10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 68,682 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 55 mph he heard a loud knocking sound inside of the engine compartment. He then noticed an abnormal absorption of oil from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician recommended replacement of the engine and catalytic converter. The vehicle was partially repaired according to recall campaign id number 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). No additional repairs were made. The failure mileage was 78,500. The current mileage was 79,200.
- Montgomery, NY, USA
Recall number 03Y-455 for 2002 Nissan Altima. The consumer stated over the past 24 months the service engine light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle also exhibited poor acceleration and power and it also ran a little rough. But, after driving a couple of miles the light went out, but a few days later the light illuminated again. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions and they performed an engine diagnostic. They were unable to pinpoint the problem as to why the light would illuminate and then go out. The consumer went back to the dealer and they recommended replacing catalytic converter which was apart of the recall.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Simple engine heat appears to disintegrate the pre-catalytic converter part on a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5L engine. The engine sucks in the broken parts, which then damage the engine, requiring that the engine be replaced.
- Jersey Village, TX, USA
My car was serviced for a recall issue in 3/09 by the manufacturer. In August of 09, my car began to hesitate when starting, there was loss of power and hesitation during operation, soon afterwards the check engine light came on and finally the car failed to start. I brought it in to a local service center and they diagnosed that the crank position sensor and the camshaft sensors needed to be replaced. I was advised to bring the car into the dealer for additional servicing when I called Nissan Consumer Affairs. I opened a claim for reimbursement for the cost of the parts that were replaced that were supposed to be part of the recall work, but Nissan is saying that the parts that I had installed had nothing to do with the recall campaign.
- Bronx, NY, USA
2002 Nissan Altima wouldn't start, blown head gasket, leaking coolant, now Nissan says I need a new motor. Aluminum was used making these cars and Nissan new they couldn't with stand the heat. My son needs help.
- Cherry Valley, MA, USA
Internal oil leak in 2002 Nissan Altima.
- Missouri City, TX, USA
2002 Nissan Altima - engine defect. The engine nearly caught on fire because the oil was burning so much that there was no oil in the engine after a few miles! first there was a problem with the heating/cooling, check engine light came on, white smoke from the engine. Had each problem addressed at mechanic but problem was never fixed because the source was in the engine itself - a Nissan defect. Now I "need a new engine" because the source of the problem is the head gasket. My mechanic has seen 2 other 2002 Nissan Altima with the same problem. It was a defect in the original engine and it is dangerous if you do not catch it and replace the engine, due to such fast oil loss and an overheated engine! scary! the car only has 100K miles!! the car is not drivable now and I am seeing hundreds of other complaints of the exact same nature online with some fires already started. Yikes!
- Middletown, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 50 mph, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and remained lit until the engine was turned off. When pressure was applied to the brake pedal, the vehicle began to shake and vibrate excessively. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and it was discovered that there was a misfire in the engine cylinder. The technician reinstalled new spark plugs. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer if the problem continued. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on a separate occasion for identical failures. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. They also detected missing screws from the engine. The technician stated that the vehicle should not be driven due to the safety hazard. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 84,681 and current mileage was 84,964.
- Jericho, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was purchased new in 2001. The contact took the vehicle to jiffy lube for an oil change and the oil light illuminated on the instrument panel one week later. She checked the dipstick and noticed that there was no oil in the vehicle. She took the vehicle back to jiffy lube and oil was added; however, the oil light illuminated again. She took the vehicle to a Firestone shop and they found no oil in the engine. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine needed to be replaced because oil was entering into the exhaust system and the piston ring. The dealer further stated that the vehicle was out of warranty; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repair. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer stated that they would call her back. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 111,000.
- Universal City , TX, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds, the vehicle becomes difficult to accelerate. Occasionally, the vehicle stalls and becomes difficult to start. A local mechanic stated that the crankshaft was faulty and a recall was pending from 2004 for this year, make, and model vehicle. The manufacturer stated that the crankshaft was repaired under recall in 2004; therefore, the dealer did not have to repair the vehicle again. The contact feels that the manufacturer should pay for the repairs since this is a safety issue. He is concerned that a crash could occur. The current mileage was 92,000 and failure mileage was 91,500.
- Closter, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While checking the oil in the vehicle, the contact noticed an oil leak. He replaced the oil with at least two quarts of oil per week. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and the technician stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that oil was leaking around the rings. The vehicle was repaired for the ECM failure. After retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle failed. A technician stated that particles from the catalytic converter damaged the cylinder walls in the engine. The vehicle has not been repaired again. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that because the vehicle was not included in the recall for the failure that he experienced, no compensation would be provided. The failure mileage was 160,000 and current mileage was 180,000.
- Standford , KY, USA
At approx 100K miles, my Altima was consuming alot of oil, running poor, eventually the engine failed, had engine repaired, began same oil burning problem again, had cat converter hallowed out, engine failed again.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact checked the oil and noticed that it was low. He placed 11/2 quarts of oil into the vehicle and had a local repair shop change the filter at the cost of $42.68. The contact inspected the vehicle again and noticed that it was losing a quart of oil per week. Each week, he would add a quart to refill the oil. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop to have the oil changed at the cost of $28.96; however, the vehicle continued to lose oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and error code PO420 was produced, which determined that the pre-catalytic converter and crank case pressure were failing. The repair would cost $4,500. The vehicle was previously repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe) by the previous owner. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that if he could not produce maintenance records stating that the vehicle underwent regular maintenance, they would be unable to determine if the failure was caused by a lack of maintenance. The contact would not receive any compensation. The dealer stated that even with regular maintenance, the pre-catalytic converter would still fail. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 96,158 and current mileage was 103,400.
- Warwick, RI, USA
I bought my 2002 2.5 Nissan 72K four days ago. A day after I bought it, the service engine light came on. There is excessive oil consumption. I put oil in, and a few miles later I need to add more. I haven't changed anything yet, simply because I can't afford it. Nissan needs to take responsibility. I will tell everyone I know to never buy a Nissan. I am never buying a Nissan again. I've read numerous posts by people who have the same exact problems.
- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
Catalytic converter went out. Heater core went out, therefore no heat in the car.
- Antioch, CA, USA
This isn't fair. 2002 Nissan Altima. 5900 miles. Man this car is junk, Nissan should reimburse people about that, work car ever. And I notice everyone have the same problem. The car stall, camshft problem.. something need to be done. Its not safe when U driving and car die on you.
- North Lauderdale, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact noticed that the engine would consume abnormal amounts of oil. She has a 2.5 liter engine in her vehicle. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id numbers 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling) and 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling); therefore, she would have to replace the engine at the cost of $5,000. Currently, the vehicle has not been repaired. She called the manufacturer and is waiting for a response. The failure mileage was 121,000 and current mileage was 126,000.
- Mango, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall and hesitate to start. She replaced the alternator and battery, but the failure continued. On a separate occasion, the head gasket blew and was replaced by an independent mechanic. However, the vehicle continued to stall and hesitate. The contact found hundreds of complaints for the same year, make, and model vehicle and was concerned that it was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer referred her to NHTSA. The failure and current mileages were less than 85,000.
- Barbaton, OH, USA
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
- Matteson, IL, USA