Nissan Altima Complaints

15,602 consumer complaints on file.

#10248052November 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA GXE MODEL 2001. AFTER A THOROUGH RESEARCH ON THE WEB, I FIND THAT "INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK" IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN NISSAN ALTIMA. IT COST BETWEEN $700 - $1200 (THOUGH PART IS FOR $15-$30 ONLY). WITH THIS PROBLEM, CAR START SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN YOU STOP AT LIGHT. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FEQUENTLY LIGHTS UP. CAR STALLS ABRUPTLY IN THE LIGHT. ON A HIGH WAY DRIVE, CAR CAN STALL ANYTIME WHICH IS A GREAT HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TRAVEL WITH A KID OR AN OLD AGE PEOPLE. NISSAN SHOULD HELP OWNERS FIX THIS AND SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RECALL THIS CARS WITH THIS KIND OF FAULTY PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248070November 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CAR WAS BEEN DRIVEN AND SHUT OFF ON HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART . CAR WAS TOWED TO AUTO MAX IN APPLE VALLEY AND DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF DEBRIS FROM THE CONVERTER BEEN SUCKED IN THE ENGINE. TOTAL COST OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS $4226.62. UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT IN CANADA , THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ORDER NISSAN TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BASED UPON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. IF YOU GO ON LINE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE IN THE SAME BOAT AS ME AND NISSAN TRIES TO PLAY IGNORANT. I HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH A DEALER IN ST. CLOUD , MN WHERE THE SERVICE MANGER GOT A FEW ENGINES REPLACED FOR CUSTOMERS AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247952November 7, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SMELLS BURNING OIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247834November 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A NEWS REPORT FOR NISSAN RECALLS AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. HE WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AT 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AND HAVE SINCE WORSENED. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,691 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,607. UPDATED 12/11/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/11/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247719November 5, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL IS CONSUMED AT A RATE OF APPROX. 1 QUART EVERY 200 MILES, MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THERE ARE NO NOTICABLE LEAKS. AROUND THE 80,000 MILE MARK OIL BEGAN TO RUN LOW BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INCREASING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247783November 5, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:MARKINGS
I CHECKED MY TIRES AND FOUND THAT 2 OF THEM THAT I PURCHASED AT BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB. THE DOT NUMBER WAS MISSING THE MONTH OF MANUFACTURE. THEY HAD THE FIRST 8 CHARACTERS BUT THE DATE WAS MISSING. I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN REMOVED. IT'S PROBABLY BEEN A YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247813November 5, 2008
TIRES
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR FRONT END ALIGNMENT. IT WA MAKING A FUNNY WHIRRING NOISE. MECHANIC ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES. FOUND CUPPING TIRES. VEHICLE WAS STILL MAKING NOISE. HAD TWO NEW TIRES PUT ON FRONT. VEHICLE STILL MAKES NOISE. CONTINENTAL TIRES TOURING CONTACT AS P215 160R16 94T. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247502November 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE FAILURE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. IT STARTED WITH AN ENGINE CODE . REFERRED TO THE CATALYST CONVERTER. I HAD BEGUN SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE OF A BIGGER PROBLEM PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT FORUMS DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS FOR THE SAME CAR. NOT IRONIC, DISTURBING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND PREVENTABLE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED REGULARLY. I ALSO HAD HARD TO START PROBLEMS . RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. I KEPT LOOSING COOLANT AND OIL AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY WITNESS MARKS ON MY DRIVEWAY TO PROVE THAT IT WAS LEAKING. AT TIMES YOU CAN SMELL THE SWEET ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER NISSAN SERVICE VISIT, THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE..CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE UP AND WAS SUCKED BACK INTO THE ENGINE. HERE IS WHAT THE INVOICE READS. INVOICE: ECM RECALL COULD NOT PERFORM RECALL VEH HAS E-LIGHTS THAT NEED TO BE CORRECTED?MULTI POINT VISUAL INSPECTION ONLY?INSPECTION PERFORMED REC ENGINE ASSY AND CAT RELATED PARTS A/C LOW PRESSURE HOSE?CUST STATES VEH LOSING COOLANT AND HAS A MISS CK DIAG AND CHCK OUT TIME ONLY?CUST STATES VEH HAS COOLANT LEAK AND MISS1.00 INSPECTION VEH FOR COOLANT LEAK BUT FOUND NO VISIBLE LEAK. MISFIRE FOUND INSPECTED PLUGS AND FOUND THEY'RE FOULED OUT AND HAVE CORROSION TYPE SUBSTANCE ON THEM?VEH POSS BURNING COOLANT. INSPECTED CAT AND FOUND IS COMING APART. REC ENGINE CAT AND RELATED PARTS CUST DECLINED REPAIRS? NOTE HAS REPLACED O2SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS. I ASKED THE SERVICE REP WHY NISSAN WOULDN'T PAY FOR THIS IF THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN PROBLEM. SHE SIMPLY RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT ALL THEY WOULD DO IS THE WORK BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING. THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT NISSAN HEADQUARTERS IF I HAD A COMPLAINT. IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT MANY OF MY FELLOW ALTIMA OWNER?S HAVE HAD MUCH LUCK WITH THAT. NISSAN BE RESPONSIBLE. LIVES MAY DEPEND IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247508November 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WENT THROUGH INSPECTIONS IN DELAWARE AND THE CAR FAILED FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE OIL IS TOO LOW. I THINK THE CAR DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247526November 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE ENGINE IS DYING. I HAVE TALKED AND RESEARCHED OTHERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IS NHTSA AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247277October 30, 2008
SEATS
PURCHASED A 2008 ALTIMA 3.5 SE WITH POWER SEATS, BEFORE 2000 MILES NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS LOOSE AND HAD A VIBRATING EFFECT THEN THE SEAT STARTED POPPING OUT OF PLACE AS I WAS MAKING A TURN OR GOING AROUND A CURVE OR EXITING ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SEAT RAILS BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT IT CAN'T DUPLICATE THE MOVEMENT SO THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT. A MOVING SEAT WHILE DRIVING IS NOT SAFE!! THE SEAT GOES TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS A POPPING SOUND AND SOMETIMES IT GOES FORWARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247303October 30, 2008
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG FAILURE NISSAN HYBRID-- THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AUTOMATICALLY DEACTIVATED ITSELF EVEN WHEN ADULT (EG. 110 POUNDS AND 5FEET 2 INCHES TALL) SITS UPRIGHT. IT ALSO DEACTIVATES OR ACTIVATES FREQUENTLY WHEN THE PASSENGER IS NOT ADJUSTING HIS/HER POSITION AND THERE IS NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN ROAD CONDITION. THE BEHAVIOR IS ERRATIC AND HAPPENS 75% OF THE TIME. I AM AFRAID FOR THE LACK OF PROTECTION BY THE AIR BAG SYSTEMS IN THE CASE OF DISASTER. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY NISSAN SO FAR. 2 DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AREN'T ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE SYMPTOMS. ONE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT SHOULD WORK BEYOND 120 POUNDS. NISSAN'S GUIDELINE IS FIFTY POUNDS AND NOT 100. THE OTHER DEALERSHIP RAN AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CIRCUITRY AND DIDN'T IDENTIFY ANY MALFUNCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246983October 28, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE WITH 89,207 MILES ON IT. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED A ROUGH IDLING AT STOPLIGHTS, SO BAD SOMETIMES I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS GOING TO DIE OUT ON ME. ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2008, I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MCCARTHY BLUE SPRINGS NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS, AND WAS ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE MY CAR AGAIN UNTIL IT GETS FIXED. SO, I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP OVER THE WEEKEND AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PICK IT UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. IN OTHER WORDS, I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR 4 DAYS. IN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM ONLINE TO SEE IF IT'S A NOTABLE PROBLEM WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL WEBSITES COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. MOST OF WHICH HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT MUCH LOWER MILEAGE THAN MINE. THE REPLACEMENT COSTS SEEMS TO BE ABOUT THE SAME ACROSS THE BOARD, TO BE BETWEEN $700 AND $800 PLUS. IN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR ALL NISSAN ALTIMA'S. THERE ARE MANY WEBSITES COMPLAINING OF THE VERY PROBLEM OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON NISSAN ALTIMA'S. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN PREVIOUSLY (JANUARY 5, 2008) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. SO, I PAID TO HAVE THAT FIXED WHICH WAS OVER $450. MY CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH, UNTIL I STARTED NOTICING THAT IT WAS IDLING HARD AT STOPLIGHTS, BUT I FIGURED IT WAS JUST DUE TO THE COLD. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN ABOUT IT, THEY ASKED ME IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AND IT WASN'T SO THEY JUST SAID IT WAS DUE TO IT BEING COLD. BUT IT NEVER STOPPED AND CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND WORSE. UNTIL I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT BACK INTO NISSAN TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN AND THAT'S WHEN THEY SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED ON THIS VERY PROBLEM AND HOW MANY IT TAKES FOR YOU TO CONSIDER A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246831October 27, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD A RECALL FOR AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WHICH I HAD REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE ON REICHERT NISSAN IN WENENCHEE WA. ON 10-22-2008. AFTER DRIVING 106 MILES MY ENGINE FAILED. I CALLED REICHERT MOTORS AND THEY RESPONDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THERE DEALERSHIP BY A CERTAIN TOWING COMPANY; WHICH I DID. (BY THE WAY BEFORE THIS INCIDENT ,THIS CAR HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM ; THIS ALL HAPPENED AFTER THE RECALL) AFTER THE CAR WAS CHECKED BY REICHERT THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOW A CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH WAS NOT RELATED TO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM SO I WOULD NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TOWING CHARGE AS WELL AS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THIS SEEMS A LITTLE STRANGE TO ME THAT A CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS PRIOR WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN DEVELOP THIS PROBLEM AFTER 106 MILES WHICH WAS THE DISTANCE TO MY HOME IN OMAK WA FROM WENECHEE . WITHIN 3 HOURS AFTER THE CAR WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS A DANGER FOR THE CAR TO LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM( FILE # 6327690) AND THEY STATED THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT. IF I WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE I THINK THEY WOULD OF BEEN AT FAULT. THIS COMPANY NEED TO BE REPRIMANDED FOR AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS ON OUR NATIONS HIGHWAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246597October 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A CYCLE AND THEN GO OF. THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, OR WHEN FIRST START AND PUT IN TO GEAR. ALSO THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AS IT SHOULD WHEN THIS OCCURS. HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK. WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246403October 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON OCTOBER 9, 2008, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE NORMALLY SHUTS DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSIS, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246368October 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,266 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,400. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246182October 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I REC'D LETTER STATING 05 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE BEING RECALLED. I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP (NORTH TEXAS NISSAN IN CORINTH, TX). THEY FIXED IT AND STATED EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. COUPLE DAYS LATER CAR JUST CUT OFF ON ME AT REDLIGHT AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME AND TO MAKE AN APPT. AND BRING IN MONDAY. I DID, CAME IN AT 9 AM, SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $98 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. IT CAME BACK STATING IT WAS CRANK AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR. NISSAN CORP. WANT PAY FOR IT; STATING OUR VEHICLE WASN'T THE VIN #S THAT WERE RECALLED. SO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SENSORS. I WILL NEVER BUT ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. NISSAN CORP WEREN'T APOLOGETIC, COULDN'T ANS. MY QUESTIONS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245864October 18, 2008
VISIBILITY, EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN DECEMBER 2006, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR MALFUNCTIONED AND DROPPED DOWN BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ON DEC 21, 2006, THE MALFUNCTIONING SUNVISOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE ($113.65). AROUND AUGUST 2008, THE REPLACEMENT SUNVISOR FELL OUT OF IT'S HOLDER AND BRACKET INTO THE DRIVER'S LAP WHILE DRIVING. THE OWNER FIXED IT SO IT WOULD NOT FALL OUT AGAIN. HOWEVER, IN OCT 2008, THE REPLACEMENT SUNVISOR WOULD NO LONGER STAY UP. AGAIN IT SWUNG DOWN INTO THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING. AGAIN, IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND BASED ON ON-LINE POSTS IT IS A COMMON THEME AMONG NISSAN VEHICLES. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR A REPLACEMENT AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT OR GIVE ME A DISCOUNT SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED OVER 12 MONTHS AGO. NEXT WEEK, I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICES. HOWEVER, BASED ON THEIR LACK OF RESPONSE TO OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, I DO NOT EXPECT THEM TO RESOLVE IT TO MY SATISFACTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245781October 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH ABOUT 95,000 MILES. ON 9/19, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH AND HAD A SLIGHT RATTLE, AND MY OIL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ON OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER FLUSHED AND REPLACED THE OIL, AND ALSO REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND TWO OXYGEN SENSORS, AT A TOTAL COST OF $1700. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 9/23. I WAS AWAY 9/26-9/29 AND DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR. ON WEEKDAYS, I TYPICALLY DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES TO AND FROM WORK EACH WAY. THE NEXT WEEKEND I DROVE THE CAR APPROX. 150 MILES, AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE RATTLE HAD NOT SUBSIDED AND THAT MY OIL LIGHT HAD STARTED TO BLINK ON AGAIN, ESPECIALLY AS I DROVE UPHILL. I ADDED 2 QUARTS TO THE ENGINE ON 10/4 AND TOOK THE CAR TO A JIFFY LUBE ON 10/8. THE JL TECH THAT REPLACED THE OIL TOLD ME THAT MY OIL WAS VERY LOW, SO I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER ON 10/13. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE RATTLE AS "INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE" AND RECOMMENDED A NEW ENGINE FOR $5000. MY CONVERSATION WITH THE DEALER MECHANIC LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WAS BURNING OIL DUE TO A LEAKY CYLINDER, MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE PRE-CATALYST. THE PRE-CATALYST OR 'PRE-CAT' FILTERS EXHAUST BEFORE IT GETS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE PRE-CAT IS CLOSER TO THE ENGINE THAN THE CAT CONVERTER, SO IT TENDS TO GET OVERHEATED. WHEN IT DOES, IT CAN BREAK DOWN, AND LITTLE PIECES OF IT CAN GET SUCKED BACK UP THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THE WRONG WAY, BACK INTO THE CYLINDERS, WHICH DAMAGES THE CYLINDERS & ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, I WAS UNKNOWINGLY DRIVING WITHOUT ENOUGH OIL, AND PERMANENTLY DAMAGED THE ENGINE. I PARK MY CAR IN MY GARAGE & HAVE NEVER NOTICED AN OIL LEAK OR SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. I HAVE NEVER GONE MORE THAN 5,500 MILES WITHOUT AN OIL CHANGE, AND I HAVE A RECEIPT FROM EVERY OIL CHANGE I'VE EVER HAD. THE CAR HAS NO OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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