Nissan Altima Complaints

15,602 consumer complaints on file.

#10427738September 28, 2011
SUSPENSION
REAR SWAY BAR BROKE JUST OUTBOARD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR BUSHING. THE BROKEN SECTION WAS HANGING DOWN AND DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427572September 27, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MASTER CYCLINDER WAS LEAKING. PARKING BREAK LIGHT WOULD STAY ON, BUT SOMETIMES GO OFF. VERY SIMILAR TO PE11020. I HAVE DEALER SERVICE RECORDS DETAILING THE LEAK AND THE REPAIR. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427172September 26, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AUTO REPAIR SHOP READ CODE AS A P0420. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE FIXED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BOTH O2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IF NOT IT COULD LEAD TO PARTICLES GETTING INTO THE ENGINE AND RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM ONLINE TO SEE WHAT OTHERS WERE FACING, IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. NOT ALL 2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS ARE COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY, NOT SURE WHY ONE TYPE OF 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD BE COVER, BUT NOT ANOTHER. VERY FRUSTRATING AND SCARY, ESPECIALLY AS IT CAN LEAD TO A VERY DANGEROUS CRASH EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. NISSAN IS NOT HELPFUL OR CARING TO THIS ISSUE AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH WHEN YOU EVEN FIRST MENTION IT TO THEM. SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE HAD LOT OF COMPLAINTS, BUT WILL NOT AND HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427045September 24, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BELOW RECALL AS MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AND RECOMMENDED I BRING TO NISSAN TO FIX. BUT PER THERE RECALL MY CAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH BE AS CAMPAIGN # 03V084000. PLEASE SEE CAMPIAGN NOTICE BELOW TO REFERENCE. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE NISSAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX UNDER RECALL. RECALL NUMBER: 03V084000 SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. CONSEQUENCE: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NOTES: ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. NISSAN IS STILL DEVELOPING A REMEDY FOR THE PRE-CATALYST PROBLEM. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427051September 24, 2011
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND WHEN A CARD SLAMMED INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. MY CAR WAS THEN PUSHED OVER THREE LANES INTO THE CORNER WALL, ELECTRIC BOX, AND 2 FOOT HIGH ROCK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE DASH BOARD. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10426858September 23, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I QUESTION THIS EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE BACK TO 2008 AND EVERYTIME I GET THE SAME ANSWER "IT'S NORMAL, IT'S JUST THE HEAT SHIELD PLATE HEATING UP AND COOLING DOWN. IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE SAFETY & FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT". IT'S AMAZING I PAID $30K FOR A CAR THAT RATTLES ON REGULAR BASIS AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT. YOU WOULD THINK AFTER THE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS NISSAN COULD ATLEAST COME UP WITH A FIX! THEY SAY IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE FUNCTION/SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE BUT I BEG TO DIFFER, I GET HESITATIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. IF THIS WAS "NORMAL" THEN EVERY CAR SOLD WOULD MAKE THIS NOISE BUT THEY DON'T SO IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT NORMAL AND A PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426856September 23, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND GOING OFF SPONTANEOUS THROUGH OUT EACH DRIVE TIME AND CONTINUED TO STAY ON LONGER AS TIME PASSED. TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC AS HE TOO WAS PUZZLED WHY MY FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW SINCE THE BRAKES THEMSELVES WERE WORKING GREAT IT WAS DETERMINED MY BRAKE FLUID WAS "SOMEHOW" LEAKING OUT OF THE CONTAINER THAT HOLDS THE FLUID INTO THE RUBBER BOOT AROUND IT AND WAS ADVISED I NEEDED TO HAVE THE MASTER BRAKE VALVE REPLACED AT A COST OF $456. I QUESTIONED WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND IF IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM AND WAS ADVISED THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT WAS JUST HAPPENING AND NO THEY HAD NOT SEEN THIS AS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS. I WAS ADVISED IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE FIXED TODAY BUT WOULD NEED TO BE FIXED BUT THEY WOULD TOP OFF THE FLUID AND I WOULD BE GOOD, BUT FOR HOW LONG THEY COULDN'T TELL ME. IN RESEARCHING I SEE I AM NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND PROBABLY WON'T BE THE LAST. I WANTED TO LOG MY EXPERIENCE IN HOPES NISSAN WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT IS RELATED TO A CATASTROPHE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426923September 23, 2011
SUSPENSION
I AM A MOTHER OF A YOUNG CHILD, SO I DO NOT DRIVE CRAZY!!! I HAVE HAD MY ALTIMA FOR APPROXIMATELY ONLY A YEAR, AND MY SWAY BAR JUST SNAPPED, NOT DUE TO ANYTHING BUT A DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426939September 23, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MASTER CYLINDER FOUND TO BE LEAKING. WARNING LIGHT WAS COMING ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426756September 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS ALSO UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/ HEADER/ MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,450.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426790September 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/ HEADER/ MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE) AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,450. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426812September 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAM SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. SIMILAR IN FUNCTION TO THE RECALLED CRANKSHAFT SENOR, THE CAM SHAFT PART CAN STALL A CAR, OR PREVENT FROM RESTARTING DUE TO OVERHEATING. IT ALSO IS VITAL TO ENGINE TIMING AND OTHER ITEMS WHICH PERTAIN TO ENGINE PERFORMANCE. SEPT 12, 2011 67000 MILES REPLACED THIS THE SECOND TIME IN UNDER 3 YEARS PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL LIKE IT'S CRANKSHAFT COUNTERPART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426606September 21, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SCANNED VEHICLE CODES WERE: P1715, P1574 AND P720. ALL THREE CODES ARE FOR THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSORS. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SPEED SENSORS. BOTH WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BURNNING OR RUBBING DUE TO IMPROPER SPACING. NEW SPACERS WERE ADDED ALONG WITH NEW SENSORS. TOTAL COST FOR PARTS ONLY WERE- $445.13! ADDITIONAL FEES WERE THE LABOR AND SENSOR WASHER, BRINGING THE WHOLE INVOICE TO $762.83! THIS WAS A FAULT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426549September 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
WE HAD STOPPED AT THE SIGNAL AND ONCE THE SIGNAL TURNED GREEN WE TRIED TO MOVE, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE AT ALL, SEEMED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE THOUGHT OF GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND THUS WE PUT ON THE WARNING FLASHER SWITCH AND TRIED TO PUT INTO PARK BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED THE SELECTOR LEVER FROM D (DRIVE) TO P (PARK). DURING THIS PROCESS THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED ON TO THE BUSY TRAFFIC (THE TRAFFIC WAS ON BY THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE). THIS MAJOR ACCIDENT INVOLVED A TOTAL OF 5 CARS AND 3 CARS WERE TOWED AND TOTALED INCLUDING OURS AND INJURING ONE OF THE PASSENGERS. OUR 1 YEAR SON WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT, BUT LUCKILY HE WAS NOT INJURED, THANKS TO THE STABLE CAR SEAT. MY FATHER ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. ABOVE ALL, THE CAR WAS FULLY SERVICED FROM NISSAN DEALER (COSTING AROUND $900) DAY BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10426003September 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I NOTICED AROUND 55K MILES THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT WOULD GO AWAY IF I PRESSED DOWN THE BRAKE, AND SEEMED TO COME ON MOST WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE ANYWAYS, SO I TOOK IT IN AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE BRAKES AS WELL. THEY SAID MY PADS WERE FINE. EVENTUALLY THE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON MORE AND MORE UNTIL IT WAS ON MORE THAN OFF. I STARTED SEARCHING AROUND AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF 2007 ALTIMAS WITH MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILURES WHERE THEY START TO LEAK. I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID, IT WAS JUST ABOVE MIN. I STOPPED OFF ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK, PURCHASED SOME DOT 3 FLUID, TOPPED IT OFF, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT HASN'T BEEN ON SINCE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THOUGH, BRAKE SYSTEMS ARE CLOSED SYSTEMS MORE FLUID SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE ADDED. I WILL MONITOR IT TO SEE IF THE FLUID LEVEL GOES DOWN, BUT IT APPEARS THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER PROBLEMS. APPARENTLY SENTRAS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS, SO I HOPE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ALTIMAS ARE. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SPEND $500 TO GET THIS FIXED IF IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND EQUIPMENT FAILURE OF NISSAN. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425726September 16, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AT 50,000 MILES, THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ON MY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. UPON DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF. AT FIRST, THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN AFTER ANOTHER WEEK OF DRIVING. HOWEVER, DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN AND AGAIN DURING DRIVING. NOW, IT IS ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME UNLESS I AM DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS JUST NORTH OF "LOW." SO, PERHAPS REFILLING THE RESERVOIR WILL CORRECT THE ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, MY PADS ARE FAIRLY WORN AND SIMPLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT INDICATE THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER MAY BE FAILING, AND THAT IS MY CHIEF CONCERN. I HAVE NO DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE CAR AT THIS JUNCTURE. BUT, I HAVE NOTICED THAT, IF I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST BEFORE STARTING THE CAR, THE PEDAL DEMONSTRATES A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MECHANICAL RESISTANCE. THE AMOUNT OF DEMONSTRATED RESISTANCE IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE DURATION BETWEEN ENGINE STARTS (E.G., IF THE CAR SITS FOR A FEW HOURS, THERE IS MINIMAL PEDAL STIFFNESS. HOWEVER, IF THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN FOR THREE DAYS OR MORE, THE PEDAL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DEPRESS UNTIL THE ENGINE TURNS OVER). I AM UNCERTAIN IF THIS IS A RELATED ISSUE, BUT IT IS WORTH MENTIONING. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425381September 14, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE LISTED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425384September 14, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5MPH AND ABOVE AND THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425409September 14, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425429September 14, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I NOTICED A LEAK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AND A FLASHING ON/OFF OF THE DASH BOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. I AM TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER TODAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I HAVE A FEAR OF A MASTER CYLINDER AFTER READING ABOUT ALL THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL. CONCERN AS WELL DUE TO RECALL SUMMARY RESEARCH ABOUT THE DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO ALTIMA BRAKES. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # PE11020. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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