10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,471 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #15

Jan 022017

Altima

  • miles
Yes, I have a complaint about interlocks, I know the are to designed to save lives of others, but at risking the lives of the drivers that have them, it is unsafe to be driving down the road doing retest, I know a retest is to ensure that the driver of the car has not drank since driving or had someone else blow to start the car, but in my opinion it's hazardous to the driver to be put in this danger of having to retest every 30min, there is a camera placed in the car for a reason, yes I broke the law, I understand the reason for my interlock, yes I know I can pull to the side of the rode for retest, but in some cases you are not able to pull to the side of the road for them because you never know when they are coming, it took a child to point out the unsafe way retest are. Yes, I know I could have not had it placed in my car, but I have to work and provide for my family. Another thing I think interlocks are a money gimmick for the state and dealer that puts them in. I wasn't court ordered to have one, the judge in my case, said I could've had a restricted license, but the state of motor vehicle so said I had to have one to keep driving. When is the judges judgment not good enough?

- Fayetteville, TN, USA

problem #14

Mar 182011

Altima 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
When my 2002 Nissan Altima was about a year old, my vehicle began having difficulties starting in the morning. I live in sunny southern California, so our coldest mornings are in the high 30S. As a result, I don't believe that outside air temperature was a contributing factor to my vehicle not wanting to start. However, this issue never occurred in the warm afternoon. Ever since the initial instance, it has continued to happen a couple of times each year. I notified my local Nissan dealership on at least two occassions. Of course the problem never arose when I was at the dealership, so I decided to just dop the issue, as it didn't happen frequently enough to be of major concern to me. More recently; however, my car nearly stalled on my way home from my friend's house. I had to throw my car into neutral and press the gas pedal to prevent it from doing so. Ever since my car never wants to start on the first turn of the key. In fact, my check engine light is now on, and I have to pump the accelerator to get the car started. I had the check engine light code checked and discovered that there was a problem with the cam position sensor. Through online research, I discovered that Nissan recalled this part on some 2002 Nissan Altima. As a result, I contacted two different local Nissan dealesrhips and gave them my car's VIN number so they could see if the recall applied to my car. Of course it did not. I also discovered through my research that numerous people are encountering the same problem, and I was directed to file a complaint with NHTSA which is what brings me here today. Please help to keep us safe from vehicles stalling in the middle of busy intersections. Not only is this a terrifying thought, but if and when this happens, it could be a fatal problem.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #13

Jan 252010

Altima

  • miles
On 1/25/10, my 2002 Altima with only 27,000 miles on it, kept stalling or not starting during 3 shopping stops. I thought it was my battery and was near clark auto where my battery is under warranty...

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #12

Apr 182006

Altima

  • miles
My Nissan Altima 2002 is smoking my brakes have failed almost causing a wreck I have had to put brake pads on my car 4 times within a year my car has stopped in the middle of traffic and I don't know the reason why. I took my car to a Nissan dealership and was told that I need a new catalytic converter a new engine and that was the problem for my car stopping in the middle of traffic the brakes have failed once. I was told by Nissan of gadsden al. That I need to have over $13,000 worth of work on my car because it was a safety hazard. I called the Nissan company and they would not do anything about it then they stop accepting my calls and said deal with it because they was not going to have any repairs made to my car. I paid cash for my car after the first year I began to start having problems with it the dealer told me that nssan new about these problems and refused to do anything about it and they could work out something with me instead of paying $12,000 for the repairs that they would charge me $8,000 for the repairs I do not have any money to get my car fixed and Nissan told me to deal with it. What can I do about this please help I paid $13,000 for a car that don't work please help me. Thank you shelia gaston

- Gadsden, AL, USA

problem #11

Jan 102009

Altima

  • 115,000 miles
My 2002 Nissan Altima's check engine light came on. The car started running sluggish, and totally ran out of oil! mechanic said I needed a new engine. I bought one - and that one went on the fritz two days after fixing it. The diagnostics test said it was an O2 sensor. It ran out of oil. Now I find out the car is a lemon, after I bought a new engine to boot. Two engines are ruined in this car, and I still don't have it paid for.

- Greenville, MI, USA

problem #10

Dec 302008

Altima

  • 95,000 miles
I own a 2002 Nissan Altima, I have to put a quart of oil in this car every 50 miles, from wha T I have found on the internet this is a very common problem, that Nissan knows about and refuses to admit to the public this is a defect in the motor, that the recall will cost the company to much in repairs. We are a family on a fixed income and can't afford the $6000 for repairs on this car. Nissan asks so much for these cars they should stand behind their products and repair this defect!!!!

- Anniston, AL, USA

problem #9

Jul 282008

Altima

  • 126,797 miles
Own a 2002 Nissan Altima; replaced catalytic converter 6/2005 @ 71K miles. It fell under federal emissions warranty. 7/2008 service engine light on again and seem to be burning through oil. Took into balise Nissan - converter needs to be replaced again, needs more expensive tests to diagnose oil issue. Googled 2002 Nissan Altima problems, Consumer Affairs website had post after post of owners with the same problem as I've had/having. Ultimate fix, need to replace engine. One man replaced engine twice and car is still not correct. Called Nissan headquarters, the regional rep, catherine, who was extremely rude as though I was trying to accomplish something terrible, said she reviewed my complaint and there is nothing Nissan will do because there are no recalls pending and the car is a 2002 and now has 126K on it and my warranty expired. I told her the initial problem happened while I was still under warranty and obviously that had to be a problem also because a well maintained vehicle, regardless of mileage should not burn through 2 catalytic converters in 6 years and also need a new engine. I also tried to bring her attention to the countless other owners with the same issue, she did not want to discuss it. There is an obvious problem with the vehicles...please help!!!!!

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #8

Dec 192007

Altima

  • 89,991 miles
Bought used 2002 Nissan Altima 3/07 took car to dave solon Nissan, pueblo co 12/07. I commuted every other week to Colorado springs on those weeks I was putting 3 quarts of oil. There was no oil leak oil was gone. Nissan couldn't tell me where oil was going they contacted warrant & they decided on a refurbished engine. Got my car back end of December. Jan, Feb & March only drove car every other week to springs. Noticed at end of Feb I was putting about 8 quarts oil a week. Took it back to Nissan in beginning of March they told me I needed to find receipts for oil changes, told them I wasn't sure I could find them. But questioned that it oil would need to be changed when there was no oil in the car after a two days. A week later husband started back to work he took Nissan to colo springs for work on his way home it just died out good thing for us on our not so busy street and only a couple of houses from ours. So there it stood for a couple of months not having money to get it towed or even looked at. In may we found a mechanic a mile from our home who would come and tow it to his shop. He looked at it and found we needed a catalytic converter paid $800 for it. When he went to put it in he found where our oil was going. He said 3 of our 4 cylinders were covered in oil which made the catalytic converter explode. He told use to call Nissan which I did they said they would not look at the car unless we give them receipts for oil changes again why tried again to find them of course could not locate I think we did 2 in the time frame. Argued with them for a long time they basically told me it was our problem not there's. went online and researched found many many people with same problem as myself. Need something done about this we are paying for a car that is not working. I would understand if it was our fault but how can a 2002 car with about 89,000 miles on it need another engine. Nissan needs to take the blame and compensate Nissan owners.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #7

Apr 242008

Altima 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
2002 Nissan Altima faulty engine and catalytic converter.

- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA

problem #6

May 022008

Altima 4-cyl

  • 53,995 miles
I have a 2002 Nissan Altima, I have an error message on my 6 disc cd changer. It is err3. I cannot load or eject any cd's. this is ridiculous. I am not paying to have this fixed. Nissan should cover, or bose. Thank you.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #5

Jan 022008

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,053 miles
My car wouldn't start. I notified Nissan, they towed my car in. My car had several recalls. Nissan checked my car and reset my ECM. When I went to get my car from mitchell Nissan which is 30 miles away. They told us that I had a possible head or coil failure. When we left the dealership we didn't check the oil cause when they reprogrammed they suppose to have checked everything. When my husband checked that's when we found out it was no oil. I drove my car 30 miles with no oil. My car is a 2002 Altima I checked the recalls and saw that the 2.5 2006 Altima has a recall on the engine as well as the sensor like the earlier years. The recalls states something about the ECM and about the pistons and driving without oil. Now I have to get my engine replaced and Nissan is saying it is not on them. My car was not acting up nor smoking until it cut off and had to be reprogrammed. I feel this messed up my engine.

- Dothan, AL, USA

problem #4

Oct 242005

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,735 miles
I have a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5L. My car receives regular maintenance every 3 months and/or 3,000 miles (documentation can be provided), it never sits longer than 2 or 3 day, and it's driven on the highway for my work commute. Twice my car suddenly wouldn't start without warning. The first time it was fixed, which was around April, there were several recalls for my car. One was for the fuel pump screen and the engine sensor that would cause the car to not start or suddenly stop running. This second time (10-24-05), my local mechanic showed me a 6-page service technical bulletin that was issued by alldata for my non-starting problem. The document suggested replacing the starter, adding a Nissan brand fuel injector cleaner and/or reprogramming the computer to fix the problem. This second repair will cost me about $500 to fix when I pick up my car tomorrow. I thought the recall repairs would resolve this issue, but those repairs proved to only provide a temporary fix, but not resolve the underlying problem. Since there's a service technical bulletin about my non-starting issue, 2 recalls related to this same problem, and I've had the same problem happen twice, I think my car should be recalled. I'm fortunate that I wasn't driving the car when it stopped running or that could have caused a serious accident. I should not have the same problem happen twice in 6 months. If my car fails to start twice in 6 months and the recall repairs don't remedy the problem, then there must be something else causing the problem. I'd hate to find out in a few months that the $500 start replacement wasn't the culprit, because I'd be back at square one. Please tell me how I can get this issue escalated to a recall status or what I can do to prevent a 3rd failure. Thank you, jenny R. baker.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #3

Aug 282005

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles
Nissan Altima 2002, 6 recalls issues with 3 way catalytic converter that has burst into the engine causing engine failure. Has there been any other reports? company honored warranty for converter, but denied to stand behind the engine. Service location in libertyville, il is aware also spoke to executive office in ca.

- Waukegan , IL, USA

problem #2

May 012002

Altima

  • miles
This car has been a lemon since day one, in and out of dealership for one reason or the other, it started with the car running hard, dealership told me it was because I have broke the car in and now this is how they run, took it back again 3 to 4 more times with same problem, told them car idles high, shifts bad, runs bad, they said nothing wrong, I do alot of highway miles and as soon as I was over the miles and out of the warrenty they told me that the motor mounts were gone only 800 to get fixed, I was then hit by a car head on and really hurt I suffered major back problems, come to find out I probaby could have prevented some of the damage to my self if I had a saver car, my air bags didn;T deploy. I have had every recall to this car, the service men at the dealserships are the rudest men I have ever delt with. I was right the whole time !!!!! I have also experienced the same thing with the lights cost around 800 to fox kept changing the lights not to mentions the tickets I recieved from the cops, I explained to them the light keeps going out, they are like this is a 02 that doesn't happen, if they only knew!!! I am really tired of this car, now I was just told that the car has another problem, it over heats they think it might be the therostat but they don't know. How much money will that cost me"?" I am one angry person when it comes to this car!!!!!!!

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 222004

Altima 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 75,500 miles
(1) my 2002 Nissan Altima shutters and dies when being driven at low rpms. I.e.(heavy traffic, or stopping at a traffic light). (2) it shuts completely off when in motion. (3) I had the vehicle serviced last week, for this problem, and it's back at the shop again today for the same problem. I tried to explain that there was a related recall issue, but kevin at urban Nissan in duncanville told me that according to his system, there were no recall issues for my car.

- Dallas, TX, USA