Nissan Altima Complaints (2002)

1,047 consumer complaints on file.

#10140759October 25, 2005
EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L. MY CAR RECEIVES REGULAR MAINTENANCE EVERY 3 MONTHS AND/OR 3,000 MILES (DOCUMENTATION CAN BE PROVIDED), IT NEVER SITS LONGER THAN 2 OR 3 DAY, AND IT'S DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR MY WORK COMMUTE. TWICE MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T START WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS FIXED, WHICH WAS AROUND APRIL, THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR MY CAR. ONE WAS FOR THE FUEL PUMP SCREEN AND THE ENGINE SENSOR THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO NOT START OR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING. THIS SECOND TIME (10-24-05), MY LOCAL MECHANIC SHOWED ME A 6-PAGE SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN THAT WAS ISSUED BY ALLDATA FOR MY NON-STARTING PROBLEM. THE DOCUMENT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE STARTER, ADDING A NISSAN BRAND FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER AND/OR REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS SECOND REPAIR WILL COST ME ABOUT $500 TO FIX WHEN I PICK UP MY CAR TOMORROW. I THOUGHT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, BUT THOSE REPAIRS PROVED TO ONLY PROVIDE A TEMPORARY FIX, BUT NOT RESOLVE THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. SINCE THERE'S A SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN ABOUT MY NON-STARTING ISSUE, 2 RECALLS RELATED TO THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN TWICE, I THINK MY CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. I'M FORTUNATE THAT I WASN'T DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT STOPPED RUNNING OR THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN TWICE IN 6 MONTHS. IF MY CAR FAILS TO START TWICE IN 6 MONTHS AND THE RECALL REPAIRS DON'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THEN THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I'D HATE TO FIND OUT IN A FEW MONTHS THAT THE $500 START REPLACEMENT WASN'T THE CULPRIT, BECAUSE I'D BE BACK AT SQUARE ONE. PLEASE TELL ME HOW I CAN GET THIS ISSUE ESCALATED TO A RECALL STATUS OR WHAT I CAN DO TO PREVENT A 3RD FAILURE. THANK YOU, JENNY R. BAKER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140507October 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON MARCH 27,05 MY ALTIMA BEGAN TO STUTTER WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE VERY BADLY. I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME TO SWITCH CARS, AND IT BEGAN TO STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT SLOWER SPEEDS (GLAD IT DID NOT STALL WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE). I TOOK IT TO NISSAN THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY SAID THAT BOTH OF THE SCREWS BACKED OUT OF ONE OF THE BUTTERFLY VALVE PLATES IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE PLATE ITSELF AND THE SCREWS HAD FALLEN INTO THE ENGINE, THUS CAUSING SEVERE MISFIRING AND BANGING INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND DESTROYING THEM AND ALSO SCORING ALL THE WALLS OF THE ENGINE. NISSAN SAID I WOULD NEED TO BUY A NEW ENGINE BUT I REFUSED AND TOWED IT ANOTHER NISSAN DEALER AFTER TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE AND HE SAID HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP MORE. IT HAS BEEN SITTING THERE EVER SINCE BECAUSE I REFUSE TO PAY. THE SERVICE TECH SAID THAT ALL 8 OF THE SCREWS HOLDING THE BUTTERFLY PLATES IN WERE ALL LOOSE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO APPLY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF LOCTITE TO THE SCREWS SO THEY DON'T ENCOUNTER THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN OBVIOUSLY TAKES THE BLAME ACCORDING TO RECALL P5202 BUT IT ONLY APPLIES TO 04'S AND 05'S EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 02'S AND 03'S. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BECAUSE IF I HAD BEEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AND THE ALTIMA HAD STALLED ONCOMING TRAFFIC COULD HAVE KILLED ME. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A SMALL PROBLEM AND NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. I HAVE TAKEN SOME OTHER STEPS ALREADY ON MY END TO GET NISSAN TO ACCEPT FAULT, BUT PLEASE FOR MY SAKE AND OTHER OWNERS SAKE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE PLENTY OF PRINTOUTS OF HOW COMMON THE PROBLEM IS WITH OTHER OWNERS AND CAN EMAIL TO ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED. THE SAME ENGINE (QR25DE) IS IN THE 02 AND UP NISSAN SENTRA SPEC-V SO PLEASE CHECK THOSE COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR ISSUES SINCE THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE FIRST COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND CAME FROM.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141015October 20, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CERTIFIED LTR RE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE NEW NISSAN ALTIMA (MY) 2002 & 2003 INVOLVING ENGINE PROBLEMS, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE NOT STARTING AND CUTTING OFF ONCE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CLAIMED THEY FIXED TO PROBLEM BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THE CONSUMER WAS FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LOSE POWER WHILE ACCELERATING AND STALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY CONVERTER. THE SERVICE TECH ADMITTED THAT THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS INCORRECT BUT THE CONSUMER STILL HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THE CONSUMER VISITED SEVERAL SITES WHICH HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE AND OTHER ALTIMA COMPONENTS. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS VEHICLE'S REPAIRS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133019October 20, 2005
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE SIDE AIR BAGS WENT OFF WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE SENSOR FAILED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE THIS. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. SHE WAS NINE MONTHS PREGNANT, AND HER 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AND WAS NOT HURT. ALSO, THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE NOT INJURED. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140226October 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2 SEPARATE NISSAN DEALERS TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE PRE CAT THAT WAS SUCKED BACK INTO THE ENGINE. THE CAT WAS A RECALL THAT NISSAN REPLACED BUT PARTS OF THE CAT WERE ALREADY SUCKED BACK INTO THE ENGINE. THE SECOND CAT THEY INSTALLED FAILED AGAIN AND IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THEY ENGINE FAILURE WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF NISSAN'S FAILURE TO REPAIR MY ENGINE THE FIRST TIME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139711October 14, 2005
EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
NISSAN ALTIMA 2002, 6 RECALLS ISSUES WITH 3 WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT HAS BURST INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS? COMPANY HONORED WARRANTY FOR CONVERTER, BUT DENIED TO STAND BEHIND THE ENGINE. SERVICE LOCATION IN LIBERTYVILLE, IL IS AWARE ALSO SPOKE TO EXECUTIVE OFFICE IN CA. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138464October 4, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TIGHTENING MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. TURNING BECAME ARDUOUS , SLOW AND SCARY. WE WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY TOLD US THEY CORRECTED IT. BUT, THE PROBLEM RETURNED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. SO WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD US THAT THE ORIGINAL REPAIR DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM (OBVIOUSLY). THEY NEEDED A NEW STEERING PART. THE AGENCY CALLED THAT THE PART ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED AGAIN AND LEFT ALL DAY ONLY TO LEARN THAT THE PART DELIVERED TO THEM WAS WRONG. THEY 'JERRY-RIGGED' IT AND TOLD US THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE NEW PART ARRIVED. THE STEERING IS OK BUT THEY WARNED US THAT IT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTLY REPAIRED. THE AGENCY HAS NOT YET CALLED BACK . IT IS ODD THAT A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES WOULD HAVE SERIOUS, SEVERE STEERING PROBLEMS. IT IS DISMAYING THAT WE PAID TO REPAIR A PROBLEM ONLY FOR IT TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN. THEN IT IS ANNOYING TO WAIT ALL DAY TO LEARN THAT THE DELIVERED PART WAS THE WRONG PART. AND, I AM SUSPICIOUS THAT MAYBE THE PART WASN'T WRONG, BUT THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO CORRECTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. IS IT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T CORRECTLY FIXED? SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL TIMES FOR A PROBLEM TO BE CORRECTLY FIXED? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138524October 4, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DT: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE WOULD START THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL. SHE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. SHE STATED IT WOULD HAPPEN SOMETIMES AT LUNCH TIME, AND WHEN SHE WENT HOME FROM WORK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THIS TIME. THIS STARTED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THEY FOUND A RECALL. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED BY MECHANIC. SHE CALLED NISSAN OF CLOVIS, AND TOOK VEHICLE THERE, AND THEY FOUND THE VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. THEY FOUND IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. SHE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. THE NEXT MORNING IT STARTED AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER TO BRING IT BACK IN. THIS TIME IT WAS THE ECM COMPUTER. IT WAS ALSO REPLACED. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 THE VEHICLE DID IT AGAIN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005, AND THEY FOUND THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER; THE HEAD GASKET WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN COMING IN WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT AT 80,000 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138338October 3, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
DT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM INSIDE TOP ON OCTOBER 1, 2005. HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER AT THIS POINT. THE REAR END HAD BEEN MAKING A ROARING SOUND AT 65 MPH, SLOWED DOWN TO 50 MPH, AND THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER COULD HEAR THE PLOPPING SOUND. THESE WERE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES, TURANZA EL 42, P215/55R17. THE TIRES WERE SERVICED REGULARLY. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION, AND THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL BULGING IN THE TIRES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137137September 20, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A PRE-CATALYST THAT HAS BROKEN APART INSIDE AND HAS CAUSED SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. NEVER THE LESS, THIS PRE-CATALYST HAS INDEED FAILED AND THE ENGINE DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED INCLUDING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE NOISE AND A BURNING SMELL. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MINE. I HAVE GONE TO A DEALER AND TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, BUT THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE DONE THE RECALL WORK AND THAT THIS IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135430September 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP. THEY LET ME KNOW THAT THE CAM/CRANK SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT HAD BEEN RECALLED BY NISSAN. I TOOK THE CAR AND PAPER WORK ON THE RECALL TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT RECALLED ON MY CAR. I TOLD THEM TO FIT IT ANYWAY AND WAS QUOTED $385. I RETURNED HOME AND CALLED NISSAN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CRANK SENSOR HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED ON MY CAR. I DO NOT RECALL HAVING THES DONE. I EXPLAINED THAT IF IT WAS DONE, IT WAS DONE IMPROPERLY BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GAVE ME A FILE NUMBER AND SAID THAT I SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134283August 26, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
IN THE BEGINNING OF APRIL 2005 THE ENGINE LIGHT IN MY NISSAN ALTIMA CAME ON - SINCE I WAS TOLD UNLESS THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING IT IS OKAY TO DRIVE - I CALLED FOR THE NEXT APPOINTMENT WITH NEMITH NISSAN. ON THE DAYS PRIOR TO TAKING MY CAR IN I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. I NO LONGER DROVE THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO NEMITH NISSAN. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CAR A T NEMITH THEY STATED THAT THE PRE-CATALYST HAD FAILED ( A RECALLED PART NEVER REPLACED ONLY INSPECTED) AND EXHAUST HAD BLOWN INTO THE ENGINE SCORING THE CYLINDERS. ANSWER: NEW ENGINE $4573.45. CAR HAD 87,000 MILES BUT WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF - OIL CHANGES REGULARLY - REG. MAINTENANCE ETC.. NEMITH SUGGESTED WE CONTACT NISSAN DIRECT - FILED A CASE - NO SATISFACTION - COMPLETELY REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. CAR HAS SINCE BEEN FIXED - MECHANIC CLEARLY STATES PRE-CATALYST CAUSE OF PROBLEM - THIS PART WAS RECALLED AND ONLY INSPECTED BY NEMITH - NEVER REPLACED! HAD I DRIVEN THIS CAR ANY FURTHER CAR WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133287August 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
I HAD BEEN SMELLING GAS FUMES INSIDE THE CAR AND OUTSIDE FOR 2 MONTHS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR $160.00. ON MY SERVICE RECEIPT IT SAID THEY FOUND GROSS EVAP LEAK: FUEL TANK SEAL NOT SEALING: REPLACED FUEL SENDER SEAL. I QUESTIONED WHY WOULD A 3 YEAR OLD CAR START LEAKING GAS FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND THEY SAID "IT'S JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR." I CAN UNDERSTAND WEAR AND TEAR ON TIRES AND BRAKES BUT GIVE ME A BREAK, THE ONLY THING I DO TO A GAS TANK IS FILL IT WITH GAS! MY CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 46,000 MILES AND THEY SAID THAT THE WORK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I EVEN SPENT $900.00 FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY FIANCE IS A SMOKER AND I WAS WORRIED FOR HIS SAFETY IN THE CAR SO I TOLD HIM NOT TO SMOKE IN THE CAR FOR FEARS OF SOMETHING HAPPENING IF THE FUMES WOULD IGNITE SOMEHOW. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND GOT NOWHERE. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL NISSAN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND STILL AFTER AT LEAST 5 CALLS THEY WILL DO NOTHING. I SWEAR THEY ARE JUST THERE TO "HEAR" COMPLAINTS AND WORK YOU DOWN UNTIL YOU JUST FORGET ABOUT IT. I WILL NOT GIVE UP. ALSO, THE CLEAR COAT ON MY PAINT IS STARTING TO CHIP ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND PLASTIC GRILL> GUESS WHAT THEY SAID? NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AN FED UP WITH NISSAN AND WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SWAY PEOPLE AWAY FROM BUYING ANY NISSAN OR INFINITI. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130713July 31, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AT 25,000 MILES THE 2002 ALTIMA REAR BRAKES FROZE UP AND DISCONTINUED OPERATING. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN SERVICE MGR. THAT THIS WAS DUE TO NISSAN USING FAULTY MATERIAL. I HAD THEM REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THIS. BRAKES NOT DESIGNED FOR NORTHERN WEATHER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129837July 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE FAILED WITH ONLY 15,589 MILES. CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. THERE WAS NO BAD CONSEQUENCES DUE TO THIS FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE, ROTOR, AND PADS, BUT SAID PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NOT DRIVING CAR ENOUGH. HE CONVEYED THAT MILEAGE WAS TOO LOW FOR 3-YEAR OLD CAR. I DON'T THINK SO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129659July 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CAR HAD BEEN USING A LITTLE OIL PRIOR TO THE EVENT. ON MY WAY OUT OF TOWN ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BLEW THE ENGINE
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129689July 22, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
DT: THE WIRE TO THE ALTERNATOR LOOSENED TWICE. CONSUMER WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND FIRST SUSPECTED IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND LATER DETERMINED IT WAS THE WIRING TO THE ALTERNATOR. HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. AAA WAS CALLED , AND NOTED THE LOOSE WIRING. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. CONSUMER SIMPLY PLACED/PUSHED WIRE BACK INTO TO PLACE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129750July 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
(1) I ALLEGEDLY HAD THE ENGINGE CRANK SENSORS REPLACED IN MARCH, AS ACCORDING THE MANDATED RECALL ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS. YET, MY CAR STILL EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES STARTING AND CONTINUED TO CONUMSE LARGE QUANTITIES OF OIL. I WAS HAVING TO ADD 2 OR 3 QUARTS IN BETWEEN SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. (2) IF IN FACT THE CRANK SENSORS ON THE ENINGS OF MY VEHICLE WERE REPLACED, THE STARTING DIFFICULTIES PERSISTED. ALSO, THE RECALL INFORMAITON LISTED AND SHOWN ON NISSAN USA'S WEBSITE PROVIDE EXLPICIT AND DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT MECHANICAL TROUBLE AND EVENTS WILL OCCUR IF THE SENSORS AND THE CATALYIC (CATALYST) CONVERTER ARE NOT REPLACED SIMULTEANEOUSLY. (3) I HAD MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA TOWED TO PEACHTREE NISSAN ON 7/15/05, AND ON 7/16/05 I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND GAINER SMITH (MAINTENANCE MGR.) INFORMED ME THAT MY CATALYIC (PIECES) CONVERTER HAD BEEN SUCKED INTO MY ENGINE AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE AND CRACKED THE PISTONS AND ENGINE BLOCK. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT MY CAR HAD OFTER STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FREEWAY, FOR UNEXPLAINED REASONS. MY 02 ALTIMA NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR ENGINE OR PART PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THE AUTOMOBILE BRAND NEW FROM TRONCALLI NISSAN. PEACHTREE NISSAN INSTRUCTED ME TO CALL NISSAN USA BECAUSE THERE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT AUTHORIZE THEMSELVES TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY CAR. ALSO, A MECHANIC ON DUTY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM THAT DESTROYED THE ENGINE IN MY CAR HAPPENS OFTEN TO 2.5 LITER ENGINE ALTIMAS. HE STATED THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS AT 60,000 MILES AND SINCE MY CAR HAS 103,000 MILES AND NO WARRANTY THEY WOULDNT IMMEDIATELY TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR REPLACING MY ENGINE. LASTLY, MY ENGINE DID NOT MALFUNCTION BECAUSE I ABUSED MY CAR. I CHANGED THE OIL AND KEPT COOLANT IN THE COMPARTMENT AT ALL TIMES. MY CAR IS NOT WORKING BECAUSE WHEN MY CAR WAS AT PEACHTREE NISSAN IN MARCH THE DEALER FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPLETE THE RECALL PORTION ON MY EXHASUT/HANGER PIN AND PRE-CATALYST (CONVERTER). A FAULTY EXHAUST SHOULD NEVER CAUSE AN ENGINE TO BE DESTROYED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129520July 20, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
THE FIRST THING WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THEN THE OXYGEN SENSOR AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM. MEXT THERE WAS, AND STILL IS, THE JERKING TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR DRIVING ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY, THE TRANS SHIFTS HARD COMMING OUT OF FIRST INTO SECOND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR INTO SEVERAL NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND TO THIS DAY, NO ONE HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER ALTIMAS INCLUDING SEVERAL RENTALS WHILE MINE WASIN THE SHOP AND THEY DIDN'T SHIFT LIKE MINE. THE NEXT PROBLEM IS THOSE HEADLIGHTS. THEY HAVE REPLACED ONE OF MY LIGHT ASEMBLIES AN GREAT RIVER NISSAN BUT THE OTHER HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. NEXT, THERE WAS THE HEATER COIL THAT LEAKED AND IT TOOK ALMOST 6 MONTHS TO DETERMINE BECAUSE IT DIDN'T LEAK INSIDE THE CAR. NEXT THERE WAS THE IGNITION COILS THAT WERE REPLACED 2X WITHIN A WEEK AND STILL CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. AFTER THE IGNITION PROBLEM THE MECHANICS AT STERLING MCCALL NISSAN TOLD MY THAT IT WAS MY SPARKPLUGS THAT HAD HUST BEEN CHECKED ABOUT 2 WEEKS PRIOR AT GREAT RIVER NISSAN IN MISSISSIPPI. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INVITED THE SERVICE MAN TO A NICE LONG RIDE. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES, I STOPPED THE CAR AND LE IT SIT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE CAR STARTED AND HE SMILED. HE SAID, "SEE THERE IS NONTHING WRONG." AFTER EXPLAINING THAT HE NEEDED TO LET THE CAR SET FOR A WHILE AND THEN TRY TO START IT, HE SAID THAT IT IS STILL GOING TO START.AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, I ASKED THE SERVICE MAN TO STEP OUTSIDE AND LETS GIV THE CAR A START... TO NO SUPRISE, WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE CAR PUTTERED, SPITTED, JERKED, AND EVERYTHING ELSE BUT STARTED. IT WAS DETERMINED THE NEXT MORNING THAT THERE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CATALYST THAT WAS JUST REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129201July 18, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I TOO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FRONT HEADLIGHTS IN '02 NISSAN ALTIMA. REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE BULB ONLY ONCE; AND THE PASSENGER SIDE 3 TIMES. LIGHTS WILL WORK FINE FOR AWHILE THEN INTERMITTENTLY; AND THEN NOT AT ALL. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY & NOT JUST THE BULBS BECAUSE THE HOUSING MELTS. REPLACEMENT OF ASSEMBLY WITHOUT PAYING THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE DIFFICULT (IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE) BECAUSE IT REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF THE FRONT BUMPER. IF WE COULD REPAIR IT OURSELVES, THE COST FOR THE PART ALONE IS STILL $188. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE IN THE '02'S - NEWER MODELS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED USING METAL TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM; UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS BEEN AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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