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 24, 2008
A RECENT 15K MILE SERVICE INTERVAL REVEALS THAT I HAVE 2 MOTOR MOUNTS WHICH ARE THE FLUID TYPE ARE LEAKING BADLY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS MAY BE SAFETY RELATED AS IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MAJOR VEHICLE COMPONENT. MANY BLOGS REVEAL NUMEROUS MOTOR MOUNT ISSUES ON SEVERAL NISSAN MODELS THAT USE THESE FLUID TYPE MOUNTS. I FIND THIS VERY UNUSUAL SINCE I ONLY HAD 47,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I HAD THIS SERVICE DONE IN JUNE 08. ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS I TALKED TO DID INDICATE HE HAS SEEN MANY FAILURES OF THESE MOTOR MOUNTS AS WELL AS THE CRANK CASE SENSOR WHICH NISSAN DID REPLACE AT NO CHARGE BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I WOULD LIKE YOUR INPUT AS TO WHETHER THIS MAY BE VIEWED AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED PRIOR INQUIRIES INTO THIS VERY PREMATURE ISSUE. THANK YOU, JIM WEEKS *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 22, 2008
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAS REPORTED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS BAD. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO HESITATE, QUIT GOING DOWN THE ROAD & NOT TO START. WE REPLACED THE SENSOR & WITHIN 2 DAYS THE SES LIGHT WAS BACK ON. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN BACK TO THE SAME THING! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING THE FAILURES NOTED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2008
WHEN REAR DEFROSTER WINDOW IS TURNED ON, RECEPTION OF RADIO FUZZES OUT. TOLD THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRENTEE EVEN THOUGH WARRENTEE STATES AUDIO AND ELECTRIC COVERAGE, WINDOW IS NOT DAMAGED.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 9, 2008
CAR DIED AT STOP LIGHT. "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. CAM SENSOR WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE BY REPAIR SHOP. INTERNET SEARCH FOUND THIS TO BE A RECALL ITEM FOR 2002 AND 2003 MODEL YEAR ALTIMAS, BUT NOT 2004 MODEL YEAR. FAILURE OF THIS PART ON THE HIGHWAY IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MAY BE AFFECTING LATER MODEL YEARS.. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 10, 2008
ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP, WAITED 10 MINUTES AND IT FINALLY STARTED BACK UP. DROVE 1 BLOCK AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A FAULTY CAM AND CRANK SENSOR AND IT WAS $258 TO REPLACE IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THE SAME PART, CAM AND CRANK SENSOR, WAS RECALLED ON PRIOR AND LATER ALTIMA MODELS, BUT 2004 MODELS WERE EXCLUDED. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPEATED OVER AND OVER ON SAFECAR.GOV AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHER WEBSITES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WHERE I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE SEEMINGLY CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON THE ALTIMAS AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO NISSAN. I CONTACTED NISSAN DIRECTLY AND MY FILE WAS ESCALATED TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER WHO REQUESTED THAT I FAX HIM THE INVOICE RECEIPT FOR PAYMENT AND MY VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND HE WOULD HAVE IT REVIEWED TO SEE IF IT QUALIFIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HE TELEPHONED ME 2 DAYS LATER AND INFORMED ME THAT I DID NOT MEET THE QUALIFICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND MANY, MANY 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH. NOT PLACING A RECALL ON THIS PART IS PUTTING MANY LIVES IN DANGER AS THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT WHATSOEVER. EVEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND YOU CANNOT STEER THE CAR AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING TO REPLACE A PART THAT IS FAULTY AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2008
I OWN A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA, IN APRIL 07 I EXPERIENCED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE THE CRANK SENSOR REPLACED. I SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND CONTACTED NISSAN WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER FAXING ALL THE RELEVANT INFORMATION, I WAS TOLD AFTER WAITING 3 MONTHS THAT I WAS DENIED A REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE RECALL TIME HAD LAPSED. I DON'T THINK I WAS TREATED FAIRLY AS NOWHERE IN THE RECALL LETTER IT STATED ANY EXPIRATION DATE. I DO BELIEVE I AM DUE A REIMBURSEMENT. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. THANKS MUCH YVETTE BUCKLAND *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 2, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD SCREECH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE BRAKE SENSORS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED THE FAILURE. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN. HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND, INSTEAD OF THE VEHICLE LOSING SPEED AND EVENTUALLY COMING TO A STOP, IT JUST MADE A SCREECHING NOISE AND CONTINUED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE NISSAN DEALER, WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY LOCATED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2008
THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS RECALLED ON MY NISSAN 2004 ALTIMA. I TOOK THIS IN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS FIXED.......EXCEPT 2 WEEKS AFTER MY CAR BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THE IT WAS ALREADY DOING. IT GOES DEAD WHEN I AM PULLING AWAY AT A RED LIGHT OR TURNING. WHEN I TAKE IT BACK, THEY JUST RESET THE SENSOR SWITCH AND WITHIN 1 WEEKS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND THE CAR STARTS GOING DEAD ON ME AGAIN. I AM NEARLY BEEN RAN OVER MY OTHER CARS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT IF THIS TYPE CAR. I HAVE DONE INTERNET RESEARCH AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL SHUTTING OFF. ON JUNE 21, 2008, THE ECM WAS REPLACED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,613 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jun 8, 2008
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 2.5 LITRE NISSAN ALTIMA ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 60 MPH I FELT AN ABRUPT JERK LIKE NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION, ALMOST EVEN LIKE A MISFIRE OF SOME SORT. ALL I KNOW IS THAT IT WAS ODD AND DID NOT SEEM RIGHT. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS STAYED ON. WHILE MY CAR DID NOT STALL OR IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN, IT WAS HARD TO CRANK AFTER SHUTTING DOWN. I HAD DIFFICULTY CLIMBING HILLS AS THE CAR LACKED THE POWER AND DIFFICULTY SHIFTING DOWN. IN TROUBLESHOOTING THIS PROBLEM, I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE GAS CAP. THIS DID NOT SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC. HE HAS HAD MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS. HE FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND HE SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET TO FOR REPAIR AS WELL AS HAVING PROBLEMS REMOVING IT. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A BILL FOR THIS REPAIR BUT WITH THE LABOR INVOLVED TO REMOVE THIS SENSOR, IT WON'T BE CHEAP. WHY ON EARTH ARE MANUFACTURERS PUTTING PARTS INTO PLACES THAT ARE DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO REPAIR. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE AVERAGE "JOE" WHO LIKES TO WORK ON HIS OWN CAR, CAN'T EVEN DO THIS ONE! NOW, THE OTHER LUDICROUS PROBLEM IS THAT NISSAN APPEARS TO NOT HAVE INCLUDED THE 2004 NISSAN 2.5 ALTIMA IN THE "RECALL" CAMPAIGN FOR THIS FAULTY SENSOR. THAT SPELLS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND COMPLAINTS TO MY ATTORNEY GENERAL AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THERE IS NO WAY, THAT I OR ANYONE HAVING BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN 2.5 ALTIMA SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF COSTS INVOLVED INTO THIS ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OR LOWER, THE VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT WILL SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE STALLS AND WILL NOT EVEN START. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE JERKS BACK AS IF IT WILL SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Visibility, May 18, 2008
WE BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA, IT HAS POWER WINDOWS, THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATICALLY GOES UP (CLOSES) WITH A HIT OF A BUTTON AND DOES NOT COME DOWN IF THERE IS A RESISTANCE, THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE A CHILD CAN HIT THAT BY ACCIDENT WHILE LOOKING OUT, AND CAN CAUSE DEATH, THE WINDOWS SHOULD GO DOWN AUTOMATICALLY BUT NOT UP. *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, Apr 21, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE IN FOR EMISSION TESTING; HOWEVER, IT FAILED BECAUSE THE ENGINE WARNING AND CRANK ANGLE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE THEN RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT SHE RECEIVED THE NOTICE IN ERROR. ALTHOUGH HER VIN WAS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL LETTER, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. SHE HAS A COPY OF THE NOTICE AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000.
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2008
MY 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA SIMPLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT ACTED LIKE THERE WAS NO 'SPARK' BUT IT DID TURN OVER. AFTER A LITTLE COOL DOWN, IT CRANKED AS NORMAL. SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THIS, WHILE EITHER DRIVING OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT WOULD SHUT DOWN JUST LIKE TURNING OFF THE SWITCH. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT WOULD START NORMALLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AT MY EXPENSE ($197.38) EVEN THOUGH I PROTESTED THAT THERE WERE COMPLAINTS AN EVEN RECALLS ON OTHER ALTIMAS IN THE SAME SERIES. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD REIMBURSE ME CONSIDERING THE ONSLAUGHT OF COMPLAINTS AND POTENTIAL DANGER WHEN THIS OCCURS. (THE POWER STEERING FAILS TO WORK!) *TR
Steering, Mar 25, 2008
STEERING BECOMES TIGHT TURNING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. BETTER WHEN IT'S WARM, WORSE WHEN IT'S COLD. OVER THE COURSE OF 4 WEEKS THE TIGHTENING HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT WHEEL CAN ONLY BE TURNED WITH BOTH HANDS AND PULLING HARD. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT WON'T TURN AT ALL, THEN LOOSENS BACK UP JUST ENOUGH TO COMPLETE TURN. INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP DIAGNOSED IT INCORRECTLY, DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT CORRECTLY BUT THE PART TO FIX IT IS BACK ORDERED FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BECAUSE SO MANY CARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD TO PREPAY TO ORDER THE PART, AND SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. HAD TO DRIVE AROUND FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS WAITING FOR THE PART AND HOPING THE STEERING DOESN'T LOCK UP COMPLETELY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 21, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DEFECT, BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 14, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSORS. ON MARCH 14, 2008, THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS EXHAUST FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, PURCHASE DATE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 4, 2008
CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL TO RESET THE ECM THAT WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL BUT NOW LEARN THAT IF I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE SYSTEM RESET I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OUT ANY MONEY. BUT NOW THAT THE PROBLEM HAS ARISEN AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN ON ME, THIS CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" TO COME ON. NOW I MUST PAY TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED NOT JUST RESET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 29, 2008
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NISSAN AND PAID $284.60 FOR THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND FAXED THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION TO THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER 3 FAXES, 2 DEALERSHIP REPAIR DOCUMENTATION AND NUMEROUS HOURS SPENT WITH INDIA NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REFUND FROM NISSAN AS PROMISED BY SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND MANAGERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2008
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SHUTS OFF ON ME WHILE I'M DRIVING OR PARKED AT A STOP LIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN LAST YEAR FOR A ECM REPROGRAM RECALL LAST YEAR. NOW I'VE HEARD THAT CERTAIN YEARS MODELS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM 2005, 2006, POSSIBLY A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. I SEARCHED FOR A RECALL FOR MY PARTICULAR CAR AND I HAVE NOT FIND ONE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2008
I WAS DRIVING MY GIRLFRIENDS 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON 2/15/2008 WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED AND THEN DIRECTLY UPSHIFTED HARD. I GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR WHEN I LEFT IT CRANKED LONGER THAN USUALLY, IN FACT UNUSUALLY LONG BUT IT DID START UP. I GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY TO GO HOME AND WHILE GETTING ON THE ON RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I DID WHAT I COULD TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER AND WAITING A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. I DID GET IT RESTARTED AND TOOK CITY STREETS TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE CODES READ FROM THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. I HAD 2 CODES, ONE BEING P0725 AND P0355. I ONCE AGAIN TOOK CITY STREETS HOME TO AVOID THE SAME THING HAPPENING GOING 70MPH. I GOT IT HOME THAT FRIDAY THE 15TH AND PUT IT IN THE GARAGE. I GOT ONLINE AND WENT TO NISSANCLUB.COM AND RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THAT THE P0335 IS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND THAT CAUSED MY CODE OF P0725 BEING THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR. THROUGH RESEARCHING THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002-2006 ALTIMAS, MAINLY THE 2.5 4CYLINDERS. NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 2002-2005 AND 2006 ALTIMAS BUT FAILED TO INCLUDE THE 2003 AND 2004 IN IT. NOW WHY WOULD THEY NOT PUT THE SAME FAULTY SENSORS IN THE 2003'S AND 2004'S AND SKIP AHEAD AND PUT THEM IN THE 05'S AND 06'S. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY THE 18TH TO VERIFY HER CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND IT WASN'T. THIS IS NISSANS DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS PUT IN THE 2002-2006 ALTIMAS. I PAID FOR THE $30.00 SENSOR, ALSO ANOTHER $30 SENSOR THAT IS RECOMMENDED REPLACED WITH THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND SPENT 3 1/2 HOURS OUTTA MY DAY TO REPLACE THE HARD TO GET SENSOR. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE 2003 AND 2004 ALTIMAS IN THE RECALL WITH THE 2002-05, 06. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2008
ON 2/5/08 WE STARTED OUR 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. UPON OBSERVATION THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT TURNING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE BOLT ON THE MAIN PULLEY ON THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FALLEN OUT AND THE PULLEY HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE CRANKSHAFT. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN HORRIFIC POSSIBLY LEADING TO FATALITIES. *TR