Page 15 of 21 · complaints 701–750 of 1,047

2002 Nissan Altima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Apr 1, 2007CA

MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LITE BECAME ILLUMINATED JUST PRIOR TO AND RITE AFTER HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICED. I BECAME ALARMED WHEN, "I NOTICED IT WOULD NOT GO OUT". I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE MY FUEL CAP WAS TIGHTLY SECURED. I THEN DROVE MY VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MILES TO RESET THE SENSOR. WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK, I CALLED NISSAN SERVICE DEPT IN VICTORVILLE, CALIF. TO ASK WHAT ELSE IF ANY COULD BE WRONG WITH MY VEH. THE ANSWER I RECEIVED FROM THE SERV. MANAGER WAS ONE I COULD EXCEPT. HAVING TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE SERVICE DEPT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OF THE PROBLEM. JUST TO BE TOLD THAT MY "PRE CATALYST CONVERTER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO SERVER ENGINE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT FROM DEBRIS BEING SUCKED INTO THE CONVERTER. NOW IF THE "PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIN WAS REMOVED", AND HEAT SHIELDS INSTALLED ON THE PRE CATALYST AND SURROUNDING EXHAUST TUBING WAS DONE TO CORRECT OR PREVENT ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. WHY WOULD THE PRE CATALYST CONVERTOR FAIL IF PROPER CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS PERFORMED CORRECTLY IN A VEHICLE NOT 5YRS OLD. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $1092.00 DOLLARS FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE PARTS/EQUIPMENT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Mar 24, 200797,000 milesGA

SINCE I PURCHASED THIS 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5, I'VE CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED COLD STARTS. I'VE ALSO TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A CLICKING SOUND THAT APPEARS TO BE IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM..I STILL HAVE THE CLICKING NOISE.*AK ON MARCH 20, 2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THE CAR. AFTER 6 OR 7 ATTEMPTS THE CAR STARTS. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WHEREBY AIR POCKETS WERE FOUND IN THE RADIATOR SYSTEM. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS IN MY FIRST AND THIRD CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED AN ENGINE. I MUST SAY THAT I'M TRULY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. I'VE EXPERIENCED NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASEDIT NEW. NOW IT IS FIVE YEARS OLD AND NEEDING AN ENGINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH ENDED AT 100,000 MILES AND I HAVE 101,000. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE WHEN NISSAN KNOWS THAT IS PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE 2002 MODELS. THE SALES AGENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I WILL BE CONTACTING NISSAN TO GET FURTHER COMPENSATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY ENGINE. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? THANKS...

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Mar 20, 200766,000 milesUT

MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED THE 2002 ALTIMA, 64,000 MI, OCTOBER 2007, HER FIRST CAR. IN DECEMBER THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER NEAR TO THE POINT OF ENGINE STALL. PER MECHANIC THE COMPUTER REGISTERED AN O2 SENSOR FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR. SAME DAY WE PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE MECHANIC THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THE CAR TO MECHANIC. THE COMPUTER NOW REGISTERED A MISFIRE PROBLEM. PER MECHANIC RECOMMENDATIONS WE REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUS AND LEADS. MECHANIC REPORTED OIL ON ONE SPARK PLUG. WITHIN 2 DAYS OF PICKING UP CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. IN FEBRUARY WE RETURNED THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC ,AND ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT WE WERE LOSING CONSIDERABLE OIL, AT LEAST 1 - 1.5 QUARTS EVERY 2 WEEKS, ROUGHLY EVERY 800 MILES. COMPUTER NOW REPORTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. MECHANIC ADVISED TO TAKE CAR TO NISSAN DEALER AS CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY , CAR AT 68,000 MILES. DEALER INFORMED US THAT PREVIOUS OWNER HAD CAR IN THEIR SHOP SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 AND THEY HAD ADVISED TO REPLACE ENGINE. STATED THAT ENGINE COOLANT AND OIL WAS GETTING INTO EXHAUST SYSTEM AND FOULING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. STATED THAT NATURE OF PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER 80,000 MI CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY. NO MENTION OF NISSAN RECALL REGARDING O2 SENSOR FAILURE, HIGH OIL LOSS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. AFTER READING THE MANY COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA DESCRIBING EXACTLY OUR SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN'S RELUCTANCE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM I WOULD LIKE RECOMMENDAT

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 16, 2007NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. NISSAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE ARE 3 RECALLS RELATED TO HIS VIN; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WANTS RELATED RECALLS FOR A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA REPAIRED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN THE DETAILS REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Mar 14, 200749,639 milesNJ

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AIR POCKETS IN THE RADIATOR, PREVENTING IT FROM HAVING HEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,639. THE DEALER/MECHANIC CHANGED THE ANTIFREEZE AND REMOVED THE AIR POCKETS. THE FAILURE RETURNED AFTER FOUR MONTHS. THE DEALER/MECHANIC AGAIN REMOVED THE AIR POCKETS, CHANGED THE ANTIFREEZE ,AND THIS TIME FLUSHED THE RADIATOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 55,200. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICES. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 7, 200732,299 milesNY

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 03/03/07 WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AT 65 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE SPEED WAS DECREASING. SHE CONTINUED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. THE CONTACT CALLED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND IT WAS TOWED TO HILL TOP SERVICE STATION, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY INFORMED HER TO GET TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN TO KOEPPELL NISSAN IN JACKSON HEIGHTS QUEENS, NY. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART WHICH HELPED TO CIRCULATE AIR TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE SHE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2002, AND HAD ALL REPAIR ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32299 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32311. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Feb 26, 200786,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING OIL AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURES AS STATED IN THE RECALL ISSUED BY NISSA CONCERNING : EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO THIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THERE IS A RELATED ODI INVESTIGATION, PE02078. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 19, 200790,000 milesIN

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S APPEARS TO HAVE PIECES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE ENGINE CYLINDER, CAUSING AN ENGINE MISFIRE. WHEN DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF THIS SAME MODEL VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IN MOST CASES THEY ARE BEING DENIED ANY HELP FROM NISSAN DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE PATTERN OF PREMATURE PROBLEMS/FAILURES WITH THIS MODEL THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS. IT IS TIME THAT NHSTA USES THEIR INFLUENCE TO GET THIS COMPANY TO STAND BEHIND THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES! *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 200779,000 milesTX

THIS VEHICLE WILL BURN OIL AT A RATE OF 1-2 QUARTS EVERY 1000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN RECALL SITUATION FROM NISSAN RELATED TO FAILURE OF THE PRECAT AND MATERIAL FROM THE FAILURE BEING SUCKED BACK INTO THE ENGINE. ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS USUALLY NECESSARY. NISSAN HAS YET TO REPLACE THE PARTS OR ENGINE ON A VEHICLE THAT NOW NEEDS OIL EVERY 2000 MILES. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Feb 16, 2007120,000 milesSD

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO THE FOLLOWING: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE02078 NISSAN NA MADE SOME PREVENTIVE CHANGES TO THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AS REQUESTED TO BY LAW. HOWEVER THE CHANGES NISSAN NA MADE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT NOR SUCCESSFUL. IT APPEARS THAT THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE NISSAN PROVIDED HAS ONLY PROLONGED THE OUTCOME. THOUSANDS OF 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS WITH A DIRECT RELATION TO A FAILURE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOTICEABLE CHUCKS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE MISSING. NISSAN NA IS VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SELECTIVELY FIXING SOME CONSUMERS VEHICLES. IF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THEIR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY NISSAN NA REFUSES TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IS FIXING THE PROBLEM. SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO A PERCENTAGE OF MILES OR TO A PERIOD OF TIME. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 200775,000 milesVA

FOLLOWING THE FORMAT REQUESTED ABOVE: 1: EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: SIMPLY BOUGHT THE CAR AND DROVE IT... SEEMS THAT ALL 02 4 CYLINDER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING ISSUE B/C OF DESIGN FLAW! 2. FAILURE: THE PRE-CATALYST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATES INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSES THE ENGINE TO FAIL! CONSEQUENCE: NEED A NEW ENGINE. 3. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE: NOTHING BUT HIDE! THEY MASK THE PROBLEM TO GET PAST ALL WARRANTIES. NISSAN USA IS ABSOLUTELY HIDING FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE VEHICLE! THEY STARTED BY HIDING THE PRE -CATALYST INTERNAL DISINTEGRATION NOTIFICATION WITHIN A RECALL FOR A POTENTIAL EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN PROBLEM. THEY KNEW THE PRE-CATALYST WAS DISINTEGRATING INTO ENGINES CAUSING DAMAGE, BUT DIDN'T RELEASE THAT CLEARLY TO AVOID NEEDING TO GET PAST WARRANTIES AND REPLACE ENGINES. MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE PRECAT (49K MILES) AND THE CAR WAS NEVER QUITE THE SAME, BUT IT DID RUN SO I THOUGHT ALL WAS FINE. OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST ONE HAD DISINTEGRATED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE NISSAN DIDN'T WARN ME OF WHAT WAS TO COME! I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND NOW HAVE 98K ON IT.. BUT THE END IS VERY CLOSE. I HAD SES REPORTS OF P0420 AND THEN LATER A REPORT FOR A 4TH VALVE ISSUE... NOW THE CAR DRINKS OIL AT 1 - 2 QUARTS A WEEK OR IT IS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL! THERE IS NO SMOKE, SMELL, OR DRIPS. THE OIL IS JUST GONE! THE DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY DIRECTED ME T

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist
Filed Feb 15, 2007PA

INTERMITTENT BRAKE PEDAL FAILURE. SERVICE DEALER SUGGEST REPLACEMENT VALVE. 4 WEEK BACK ORDER. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Feb 12, 200772,500 milesPA

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT DURING DIAGNOSIS THE CODE WAS B1057. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. THERE WAS RECALL 02I001000 FOR THE CONNECTORS RELATED TO THAT CODE. THE MECHANIC TOOK THE AIR BAG APART, AND STATED THE CONNECTORS WERE NOT THE FAILURE, THE MODULE WAS THE FAILURE. THERE HAVE BEEN 2 PREVIOUS RECALLS, CAMPAIGN#02I001000, DATED APRIL 16, 2002, AND RECALL CAMPAIGN#03V061000, DATED FEB 21, 2003 FOR BAGS FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE INFLATER AIR MODULE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO CALLED THE NISSAN ALTIMA NATIONAL DIVISION, AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT THE REPAIR IF A COLLISION OCCURRED. THE ABS LIGHT WAS RESET ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 72500. *AK THE AIR BAG WAS ON BACK ORDER. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

Tires
Filed Feb 5, 2007DC

2002 ALTIMA WITH TIRE PROBLEMS. **CC TWO TIRES ON THE CONSUEMR'S VEHICLE RECENTLY HAD BLOWOUTS. THE MOST RECENT BLOWOUT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP AND ISLAND AND DAMAGE TWO OTHER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUERM IS CONCERNED THAT THESE TIRES MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS VEHICLE (NEXXON TIRES) *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Feb 4, 200771,534 milesWA

I WAS RECENTLY NOTIFIED THAT MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IS IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE. IT HAS 72K MILES ON IT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ALREADY REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS HAD AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM THAT HAS OF LATE BECOME QUITE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. (I NOW CHECK MY OIL EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS.) I FEAR THAT IF I KEEP DRIVING IT, I WILL RUIN ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION AND I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL IT TO ANOTHER PARTY. NOR CAN I AFFORD THE REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS WAS THE FIRST NEW CAR THAT I EVER BOUGHT OFF THE LOT. I HAVE KEPT EXCELLENT SERVICE RECORDS AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE VERY WELL AND HAVE HAD ALL OF THE RECOMMENDED RECALLS DONE. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN DUPED. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS AS IF I HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ADD ME TO YOUR LIST OF DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS! I WOULD WELCOME YOUR INPUT AS WHAT MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION MIGHT BE IN THE PURSUIT OF A JUST RESOLUTION. I WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED HEARING ABOUT ANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS THAT MAY EXIST AS A RESULT OF NISSAN'S NEGLIGENCE IN THIS MATTER. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 30, 200740,000 milesCA

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIM,A AND STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE USED A QUART OF OIL EVERY 350 MILES. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED WHEN IT HAD 40,000 MILES, BUT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS STATED ON RECALL 03V455000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE REPAIR THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE HAD TO DO WITH THE RECALL . *AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 200793,000 milesCA

TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK HER 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE ON 01/18/07, WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000) WORK DONE ON HER VEHICLE SOMETIME IN 2006 AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM SHE PRESENTLY EXPERIENCING. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 18, 200715,315 milesIL

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT HE TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP (ANDERSON NISSAN IN LOVES PARK, IL) ON 01/12/07. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT HAD HIS VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 ON 08/21/03 AND THE DEALER(MOLADI'S NISSAN CRYSTAL LAKE, IL ) STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY RE-PROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T PERFORM THE PROPER WORK WHEN THEY WORK ON IT FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF INVOICE REPAIR. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 11, 2007AL

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A LIST OF PROBLEMS INCLUDING LOST POWER, ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH 02 SENSORS, EXHAUST, CRUISE CONTROL**CC WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD 2 RECALLS. AFTER THE TWO RECALLS WERE COMPLETED, THE CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES LACK OF POWER. THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO STARTED TO CONSUME LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL RINGS WERE STUCK ON THE PISTONS. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD CONSTANTLY BEEN ON. THE CODE STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN SENSOR. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 10, 200769,772 milesFL

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE FAILURE, BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THERE WAS RECALL 03V455000 FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, AND WAS IS THE SAME FAILURE THAT AUTOWAY OF NISSAN TOLD HIM HE HAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A CALL ON 12-4-06 FROM THE DEALER, STATING THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN . THE CONTACT HAS A DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, AND REPAIR ORDER STATING THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *AK THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL BACK IN MARCH OF 2004, THE RECALL REPLACEMENT FAILED ON JAN 9, 2007. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. UPDATED 02/02/07. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jan 2, 200777,800 milesNY

NISSAN WEBSITE : HTTP://WWW.NISSANUSA.COM/OWNING/RECALL_INFO/ALTIMA/2002/INDEX.HTML#RESULT1 APPLIES TO 2003 ALTIMA MODELS IN THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER RANGE: 1N4AL11**3C100003 - 311983 REASON FOR RECALL THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAUSE A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PRE-CATALYST. MATERIAL FROM INSIDE A DAMAGED PRE-CATALYST COULD ENTER THE ENGINE AND RESULT IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. WHAT NISSAN WILL DO IN ORDER TO PREVENT THESE INCIDENTS FROM OCCURRING, YOUR NISSAN DEALER WILL SHORTEN THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. THE DEALER WILL ALSO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE DAMAGE TO THE PRE-CATALYST. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS ON CERTAIN COMPONENTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON VEHICLES THAT DO NOT ALREADY HAVE THEM. THIS FREE SERVICE SHOULD TAKE ABOUT THREE HOURS TO COMPLETE, BUT YOUR NISSAN DEALER MAY REQUIRE YOUR VEHICLE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME BASED UPON THE DEALER''S WORK SCHEDULE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 2, 200720,800 milesFL

THE REARVIEW MIRROR ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS FOGGED UP ALMOST COMPLETELY, LEAVING ABOUT 20 PERCENT STILL CLEAR, MAKING IT ALMOST VERY CONFUSING AND HARD TO SEE. CALL TO NISSAN AND DEALER RESULTED IN "SO WHAT" ... LIKE ITS OK FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS GARAGED, ONLY 21142 MILES OF USE, TO HAVE A KEY SAFETY FEATURE GO AWRY. DEALER QUOTED PRICE FOR NEW REARVIEW MIRROR AS "$278 PLUS TAX" *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 26, 200692,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHICH FALLS UNDER THE ENGINE & COOLING SYSTEM RECALL, ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER RECALLS. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE, HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DUBLIN NISSAN FOR INSPECTION. THEY NOTED THE RECALL AND APPARENTLY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN THE EVENING, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT MORNING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY APPARENTLY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND JUST RESET THE SENSOR FOR THE LIGHT. THE NEXT TIME I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THEY DID THEIR JOB AND TO DO AN INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE THEY WOULD NEED TO CHARGE ME. AT THIS TIME I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER DEPT. TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO CONSUMING OIL VERY EXCESSIVELY (OF WHICH I WAS NOT AWARE OF SINCE I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE), THEREFORE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE, LICENSED MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THEY ALSO RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BUT IT STILL CAME BACK ON. AT THIS TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FREMONT NISSAN, WHERE THEY DID DIAGNOSIS OF THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND 2 OF THE CYLINDERS ARE MISFIRING ON THE TEST. THEY SAID THAT IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND DETERMINE THE EXACT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NEED TO TAKE APART THE ENGINE AND PHYSICAL

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed Dec 18, 2006VA

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT TURNED ON. THE DEALER SAID IT COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE. THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE CAR USE AND HAS ALSO HAD THE CAR SERVICED ONCE SINCE TIME OF PURCHASE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 18, 2006PA

TURNED ON CAR AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. AIR BAG MODULE AND SWIRL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT $1500.00. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Dec 13, 200682,000 milesNJ

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THERE WERE SOME FUMES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYST CONVERTER CAME APART INTERNALLY AND SENT THE DEBRIS TO THE ENGINE, DAMAGING THE ENGINE. UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Dec 7, 200616,208 milesPA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 2, 200687,100 milesCT

I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN MIDDLETOWN, CT. AUG. 2006 BECAUSE I WAS LOOSING ANTIFREEZE. THEY TOLD ME I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND MY ENGINE SEEMED TO BE USING OIL. THEY WANTED TO DO AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN AT 500 MILES. I DID THAT AND WAS TOLD IT WASN'T CONCLUSIVE ENOUGH SO BRING IT BACK IN ANOTHER 1000 MILES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE SINCE IT WAS BLOWN. THEY TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET IS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE ENGINE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SINCE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE PRE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR I WAS SOLD ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SINCE IT COVERED THE WHOLE CAR EXCEPT FOR MUFFLERS, SPARK PLUGS, BRAKES ALL THE THINGS THAT NORMALLY WEAR OUT ON A CAR. BACK IN JUNE OF 2004 I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR RECALL # R30071 THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT LIA NISSAN IN ENFIELD, CONN. IN THE RECALL IT STATES THAT IF THE MATERIAL FROM THE RECALLED PRE CATALYST GETS INTO THE ENGINE IT COULD DO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE. I NOW HAVE AN ENGINE THAT HAD THE RECALL FIX DONE AND THEIR FIX DID NOT WORK. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL CATCH FIRE AND HURT ME OR ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. I HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE CHANNELS AVAILABLE TO ME AT NISSAN AND HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE. I EVEN GOT A LETTER BACK FROM NISSAN TELLING ME THAT I HAVE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. I CHANGE MY OWN OIL AND FILTERS BUT THE REST I BRING TO THE DEAL

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Nov 30, 2006112,000 milesTX

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH PRODUCED A FAILURE CODE, AND INDICATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V084000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Nov 29, 200630,000 milesPA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOR TWO DAYS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO THE HEATER DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING.

Wheels
Filed Nov 22, 2006GA

THE ALLOY WHEELS ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS BEND VERY EASY CAUSING DANGER TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS DUE TO UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND LOUD ROARING NOISE INSIDE THE CARE. QUALITY OF WHEELS ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA LESS THAN WHAT IS EXPECTED OF NISSAN CAR PARTS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2006100,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL AT A RATE OF 5 QUARTS PER 1000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED WITH THE PROPER OIL SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 16, 200666,000 milesMD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS A FAILED CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND RECALL INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 03V455000 FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Nov 16, 200690,000 milesNJ

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS TURNING THE IGNITION ON. THIS OCCURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE VIN # TO SEE IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL AND STATED THAT THEIR SYSTEM SHOWED THAT VEHICLE PART HAD BEEN FIXED ON A PREVIOUS RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN FOR ANY RECALL WORK IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER, NOR DID THE CONTACT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER ON THIS MATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Nov 15, 200698,000 milesNC

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. LOST THE ENGINE DUE TO "NO OIL". DEALERSHIP STATED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND CAUSED ABUNDANT OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED ON RECALL AT 50,000 MILES. THE NEW CONVERTER ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY, UNLIKE THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. ADVISED TO CONTACT NISSAN AND I DID. THEY STATED CONVERTER AND CAR WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE Y COULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME 4,500.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND THE CONVERTER. VANN YORK NISSAN SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE WITH ONE FROM THE FACTORY IN A MIRACLE OF 2 DAYS FROM GETTING MY APPROVAL. (3) WEEKS LATER THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AND I DISCOVERED IT WAS THE ORIGINAL BELT FROM THE OLD ENGINE. THIS IS A RIP OFF AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE CARS. PLUS DEALERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION AND MAKING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY. I'M SUING..........*NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Oct 23, 2006CA

MY DOORS WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE KEY IS IN OR OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE RUNNING AT TIMES. OR IF I UNLOCK MY CAR USING THE KEY FOB, AND I DON'T OPEN THE DOOR RIGHT THEN, THEY RELOCK THEMSELVES AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A SERVICE AND I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FINE WHEN THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. BUT MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STILL LOCK IT SELF. *NM

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 19, 2006138,000 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKED FOR FOUR HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS SUMMONED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVER DOOR AND COULD BE ELECTRICAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 19, 200671,000 milesCA

CAR WAS LOSING COOLANT. DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BLAMED THE ENGINE OVERHEAT PROBLEM ON THE LEAKING GASKET. ENGINE IS WORKING FINE. I DO NOT WANT THEM TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET BECAUSE I CAN GET IT DONE BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR HALF THE PRICE AND I DO NOT TRUST THEM SINCE THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED BY WARRANTY UP TO 80K MILES. I HAVE 71K MILES ON THE CAR. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 18, 2006148,850 milesPA

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S STARTED ENGINE MISFIRING AND STALLING WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS OR UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE FROM THE ENGINE. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT THEN STARTED ALTERNATING FROM FLASHING TO CONSTANTLY ON. I CONSULTED MY VEHICLE MANUAL AND FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 45 MILES PER HOUR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THAT A POWER VALVE SCREW HAD COME LOOSE AND DAMAGED THE SPARK PLUG. THE SUGGESTED REPLACING ALL OF THE POWER VALVE SCREWS, BUT THEY INDICATED THAT I MAY HAVE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE AND CATALYST FAILURE THAT COULD NOT BE SEEN. THEY FURTHER ADVISED THAT I MAY HAVE FUTURE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE 2003, 2004 ,AND 2005 VERSIONS OF THIS CAR MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT NISSAN HAD A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR 2004 AND 2005 ENGINES. I BELIEVE THAT THE DAMAGE WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED IS POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC AND SHOULD BE ATTENDED TO BY THE MANUFACTURER IN THE FORM OF A RECALL AND REPAIR OF ANY DAMAGES. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 14, 200678,000 milesTX

THE CAR EITHER HESITATED OR STALLED (ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING) ON ABOUT 3 DIFFERENT TRIPS WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 30 MPH AND 50 MPH. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP EACH TIME. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN THOUGH A RECALL ON 11/17/2003 (R3021/R3022) TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. I WAS NOT THE OWNER OF THE CAR WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE. THE DEALER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THAT RECALL. THE PROBLEM HAS APPEARED AGAIN OR A SIMILAR PROBLEM IS HAPPENING A SECOND TIME. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 9/29/06 AND THEY REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR TO STOP THE STALLING. SINCE THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION APPEARED TO BE THE SAME AS IN THE 11/17/2003 RECALL, THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED ONCE AND THEREFORE THE SECOND REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I'M CONCERNED WEATHER THIS COULD BE A RECURRING PROBLEM AND IF THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS ADEQUATE TO REMEDY THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Oct 14, 200678,000 milesTX

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING, SO A BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SENSOR AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED OR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT WORK IN A CRASH. AT THE TIME I WAS PURCHASING THE CAR THE SAME AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING DURING OUR TEST DRIVE OF THE CAR. THE DEALER CHECKED INTO THE FLASHING WARNING LIGHT AND RESET THE MODULE BEFORE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS STOPPED THE FLASHING WARNING LIGHT FROM FLASHING. ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS LATER THE SAME AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN. THE DEALER RESET THE MODULE A SECOND TIME. ON MY LAST VISIT FOR THE WARNING LIGHT FLASHING ON 9/29/2006 THE DEALER SAID THE MODULE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESET AND THAT IT HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,100.00 PARTS/LABOR. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT. IT CURRENTLY HAS 79,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL R3001. I AM CONCERNED THE FLASHING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATED A PROBLEM EARLY ON, IT NEEDED TO BE RESET TWICE BEFORE IT FINALLY FAILED. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 11, 200666,741 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, SMOKE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. NO FIRE WAS PRESENT, ONLY SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE OIL WAS DRY IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE INSPECTOR CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONSISTENT FROM A LACK OF HAVING THE OIL CHANGED. UPDATED 10/12/06. *JB *NM UPDATED 1/17/2006 - AT NO TIME DID THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE LOW OIL. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE OIL LIGHT HAD NEVER ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR OIL CHANGES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A KNOW DEFECT IN THE 2.5 LITER ENGINES. *NM THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ENGINE SHE HAD TO REPLACE. UPDATED *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 11, 200657,000 milesNY

REAR BRAKES HAVE FAILED AGAIN - AFTER BEING REPLACED AT 37,000 MILES AND 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP IN 2004. NOW AT 57,000 MILES I NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY THE NISSAN 'GENUINE' PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE IF AFTER ONLY 20,000 THE BRAKES ARE SHOT TOTALLY AGAIN. WHY DOES NISSAN KEEP RIPPING OFF THE CONSUMERS THIS WAY AND WHY ISN'T SOMETHING DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION? *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 11, 200680,023 milesCA

2002 ALTIMA SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND VEHICLE STALLED. *TS THE VEHICLE'S HAD BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIME BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LACKED POWER, JERKED AND WOULD STALL. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CRACKED BLOCK WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 10, 200699,500 milesNC

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE WAS USING OIL EVERY 1000-1500 MILES. TOOK CAR TO VANN YORK NISSAN. WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAME APART, WAS SUCKED INTO ENGINE. HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THOUGHT IT WOULD COVER THE PROBLEM. NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA SAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THEREFORE DOES NOT COVER THE ENGINE. ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. WAS TOLD I'D GET A CALL BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS. NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. CALLED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. NEVER WOULD LET ME SPEAK TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE TELEMARKETER. FINALLY RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TO INFORM THEY WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. TOOK CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I BOUGHT 2 NISSANS IN 2002- 1 ALTIMA; 1-QUEST. HAD OWNED A 1998 ALTIMA PREVIOUSLY. THOUGHT NISSAN WAS A GOOD BRAND. THOUGHT NISSAN WAS A GOOD COMPANY. THOUGHT WRONG! WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT AS LONG AS I LIVE. HAVE TOLD EVERY PERSON I KNOW. WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE UNTIL I GO TO MY GRAVE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 10, 200634,500 milesLA

I BOUGHT A NISSAN ALTIMA SL NEW IN 2002. THE CAR HAS ONLY 34,500 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO ELKINS NISSAN TODAY BECAUSE OF A NOISE. I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW EXHAUST TUBE ASSEMBLY AT THE COST OF 400.00. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PART HAS ALREADY FAILED IN A CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 5, 2006VA

THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLS REPEATEDLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE FAILURE INCLUDES THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR SAFELY. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE POWER VALVE SCREWS COMING LOOSE AND GETTING INTO THE ENGINE. THE SCREWS MUST BE REPLACED WITH LOCK TIGHT ONES AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSOR HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED. NISSAN HAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IS NTB05058. THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS HAVE THE SAME ENGINE AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY NISSAN AS WELL. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Oct 3, 200647,000 milesNY

FUEL FILL PIPE CONNECT TO BODY HAS RUSTED ON NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 47K MILES (2002). I BELIEVE THERE IS A RECALL ON ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS CURRENTLY IS CAUSING CAR TO FAIL EMISSIONS, HOWEVER I WOULD BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY RISK AS WELL. THIS CAR IS CURRENTLY EARLY PRODUCTION OF REDESIGED ALTIMA, COULD POTENTIALLY BE PART OF FIRST IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUE. IN TRYING TO ORDER THE PART DEALER HAS INDICATED THERE IS A BACKLOG FOR THE PART. WOULD INDICATE THEY ARE HAVING HIGH DEMAND IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 27, 2006110,000 milesTX

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V455000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 2004 CONCERNING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 26, 2006100,000 milesGA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V455000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Nissan Altima → · Every Altima year → · How the figures are calculated →