2002 Nissan Altima complaints

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VENTS WERE BLOWING WARM AIR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO START. *KB AFTER THE DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS TOO MUCH FREON IN THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. *JB

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. I HAVE SEEN THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED RECALLS FOR NEWER MODELS BASED ON THE ENGINE CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. I HAVE NOTICED THE SAME THING HAPPENING ON MY CAR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS AND HAVE BEEN SORT OF BLOWN OFF AND TOLD I AM NOT CHANGING THE OIL OFTEN ENOUGH. I RECENTLY WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL FOR THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND WHILE THERE HAD A 90000 MILE SERVICE DONE. AFTER THAT SERVICE, THE ENGINE WAS GOING THROUGH OIL ROUGHLY EVERY 500 MILES OR SO. IT USED TO GO THROUGH IT EVERY 4000 MILES OR SO, WHICH SEEMS INCREDIBLY QUICK. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST ON THE NEWER MODELS BUT ON OLDER MODELS AS WELL. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD AND WOULD LIKE THE MATTER LOOKED INTO FURTHER. *JB

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S DIFFICULT TO START, WILL FREQUENTLY STALL ONCE STARTED AS SOON AS ITS PUT INTO GEAR. (NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO "BAD FUEL"-CHARGED $500 TO DRAIN TANK AND REFILL..PROBLEM STILL EXISTS..) BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE STALLED, STEERING BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD, UNABLE TO MANEUVER CAR, HIT TREE AND CRACKED SPOILER/DENT BUMPER. NOT SAFE TO TAKE ON HIGHWAY, AS YOU CANNOT "MERGE" INTO TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.. IF YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, IT WILL BUCK AND STALL. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 8 MONTHS, EVEN AFTER DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY "FIXED THE PROBLEMS" . LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON. VEHICLE STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR THROUGH A/C THIS SUMMER. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID "TOO MUCH FREON" AND CHARGED $300. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED THE NEXT DAY. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP.. CHARGED ANOTHER $100 TO DO "DIAGNOSTICS".. NO PROBLEMS EVER FIXED. LIGHT STILL ON. NISSAN NOT ADDRESSING IT. BASICALLY IGNORING THE LIGHT, EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS BEEN IN THERE FOR OVER $1000 WORTH OF "REPAIRS" IN 1 MONTH. *JB

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I WENT TO START MY CAR AND WOULD NOT START. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I LEFT THE CAR PARKED WHERE IT WAS. ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER I STARTED THE CAR FINE. A WEEK HAD PASSED WITH NO KNOW PROBLEMS WHEN SUDDENLY MY "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN BACKING UP FROM THE DRIVE WAY, AND AGAIN WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER. THE DEALER CLAIMS THE CHECK ENGINE CODE CAME UP AS "APP POSITIONING SENSOR" WHICH IS THE THROTTLE CHAMBER. I THOUGHT THIS WAS WARRANTED FOR UP TO 60,000 MILES? *NM

IN 2003, NISSAN CONDUCTED A RECALL OF 2002 ALTIMA'S, REF #03V-084, IN WHICH THEY WERE TO CORRECT A FIRE HAZARD RESULTING FROM ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. ON 9/8/03, A NISSAN DEALER COMPLETED REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. OVER THE LAST YEAR, MY VEHICLE HAD VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES UNDER THE HOOD AND BEGAN CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. IN AUGUST 2006, THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT CAME ON AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR HAD FAILED AND WAS THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER WHO PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE VEHICLE BURNED 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN 600 MILES AND ADVISED ME THE ENGINE WAS MOST LIKELY DAMAGED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSED TO COMPLETE ANY DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR REPLACED AGAIN AND THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE CONVERTOR INSTALLED AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL ARE CLEARLY DISINTEGRATED. I HAVE THE OLD PART AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. THE REPAIRS NISSAN COMPLETED IN ITS RECALL DID NOT RESOLVE THE DEFECT AND ARE A CONTINUING SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

CAR NEEDS AN OIL CHANGE EVERY MONTH BECAUSE IT BURNS SO MUCH OIL. NO HEAT IN THE WINTER BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTIONING RADIATOR. ALMOST HAD SEVERAL SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON HIGHWAY FROM THE ENGINE STALLING, LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. *JB

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE INEXPLICABLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, FALLS TO THE FLOOR AND BECOMES INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, ESPECIALLY DURING 'STOP-AND-GO' TRAFFIC. THE PEDAL SIMPLY DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS FOR MY MECHANIC, WHO GAVE THE CLUTCH A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. ONCE IT FAILED ME AT 60 MPH!!

I BELONG TO HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM AND MANY OWNERS OF THE NISSAN ALTIMA WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM 2002 TO CURRENT 2006 MODELS HAVE HAD PREMATURE MASTER/SLAVE CYLINDER FAILURES WHICH ARE A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOU CAN NOT SHIFT YOUR CAR INTO OR OUT OF GEAR WHILE IN MOTION. MANY OF US FIND OURSELVES IN A PANIC MODE WHEN WE CAN NOT STOP OR GO BECAUSE OUR CLUTCH PEDAL HAS NO PRESSURE AND WE CAN NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. MY PERSONAL INCIDENT INVOLVES ME HAVING NO ABILITY TO SHIFT WHILE IN ANY DRIVING SITUATION, SUCH AS PARKING LOTS AND UP TO HIGHWAY DRIVING. I NEARLY GOT HIT WHILE DRIVING SOUTH THEN MAKING A LEFT TURN (WEST) WHEN I COULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND AND ANOTHER CAR WAS COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION (NORTH). I HAD TO REV MY CAR TO REDLINE JUST TO MAKE IT PAST THE INTERSECTION. IF YOU GO TO NISSANCLUB.COM YOU'LL FIND MAY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD FAILURES WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY 02 ALTIMA FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND HAVE ABOUT 85000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 15000 MILES AGO, THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER, BURN OIL, BURN SPARK PLUGS AND BURN O2 SENSORS. I HAVE SINCE SPENT $1000'S OF DOLLARS TRYING TO PREVENT/REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. NISSAN WON'T TALK TO ME AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE CROOKS WHO HAVE BEEN CHANGING RANDOM PARTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SOON MY ENGINE WILL BLOW JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS. BEING IN THE MILITARY, I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO KEEP THIS UP. THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS AND NISSAN IS DODGING A HUGE BULLET. I HAVE NOTIFIED EVERYONE I CAN THINK OF AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM DESPITE THE MASSIVE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! I HAVE TOLD EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THE CAR AND THE WAY NISSAN IS ADDRESSING THE SITUATION, NEITHER MYSELF OR ANYONE I KNOW WILL EVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!! *JB

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. CONTINUOUSLY FAILS TO START. REDUCED ENGINE POWER. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *NM

CAR FAILED 2 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND FAILED TO ALLOW ENGINE TO RUN OVER 900 RPM'S. PART REPLACED WAS THROTTLE BODY CHAMBER ASSEMBLY. *JB

MY 2002 ALTIMA HAD THE RECALL FOR THE HEAT SHIELDS AND EVERY OTHER ONE I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT. MY CAR STARTED CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. ON APPROXIMATELY MAY 5 I DROVE THE CAR IN THE MORNING, PARKED IT IN MY MOMS YARD, WENT TO LEAVE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD TO TOW AT MY EXPENSE THE CAR TO THEM. THE CAR HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT BUT I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I THOUGHT I WAS OKAY. WELL DEALER SAYS THAT TO TEAR IT APART AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG HE NEEDED TO GET AUTHORIZATION FROM THE WARRANTY COMPANY. I WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE I DID ALL THE OIL CHANGES MYSELF, THEY WOULDN'T AUTHORIZE IT, EVEN THOUGH I COULD GET A STATEMENT FROM THE GARAGE ATTESTING TO THIS FACT ALONG WITH MY OWN PERSONAL LOG WHERE I RECORDED ALL MY GAS UPS AND OIL CHANGES. ANY IDEAS HOW I CAN GET THEM TO FIX THIS CAR I STILL OWE THREE YEARS ON IT. AND I THINK IT IS BS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO PAYUP. MY CAR FAILED EXACTLY HOW THEY DESCRIBED IT WOULD ON AOL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOLDER AND THEY KNOW IT!!! THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HAVE FOLLOWED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS MAINTENANCE AND HAVE SO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO REVISIT THIS MODEL AND DETERMINE IF IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE AN 02 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE HEATER WAS REPLACED IN THE 2ND YEAR, THIS YEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE STRUTS ARE WORN OUT. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE LONG RUN, NOT WITH A NEW CAR. *JB

THE ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CAME ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO MY LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT. THEY SAID THAT THEY GOT A CATALYTIC INEFFICIENCY CODE BUT WERE POSITIVE THE CATALYTIC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DECIDED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED GOOD. ONE WEEK LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILED AND PIECES OF IT BROKE OFF AND GOT INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE CONVERTOR AND ENGINE. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON MY CAR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM BUT APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T. I HAVE PLACED SEVERAL CALLS TO THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM ANYBODY, FOR NOW MY CAR IS SITTING AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, INOPERABLE. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 ALTIMA WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH. I WAS TOLD THAT THE #1 CYLINDER WAS SHOWING UP FAULTY ON THE COMPUTER READING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND REPLACED THE PLUGS. THE WHOLE TIME THEY WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE NISSAN FACTORY TECH TEAM. 2 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AFTER ANOTHER TRY TO THE DEALER THEY INSTRUCTED ME THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND FILLED IT. 2 WEEKS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE COOLANT LEVEL DROPPED. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND NISSAN TECH SAID TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. BOLTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY TOOK A MONTH TO COME IN. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND THEN DISCOVERED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NOW BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 2 MONTHS, MADE 2 CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT I DID NOT HAVE, AND AM GETTING PRETTY ANNOYED. I CONTACT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, WHO WAS SOOOO VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE PROBLEM SINCE I HAD A WARRANTY AND THE MONEY WAS NOT COMING OUT OF MY POCKET. FURTHERMORE, THEY HAD MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO ATTEND TO SINCE THE 2006 ALTIMA RECALL. THESE TOOK PRECEDENCE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN MY ENGINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF CARING FROM THIS COMPANY. I HAVE

OIL CONSUMPTION VERY HIGH , ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT.ON HIGHWAY ENGINE STALLED AND BURNED SOME RUBER HOSES ETC..CAR INOPERABBLE.NISSAN STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM DUE TO MILES ON CAR WERE HIGH..I PAID $7,000.00 IN CANADIAN MONEY FOR REPAIR THAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT..I AM ANGRY AT NISSAN FOR SAYING IT WAS MY PROBLEM...WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OTHER WARNING , I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS NORMAL...

I NOTICED MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOR NO REASON. I PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN WORLD,SPRING FIELD NJ STATING THERE WAS A RECALL OUT ON MY CAR. I WENT ON LINE AND CHECKED WWW.NISSANUSA.COM WEBSITE TO SEE IF I CAN IDENTIFY IF MY CAR WAS AFFECTED. I SAW A NOTICE ON THE SAME 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AIR BAG CONNECTOR CLIP CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BLINK ON AND OFF WHICH IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AS NOTED BY NISSAN, I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS OUT FOR MY VEHICLE (MY VIN). JUST BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE APPROXIMATED RANGE AS POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE, I SEE NO REASON WHY A COMPANY SUCH AS NISSAN WILL NOT RE-COMPENSATE ME FOR THE COST TO REPAIR THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED ON THEIR WEBSITE. I DO HOPE NISSAN USA CAN RE-EVALUATE THIS AIR BAG ISSUE SINCE IT DEFINITELY NOT LIMITED TO THE VIN RANGE AS POSTED. ALL IT REQUIRE IS A MINIMAL COST OF REPAIRING A CONNECTOR CLIP. THIS SMALL DUTY WILL AND CAN PROVE TO SAVE LIVES. NISSAN SHOULD EXTEND THE POSTED RECALL TO ALL 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS, AND COMPENSATE THOSE OF US WHO HAD TO PAY FOR THE SAID PROBLEM THEY CLAIM TO AFFECT THE SELECTED FEW. THANK YOU. *JB

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD SPARKS PLUGS CHANGED AS A MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED SERVICE. AFTER I PICKED THE CAR UP AND DROVE IT FOR SOME TIME I WOULD PERIODICALLY SMELL GAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. LATER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CEASED WORKING AND I AM TOLD THE CAR HAS TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE BY THE DEALER BEFORE THE 60,000 MILE MARK. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT MY CAR'S ENGINE WAS ALSO USING EXCESSIVE OIL AS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE MEDIA. I AM TOLD BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS PASSED, THERE IS NOTHING THAT NISSAN WILL DO. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY CLAIM THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE CAR. I HAVE READ IN THE NEWS REPORTS THAT NISSAN WILL RECALL ALL ALTIMA'S BACK TO THE 2003 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE THE 2002 MODEL WHICH WAS THE FIRST LINE PUT OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I AM WONDERING WHAT RIGHTS I HAVE. IF NISSAN DOES RECALL ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2002, HOW CAN MY CAR BE REPAIRED IF THE ENGINE HAS ALREADY FAILED? I WOULD LIKE TO SEND IN ALL OF MY DOCUMENTATION SO MY CASE CAN BE STUDIED AND I CAN KNOW WHERE I STAND. *JB

FAULTY REAR SPEED SENSOR TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ON/OFF. THIS FAILURE WOULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PUSH TO THE GROUND AND NOT ALLOW FOR PROPER BRAKING. IN FACT IT WOULD FEEL AS IF I WERE LOOSING THE BRAKES ENTIRELY. *JB

MY 2002 ALTIMA IS USING OIL EXCESSIVELY. ONE QUART IN 500 -700 MILES. *JB

GAS DOOR DID NOT LATCH CLOSED. HAD REPAIRED ON 3/9/06. NOW I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ON 7/7/06 AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS DEFECT WAS NOT IN RECALL STATUS, AND I COULD THEREFORE NOT BE ISSUE A REFUND FOR THE REPAIR. I BEGAN COLLECTING PLATE NUMBERS OF ALTIMAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M AT NUMBER SEVEN SO FAR. I BELIEVE THAT THE GAS DOOR NOT CLOSING COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS DEFECT IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO MY CAR. *NM

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2002 ALTIMA WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT INNER FENDER SPLASH SHIELD CAME LOOSE AND JAMMED AGAINST THE TIRE. SHE THOUGH SHE HAD A BLOWOUT AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. CAR HAD PRIOR NISSAN RECALL TO INSTALL SUPPLEMENTAL SNOW/ICE SHIELDS. ALSO PRIOR OCCURRENCE OF THIS SHIELD DETACHING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NISSAN CHARGED FOR REINSTALLATION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V223000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAD TO ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE EVERY 500 TO 800 MILES. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *NM

I BOUGHT AN '02 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JAN. 2002. IN 2003 I HAD RECALL WORK PERFORMED FOR THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (CAT CONVERTER DEFECT) AND AT THE TIME I COMPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE WENT THROUGH EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT MY CAR DID NOT NEED ANY REPAIRS AND THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. AT 97,167 MILES I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND MY WARRANTY WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. ALSO ADVISED THEM THAT I HEARD WATER RUNNING BEHIND THE DASH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ALL I NEEDED WAS A TUNE-UP DUE TO THE MILEAGE BUT OTHER THAN THAT MY CAR WAS GREAT. AT 100,460 MILES MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND FLOODED SEVERAL TIMES. HAD TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD START THE CAR JUST FINE AND THAT I HAD FLOODED THE VEHICLE. AGAIN RECOMMENDED TUNE-UP AND REPLACING SPARK PLUGS. (I HAD JUST REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS MYSELF) NEXT THING I KNOW...MY CAR WON'T RUN AND SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HAD TOWED TO INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND ADVISED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO CAT CONVERTER. I MADE THE DEALERSHIP TOW THE CAR TO THEM AND THEY INFORMED ME OF THE SAME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $5000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. THE SERVICE MGR. TOLD ME THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT THIS WILL OCCUR,AND THAT WHEN THEY CONTACTED THE NISSAN REP THEY DECLINED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO THE MILEAGE. I CAL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON DRY ROADS, THE MOTOR STALLED. HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED OPERATIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB

THE OXYGEN SENSOR ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED ITSELF. THE FRAGMENTS OF THE SENSOR SHATTERED THE MAIN CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PIECES OF THE PARTS MIXED WITH THE OIL DAMAGING THE ENTIRE ENGINE, IE. PISTONS AND OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS, RENDERING THE ENGINE NOT SERVICEABLE. NEW ENGINE IS NEEDED AT A COST OF ABOUT SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS. I HAVE NOTIFIED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FROM THE MAIN CATALYST. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V084000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

ENGINE FAILURE: AT JUST UNDER 78,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER AN EXTENDED CRANK. COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURIZED INSTANTLY UPON COLD START IN A.M. MECHANIC SUGGESTED TOWING TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE HE SUSPECTS A POSSIBLE CYLINDER HEAD PROBLEM. HE SAYS THE 02 ALTIMA HAS A WELL-KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS THE ENGINE WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING OUT OF OIL AND COOLANT. THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP WERE REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A FULL TUNE UP WAS DONE. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER READING MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL WORK THAT I HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY WAS EITHER NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY OR SOMETHING ELSE IS NOT QUITE RIGHT. A NISSAN SHOULDN'T HAVE A RUINED ENGINE WITH THIS FEW MILES. THIS IS MY SECOND ALTIMA AND MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH NISSAN IS FADING FAST. *NM

I HAD A SMALL INCIDENT WHERE SOMEBODY DAMAGED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PLACE. I GOT BODY WORK DONE AFTER ABOUT 15 DAYS (NO PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG UNTIL NOW) AND WHEN I TOOK THE DELIVERY OF THE CAR, I NOTICED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE BODY SHOP AND THEY WERE CLUELESS. NEVERTHELESS THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE IT A NISSAN DEALER TO GET IT INSPECTED. NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHARGED $110 AND TOLD ME EVERYTHING WAS ALL RIGHT AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN AFTER 2 DAYS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY TELL ME THAT DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG CABLES ARE SHORTED AND IT WILL COST $1170 TO REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE. I DO NOT THINK THE AIRBAG ISSUE IS GOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH INCIDENT I HAD. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE SO WEAK TO CAUSE THIS KIND OF ISSUE AND POTENTIALLY PUT ME AT RISK EVERYDAY NOT KNOWING IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FOR NISSAN ALTIMA 2002, BUT THAT DOES NOT MATCH THE VIN NUMBER OF MY CAR. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TELL ME IT IS NOT RELATED. REGARDLESS WHETHER IT IS RELATED OR NOT I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD FIX IT FREE OF COST. *NM

MY NISSAN ALTIMA (2002) WITH VIN#[XXX]) ENGINE'S STOPPED WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AS I DROVE TO A SAFE LOCATION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND SHOWS A CODE P0335 AND I WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC (SERVICE GARAGE) THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2002 ALTIMA'S WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED NISSAN DEALER IN TUCSON AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN # DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALLED GROUP. UPON CALLING THE NATIONAL CONSUMERS AFFAIRS OFFICE @ (888)737-2647 I SPOKE TO MACY SPENCER (EXTENSION 8510). SHE LOOKED UP THE VIN # AN INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED IN MAY OF 2004 AND THAT IT ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM NISSAN IN JULY 2005. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1) ON 4/15/06 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOT RUNNING RIGHT, AND WAS MISSING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN CORONA, CA. 2) THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED CYLINDER #1 MISFIRE, BUTTERFLY BOLT FELL INTO #1 CYLINDER BROKE SPARK PLUG. 3)REMOVED INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPLACE BUTTERFLY BOLT. REMOVED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR INSPECTION, MINOR HAIRLINE CRACK NO CODES. CUSTOMER DECIDED TO HAVE OLD CAT REINSTALLED. REINSTALLED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPLACED RELATED GASKETS. 4) SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND KNEW WHAT IT WAS RIGHT AWAY. THEY CHARGED ME $727 TO REPAIR AND I STILL HAVE A CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HAVE CHECKED OUT MESSAGING FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR NISSAN ALTIMA'S. *JB

AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE (2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S) IN DECEMBER 2001 I HAVE CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. HOWEVER, GOOD MAINTENANCE HAVE NOT LED TO GOOD PERFORMANCE AFTER ABOUT 10,000 MILES I STARTED EXPERIENCING ALL KINDS OF ENGINE PROBLEMS (RADIATOR, THROTTLE BODY AND NOW THE ENTIRE ENGINE) WHICH I MOSTLY HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TYPES CONCERNING VARIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME SOME OF THE PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE FIXED. I ALSO CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, HOWEVER, THEY BASICALLY TURNED ME DOWN, LEAVING ME WITH ASTRONOMICAL BILLS FOR CAUSES THAT WERE MANUFACTURER RELATED AND NOT OPERATIONAL RELATED. BELOW IS A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THUS FAR AND HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET: 1. RADIATOR CRACK - $1,000 INCLUDING LABOR (AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES) 2. NEW THROTTLE BODY - $1,200 INCLUDING LABOR (AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES) 3. NEW ENGINE - ESTIMATED $6,500 INCLUDING LABOR (AT 70,000 MILES) 4. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LEADING TO BATTERY FAILURE EVERY 2/3 MONTHS (A NEW BATTERY WAS PUT IN A YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS) 5. NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS IN WHICH THE DEALER HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE DEALER AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAVE NOT STEPPED IN AND FIXED OR COVER SOME OF THE THESE COSTS DESPITE NUMEROUS VISITS. CONSEQUENCES: 1. ASTRONOMICAL MECHANICAL BILLS 2. NO USE OF A VEHICLE PRESENTLY WHICH IS AFFECTING MY LIVELIHOOD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL # 03V455000 REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON APRIL 14, 2004 CONCERNING, THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON APRIL 28, 2006. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 05/16/2006 - THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK *NM

THERE WAS A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR RECALL ON MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO. LAST MONTH THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT OUT AND WAS NOT COVER BY NISSAN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE WOULD GO THROUGH 2 CRANK SHAFT SENSORS IF THE PART WEREN'T DEFECTIVE. *JB

HAVE A SLOPING DRIVEWAY - WHEN CAR IS PARKED WITH A FULL TANK OF GASOLINE, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS (USUALLY WARM DAYS), GASOLINE DRIPS OUT OF CAR IN THE AREA AROUND THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK. HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT UNLESS SOLUTION IS FOUND I'M SURE IT WILL RECUR - I WOULD RATE THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH FLASHED CONSTANTLY. THERE IS A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN, # 02I001000, REGARDING THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 4/17/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT EH AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 2000 MILE OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP WAS INOP. THE TECH REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB. RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT. THE HEATER BLEW OUT COOL AIR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE TECH FOUND AN AIR POCKET IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM. REPLACED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. ORIGINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THE VEHICLE WAS CUTTING OFF, STALLING AND LURCHING. THE RPM HAND WAS MOVING ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A INTERNAL FAILURE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER HAVING A SECOND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

A RECALL (R3007) WAS ISSUED ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 TO CORRECT A MANUFACTURING SAFETY DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CONSUME EXCESSIVE OIL, AND IF NOT MONITORED WOULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. CONSEQUENTLY, WORSE CASE, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ON FEBRUARY 16, 2006 MOSSY NISSAN (NATIONAL CITY) DEALERSHIP DID A DIAGNOSIS ON MY ENGINE AFTER I HAD STATED THAT MY ENGINE WAS MAKING A NOISE AND CONSUMING EXCESSIVE OIL. THE RESULTS WERE "ENGINE FAIL" AND "CATALYTIC FAIL". I BROUGHT RECALL R3007 TO THEIR ATTENTION AND SAID THAT THEIR RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT. THEY INSISTED TO THAT I TAKE IT UP WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA. I HAVE AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA IS STATING THAT THE RECALL R3007 CORRECTED THE DEFECT AND THAT I CAN'T PROVE OTHERWISE. MY FOUR YEAR OLD CAR IS SUDDENLY A SAFETY HAZARD AS I DRIVE IT TO WORK AND FOR PERSONAL USE WITH MY FAMILY IN IT. PLEASE HELP. THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *NM

I WAS TURNING RIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS CHOKING AND SPUTTERING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, SLIP LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I SLOWED DOWN AND IT SEEMED TO WORK ALRIGHT BUT WHEN I GOT UP TO 35-40 MPH THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AGAIN AND WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 35 MPH. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AROUND AND I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE. LATER THAT NIGHT I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT STARTED BUT IMMEDIATELY DIED, STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT IMMEDIATELY DIED, STARTED IT A THIRD TIME AND IT IMMEDIATELY DIED, BUT ON THE FOURTH TRY IT STARTED AND STAYED RUNNING. THAT NEXT MORNING I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. THE CALLED ME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR ON THE CAR AT A PRICE OF $700.00 + TAX. I HAVE READ MANY CAR FORUMS AND THIS PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILING SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT ON 2002-2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR BECAUSE WITH A CAR HAVING THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. READING THE FORUMS IT SOUNDS LIKE NISSAN FIXED THE PROBLEMS ON THE 2004 AND NEWER ALTIMAS SO WHY CAN'T THEY FIX THEM ON THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS? *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAIS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V455000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT IN MY 2002 ALTIMA WENT OUT AND NOW THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE BULB HAS SOMEHOW MELTED THE ASSEMBLY AROUND IT. AS I HAVE SEEN IN PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX WHEN ALL THE WHILE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT NISSAN PLANS TO DO ABOUT THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM, IF ANYTHING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO AND OIL HAS BEEN ADDED 8 TIMES. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V084000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH SUDDENLY SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING SINCE AROUND FEBRUARY OF 2003. IN APRIL 2003, IT GREW WORSE & STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I MANAGE TO GET IT RESTARTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BE RESET ONLY TO COME BACK ON WITHIN A FEW DAYS TO A WEEK LATER. THEY STATED IT WAS THE ENGINE SENSOR AND THEY REPLACED THAT BUT THAT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. JUST THIS PAST AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER WHEN I HAD MY CAR TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP & PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WHICH DETERMINED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD & HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONCE THEY DID THAT THE CAR DROVE WELL FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. TOOK IT TO HAMPTON NISSAN WHICH IS A 45 MIN DRIVE FROM MY HOME TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE CAR. THEY DETERMINED IT MIGHT BE THE INTAKE BUT WASN'T REALLY SURE BUT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO CHECK TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS GOING TO COST ME $350. ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT LUCKILY IN FRONT OF MY HOME BUT THE CAR HAS NOT RESTARTED SINCE NOV 10, 2005. CALLED NISSAN THEY INFORMED ME TO TAKE TO THE DEALER & THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT MY ENGINE HAS BEEN DAMAGED FROM THE CATALYST CONVERTER & I NEED TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE COST FOR A NEW MOTOR WOULD BE $4,800 & $3,800 FOR A USED MOTOR WITH OVER 24,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYST CONVERTER DAMAGING ENGINES. I FEEL THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE MY EN

CONSUMER 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. *TS *JB

I WANT TO REPORT A FAILURE IN MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2002. THEY DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING TO MY EVENING WORK AND I WAS CHATTING ON THE PHONE WITH MY SISTER WHEN THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME UP. I KEPT ON DRIVING AROUND 10 MORE MILES, AND BY THE TIME I WAS ABOUT TO GET TO THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK PLACE THE CAR START SHOCKING ON ME LIKE IF IT WAS GOING TO STOP. AT THAT TIME I WAS ALREADY IN THE PARKING LOT AND I PARKED. THEN I SAW A HUGE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND SINCE I'M A WOMEN THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND MUCH ABOUT CARS, I JUST GOT SCARED AND CALLED MY HUSBAND SO HE COULD PICK ME UP AFTER WORK. WHEN I WAS AT WORK I TALK ABOUT THE INCIDENT TO MY BOSS AND HE WENT TO CHECK THE CAR, AND HE TOLD ME THE RADIATOR PRETTY MUCH BROKE!!, HE TRIED TO PUT WATER, AND THE CAR COULDN'T HOLD IT. IT WAS JUST LEAKING, HE TOLD ME I SHOULD TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD FIX IT, BECAUSE IF I DRIVE IT THE ENGINE WILL DIE AND MY CAR WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BECAUSE IT WILL OVERHEAT. I TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WANTED TO KNOW WHY DID THE RADIATOR BROKE, I WAS THINKING I SHOULD GET A REASONABLE EXPLANATION WHY THAT HAPPEN. THE CAR IS PRETTY NEW, IT JUST HAS 50K MILES. ANYWAYS, THE DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY GOOD REASON. THEY JUST SAID THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING AND EVENTUALLY BROKE. EXCUSE ME? SO WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IN THE NEXT 50K MILES? THE SAME?... I JUST DON'T THINK THIS IS SAFE... WHAT IF I DIDN'T GOT LUCKY AND MADE IT TO MY WORK PLACE BEFORE THE CA

DT: THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED TWO ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02I001000; AIR BAGS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT. NOW, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THEY DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN. THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE NISSAN 2.5 LITER POWER PLANT HAS ISSUES WITH INTAKE BUTTERFLY VALVE SCREWS THAT HAVE BECAME LOOSE AND ARE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN STALLING AND SEVERE DAMAGE THAT COULD CAUSE GRAVE HARM OR DEATH. I MYSELF HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS HOWEVER THERE IS GREAT KNOWLEDGE AND A CURRENT RECALL FOR SOME OF THE 04-05 NISSAN ALTIMA MODELS. I AM A CURRENT 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNER AND THIS ISSUE HAS ME CONCERNED TO THE POINT THAT FOR MY OWN SAFETY I AM GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THE 8 SCREWS LOCK TIGHTENED SO I CAN FEEL SAFE WHEN DRIVING. PLEASE SEE THE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM(ONE FOUND >20% HAD MISSING SCREWS): HTTP://WWW.B15SENTRA.NET/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=86248 AND HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=192671 AND HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=192671 PEOPLE HAVE TO USE THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE THEMSELVES JUST TO FEEL SAFE HERE: HTTP://FORUMS.THEVBOARD.COM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=64780 THEY HAVE A CURRENT RECALL (04-05) WHY NOT OLDER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? HTTP://WWW.NISSANHELP.COM/OWNERSHIP/BULLETINS/NISSAN/2005/NTB05-058.HTM *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE STALLED/ LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD THE CONTACT IT WAS AN ALTERNATOR, AND IT WAS REPAIRED. WHEN SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING . SHE TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT IF SHE DIDN'T HAVE THIS FIXED THAT IT WOULD BLOW THE PISTONS.*AK

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL AREA FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE ENGINE LINE, BATTERY LIGHT AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS INCLUDING HEADLAMPS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ERRATICALLY OR STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. I CALLED FOR A TOW AND ASKED THE TOWER TO CHECK THE BATTERY AND SEE IF A "JUMP" WOULD FIX IT. THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER THE JUMP. I HEAD OFF TOWARDS HOME. THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. LUCKILY, I MADE IT HOME AS THE CAR STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. IF THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, MY FIANCEE AND I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY SUFFERED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS SOMEWHAT OF AN UNUSUAL SMELL LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP WAS BURNED THROUGH, BUT THE SOURCE OF THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THERE APPEARED TO BE A SMALL FIRE, JUDGING BY THE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OFF FROM UNDER THE CAR, THAT MAY HAVE STOPPED SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR STALLED. *JB