Nissan Altima Complaints (2002)

1,047 consumer complaints on file.

#10222701March 30, 2008
TIRES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1. VEHICLE'S EXHAUST PIPE HANGER CAUGHT BAG OF DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD AND FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS FALLING APART IN THE REAR. DEBRIS WAS REMOVED BY DISCOUNT TIRES AFTER PURCHASING NEW WHEELS AND TIRES. 2. SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. ENGINE HAS REDUCED POWER AND IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING OPERATION, WITH VIBRATING NOISES. NISSAN STATES THAT THE CAM SENSOR WITH CRANK SENSOR IS FAULTY AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY IT IS UNDER RECALL AND THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR A RECALLED ITEM. 3. ENGINE LONG BLOCK WAS REPLACED ON 2/14/06 BECAUSE OF CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, AND THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATING AND SLUGGISHNESS. 4. REAR ENGINE MOUNT REPLACED IN 11/03/04 AS RECOMMENDED. NOW, PASSENGER UPPER MOUNT WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE CHANGED ON 3/14/08. 5. AIR CONDITIONING IS BLOWING HOT AIR AND WE REPLACED AIR CONDITIONING HIGH SIDE COMPRESSOR AND OIL RECHARGED SYSTEM IN 6/01/07, AS RECOMMENDED. AS OF TODAY 3/30/08 AIR CONDITIONING IS BLOWING HOT AIR AGAIN. WE PURCHASED NEW WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION IN THE CAR AND STEERING COLUMN WITH LOW SOUNDING NOISE. WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY TAKEN OUR CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE, RECALLS AND ADDITIONAL MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH VERY MINIMAL RESOLUTIONS. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222683March 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR ENGINE STOPPED WORKING ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222196March 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND STOP THE VEHICLE WAS SPINNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. PRIOR TO THE CRASH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TODAY STATING THE POTENTIAL DANGER. THE RELATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS 07V527000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10221637March 19, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS
AS I WAS DRIVING THE ROAD AT A GOOD DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, THE OTHER VEH STOPPED SUDDENLY. I PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKES BUT I SKID TO HIS REAR BUMPER WITH MY FRONT END. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE PASSENAGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEATBELT TIGHTEN, BUT MIND DID NOT. WHICH CAUSED ME TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND MULTIPLE INJURIES THAT I'M STILL SUFFERING. WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO MECHANIC , HE STATED MY AIR BAG SENSORS WERE NOT ACTIVATED AND HE STATED THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME NOT TO HAVE THE ACCIDENT. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2007, BEFORE PURCHASING I HAD FIRESTONE INSPECT THE VEH FOR ANY DEFECTS OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY SENSORS OR THAT I LACKED ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS TO HAVE DONE A SAFETY CHECK ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR AIR BAGS. HAD I KNOWN I WOULD MADE IT WAS FIXED BEFORE PURCHASING AND I WOULD HAVE NOT SUFFERED INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED FROM THAT CRASH ANTHER OTHER VEHICLE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIM HAD A COUPLE DENTS AND SCRATCHES. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED ON 03/17/08 AND I'M STILL GOING TO THE DOCTOR FOR PAIN. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT I GOING TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING IS DONE VERY SOON. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10221233March 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE EITHER FAILED OR ARE LOOSE. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKS DRAMATICALLY. THE SENSOR IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES, THE FAILURE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER NISSAN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS 80,000 MILES AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,460. UPDATED 04/21/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220166March 5, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR 90,000 MILE MAINTENANCE ON 2/26/08. AT THAT TIME, WE WERE INFORMED THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE ECM. THE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AND THE ECM WAS "REPROGRAMMED" PER THE SERVICE DEPT. 3 DAYS LATER ON 2/29/08, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY. WE STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT NOTHING UNUSUAL APPEARED, IE NO LEAKING FLUIDS, NOT OVERHEATING, ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTHLY, ETC. WE CHECKED THE OIL; THE LEVEL WAS AT FULL AND WAS CLEAN AS IT SHOULD BE FROM AN OIL CHANGE 3 DAYS EARLIER. THE NEXT DAY, WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THEY TOLD US THE ERROR CODE INDICATES THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ITS EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 80,000 MILES. LOOKING FOR KEY WORDS "ALTIMA CATALYTIC CONVERTER" ON THE INTERNET TO DO A COST ANALYSIS, WE HAVE FOUND MANY BLOG ENTRIES BY OTHER 2002/2003 ALTIMA DRIVERS DISCUSSING THIS SAME ISSUE. MANY OF THEM INDICATED THAT THE CAT CONVERTER WILL BREAK APART AND BACKFLUSH PARTS INTO THE ENGINE, DAMAGING THE CYLINDERS AND ULTIMATELY REQUIRING ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THIS HAS APPARENTLY HAPPENED BEFORE AND ALSO AFTER CONVERTERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CONVERTER OR ASSOCIATED PARTS APPARENTLY HAVE SERIOUS DESIGN FLAWS THAT CAN ULTIMATELY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE A DRIVER IS ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS DEPENDING ON WHERE AND WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. REPLACEMENT OF OUR CONVERTER IS PENDING; IN THE MEANTIME, THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220062March 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT FALLS WITHIN NHTSA RECALL # 03V-084 (CAMPAIGN ID# R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016 & R3017). THE RECALL CAMPAIGN (NTB03-070B) WAS DONE IN 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, SOMETIME BEFORE 95,000 MILES ON THE CAR, A FAILURE OF THE PRE-CAT OCCURRED WITH EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. MATERIAL FROM INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST ENTERED THE CYLINDERS AND RESULTED IN HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND NOW NISSAN IS RECOMMENDING A NEW ENGINE. THIS DEMONSTRATES THAT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OR THE DEALER DID NOT FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES. EVEN WITH A NEW CATALYST THERE IS STILL A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF ANOTHER FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FIRE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219835March 2, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 . THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR, MY CAR LIS BONE DRY IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. ACCORDING TO MANY OWNERS THEY HAVE HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REPLACED DO TO THIS PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T NISSAN BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? NO CAR OWNER SHOULD HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY POURING OIL INTO THEIR CAR. MYSELF AND OTHER OWNERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE NISSAN RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM INSTEAD OF CASHING IN ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219724February 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
I BOUGHT MY 02 ALTIMA IN MARCH 02. THERE WAS SEVERAL RECALLS OVER THE YEARS AND ONCE FIXED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. IN 2007 I REACHED 80K MILES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTING COMING ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOING BAD AND SINCE I WAS PAST THE MILEAGE FOR WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO FIX IT AT A COST OF $1000+. THE CAR IS HESITANT TO START AT TIMES, IT RATTLES UNDER THE HOOD AND BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN IDLING. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER RECALL ISSUED THIS YEAR WHERE THE ENGINE IS SAID TO STOP AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I'M GETTING THE CAR FIXED THIS WEEKEND WHICH IS TOTALING ME $3700, OF WHICH THE MECHANIC IS SAYING NISSAN REALLY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ANOTHER LOOK BECAUSE HE'S HAD TO FIX MORE THAN 100 OF THIS SAME VEHICLE AT HIS DEALERSHIP ALONE. UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO WITHOUT NISSAN'S APPROVAL BUT TO FIX IT AT MY COST. I CALLED NISSAN AND ALL THEY COULD TELL ME IS THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EXCEPT FIX THE LATEST RECALL THAT CAME OUT AT THE END OF 07 INTO 08. WELL THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIX THE RECALL WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM WHICH IS CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF. OXYGEN SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS WHAT THE CODE IS COMING BACK SAYING NEEDS TO BE FIXED. FROM THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS IT LOOKS LIKE THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IN THESE PARTS, NOT DUE TO OWNER MISUSE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY NOT LIGHTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219299February 27, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2008 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, SHE NOTICED THE SAME SYMPTOMS WITH THE ENGINE, BUT OF A MILDER DEGREE. THE VEHICLE APPEARED AS IF IT WOULD STALL AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, BUT DID NOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218911February 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
WELL I HAVE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 I HAVE ABOUT 66,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM . IT FIRST STARTED WHEN THEY HAD RECALL OXYGEN SENSOR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME SENSOR 3 TIMES ALREADY AT ABOUT COST OF $350 EACH TIME . NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND TOLD ME I HAD TO CHANGE MY ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS FOR ABOUT $1000 DOLLARS . AFTER THAT WAS COMPLETED THERE WAS NO CHANGE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON ENGINE IDLES ROUGH ALWAYS HAVING TO FILL COOLANT . AND HAVE HAD TO BEEN TOWED SEVERAL TIME TO THE DEALER WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT IS WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218488February 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THROUGHOUT THE LAST 4 YRS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION IT DOESN'T ENGAGE. I HAVE PULLED FROM A PARKING SPOT USING REVERSE, AND JUST WHEN I AM PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND SHIFT TO DRIVE THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. THE ENGINE DOESN'T REACT TO THE ACCELERATOR; THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE. WHEN IT HAPPENS I HAVE TO PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. ONE TIME IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINS TO BE ABLE TO RESTART AND RESTORE ALL FUNCTIONS. ON ANOTHER OCCASION I ENDED UP HAVING TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE SCARY PART IS THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST; GETTING INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR MY OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHAT I AM EXTREMELY AFRAID IS IF THIS WERE EVER TO HAPPEN WHEN PULLING OUT INTO A HIGHWAY OR BUSY STREET TRAFFIC. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN #07V527000. PLEASE CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILL; WE SHOULD NEVER WAIT THAT LONG OR LET IT GO THAT FAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218540February 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,496.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218051February 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE ENGINE WAS PERFORMED IN 2004; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217655February 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT AN ERROR CODE APPEARED FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE SAME ISSUED OUTLINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THAT RECALL IN MARCH OF 2004. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,777. UPDATED 03-04-09 *BF UPDATED 03/05/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217593February 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM PENCE NISSAN ON 3/23/02. SINCE THE 2002 WAS A NEW MODEL YEAR FOR THE ALTIMA, I ALSO PURCHASED A SECURITY+PLUS GOLD VEHICLE WARRANTY FOR $995.00 EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 3/23/2008 OR 75,000 MILES WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. AFTER HAVING RECURRING CLUTCH PROBLEMS, I STARTED RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS MODEL HAD FREQUENT COMPLAINTS REGARDING ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING APART. BECAUSE OF THIS I MADE ESPECIALLY CERTAIN THAT I CHECKED MY OIL EVERY WEEK, THAT I HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AND THAT THEY WERE PERFORMED BY PENCE NISSAN (I HAVE COPIES OF EACH RECEIPT TOTALING $3,853.06). DESPITE ALL OF THESE PRECAUTIONS, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEPTEMBER 25TH. I TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD BROKEN APART SOME. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I REPLACED THE CONVERTER AND TWO OXYGEN SENSORS. I WAS TOLD PARTICLES FROM THE CONVERTER COULD ENTER THE ENGINE AND DESTROY IT RESULTING IN AN $8,000 REPAIR. I TOOK THE DEALER?S ADVICE AND REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS AT A COST OF $1251.05. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER NOTED THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF METAL IN THE OIL. I WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THE OIL LOOKED CLEAR, THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT FRAGMENTS FROM THE CONVERTER HADN'T MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE ENGINE AND IT COULD BE TWO WEEKS OR TWO YEARS BEFORE POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER HEARING THIS, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR. GIVEN MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE 2002 ALTIMA AND WHAT I READ FROM OTHER OWNERS, I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. I SENT NISSAN TWO LETTERS RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT NISSAN CONSIDER REIMBURSING ME FOR THE $1251.05 REPAIR CHARGE, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216650February 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 117,000 MILES. NISSAN USA REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AS PART OF A RECALL JANUARY 06 WHEN THE CAR HAD 99600 MILES. LAST WEEK ON 1/24/08, THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS LUCKY TO PULL TO THE SIDE ON TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER NISSAN COX IN THE BRONX THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY. THEY CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND TOLD ME THAT THE REASON WHY THE CAR SHUT OFF IS NOT RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS RECALLS. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY THROTTLE AND CLEAN THE FUEL SYSTEM. I PAID $563 FOR THE LABOR ON 1/30/08. I DROVE THE CAR AROUND THE DEALER AND ONCE AGAIN THE CAR SHUT OFF BY ITSELF THEN I STARTED IT AGAIN AND WHILE DRIVING IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE ENGINE SURGED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY 1/31/08, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE WORKER IN WHICH SHE TELLS ME THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD AND THAT'S WHAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK IS FAIR THAT I HAD TO PAY $563 TO LATER FIND OUT THAT THE CAR HAD SOMETHING ELSE. ALSO, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CATALYTIC GOT DAMAGED WHEN I RELIGIOUSLY SERVICED THE CAR FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS SINCE THE NEW ENGINE AND CAT WERE INSTALLED. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT I'M NO LONGER COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND THAT I NEED TO PAY ANOTHER $900 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I THINK IM BEING RIPPED OFF BY THE DEALER AND NISSAN. I'VE READ HOW MUCH PROBLEMS THE 2002 ALTIMA HAS. CAN YOU GUYS PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216646January 31, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. SHE STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V527000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215723January 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WE OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA (PURCHASED AT AUTOWAY NISSAN, CLEARWATER, FL IN 2002) AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME MECHANICAL FAILURE AS MANY WHO HAVE POSTED TO THIS AND MANY OTHER SITES. WITH 100,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WE HAVE JUST LEARNED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS DISINTEGRATED AND METAL PARTS ARE NOW THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED OR WALK AWAY FROM A 5 YEAR OLD CAR THAT, OTHER THAN THIS DEFECT, IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. UPON SPEAKING TO AUTOWAY NISSAN WE WERE INFORMED SINCE THE CAR HAS EXCEEDED THE 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NISSAN WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS. UPON TYPING IN 'NISSAN CATALYTIC CONVERTER' IN GOOGLE KEY WORD SEARCH MY HUSBAND AND I FOUND IT IS ENLIGHTENING AND CONCERNING TO READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME MECHANICAL FAILURE. I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT WE'VE YET TO UNCOVER. WHAT CAN WE DO AS CONSUMERS TO HAVE OUR RIGHTS PROTECTED? IT IS APPARENT NISSAN HAS A DEFECTIVE PART ON AT LEAST 2002 / 2003 ALTIMA. ANY ADVISE US ON HOW TO WE AS CONSUMERS CAN GET NISSAN TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF A FAILED DEVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215583January 21, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WE PURCHASED A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA ON 11/01/07 AT NEWBURGH NISSAN IN NEWBURGH NY ON 17K.3 WEEKS AFTER, WE SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THE NISSAN 2002 HAD A RECALL. THEN WE CONTACTED NISSAN IN NEWBURGH & INFORMED THEM .THEY INFORMED THEY FOUND THAT IN ADDITION TO THE RECALL THAT THERE WAS A COIL THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. (THIS SHOULD SOUND FAMILIAR AS EVERY OTHER COMPLAINT ON THE WEB STATES THE SAME STORY) THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO CHARGE US ALMOST $1KTO HAVE IT FIXED. I PROCEEDED TO REMIND THEM THAT THIS IS A RECALL;THEN TRANSFERRED ME BACK TO THE RECEPTIONIST AT THE NEWBURGH NISSAN WHO SAID THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY. I THEN SAID I WANTED TO SPEAK TO A MNGR IMMEDIATELY. FINALLY THEY GAVE ME TO A DIFF PERSON. THIS MNGR COMES ON THE PHONE WITH THE CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HELP.) HE SAID WELL GIVE ME SOME TIME TO GO OVER THE INFO. THEY SAID ITS IN GREAT CONDITION, WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY" AFTER IT ALWAYS ACTED AS IF IT WAS READY TO STALL. I THEN CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I PLACED A COMPLAINT. I THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN IN NEWBURGH THE NEXT DAY THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE CAR. THEN WHEN THEY FIXED THE RECALL AND ITS COIL ISSUE THEN MY HUSBAND RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ASKING IF IT WAS FIXED. WELL HE TOLD THEM THAT IT HAS BEEN TWO DAYS SINCE THEY FIXED IT AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ON AND NOW THE CAR IS NOT GOING UP HILLS. THEY NEVER CALLED US BACK. I CALLED THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS PEOPLE AND LEFT NUMEROUS VOICEMAIL MESSAGES FOR THE REGIONAL CONTACT. THIS IS WHAT WAS IN THEY THEIR INVOICE: C/S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON FOUND MULITICYLINDER MISFIRE. COIL PACKS ARE DETERIORATED AND BREAKING UP REPLACED ALL 4 SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACKS WHY IS IT IRONICALLY THAT THE CAR THEY SOLD US CANNOT CLIMB A HILL. MY CAR WILL NOT START. I CAN'T EVEN GET THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CAN'T GET MY CAR STARTED I WOULD HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO THEM AT MY EXPENSE. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Nissan Altima