Nissan Altima Complaints

15,602 consumer complaints on file.

#10209561November 20, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2005 ALTIMA WAS FAILING TO START NORMALLY. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHY. AFTER SOME SEARCHING MY MECHANIC FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND HAD CAUSED OTHER FAULT CODES TO OCCUR. THE CAR HAS APPROX 56,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM NORMALLY SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH THIS AMOUNT OF MILES. WHEN THE PART WAS PICKED UP BY THE MECHANIC, HE WAS TOLD THAT EIGHT OF THESE SENSORS WERE RECENTLY SOLD FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND SOME OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS. ONE PERSON SUGGESTED A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PART WAS $42 BUT AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND AN OIL CHANGE, MY BILL WAS ALMOST $200! I HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH THE ALTIMA UP TO THIS POINT BUT FEEL THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE SUFFERED THIS SAME PROBLEM. IF THAT IS THE CASE, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. IF A RECALL HAPPENS TO BE ISSUED, THEN I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR HAVING TO PAY FOR FIXING MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209302November 19, 2007
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
ON RANDOM OCCASIONS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL LOOSES PRESSURE. IT ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES VERY CLOSE TO FLOOR. PRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS VERY SOFT UNTIL IT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY DEPRESSED. THE SITUATION IS RANDOM AND TYPICALLY LAST 5 TO 10 MINUTES AND THEN CORRECTS ITSELF. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED, BUT IT WAS NOT ACTING FAULTY AT THE TIME AND THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, NO TSB OR RECALLS. I HAVE CALLED TO NOTIFY THEM AGAIN THAT IT STILL OCCURS AND THEY SUGGEST THAT I BRING IT IN WHEN IT HAPPENS, BUT SINCE IT COMES AND GOES, THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL. IT DOES SEEM TO BE RELATED TO WHEN THE CAR IS HOT FROM EITHER CITY TRAFFIC OR IDLING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THERE ARE SEVERAL THREADS ON THIS TOPIC AT WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM FOR THE ALTIMA, WITH MANY OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME RESULTS FROM THE DEALER. SOME HAVE FOUND RESOLUTION BE REPLACING THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209326November 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WITH THE ELECTRIC BUTTON, THE CONTACT HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED TWICE; HOWEVER, IT STILL OCCURRED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF HEAT WAS COMING FROM THE VENT NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209108November 16, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DUST BOOT WEDGED BETWEEN PISTON AND CYLINDER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209180November 16, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR FOR FREE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS NOT STARTING PROPERLY AND MUST WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT CAN BE STARTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208921November 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COOLANT AIR INTAKE FILTER CAUGHT A SMOKER CIGARETTE WHILE DRIVING AND STARTED TO SMOKE THE BEST THING FOR THE AIR FILTER INTAKE IS TO INSTALL A SCREEN METAL MESH TO PROTECT THE FILTER FROM ANY DEBRI FROM MATCHES, CIGARETTE, CIGARS AND THE FAMOUS ONE BLACK MALES FROM YOUNG DRIVERS THAT USE IT TO INSERT MARIJUANA IN THEM TO CONCEAL FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208756November 13, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
PERIODICALLY MY VEHICLE FAILS TO START ON THE FIRST TRY, IT JUST WON'T TURN OVER, BUT ON THE SECOND TRY IT IS FINE. YESTERDAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. IT IS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE AS THE WIPERS/LIGHTS COME ON. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE HAD A FEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY 'FLOODED'? I WENT OUT AN HOUR AFTER MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT STARTING THE CAR AND IT STILL DID NOT START. NOT SURE HOW A FUEL INJECTED VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT USE THE ACCELERATOR TO START, GETS FLOODED? THIS MAKES ME NERVOUS I'M GOING TO GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITH A VEHICLE THAT PERIODICALLY WILL FLOOD AND NOT START??? THE DEALER DID NOT FIX OR REPLACE ANYTHING. NOT VERY COMFORTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208825November 13, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING WHERE I WORK. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CURB, IT ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME AND SPED BETWEEN TWO TREES, THEN BETWEEN A TREE AND BUILDING AND ENDED UP FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE PARKING SPOT ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING. THE CAR BASICALLY DID A FULL "U" FROM THE PARKING SPOT TO THE SIDEWALK. MY FEELING IS THAT I HAD THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT TO PARK IN THE PARKING SPOT AND DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SO THE CAR CONTINUED TO GO TO THE RIGHT, HENCE THE "U". THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED THE CAR HESITATING WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AND THEN RESUME AT A NORMAL SPEED. ONCE THE CAR RESUMED SPEED, THE CAR SEEMED FINE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10208436November 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE MAKES STRANGE SOUNDS, AND BLACK SMOKE COMES FROM THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. A MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYST CONVERTER AND PRECATALYST WERE MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO TOO MUCH OIL COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208454November 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON 10/9/2007 I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO SHEEHY NISSAN TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR THE KNOWN RECALLS. ON 10/11/2007 I RETRIEVED MY VEHICLE FOR SHEEHY NISSAN AND WAS TOLD BY ALAN SHURKIN THE ISSUE WITH THE ECM REPROGRAMMING HAD BEEN CORRECTED. ABOUT 20 MINS AFTER LEAVING SHEEHY NISSAN LOT MY CAR AGAIN STALLED AND STOPPED RUNNING. ON 10/14/2007 I CALLED ALAN SHURKIN @ SHEEHY NISSAN AND TOLD HIM THAT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE RECALL I WAS TOLD BY ALAN THAT IT WOULD BE A SERVICE CHARGE TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS NOW WITH THE CONSIST STOP AND GO ROUTINE. I WAS ADVISED BY A FRIEND TO CALL NISSAN NORTH AMERICA BACK LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS. ON 11/6/2007 I PLACED A CALL TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS WITH THE REP WHO TOOK MY CALL SHE DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND STATED TO ME THAT IT SEEMED THE ISSUE I WAS STILL HAVING WAS PERTAINING TO THE RECALL FOR THE ECM AND THAT SHE NEED TO FORWARD ME TO A REGIONAL RESEARCH REP. I WAS FORWARDING TO THE REGIONAL RESEARCH REP WHO STATED TO ME THAT THEY HAD TO LOOK IN TO THE PROBLEM FURTHER AND THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH ME WITHIN 24 HOURS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208462November 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN HAVE A FAILURE THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, AND IN SOME CASES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT NISSAN HAS MADE THE CONDITIONS OF THIS RECALL IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOST OWNERS TO MEET THEREFORE AVOIDING HAVING TO REPLACE A GREAT NUMBER OF ENGINES IN A VERY POPULAR CAR. WHEN MY VEHICLE SUFFERED THIS DAMAGE IN OCTOBER OF 2007 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I HAD PURCHASED IT FROM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE RECALL IS THAT THE ECM (COMPUTER) IN THE VEHICLE REPORT A SPECIFIC TROUBLE CODE. WITHOUT THAT CODE BEING PRESENT THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROCEED UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE RECALL. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT A VEHICLE SUFFERING FROM THIS DEFECT WILL NEVER REPORT THE TROUBLE CODE THAT NISSAN IS INSISTING IT HAVE. THIS DEFECT CAUSES MATERIAL FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE SEALS AND RINGS INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS DAMAGE WILL RESULT IN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL TO EXIT THE ENGINE THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLOGGING THE OXYGEN SENSORS. WITHOUT FUNCTIONING OXYGEN SENSORS THE CARS ECM WILL NEVER REPORT THE MALFUNCTION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH IS DETERMINED BY READINGS FROM THE OXYGEN SENSORS. I ASSERT THAT NISSAN HAS DELIBERATELY PLACED THIS CONDITION ON THE RECALL TO AVOID PERFORMANCE UNDER IT. THE ONLY CONDITION OF THE RECALL SHOULD BE A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO DETERMINE IF THE PHYSICAL DEFECTS ARE PRESENT. THIS IS COVERED IN STEP 'D' OF THE RECALL WHICH DEALERS NEVER GET TO BECAUSE THEY ARE STOPPED AT STEP 'A' WHEN THEY CANNOT GET THE ECM TO GENERATE THE TROUBLE CODE. THE RECALL IN QUESTION IS NTB03-070. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207960November 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
MY PRE CATALYST FAILED AT 80450 MILES, JUST 450 MILES OVER THE FEDERAL MANDATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208003November 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS AFFECTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207893November 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR BEGAN STALLING AT IDLE AND ALSO SOMETIMES ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP - I HAD CLEANED THE AIR FILTER AND TRIED 2 TANKS OF PREMIUM GAS BUT TO NO AVAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207922November 5, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTMA SEPT 17,2007. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND RIDING IN THE AUTO. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE. WHEN MY WIFE IS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, HER LIFE IS IN DANGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207708November 2, 2007
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE), POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
BUY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SER 02/05, AT 4,000 MILES THE CLUTCH PEDAL BEGINS TO CONTINUOUSLY FALL TO FLOOR, REQUIRING OPERATOR TO LIFT WITH FOOT, TAKE TO DEALERSHIP THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE, THIS GOES ON FOR MONTHS. THEN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE MORNING IT STICKS TO FLOOR AND DOES NOT RECOVER. LIMP TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER REPLACES CLUTCH PEDAL AND SPRING TO CORRECT, SHORTLY AFTER FAILS AGAIN, DEALER REPLACES SLAVE CYLINDER, FAILS AGAIN DEALER REPLACES PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH THROW OUT BEARING, FAILS AGAIN, DEALER REPLACES MASTER CYLINDER FOR CLUTCH, BY THIS TIME CAR HAS 38,700 MILES ON IT. SEEMS TO WORK FINE FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS 20K AND DOWN SHIFTING ON AND EXPRESSWAY EXIT RAMP CLUTCH PEDAL STICKS TO FLOOR AND CLUTCH EXPLODES. CURRENTLY WAITING TO SEE IF NISSAN IS GOING TO FIX OR I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY WITH THE CLUTCH FAILURES AND NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED AS A RESULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207737November 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ONE WEEK LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207773November 2, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND A CRASH OCCURRED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207798November 2, 2007
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
ACCELERATING WILL OCCASIONALLY RESULT IN CLUTCH PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR BOARD. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR, UNABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR. SOMETIMES ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL CLUTCH OPERATION BY PULLING ON PEDAL. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO DEALERSHIPS IN FIRST YEAR AND A HALF AFTER PURCHASE. CLUTCH AND MASTER CYLINDER CHECKED FOR LEAKS. FLUID REPLACED OR TOPPED OFF. UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SYMPTOMS AT DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM REMAINS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207644November 1, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE DEALER FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V242000). NOW THE SES LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THIS DEFECT IS COMMON, AND IT OBVIOUSLY IS BASED ON MY RESEARCH, AND IF IT COULD CAUSE CRASHES AND, THEREFORE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH, THAT NISSAN WOULD BE OBLIGED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM--OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE NOT. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION? WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE ALREADY (OBVIOUSLY THE REPROGRAMMING ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM). BY THE WAY, IF THERE WERE ALREADY INJURIES OR DEATHS THEN SOMEONE FAILED TO ACT IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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