES APPEARED FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS POSSIBLY A MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER AND ENGINE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN PROPERLY REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,447 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,666.
Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2009, crash
I WAS COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT IN THE MICKOSUKEE GAMING, AND THE CAR FAILED TO BE BRIGHTLY LIT SO THAT I COULD SEE AS I TURNED . I COULD NOT SEE THE WALL IN FRONT OF ME AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR OF MY 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS DAMAGED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 31, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. ON APRIL 20, 2008, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC FOUND A LOOSE CLIP IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT CAUSED THE SPARK PLUGS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PERFORMED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NISSAN'S PREVENTIVE SERVICE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $273.97. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,093. UPDATED 01/23/09 *BF UPDATED 01/23/09. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 6, 2008
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. CAR STALLS AND BUCKS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 29, 2008
THIS VEHICLE EXHIBITS A COMMON SET OF PROBLEMS WITH THE NISSAN QR25DE ENGINE (ACTUALLY THE SELF-DESTRUCTION OF THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH IN TURN DESTROYS THE CYLINDERS, CAUSING OVERHEATING, HEAD AND MANIFOLD DAMAGE). THE ENGINE OVERHEATS AND BURNS COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF OIL; SOMETIMES FAILS TO START; RUNS ROUGH AFTER STARTING; A/C CUTS OUT DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP. AFTER HALF A DOZEN SERVICE VISITS AND REPLACEMENT OF MANY ITEMS, NOW THE DEALER RECOMMENDS ENTIRE ENGINE & CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. WE NOTICE THAT THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE AS INSTALLED IN THE ALTIMA AND ON SEVERAL OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES, IS HAVING THIS PRECATALYTIC CONVERTER DISINTEGRATION-AND-INGESTION PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH NO LIVES ARE BEING LOST (OF WHICH WE ARE AWARE) DUE TO THIS WELL-KNOWN AND WELL-DOCUMENTED NISSAN MANUFACTURING (OR SUPPLIER) DEFECT, MUCH FINANCIAL LOSS IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY COUNTLESS AMERICANS, MOST OF WHOM VERY LIKELY BELIEVE THAT THEIR EXPENSIVE ALTIMA PROBLEMS ARE UNIQUE TO THEIR OWN CAR AND NOT A WIDESPREAD DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON OCTOBER 9, 2008, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE NORMALLY SHUTS DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSIS, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,266 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,400. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING ONTO THE FREEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND IT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES BEGINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED THREE RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURES STILL PERSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 6, 2008
CAR WOULDN'T START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN EARLY 2007 (FEBRUARY TIMEFRAME). I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THAT WAS DONE, I BROUGHT IT BACK IN 2 DAYS LATER AND THEY SAID THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PAID THEM TO REPLACE IT ($152.07) AND THE ISSUE OF NOT STARTING HAS NOT SINCE REAPPEARED. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT RECALLS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR MODEL YEARS 2003, 2005 AND 2006 OF THE ALTIMA TO HAVE THEIR CRANKSHAFT POSITION CENSORS REPLACED, BUT NOT FOR 2004 ALTIMA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 22, 2008
I OWN A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THERE'S A RECALL ON A SENSOR IN THE ENGINE THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT NOTICE. I CALLED THE RECALL NUMBER AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR THE RECALL. I EXPLAINED ON HOW THAT WAS POSSIBLE IF IT WAS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. THEN I WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK INTO IT BUT, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY THE SERVICE, WHY I DON'T KNOW, I PAID $330.00 FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS RECALLED AND HAS BEEN POSTED EVERYWHERE ON THE INTERNET WHERE RECALLS ARE POSTED BUT, I WAS STILL CHARGE. NOW I DON'T THINK THAT WAS FARE. WILL BE THE LAST TIME I BUY A NISSAN CAR. *TR