10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 81,175 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
On 7/29/2013, my 2004 Altima was losing power, feeling like it was going to stall on a major highway heading towards work. The issue was doing the same on the way home and the check engine light came on. The next day I took car into a local repair shop. The mechanic ran a test and it said I had a misfire on number 4 spark plug. He pulled out the plug and gap was pushed together. All four spark plugs were replaced. The car ran fine until later that night and the same issue was happening again. Took back to local repair shop. He got the same reading, misfire in spark plug 4. he pulled out spark plug and the gap was pushed together. We looked up to see what could be causing this. We found other were having a issue of a screw can come loose from the power valve intake. He told me to take to dealership which I did on 8/4/2013. They did their own test and even scoop the engine and dealer found that there was a screw missing. They found the screw missing had come from the power valve intake in the power valve. Even found part of the plate has broken and entered the engine. I did some research and found there was a recall on such issue. Since I purchase the car in 2011, not sure if the previous owner had the issue taken care of. But since it happen I don't think they did. The recall campaign id number is P5202.
- Aliquippa, PA, USA
I was driving down the interstate going 60-65 mph, with my girlfriend and my newborn daughter. The check engine light came on, the car shut off and the engine stalled with a river of traffic surrounding around me. After about 10 minutes the car finally started back up & ran fine. A few days later the car became harder to start and the engine shut off on the interstate once again. I got the engine code, checked out and it was P0340 (cam shaft position sensor). Upon further research I noticed that this is a very common nationwide problem. Not only does the engine stall while driving, it completely causes the motor to shut off! the motor in a vehicle shutting off while going down a jammed interstate or going across railroad tracks is extremely unsafe and it is unacceptable to not get recognized. After experiencing this horrible situation, and viewing the countless people who have experienced it as well. I am flabbergasted the cam/crankshaft sensor for the 2002-2005 Altima has yet to be recalled. The chance of the part being deficient is abnormally high. The part is incapable of performing it purpose, because once repaired it continuously has to be replaced. Nissan does state that this is a deficient part and there is a service bulletin on it. But a service bulletin does not do anyone any justice when the sensors have to be replaced once a year!!
- Lexington , VA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start until after several attempts were made. The check engine warning light then illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for diagnosis, who stated that the crank and cam shaft would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was repaired eight different times but the failure persisted. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
- Glendale, AZ, USA
In Dec 2012, the catalytic converter was damaged and was removed. The check engine light came on and mechanic told me that would happen. Less than 30 days later, butterfly valve and 2 screws were sucked through engine's intake. Dealer told me camera inserted into engine and screws not found but due to butterfly valve, screws and plate missing so diagnosis was sucked in through intake due to massive damage to engine. I purchased the car with zero miles on 2/28/04 and had it serviced (oil change) approx every 3 months at autoway Nissan clearwater, fl. The car ran perfectly, and as you can see, 87,000 for a 9 year old vehicle is exceptional. The car was in perfect shape and running smoothly even after the cat was removed. There was no other event to coincide with my engine blowing up. Dealer never mentioned any recall, wanted $5000 to fix engine only, no converter replacement mentioned. Was told to forget about the car. Dealer offered me $500 and a new car. I'm a single mom with 2 kids in college. Having to use my entire tax return to fix the car as cannot afford a car payment. Not a happy consumer. Was a loyal customer for 9 years. Do I have any recourse" is there a class action suit in the works"
- Pinellas Park, FM, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact mentoned that the vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling) and was taken to the dealer for repair by the previous owner. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
- Oakland, CA, USA
I was driving at 35 mph and the engine shut off, the brake light came on, although the hand brake was not activated. The car would not steer or the foot brake would not work without a lot of pressure. Once I got stopped and put the car in park it started right up. I have noticed hesitation at times like it was going to shut off. The car has 3/4 tank of gas and has been serviced regularly. This is the third time it has shut off at low speed.
- Harrisburg, NC, USA
First of all I noticed on 06/07/11 that my 2004 Nissan altima3.5 SE passenger floor board has a big rust spot which is about 11 inches by 7 inches, but the rest of the floor board is in pristine condition. Huh. Also the timing tension chain tensioner went bad on 05/01/12, with 86000 miles and had to be repaired which was a very expensive to repair, and saw that this is a common problem on the Altima 3.5 L engine. Hmmmm. And then, the car kept on stalling out going down the road, was told it was the cam shaft sensors, and had to have them replaced, now my service engine light will not go off, but engine is running good now. I bought a new 2012 Altima 3.5 sl back in December 2011, kept the 04 Altima, most of these problems happened five months after buying the 2012 don't think.
- Lovespark, IL, USA
Nissan Altima just died on the highway without warning. The vehicle was rear ended and we had to be taken to the hospital. We both sustained multiple surgeries and was admitted for about a week. Called nissanusa to inform them, but they don't care. There were suppose to get back to us and nobody did. Very disappointed in Nissan. They are crap cars!!!
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. The vehicle would not immediately restart on some occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the cam shaft positions sensors needed to be replaced. Both the dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 91,524.
- Goose Creek, SC, USA
- Houston, TX, USA