The first thing was the oxygen sensor. Then the oxygen sensor again. The dealership fixed the problem. Mext there was, and still is, the jerking transmission. When driving in rush hour traffic or driving on the open highway, the trans shifts hard comming out of first into second. I have taken this car into several Nissan dealerships and to this day, no one has found the problem. They keep telling me that this is normal. I have driven other Altima including several rentals while mine wasin the shop and they didn't shift like mine. The next problem is those headlights. They have replaced one of my light asemblies an great river Nissan but the other has not been replaced. Next, there was the heater coil that leaked and it took almost 6 months to determine because it didn't leak inside the car. Next there was the ignition coils that were replaced 2X within a week and still caused the check engine light to come on. After the ignition problem the mechanics at sterling mccall Nissan told my that it was my sparkplugs that had hust been checked about 2 weeks prior at great river Nissan in Mississippi. I went back to the dealership and invited the service man to a nice long ride. After driving about 20 miles, I stopped the car and le it sit for about 5 minutes. The car started and he smiled. He said, "see there is nonthing wrong." After explaining that he needed to let the car set for a while and then try to start it, he said that it is still going to start.after sitting for about 2 hours, I asked the service man to step outside and lets giv the car a start... to no suprise, when I turned the key the car puttered, spitted, jerked, and everything else but started. It was determined the next morning that there was a blown head gasket that could have been caused by the catalyst that was just replaced due to a recall.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

The consumer was driving and heard a loud bang on the passenger side. She exited the vehicle and checked it and everything seemed fine. As they accelerated smoke started coming from the engine. Consumer exited the vehicle and was walking away from it to call for help when it burst into flames.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

Engine shutdown and the car stopped suddenly at 70mph on a highway. Car was restarted but quickly shutdown again when trying to return to highway speed. Managed to pull over, but when trying to shift into park the transmission got stuck in reverse and the car would no longer move. Car had to be towed to dealer and is being looked at. Car has a recent history of stalling 1 second after cold start, including at least once when the car lunged forward as it stalled while still in park. Priot to this shutdown, the dealer was not very cooperative and had only found two settings out of spec in the engine management system and reset them (twice, 2 days apart).

- Chanhassen, MN, USA

No collision- while driving the vehicle made a large noise and suddenly everything shut down.the engine was on fire and we had car towed. Car needs complete new engine. Two different auto shops said they had no idea what could have caused this. Car had always been properly maintained. Nissan was notified and came to take pictures of car in November 2004. Has been under "legal review" ever since and company has been less than cooperative when we've tried to contact them numerous times, so we've contacted an attorney.

- Cranberry Township, PA, USA

Engine had a clicking sound. There was noise when vehicle accelerated. Then, pedal was loose, and engine was hard to start.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Attempted to have an oil change done by wal-mart. They informed me that they are no longer authorized to change the oil on the 2002 Nissan Altima vehicle due to the dip sticks breaking off in many of the cars they have serviced.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

While driving vehicle stalled. Dealership repaired the problem once, but problem recurred.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

(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

Recall 03V084000 concerning engine coolant. Consumer claimed that vehicle consumed too much oil. Dealer claimed that vehicle should not use more than 1 quart of oil per 5000 miles, even though the recall was done. Consumer felt that vehicle was still using too much oil.

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

I purchased a 2002 nisaan Altima and have had many problems with it since. It has been in twice already for the heater not working properly. It blows cold air when car is at idle below 2500 RPM. It was taken in twice and temporalily fixed. This problem has recurred for the third time. Also the enigine would run rough and sometimes stall, this was initially recalled as a bad engine crank sensor. I had it in a second time where they replaced the crank sensor again. The same eveining when I got home the service engine light came on again and I contacted the service agent twice without any resolution. Now the car is doing the same thing again for the third time. In addition to these repetiative problems the car now smokes when it is started, it also is rough starting. At the last oil change the vehicle was down 2 1/2 quarts of oil. The oil changes have been performed on a regular basis between 3000 and 4000 miles every time. The car would not even start approximately one week ago, I had to take out the spark plugs and clean them because they were so fouled out the car wouldn't start. The car has just over 43000 miles and the last incidents that are third time offenders along with the spark plugs being fouled have transpired after the warranty expired of course.

- Macomb Township, MI, USA

While driving engine warning light illuminated. Vehicle jerked forward heavily. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Goodwater, AL, USA

While driving 55 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealership repaired the problem twice, but problem was not resolved.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

Intermittently while trying to start the vehicle, it would take an extremely long time. The consumer claimed that black smoke blew from the tail pipe. The dealer has examined the vehicle three times for this problem.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

Service engine light has come on seven times. The engine has shut off for no apparent reason four times. Total the car has been in for service nine times. Two recalls have been issued one for the crank position sensor (which I was never notified of) and now one regarding gas tank ice crystals (received my notification 5/20/04). Both of these problems can cause a "crash without warning." I have worked with the BBB autoline, however since the car has not shut off since the crank position sensor was replaced the arbitrator believes that the "most serious problem" has been remedied and that the check engine light while "being a chronic problem, does not substantially affect the use, safety, or value of the vehicle." I have only driven the vehicle 14,711 miles in two years because I am afraid to drive it, thus use has been affected. I have almost been in two accidents as a result of the vehicle's problems, this safety has been affected. Carfax is showing six negative reports on my VIN number, (the service that car dealers use to help determine if the vehicle has had problems such as major accidents, lemon law vehicle, etc.), therefore, no one would even be interested in purchasing my vehicle, so value has been affected. Even after the crank position sensor was replaced the car's check engine light has come on four more times. Nissan is unable to diagnose/remedy the problem and refuses to give me a refund on the vehicle. I have been in two near accidents as a direct result of these problems. I believe that the problems will reoccur and I will not be so lucky next time. I am pursing this with the state of Florida's lemom law arbitration board. This vehicle is a danger to myself and all other on the road.

- Casselberry, FL, USA

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled, causing the driver to drift off the road. Consumer towed the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem.

- Spring, TX, USA

After the crank position sensor weld recall was performed, the check engine light came on. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership, but they were unable to correct the problem.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

Consumer received her third recall notice since ownership. The vehicle experienced engine failure. The engine sensor kit and the ECU case holder foam recalls were replaced. The consumer requested compensation for one month's car payment. Recall #03V455000.

- Lumberton, NJ, USA

Consumer stated while traveling on the highway at approximately 65 mph motor lost power. Consumer pulled to the shoulder until the vehicle came to a complete stop. Also, consumer waited for a few minutes and then restarted the vehicle. Consumer checked the fluids. After everything checked out okay, he then drove the vehicle home. Two days later, consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and he told them what had happened. Also, consumer called the insurance company to report the incident. He was told to report it to the manufacturer, and found out there was a recall on this problem. Consumer asked them to replace the motor, and they refused.

- Laredo, TX, USA

Consumer unable to get recall work done on her vehicle. The parts were not available. Recall 03V455000.

- Whitehouse, TX, USA

I was driving from mi to il on the day before my starting my new job in Illinois. Thirty miles out from my destination, the engine shuts down as I was driving approximately 60 mph. I was able to pull off the road safely and wait over two hours for a tow truck. The dealer claims the mass air flow (maf) sensor was at fault. Although the maf sensor was replaced, I don't believe it was the component that disabled the vehicle on this date. The engine shutdown without first going into "limp" mode. This is exactly what is described in the recall for the crank position sensor (cps). At the time of the incident, there was an open recall on the cps. I did not have it replaced prior to my drive because I did not receive notification. The cps was replaced at the same time as the maf. What prompts this complaint is the maf sensor. The vehicle is now on the third maf. The first one was replaced on 8/2003. The second maf was replaced on 1/14/2004, which lasted less than six months. The failure mode for the first maf sensor allowed warning: The engine did not shut off, but instead limited the engine speed to 2500rpm. Fortunately, both maf sensors were covered under an extended warranty. In addition to maf sensors and open recalls, my vehicle has a new ECM and throttle body (iacs). My extended warranty has since expired, and I am currently working with Nissan in getting a new extended warranty out of goodwill for these problems experienced in the less than two years I have owned this Nissan. My previous vehicles were Ford products, and I have never experienced problems with those as I have with this Nissan. I am currently having difficulty in having Nissan returning my communication.

- Dunlap, IL, USA