Nissan Altima Complaints (2002)

1,047 consumer complaints on file.

#10200670August 24, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE CATALYST WAS SCORCHED AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REMOVED THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200257August 21, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL AFTER EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, BUT WOULD NOT SELL THE CONTACT A WARRANTY. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200400August 21, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
AT 6:30 PM I TURNED LEFT OUT OF A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME TO CROSS TRAFFIC AND ENTER THE VACANT TURN LANE. MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA LOST POWER LEAVING ME IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO BRAKE BEFORE HITTING ME BROADSIDE. IN THE PREVIOUS TWO DAYS THE CAR HAD BRIEFLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THESE OCCASIONS. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. IT WAS REPLACED AT OUR COST. THIS WAS THE SAME PART RECALLED IN 2005. IT WAS REPLACED THEN ALSO. THERE WAS ALSO A NEAR ACCIDENT BEFORE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT. THIS PART HAS FAILED TWICE, WITH NEAR ACCIDENTS. BOTH WERE POTENTIALLY FATAL. *TR THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A EXHAUST HANGER RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200162August 20, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 50MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING INTERMITTENTLY. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SINCE OCTOBER 5, 2006. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY; HOWEVER, THAT DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THE COST OF $42.00 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE RE-SET DUE AN IDLE ERROR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS GIVEN THE CONTACT FIVE AUTHORIZATION NUMBERS; HOWEVER, THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE.THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT HIS TWO TOP TECHNICIANS ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS CHARACETISTIC OF THE CATALYST THROTTLE ON THE EXHAUST. THE FUEL PUMP AND CATALYST THROTTLE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAS DETAILED INVOICES REGARDING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,432 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199875August 16, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DEFECTIVE HEADLAMPS. CLIP MELTS FROM HIGH HEAT, BULB LOSES CONTACT. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, OR IF NOT, REMOVAL OF FRONT BUMPER JUST TO REPLACE BULB. FIRST TIME OCCURRED AT NIGHT ON A HIGHWAY -- WENT TO AUTO PARTS STORE BUT COULD NOT ACCESS TO CHANGE THE BULB. DEALER CHARGED TWO HOURS TO PULL FRONT BUMPER -- ONLY TOOK ONE HOUR. COST OF REPLACING BULB ABOUT $260. BULB BY ITSELF IS LESS THAN $30. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198668August 6, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
06/29/07 MY CAR SPUTTERED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF 33RD AND HIGHLAND DRIVE. I THEN PULLED INTO A BAKERY ON 3100 SOUTH AND HIGHLAND DRIVE WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR I WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE SMELL OF GAS. THERE WAS A TRAIL OF GAS BEHIND MY CAR AND A LARGE PUDDLE UNDER MY CAR. AT THIS POINT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, I WAS AFRAID TO START MY CAR SO I ASKED A GENTLEMAN AT BIG O TO COME AND LOOK AT MY CAR TO SEE IF I COULD START IT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT START IT NOT KNOWING WHERE THE GAS LEAK WAS AT. I THEN CALLED THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY DID NOT SUGGEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE BUT HAVING IT TOWED DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TOW COMPANY PICKED ME AND MY CAR UP AT ABOUT 8:50. THE GENTLEMAN TURNED ON MY CAR AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT TO PUT IT UP ON THE TOW TRUCK. THE MOMENT MY CAR WAS TURNED ON IT BEGAN TO LEAK GAS. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD TURNED ON A WATER FAUCET AND IT CREATED ANOTHER LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS IN THE PARKING LOT. ONCE AT THE DEALER SHIP. I EXPLAINED TO SHANE AND NICK WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY CAR WHEN NICK SAID, " I KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT HAPPENED TO ANOTHER CAR THIS WEEK. BUT THAT ONE CAUGHT FIRE" HE TOOK MY CAR BACK INTO THE SHOP AND ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER COME BACK OUT OF THE SHOP AND SHOWED MY GRANDFATHER AND MYSELF WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THE GAS LINE HAD "FALLEN OFF AND THE GAS WAS SOAKING INTO MY BACK SEAT." IT HAD CREATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE TANK AND ON THE FOAM OF MY SEAT AND THE SEAT WAS SOAKED FROM THE GAS. I LEFT MY CAR WITH THE DEALERSHIP ALL DAY FOR THEM TO ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE SEAT AND GET RID OF THE GAS SMELL. AROUND 6PM THAT SAME NIGHT I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR WITH MY ROOMMATE . WE WERE ABOUT 10 FEET FROM MY CAR WHEN WE BOTH COULD STILL SMELL THE GAS. NEEDLESS TO SAY WITH THE WEATHER TURNING FROM SUMMER TO FALL AND GETTING COLDER THE GAS SMELL IS GETTING WORSE AND THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH HAZARD AND WILL NOT REPLACE MY BACK SEAT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198483August 4, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONTINUAL FAILURE OF LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE. HAVE REPLACED LAMP NUMEROUS TIMES. BAD GROUND CONTACT. DUE TO FAILURE OF LAMP, HAVE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT EITHER WITH ONE HEADLAMP, OR WITH HIGH BEAMS ON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198247August 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON JULY 23, 2007, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES AND CURRENTLY MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 110,000 MILES. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197972July 31, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED OR STATIONARY HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED EXCESSIVE OIL. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER; HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR SHOCKS WERE BAD. UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197649July 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING AND CONSUMED LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND COOLANT. THE DEALER CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS, BUT THE FAILURES STILL PERSIST. THE FAILURES BEGAN SIX MONTHS AGO. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197217July 23, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS SOMETIMES FLASHING. PROCEEDED TO DRIVE CAR AT LESS THAN 80 KPH (PER OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDATION) TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, DEALER ADVISED THAT "POWER VALVE" (PART OF INTAKE MANIFOLD) CAME APART ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, RESULTING IN METAL PARTS ENTERING THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. DEALER MADE REPAIRS, BUT NOW THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY (HAVE HAD TO ADD 2.5 L OVER 1400 KM). THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2.5L ENGINE FOR THE 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHICH APPARENTLY HAS IDENTICAL ENGINE TO THE 2002 MODEL. CAR HAS 230,000 KM SO IS BEYOND WARRANTY. DEALER NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197261July 23, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR CONSUMING LOTS OF OIL. NO OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON LEADING TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. 4 QUARTS OF OIL COMPLETELY GONE WITH NO TRACE (NO OIL SPOTS IN GARAGE, NO SMOKE, ...NOTHING) IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. ALSO A PROBLEM WITH RADIATOR SPLIT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196806July 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A SMOOTH SURFACE, THE TAIL PIPE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AT 33,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL, BUT THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196015July 10, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, OIL BURNING, IN 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L STANDARD. CATALYTIC CONVERTER SETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. $1200. STILL BURNING OIL. NISSAN HAS MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE AND REFUSES TO HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196024July 10, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING EXTREME OIL CONSUMPTION AND LOSS OF COOLANT. NISSAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195417July 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE ALTIMA JUST CUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE STEERING LOCKED NOT GIVING ME TIME TO PULL OVER OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. TWICE AT HIGH SPEED AND 2 TIMES AT LOW SPEED AND ONCE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ACTUALLY SPOKE TO ONE DRIVER WITH THE SAME EXACT CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THAT DRIVER TOOK THE CAR IN, AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO DEALER AT A RATE OF $110.00 TO HAVE IT CHECKED . SOMEONE SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE CARS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS AND THEIR PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT, NOT INCLUDING THE ONE'S THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN OUT TIME TO VOICE THEIR COMPLAINTS. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY RECALLS INVOLVING THIS MATTER. I ALSO, HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THEY AGAIN CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE AND NOT AFTER SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195243July 3, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY PERFORMED THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AND HALF LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ADD A QUART OF OIL TEN DAYS AFTER THE OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,739 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,633.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195113July 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY ENGINE STILL DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193827June 20, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 BEGAN TO CHUG VIOLENTLY WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEXT EXIT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND RESTARTED TO EXAMINE THE ENGINE WHILE IDLING, NOTICING AN INTERMITTENT SHUDDERING OF THE ENGINE. DROVE THE CAR A FEW MILES TO MY DESTINATION, AND IT STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER THE LAST STALL O THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON. HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT MORNING TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP. AFTER RUNNING THE CODE, THEY IMMEDIATELY WENT TO WORK ON THE POWER VALVE. BOTH SCREWS HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE METAL PLATE IN THE POWER VALVE, AND THE SCREWS HAD GONE THROUGH THE ENGINE CRUSHED THE SPARK PLUG IN CYLINDER #1, AND THEY MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE SCREWS, THE PLATE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, THE EXHAUST AND ADAPTER GASKETS, AND THE SPARK PLUG. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2004 AND 2005 ALTIMAS, THOUGH NOT ON 2002 AND 2003 MODELS, WHICH SHARE THE SAME ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED IN OTHER 2002 AND 2003 MODELS ON THIS ODI WEBSITE AND ON VARIOUS INTERNET FORUMS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193273June 13, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
TWICE LAST MONTH THE CAR JUST CUT ITSELF OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THANK GOD I WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD AND NOT GOING OVER 35 MPH. I GOT AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE ROANOKE VA DEALERSHIP AND TOOK THE CAR IN. *AK BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, THE SERVICE MGR STATED THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR--HE THEN CHARGED ME $77 AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD IN CASE IT HAPPENED AGAIN!! I COPIED REPORTS OF THE RECALL FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND LEFT FOR TH SERVICE DEPT, BUT BECAUSE THE "CODE" DID NOT SHOW UP, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A CAR FROM FIRST TEAM NISSAN AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR IN 2004 AFTER I RECEICED A RECALL LETTER. BUT I FOUND OUT THAT SOME OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE TOO-I LEFT THAT INFORMATION AND HI-LITED THE PART ABOUT BAD REPLACEMENT PARTS. NO HELP FROM DEALER AT ALL!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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