Nissan Altima Complaints (2004)
276 consumer complaints on file.
- #10486381November 28, 2012SEATS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
EVERY WINTER OR WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF RAW GAS COMING IN THROUGH THE AIR VENTS, WHEN CAR WARMS UP IN MORNING EVEN WITH ALL WINDOWS OPEN SMELL IS CHOKING AND UNBEARABLE. ALSO BRAKES SQUEAK TERRIBLY LIKE A BIG TRUCK WHEN TURNING TO LEFT AND BRAKING, EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS IN A DRIVE THRU OR PARKING. EVEN BRAND NEW BRAKES. LASTLY AND MOST SCARY IS THE DRIVER SEAT SHIFTS, ROCKS, FORWARD AND BACK WHEN BRAKING HARD OR DURING A SUDDEN STOP. PURCHASED CAR IN 2007 AS A LEASE RETURN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10484471November 13, 2012ENGINE
TL* 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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10482931November 1, 2012STRUCTURE
THE FLOOR OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA IS RUSTING OUT. COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10481291October 21, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE TAKING MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE (@ DEALER) DUE TO ADDRESS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CATALYTIC CONVERTER), THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOOK ME OUT TO MY CAR TO POINT OUT 2 LARGE RUST AREAS - 1 EACH ON THE DRIVER/PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS. THE ENTIRE REST OF THE CAR UNDERCARRIAGE HAS PRACTICALLY ZERO RUST. THE CAR WAS DEALER MAINTAINED FOR THE FIRST 5 YEARS AND OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, BUT ALWAYS WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES, COOLANT/TRANSMISSION FLUSHES, ETC.) AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, I USED THE COMPLIMENTARY VEHICLE INSPECTION - WHICH DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY CALL OUT RUST, BUT IT HAD TO BE OBVIOUS. RUST LIKE THAT DOES NOT JUST APPEAR OVER NIGHT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I WAS NOT ADVISED OF THIS SOONER - IN FACT IT WAS NOT POINTED OUT AT A DEALER INSPECTION JUST 3 MONTHS EARLIER. SINCE I DO NOT PERFORM THE CAR MAINTENANCE I WOULD HAVE NO OTHER WAY OF NOTICING, UNLESS I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED SOME KIND OF RUST INSPECTION -- OR ASKED TO GO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE EVERY TIME IT WAS IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE OR OTHER MAINTENANCE. READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS BOARD AND THE INTERNET IN GENERAL, I'VE COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM -- SEEMINGLY ATTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY DESIGN RELATED TO A DRAIN PLUG. WHEN THERE IS PRACTICALLY ZERO RUST ELSEWHERE, YOU CANNOT CLAIM THIS TO BE THE FAULT OF THE OWNER. I WAS NOT PLANNING ON GETTING RID OF THIS CAR FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO, BUT NOW AM FORCED TO START LOOKING. THE REPAIR COST IS NOT WORTH THE VALUE OF THE CAR (BASED ON MILEAGE). WHILE I WOULD HAVE ONCE PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN WITH NO HESITATION (BASED ON MY ALTIMA'S RELIABILITY), I NOW AM FORCED TO RECONSIDER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10480882October 17, 2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10475999September 19, 2012ENGINE
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. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10473116August 30, 2012ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470659August 14, 2012ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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!!! *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468515July 31, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE KEPT SHOWING CODES P1148, P1278 AND P1279. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CHANGED MAF SENSOR, ALL OXYGEN SENSORS, FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING BUT THE CODE KEPT SHOWING UP. THE VEHICLE FINALLY SHUT OFF ON THE PARKWAY WITHOUT WARNING AND WE WERE REAR ENDED. LUCKILY WE WERE ONLY TWO IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WE BOTH HAVE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT. THE NISSAN ALTIMA IS A DEATH TRAP. NISSANS IS A BAD COMPANY....BEWARE!!! *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468223July 30, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO PERFORM WITH A REDUCTION IN POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES AS WELL AS THE ALTERNATOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10466676July 19, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DRIVES SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR IS ROTTED . THERE IS NO FLOOR LEFT IN CAR. THIS CAR WAS GARAGED SENSE NEW. NISSAN KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM , BUT HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW THEY REPLACE SUB-FRAME BECAUSE OF ROT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10463000June 25, 2012ENGINE
TL* 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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10451924March 16, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE HAVE HAD THE SAME SENSOR RELATED COMPLAINT WITH THIS CAR MORE THAN 3 TIMES NOW. THE 1ST 2 TIMES WE TOOK TO A LOCAL GARAGE, BUT THE SAME ISSUE CAME UP A YEAR LATER. SO WE WENT TO WOODFIELD NISSAN, HOPING THAT THE DEALERSHIP, ALTHOUGH COSTS ALOT MORE, CAN DEAL WITH THE ISSUE BETTER. BUT JUST AS THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE ISSUE PRESENTED ITSELF AGAIN, WE WENT AGAIN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP - BUT THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY , EVEN THOUGH IT WAS WITHIN THE MILEAGE (BUT PAST THE 12 MONTHS). WE HAVE NOW SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS CRANK/CRAM SHAFT SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD US THAT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR DRIVING OR CARE, THIS ISSUE WILL OCCUR EVERY YEAR OR SO AND WE WILL HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED OR CAR WILL STALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT WE CAN PAY THEM TO TAKE OUR CAR TOTALLY APART AND THEN THEY CAN TRY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM - BUT I CANNOT SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SPEND HOURS LOOKING INTO MY CAR SO THEY CAN MAYBE FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET NISSAN TO HELP - BUT NOBODY RETURNS MY CALLS. I ALSO TRIED THE DEALERSHIP - BUT THERE TOO - NO ONE ANSWERS OR RETURNS MY CALLS. I WANT NISSAN TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE AND FIX IT. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND I CANNOT DO WITHOUT A CAR AND CERTAINLY CANNOT PAY SO MUCH TO KEEP GETTING IT REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR REPAIRED FOR THE SAME STUFF 4 TIMES. IT HAS STALLED AND WE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH IT. OUR SCHEDULES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED. I HAVE BEEN LATE TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN, WE HAD TO CANCEL THEIR ACTIVITIES BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL OR IN THE SHOP. WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TO GET IT TOWED EVERYTIME IT STOPPED. I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME NISSAN TOOK CARE OF ITS PRODUCT. I CAN UNDERSTAND WEAR AND TEAR - BUT THIS IS BEYOND ANYTHING. NISSAN HAS TO HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10451606March 14, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN CAR SITS IN COLD WEATHER CLIMATE BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND LOCKS UP. LOOSING THE ABILITY TO COME TO A STOP. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS IN WEATHER BELOW 20 DEGREES. IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSAN OWNERS HAVING PROBLEM WITH NISSANS FAULTY BRAKE VACUUM VALVE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449797February 23, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIRS RELATED TO REPLACEMENT OF SENSORS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH HE HAD THE RECALL NOTICE AND THERE WAS EXPIRATION DATE, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10446312February 2, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT LOW SPEED DUE TO AN OVERHEATED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. NISSAN SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *KB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10440139December 16, 2011STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD AND CORROSION ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,615 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,815.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10437939December 1, 2011STRUCTURE:BODY
I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE ONLY SERVICED THIS CAR AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. UPON A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD HAD A 12" X 24" AREA THAT WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE REST OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE (FOR NOW). I THOUGHT THIS RATHER ODD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 68,305 MILES ON IT. IT IS CARED FOR WITH DELUXE WASHING. IT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE. THEY HAD NISSAN REPS IN TO CHECK OUT OTHER CARS IN THE RECENT PAST. NOTES WERE MADE. NO ACTION. I REPORTED MY SITUATION TO THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. MY CASE WAS KICKED UP TO A SECOND REP. HE WILL BE CONTACTING MY DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT CAN BE "WORKED OUT". I ASKED IF THEY HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS, YES THEY HAD. HE SAID IF MORE PEOPLE FILE COMPLAINTS THERE COULD BE A RECALL. FILE YOUR COMPLAINT! SPREAD THE WORD! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10436847November 23, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,665 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,700.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10436369November 18, 2011SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH MAKING A U TURN, AND SUDDENLY ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT WEBBING FAILED TO TIGHTLY SECURE THE CONTACT'S BODY DURING THE IMPACT AND ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 01/10/12
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0