Nissan Altima Complaints (2004)

276 consumer complaints on file.

#10428093September 30, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
EXCESSIVE PREMATURE RUST ON DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR PAN. BOTH ARE ABOUT 5"X10" IN SIZE AND CONSISTENT WITH MOST OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA RUST COMPLAINTS FOR CARS OF SIMILAR AGE. SINCE NOTICING THE RUST I HAVE LOOKED AT DOZENS OF SIMILAR NISSAN ALTIMAS IN STORE PARKING LOTS ALL WITH THE SAME PREMATURE RUST PATTERN. IT APPEARS THAT NISSAN DESIGNED THE FLOOR PANS WITH A DRAIN PLUG WHICH ALLOWS WATER PENETRATION ABOVE THE FLOOR PAN WHERE IT CAUSES RUST. THE REST OF THE FLOOR PAN ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS IN EXCEPTIONALLY PRISTINE SHAPE, BUT DUE TO THE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED/INSTALLED FLOOR PLUGS THE RUST HAS CAUSED HOLES TO DEVELOP IN THE FLOOR PAN AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON NOTICING THE RUST, I TALKED WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED HE HASN'T SEEN A NISSAN ALTIMA OF SIMILAR AGE IN HIS SHOP THAT DID NOT HAVE IDENTICAL RUST PATTERNS IN THE SAME SPOT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THE RUST IN THIS ONE AREA AROUND THE DRAIN PLUGS IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE LACK OF RUST EVERYWHERE ELSE. HOLES IN FLOORBOARDS OF LATE MODEL CARS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE MOST CONSUMERS WOULD NEVER SUSPECT THIS WOULD BE AN ISSUE ON LATE MODEL CARS WHICH ARE OTHERWISE NOT SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF RUST. HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARDS CAN ALLOW PENETRATION OF DEADLY EXHAUST FUMES, ESPECIALLY IN STOP AND GO TYPE DRIVING AS WELL AS PERSONAL SAFETY RISK AS THIS WEAKENS THE OVERALL STRENGTH OF THE UNIBODY DESIGN IN A CRASH. ALSO IF UNDETECTED LONG ENOUGH IT CAN CAUSE SEATS TO LOOSEN AND FALL FROM THEIR MOUNTS. I STRONGLY URGE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD TO ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL SINCE IT APPEARS THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RISK IT IS PUTTING ON CONSUMERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420922August 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419930August 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
CAR WAS BACK TO DEALER ABOUT 16 MONTHS AGO FOR RECALL NTB06-051A. AT THAT TIME CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED . THIS MONTH AUGUST 2011 SAME SYMPTOMS BUCKING HARD TO START STALLING. TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT SHOP AND CONFIRMED ANOTHER CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417088August 4, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS WITH HESITATION AND JERKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME, WHERE THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415293July 27, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA SL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V24200 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413785July 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407226June 17, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF FOR A FEW HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405692June 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNLESS IT WAS TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS. A YEAR AGO THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 06V242000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) RECALL AND THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IDENTICAL FAILURE HAD RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403528May 26, 2011
STEERING
DESCRIPTION/ISSUE: MY 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA'S STEERING IS VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. I WOULD LIKE AVOID ANY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND PREVENT ANY RISK OF CRASHING. I WILL GET THIS FIX IMMEDIATELY BUT WANTED TO OFFICIALLY REPORT THIS. I DID SOME SEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND OTHERS WHO OWN ALTIMAS HAVE REPORTED AND FOUND VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH VERY TIGHT STEERING. PLEASE HELP INVESTIGATE IF NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVE STEERING DEFECTS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS? PLEASE HELP INVESTIGATE IF THERE IS A MANDATORY RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE NOTE - I HAVE CONFIRMED NISSAN FRONTIER MODELS HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE RECALL. THE ALTIMA PROBLEM I HAVE DESCRIBED ABOVE IS THE SAME. SINCERELY, CONCERNED ALTIMA CONSUMER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401512May 18, 2011
STEERING
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, I HAVE BEEN HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS AND HAVE HAD 3 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. WHEN I TAKE TURNS IT IS REALLY TIGHT, I HAVE TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL BACK MYSELF. I TRIED EMAILING NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA, THEY DID NOT RESPOND, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM WHAT I READING ONLINE. THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE HELP ME FIND A WAY. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE. THERE IS ALSO A CREAKING SOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR THAT STARTED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE STEERING PROBLEM. THIS STEERING PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. I HAVE HAD THE SWAY BAR LINKS CLEANED THINKING IT WAS THAT , BUT THAT DID NOT WORK A FEW MECHANICS INCLUDING A NISSAN MECHANIC CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397720April 27, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED FOR RECALL REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND HESITATING AT RANDOM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395214April 7, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I TAKE GOOD CARE OF. I DON'T DRIVE IT IN THE WINTER SO IT DOESN'T SEE MUCH SALT.I RECENTLY NOTICED RUST HOLES IN BOTH MY DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOORBOARDS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING THE CAR IS BARELY SEVEN YEARS OLD AND SO WELL TAKEN CARE OF.MY OPINION IS THAT THE METAL USED IS FAR TOO THIN AND THAT IT IS A FLAWED DESIGN.NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL OF THESE ALTIMAS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE IT RIGHT.I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381248February 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL-*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381333February 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENTERING HIS VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT ACTUALLY START UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE LOOSE WIRES TO THE CRANK SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HE WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HIS MOTOR HAD BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME AND THE VEHICLE DROVE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373677January 1, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CAR WAS HARD TO START AND EVENTUALLY WOULDN'T START. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. MANY COMPLAINTS POSTED ONLINE WITH A NISSAN CAMPAIGN FOR SOME YEARS BUT NOT THE 2004. WIDER CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE DONE. ONLY 26,000 MILES ON AUTO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373378December 29, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT I NOTICED THE LIGHTS DIM IN THE REFLECTION OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I ALSO SAW A RED LIGHT ON THE DASH WHICH I HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE NEAR THE TOP ABOVE THE GEAR INDICATOR. THEN WHEN I APPROACHED THE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THE LIGHTS DIM AGAIN AS MY RPM'S DROPPED BELOW 1000. ALL WAS FINE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I GOT OFF AT AN EXIT NEAR MY HOUSE WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A LEFT ON MY ROAD THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. COMPLETELY DEAD ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OFF NO RADIO NO HEAT NOTHING! I SHIFTED IT OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER TRIED TO TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND THEY DID NOT WORK EITHER. I COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF N/D WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS WAS AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE AS I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AND PISSED OFF A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AS I WAS IN A DARK INTERSECTION FOR ALMOST 5 MINUTES IN A BLACK CAR. I TRIED TURNING THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND NOTHING HAPPENED ? IT WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THAT I COULD HEAR SOME ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY (THE KEY WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION) AND THEN SOME LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS LATER I COULD START THE CAR AND GO ON MY WAY. ALL ELECTRICAL SETTINGS WERE RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULTS ALL RADIO PRESETS ETC THE RADIO AND HEAT WERE POWERED OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370468December 13, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS IN PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF 2001-2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARDS DUE TO A DRAINAGE PLUG THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK AFTER THEY SAID I WOULD GET A CALL BACK. THE RUSTED OUT FLOOR PANS CAN BECOME A HAZARD IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAPPEN TO SEE THEM THEN YOU WILL NOT NO THEY ARE THERE. MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOUND; IT SEEMS THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED ALL THEY WAY THROUGH TO THE MAIN CABIN. I AM AFRAID THAT IF PEOPLE NEVER CHECK FOR THIS PROBLEM, IT WILL PROGRESSIVELY RUST THROUGH AND AFFECT YOUR SEATS AND EVERYTHING THAT IS THERE. LOOKS LIKE NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM! THEY DON'T CARE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367999November 27, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING 15MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 30MPH! THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED... *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363617November 1, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 32 DEGREES,WHEN CARE IS FIRST STARTED POWER BRAKES DO NOT WORK UNTIL CARE WARMS UP, TAKING CARE TO DEALER THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR CAR TO WARM UP BECAUSE OF A CHECK VALVE ON BRAKE BOOSTER HAVING MOISTURE INSIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359829October 13, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WILL HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE, BECAUSE NISSAN CLAIMED IT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED YET. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMERS MECHANIC STATED IT WAS GOING BAD AND COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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