Nissan Altima Complaints (2002)
1,047 consumer complaints on file.
- #10481115October 19, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
FLOOR PAN UNDER BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FOOTWELLS HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I'M NOT SURE WHEN THE RUST PERFORATION OCCURRED, AS I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN MAY 2012 AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM SHORTLY THEREAFTER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10479730October 11, 2012STRUCTURE
THE FLOORS IN THE ALTIMAS ARE ROTTING OUT, THIS IS 2002,2003,2004,2005,2006 AND MAYBE LATER MODELS. OBVIOUSLY AN ENGINEERING, DESIGN DEFECT. JUST READ ABOUT THIS AND CHECKED MY DAUGHTERS 2002, JUST CARPET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVEN'T CHECKED DEEPER, BUT OTHER HAVE REPORTED ROTTED SEAT SUPPORTS. NISSAN BODY SHOP QUOTED 950.00 TO REPAIR/REPLACE ROTTED AREA. I AM LUCKY THAT I AM ABLE TO COVER THE COST OF HER REPAIR, OTHER MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. THIS INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE AIRED IN THE NATIONAL PRESS BEFORE WE HAVE A SEAT FAILURE IN A CRASH THAT RESULTS IN DEATH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10479510October 10, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
ON THE UNDERNEATH OF THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THE FLOOR IS RUSTING AND CREATING A HOLE. I HAVE BEEN TO DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS TO GET AN ESTIMATE AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN MANY ALTIMA'S WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE NISSAN BODY SHOP THEY ALSO SAID THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THE ALTIMA'S WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10478611October 4, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORBOARD HAD RUST DAMAGE SO SEVERE THAT IT WOULD TAKE VERY LITTLE PRESSURE FROM HER FOOT TO COMPLETELY GO THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10478133October 1, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT FLOOR PANS WERE RUSTED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND HAVE A PRICE QUOTED. THE FRONT FLOOR PANEL WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY COULD PUSH THEIR FOOT THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,834.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10475991September 19, 2012ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGNAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE WITH A HESITATION. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE OIL AND THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL HAD BECOME EXTREMELY LOW. IN ADDITION, BLACK AND GRAY SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP TWICE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE ENGINE CYLINDER SEAL WERE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10475750September 17, 2012ENGINE
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE; HE STATED THAT THE EXHAUST AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO CONSUMING OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM, 3RD SUCH REPAIR. OXYGEN SENSORS, A NEW ECM REFLASH AND A NEW ENGINE THE 1ST CATALYST HAD APPARENTLY CAUSE PARTS TO BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO THE FAILURE OF ADDITIONAL CONVERTERS AND ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING A REMANUAFACTURED ENGINE, CATALYST AND SENSORS REPLACED AT A COST OF NEARLY $3000. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10473809September 4, 2012ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE HAD AN OUTSTANDING RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V251000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) HOWEVER NONE FOR THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10473114August 30, 2012STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
LIKE OTHER CUSTOMERS, MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA V6 DEVELOPED A RUSTED FLOOR BOARD IN BOTH THE FRONT AREAS WITH METALS FLAKING OFF EVEN AT AN EARLY TIME. I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WERE A LOT OF US HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL.. THIS IS THE ONLY PART OF THE CAR THAT IS VERY BADLY RUSTED, ALL OF THE OTHER PARTS HAVE BARELY ANY RUST. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS INVESTIGATION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10472674August 27, 2012ENGINE
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AND I BOUGHT THE CAR IN THE FALL OF 2001. I RELIGIOUSLY CHANGE THE OIL ON TIME AND HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED THE CAR. THE CAR HAS EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE FOR ITS AGE. I HAVE RECEIVED ALL OF THE NISSAN RECALLS. SINCE DECEMBER 2001, I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING AND ALSO, AT TIMES, LOSING ALL POWER IN THE CAR, AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THAT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE TWO ACCIDENTS. AFTER FOUR RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING, THIS YEAR THE CAR IS AGAIN STALLING WITHOUT WARNING AND I AM TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 2004 BY ONE OF NISSAN RECALLS. I AM TOLD A CRANK SENSOR SHOULD LAST OF THE LENGTH OF CAR'S LIFE. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THOSE WHO RECEIVED THE 2009 VERSION OF THE SENSOR HAVE HAD NO SUBSEQUENT PROBLEMS ONLY THOSE WHO HAD THE OLDER SENSORS ARE APPARENTLY AT GRAVE RISK. I WAS IN THE CAR TRYING TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK OF CAR WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WHEN THE ENGINE DIES I AM WITHOUT POWER. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE LAST RECALL THAT THE CAR STALLED ON ME. THIS MAKES THE STALLING PROBLEM EVEN MORE DEADLY. PEOPLE THINK THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BY THE EARLIER MULTIPLE RECALLS AND ARE INSTEAD DRIVING CARS THAT ARE TIME BOMBS. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10472515August 26, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2002 ALTIMA, DRIVEN BY MY SON, WAS BEING CHECKED OUT FOR A PROBLEM WITH A BAD TIRE. WHILE UP ON THE LIFT, THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED TWO HOLES IN THE FLOOR PAN. ONE IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ONE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, EACH AT THE LOCATION OF A SEAT FLOOR MOUNT BOLT. NOT EXACTLY SAFE. THIS CAR WILL NOT PASS STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA SAFETY INSPECTION AS IS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED NISSAN, AS THAT IS MOST LIKELY FRUITLESS, BASED ON THE MANY COMMENTS I'VE ALREADY READ ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. NISSAN OBVIOUSLY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN. EVEN IF THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, THE FLOOR PAN SHOULDN'T BE ROTTING AWAY. THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA OBVIOUSLY THINKS THIS IS NOT SAFE. WHY DOESN'T THE NHTSA AGREE? WHAT ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR? FATALITIES? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10472533August 26, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
DISCOVERED RUST THRU IN PASSENGER FLOOR PAN DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. CAR WAS GARAGE KEPT MORE THAN 80% OF TIME. WELL MAINTAINED. NO DAMAGE TO THIS AREA FROM ACCIDENTS. NO IMMERSION. DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT THE PROBLEM COMMON TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL OVER MULTIPLE YEARS. HAVE NEVER HAD A FLOOR PLAN RUST THRU IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS EXHAUST GASES MAY ENTER CABIN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10472063August 23, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL AND BRAKE SERVICE WHEN THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO RUSTED AREAS ON THE FRONT FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO RESEAL THE RUSTED AREAS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, PROVIDING NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10471767August 21, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,460.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10471166August 16, 2012ENGINE
MY CAR HAS BEEN BURNING OIL AT A VERY FAST RATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS TURNED ON, AND MY GAS HAS LOWERED. MY CHECK OIL LIGHT HAS NEVER TURNED ON, NOT EVEN ONCE IN THE 2 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468765August 1, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SPECIALIST TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE TWO HOLES LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467990July 27, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
FLOOR PANS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE RUSTED THRU TO THE POINT OF THE ONLY BARRIER BETWEEN THE ROAD AND DRIVER/PASSENGER IS THE FLOOR UPHOLSTERY. IN VIEWING NISSAN FORUMS ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467579July 24, 2012STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT HAS 98,000 MILES UPON LIFTING THE CAR THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS SHOWING RUST ON BOTH THE DRIVER`S AND PASSENGER`S SIDE. IT IS AN EXCELLENT CAR BUT IT IS BASICALLY TRASH NOW. NISSAN IS SO IRRESPONSIBLE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL ALTIMA`S WITH THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS WAY MORE RESPONSIBLE WHEN THEIR CAR`S HAVE A PROBLEM THEY ARE QUICK TO RECALL,IT IS RIDICULOUS. NISSAN IS RIDICULOUS!!!!! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10465822July 16, 2012POWER TRAIN
WAS DRIVING AND THE CLUTCH SANK TO THE FLOOR. COULDN'T GET INTO GEAR SO I HAD TO PULL OVER. ONCE I PARKED MY CAR, THE CLUTCH WAS COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. COULDN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT GET INTO GEAR. WAITED ABOUT 20 MINS AND IT CAME UP 1/4 OF THE WAY AND WAS ABLE TO GET INTO GEAR. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER AND IT HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE EVERY OTHER WEEK AND IF IT HAPPENS WHILE IT'S PARKED, THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10465751July 15, 2012ENGINE
ENGINE WAS CONSUMING OIL AT AN ACCELERATED RATE (1+ QT PER 2,000+ MILES). DEALERSHIP CONDUCTED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BEGINNING DECEMBER 2011. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOES OUT, IT SUCKS IN PIECES OF THE CONVERTER SUBSTRATE DURING THE NEGATIVE CYCLE. THE SMALL PIECES OF THE CONVERTER THEN SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF THE DEALERSHIP MONITORING THE OIL CONSUMPTION, I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE CYLINDER COMPRESSION TEST INDICATED THE FIRST CYLINDER WAS AT ABOUT 82 PSI AND THE OTHER THREE CYLINDERS RANGED FROM 111 TO 118 PSI. BACK AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FIRST CYLINDER IS THE ONE THAT IS INITIALLY DAMAGED BY THE PRE-CATALYST OVERHEATING. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN GETTING A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE I DID NOT GET A WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, AND ALSO BECAUSE THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT 90,000 MILES WAS NOT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP (NISSAN CASE # 8897586). THE CAR IS SUFFERING THE EFFECTS IDENTIFIED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 03V084000. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THE ENGINE COULD CATCH ON FIRE AS IDENTIFIED IN THE CAMPAIGN. I HAVE METICULOUSLY RECORDED ALL OF THE REPAIRS AND OIL CHANGES TO THE CAR, ONLY TO HAVE NISSAN TELL ME THAT THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE PRE-CATALYST OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENTLY CASING GRAVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THANK YOU. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0