Nissan Altima Complaints

15,602 consumer complaints on file.

#10147655January 12, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. MY BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND MY CAR SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND STILL REMAINS THERE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147409January 11, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH SUDDENLY SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING SINCE AROUND FEBRUARY OF 2003. IN APRIL 2003, IT GREW WORSE & STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I MANAGE TO GET IT RESTARTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BE RESET ONLY TO COME BACK ON WITHIN A FEW DAYS TO A WEEK LATER. THEY STATED IT WAS THE ENGINE SENSOR AND THEY REPLACED THAT BUT THAT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. JUST THIS PAST AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER WHEN I HAD MY CAR TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP & PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WHICH DETERMINED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD & HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONCE THEY DID THAT THE CAR DROVE WELL FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. TOOK IT TO HAMPTON NISSAN WHICH IS A 45 MIN DRIVE FROM MY HOME TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE CAR. THEY DETERMINED IT MIGHT BE THE INTAKE BUT WASN'T REALLY SURE BUT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO CHECK TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS GOING TO COST ME $350. ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT LUCKILY IN FRONT OF MY HOME BUT THE CAR HAS NOT RESTARTED SINCE NOV 10, 2005. CALLED NISSAN THEY INFORMED ME TO TAKE TO THE DEALER & THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT MY ENGINE HAS BEEN DAMAGED FROM THE CATALYST CONVERTER & I NEED TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE COST FOR A NEW MOTOR WOULD BE $4,800 & $3,800 FOR A USED MOTOR WITH OVER 24,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYST CONVERTER DAMAGING ENGINES. I FEEL THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENGINE IF THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY NISSAN. I HAD SPOKEN TO A REPRESENTATIVE OF NISSAN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT NOW I CAN'T REACH HIM & I HAVE LEFT NUMEROUS MESSAGES. THE DEALER STATES THAT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS OVER 141,000 MILES ON IT THAT THEY CANNOT REPLACE MY ENGINE FOR FREE AS THE MECHANIC STATED THEY WOULD DO IF IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE CATALYST CONVERTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147462January 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OUR ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE CAR DIED BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR DIED, WHILE WE WERE OUT OF TOWN COMING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING. THE OIL LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO COME ON NO MATTER WHAT WHEN IT GETS LOW ON OIL, THAT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT THEY PRESSURED US INTO BUYING FOR $1500. NOW THEY ARE NOT HONORING ANY SERVICE AGREEMENTS THEY MADE. THEY ARE IN BREACH OF CONTRACT. WE HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, FOOD, GAS, HITCHHIKING, EVERYTHING..... WE NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EVERYTHING AND HAVE NISSAN TAKE OVER PAYMENTS FOR OUR CAR RENTAL, LOSS OF WORK, RETURNING CAR, AND GETTING A NEW ONE. WE HAVE SPENT FIVE DAYS NOW SCREWING WITH EVERYONE EXCEPT SOMEONE THAT WILL HELP. I HAVE LITERALLY TALKED TO 90 PEOPLE OR MORE SINCE OUR CAR BROKE DOWN. WE WANT HELP RIGHT NOW, OR WE WILL SUE TROPHY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147259January 9, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE PRESENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 02/26/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147286January 9, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING THE GAUGES SUDDENLY STOP WORKING, THE RADIO STILL WORKS BUT ALL THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GO TO ZERO. ONE TIME THE ENGINE APPEARED TO STOP BUT TURNED BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (REGAL NISSAN) BUT THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES SO THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEY DID A TUNE UP (REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, PLUG WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR AND CAP) BUT THE GAUGES HAVE SHUT OFF TWICE SINCE THE TURN UP. THE DEALER SAID THAT UNLESS THERE IS AN ERROR CODE, THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THE GAUGES SHUT DOWN FOR FIVE MINUTES OR SO, USUALLY THE CAR STILL RUNS. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE GAUGES WORK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146859January 4, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
VEHICLE: 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE. PROBLEM: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT OPERATE, RETRACT, OR EVEN LOCK UP. IN ORDER TO AVOID AN 18 WHEELER FROM RUNNING OVER ME ON THE FREEWAY, I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, LOST CONTROL, AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR, DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK UP AS DESIGNED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD REPLACE BOTH ITEMS, BUT, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. I EXPLAINED THAT WITH BOTH SAFETY ITEMS NOT WORKING, THIS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. THEY STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ITEM, IT IS ONLY COVERED FOR THE NEW CAR WARRANTY PERIOD. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 105,490 MILES ON IT, AND HAS HAD ONLY ONE OWNER SINCE NEW. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY 1994 - 1997 ALTIMA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND ALTHOUGH WE CURRENTLY HAVE SEAT BELT LAWS IN TEXAS, I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TAKING THE RISK OF NOT UTILIZING THIS SYSTEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. VIN CAN BE PROVIDED IF NEEDED.. THANKS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10146692January 2, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
MY DAUGHTER'S 1996 NISSAN ALTIMA DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT SOMETIMES LEFT HER STRANDED. WHEN I DISCOVERED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, I WANTED OTHERS TO KNOW. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. IT WAS BURNED AND HAD ACTUALLY MELTED THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE CONNECTORS WERE. IT WAS THE TWO WIRE CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. THE FUSE WAS A 15 AMP FUSE, BUT THE WIRES AND THE CONNECTORS LOOKED SMALL FOR THAT KIND OF CURRENT DRAW. THIS LOOKS TO ME LIKE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT THE WIRE "PIGTAIL" WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM NISSAN AS A REPAIR PART. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146636December 31, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CAR FAILED TO START AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 13 MONTHS. THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT WAS FLOODED, CRANKING BUT NOT FIRING. TO START THE CAR I HAD TO HOLD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN UNTIL THE CAR FIRED AND STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING GASOLINE. WE ONLY USE 2-3 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS WITH GOOD REPUTATIONS. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN THE FIRST COLD SPELL OF NOVEMBER 2005. THE DEALER SAID THESE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULDN'T CAUSE FLOODING AND IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP US. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED BUT AS A PRECAUTION, I RAN THE GAS TANK ALMOST EMPTY AND PUT IN A BOTTLE OF GAS TREATMENT. I ALSO PLAN, IF POSSIBLE, ON BUYING MY GAS FROM ONLY ONE SOURCE FROM HERE ON OUT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146253December 28, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR FAILED TO START ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT'S FLOODED, CRANKING BUT NOT FIRING. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING GASOLINE (THE SAME GASOLINE RETAILER IS USED FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY) AND DRIVING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY HOME IN COLD, BUT NOT SEVERELY COLD, TEMPERATURES. THE DEALER SAID THESE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULDN'T CAUSE FLOODING, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND NOW REFUSES TO RESEARCH IT FURTHER. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS ADVISED OF A RECALL THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE, BUT THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AWARE OF IT AND I'M IN THE PROCESS OF FOLLOWING UP ON THIS POINT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146172December 27, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
STARTING SEPTEMBER 2005, MY CAR "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON AND THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN SOLVED. THE CAR CONTINUES TO STALL AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES AND THE DEALER AND NISSAN'S TECH PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. *NM PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (FEB 1, 06): THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR AND AIRFLOW METER UNDER "SECRET WARRANTY", BUT THE ENGINE STILL STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYMORE FOR ME. IN MOST CASES, THE ENGINE RESTARTS RIGHT THE WAY, SOMETIMES IT TAKES 3 OR 4 TRIES BEFORE THE ENGINE RESTARTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145995December 23, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SYSTEM AND CLUSTER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 800 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A PINGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE MID SECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THIS NOISE WAS NORMAL. A LOCAL MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS A BROKEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BASED ON COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE SHE FELT THAT A CLAMP NUT MAY BE LOOSE. THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 90 MINUTES IN THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT BECAME DIZZY BY WHAT SHE FELT MAY BE RELATED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE TRANSMISSION JERKED, AND HESITATED IN LOW GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER PARTIALLY DEFROSTS THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT DID NOT WORK AT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE DEFROSTER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145161December 14, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
2000 NISSAN-ALTIMA INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS FAILED AT 44500 MILES. REPAIRS ARE EST. AT $850.00. ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN ADVISOR THE LIFETIME OF THE GASKET SHOULD EXCEED 100000 MILES. NISSAN HAS A PROGRAM TO CORRECT ANY UNUSUAL DEFECTS AFTER THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BUT THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THEIR AGREEMENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144537December 6, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ARM REST IN THE FRONT OF CAR HAS ON, SEVERAL OCCASIONS CUT MY ELBOW. I FEEL THAT IF I WAS DRIVING THE CUT COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE RESULT FROM CUTTING MY ELBOW IS STAINS OF BLOOD ON THE INTERIOR FRONT SEATS OF THE CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10144049November 30, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORTH TIME IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED A 2.5 SL IN JUNE 2005. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF IN THE PASSENGER SEAT 6/20/05, SENSOR REPLACED. CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL TRYING 20 MINUTES LATER 7/4/05. SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME TO JIGGLE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM NOW ON. ON 7/28/05 CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN UNTIL AFTER 20 MINUTES, SERVICE DEPARTMENT INVOICED ME FOR REPROGRAMMING 33.83 AND 79.20 FOR NEW ELECTRONIC KEYS. NOW IN NOV. 2005 CAR IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS LISTED ABOVE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS TALKING TO NISSAN ENGINEERING, I AM DRIVING A RENTAL CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144074November 30, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED AND OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR TWICE. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND KNOCK SENSOR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144090November 30, 2005
TIRES
AS I WAS CONCLUDING MY BUSINESS DAY BY DRIVING HOME, MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE WENT FLAT. CAR DRIVEN TO A LOCAL TIRE DEALER, HE REFUSES TO FIX TIRE AND SAYS TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 2, 2005. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIRE DAMAGE WAS MY FAULT, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH A NEW TIRE. A FEW DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COVER WAS HANGING. I CALLED MY SALESMAN, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT IT PROBABLY OCCURRED WHEN THE TIRE WENT FLAT. NISSAN REPLACED THE TWO SCREWS, AND I WAS ON MY WAY. ALTHOUGH I HAD EXPERIENCED CHALLENGING TIMES WITH THE CAR, NOTHING PREPARED ME FOR THE HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE THAT OCCURRED ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2005. I SLOWLY DROVE DOWN THE GRASSY INCLINE AND PROCEEDED LEFT. I AM CERTAIN THAT I WAS NOT GOING FASTER THAN FIVE MILES PER HOUR BECAUSE 1) I WAS ON A HILL, 2) MY MOTHER WAS IN THE CAR, 3) I WAS TURNING LEFT, AND 4) I WAS ENTERING A TWO-LANE STREET. THE CAR WAS ON THE STREET, AND I WAS STRAIGHTENING THE CAR TO ENSURE THAT WE WERE SAFELY IN THE RIGHT LANE TO CONTINUE DOWN THE STREET. WHILE I WAS COMPLETING THESE ACTIONS, THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED LEFT AS IF IT HAD A LIFE OF ITS OWN. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING AN SUV AND A MAILBOX, I HAD TO STEER FOR MY LIFE, MY MOTHER''S LIFE, AND THIS NOW MANIAC CAR. I ENDED UP GOING UP THE EMBANKMENT, DOWN THE EMBANKMENT, UP AND DOWN AGAIN. FINALLY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AT MY DECEASED UNCLE''S DRIVEWAY. AMAZINGLY, ONLY MY TIRE AND TIRE AXLE WERE DESTROYED. MY MOTHER AND I WERE SAFE. I AM NOW CERTAIN THAT AFTER TWO TIRE INCIDENTS, SEEING MY CAR SWERVE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND LISTENING TO IT CLICK AFTER POSSESSING IT FOR FIVE DAYS THAT THIS CAR IS FAULTY. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144268November 29, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143594November 24, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
1) NORMAL DRIVING - SEL LIGHT CAME ON P0304 AND ROUGH ENGINE IDLE 2) INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED - POOR IDLE - WILL NOT PASS EMISSION TEST - 60K MILES 3) REPLACED GASKET AFTER FINDING MANY OTHER OWNERS HAD SAME PROBLEM EVEN AFTER 32K MILES. NISSAN SHOULD FIX THIS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY REFUSED. HERE ARE DETAILS OF THE ISSUE: THERE IS AN ENGINEERING OR MATERIAL DEFECT ON THE KA24DE ENGINE IN REGARDS TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. FROM READING THE POSTS OF DOZENS OF OWNERS IT APPEARS IT IS HAPPENING TO ENGINES MADE IN THE 00-01 TIME FRAME. IF THIS WERE JUST SOME RANDOM PROBLEM THEN YOU WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER OF POSTS ON P0304 AND GASKET LEAKS FOR ANY YEAR CAR. JUST ABOUT ALL THE POSTS CONCERN SPECIFICALLY 00-01. THE FIRST HAND EVIDENCE I HAD IS WHEN I TOOK OFF MY INTAKE MANIFOLD AND CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THE GASKET. THE SIDE WITH THE LEAK WAS AT CYLINDER 4. WHEN I TOOK OFF THE GASKET, THE MATERIAL AT THE CYLINDER 4 SIDE WAS WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS "BAKED". IT WAS HARD AND BRITTLE AND WOULD JUST CRACK OR SNAP VERY EASILY. THE CLOSER THE GASKET WAS TO THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER IT REMAINED MORE PLIABLE. OBVIOUSLY THE GASKET SEEMS TO HOLD UP BETTER CLOSER TO CYLINDER 1 BECAUSE IT IS COOLER THERE - THAT IS WHERE THE PASSAGE FOR THE COOLANT IS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES A P0304 CODE TO GET THROWN. THAT IS A MISFIRE AT CYLINDER 4. AGAIN, IF THIS WERE SOME RANDOM PROBLEM - COULDN'T WE REASONABLY EXPECT A NORMAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE CYLINDER MISFIRE CODE FROM P0301, 302, 303, AND 304? BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I DON'T THINK I HAVE SEEN ANY POSTS ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN P0304. THERE IS EXTRA HEAT AROUND CYLINDER 4 ABOVE WHAT THE GASKET MATERIAL IS RATED FOR - WHICH IS AN ENGINE DESIGN ISSUE. 2 CARS VERIFIED SO FAR HAPPEN TO BE CALIFORNIA EMISSION VEHICLES IT SEEMS PLAUSIBLE THAT THE EXTRA HEAT IS RELATED TO THE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES THESE CARS HAVE - SPECIFICALLY THE EXTRA CAT CONVERTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143444November 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142461November 11, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
I WANT TO REPORT A FAILURE IN MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2002. THEY DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING TO MY EVENING WORK AND I WAS CHATTING ON THE PHONE WITH MY SISTER WHEN THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME UP. I KEPT ON DRIVING AROUND 10 MORE MILES, AND BY THE TIME I WAS ABOUT TO GET TO THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK PLACE THE CAR START SHOCKING ON ME LIKE IF IT WAS GOING TO STOP. AT THAT TIME I WAS ALREADY IN THE PARKING LOT AND I PARKED. THEN I SAW A HUGE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND SINCE I'M A WOMEN THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND MUCH ABOUT CARS, I JUST GOT SCARED AND CALLED MY HUSBAND SO HE COULD PICK ME UP AFTER WORK. WHEN I WAS AT WORK I TALK ABOUT THE INCIDENT TO MY BOSS AND HE WENT TO CHECK THE CAR, AND HE TOLD ME THE RADIATOR PRETTY MUCH BROKE!!, HE TRIED TO PUT WATER, AND THE CAR COULDN'T HOLD IT. IT WAS JUST LEAKING, HE TOLD ME I SHOULD TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD FIX IT, BECAUSE IF I DRIVE IT THE ENGINE WILL DIE AND MY CAR WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BECAUSE IT WILL OVERHEAT. I TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WANTED TO KNOW WHY DID THE RADIATOR BROKE, I WAS THINKING I SHOULD GET A REASONABLE EXPLANATION WHY THAT HAPPEN. THE CAR IS PRETTY NEW, IT JUST HAS 50K MILES. ANYWAYS, THE DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY GOOD REASON. THEY JUST SAID THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING AND EVENTUALLY BROKE. EXCUSE ME? SO WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IN THE NEXT 50K MILES? THE SAME?... I JUST DON'T THINK THIS IS SAFE... WHAT IF I DIDN'T GOT LUCKY AND MADE IT TO MY WORK PLACE BEFORE THE CAR DIED ON ME ON A FREEWAY?... I COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT... THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A NISSAN ALTIMA RADIATOR DEFECT.... AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL, I TAKE CARE OF CHANGING OIL AND PUTTING WATER IN THE CAR AS I SHOULD.... SO WHY DO I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS?... PLEASE HELP. I HAD TO PAY $1058.00 TO GET MY CAR FIXED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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