2002 Nissan Altima Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING SOUND FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, SHE WAS UNABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 143,000.

1. ON JUNE, 8 2008, AT 65,200 MILES 2. RANDOMLY MISFIRE CODE THAT CAUSE BY VERY SMALL LEAK CYLINDER HEAD GASKET THAT CANNOT BE DETECTED EASILY. (NO OVERHEAT, NO SMOKES FROM THE MUFFLER, JUST SLOW LOWERING COOLANT FLUID LEVEL) 3. CHANGE THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET, AND WARPED CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

IN LATE 2007, I WOULD HAVE TO START UP MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD CRANK UP. ON THE WAY HOME ONE DAY, AS I WAS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR SHUT OFF AT LOW SPEED. I REVIEWED MY PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THINKING THAT THIS WOULD BE A FREE FIX, NOOOTTT! IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL. I PAID ABOUT $300 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS YEAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. AROUND MAY I HAD MY ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. MY BELT WOULD ALSO START TO RATTLE WHENEVER THE CAR WOULD BE STOPPED IN DRIVE WITH THE A/C ON. THIS WOULD NOT OCCUR WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, ONLY IN DRIVE. THE RATTLING WOULD GO AWAY ONCE THE CAR WAS MOVING, BUT AS SOON AS YOU STOP, THERE IT WAS AGAIN. IF YOU TURN THE A/C OFF WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED, THE RATTLING WOULD GO AWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS HAVING TO REPLACE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THE FRONT RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT. BOTH WERE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME FOR $1,300.00. THE NEXT DAY, MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS THE CAT CONVERTER WITH O2 SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS FIXED FOR $1,000.00. OF COURSE MY BELT RATTLING PROBLEM WAS NOT REPAIRED YET. TOOK THE CAR BACK AGAIN AND AFTER SPENDING 2 HOURS AT NISSAN TALKING TO THE MECHANIC, HE SAID THAT TENSIONER PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER $200.00, THE RATTLING PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I AM OUT OF IDEAS OF WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE WITH MY CAR TO STOP THE RATTLING NOISE, AND I THINK THE MECHANIC AT NISSAN FEELS THE SAME WAY. BY THE WAY, MY SISTER HAS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HER CAR IS THE DOING THE EXACT SAME RATTLING NOISE. THIS MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH NISSAN AND NOT WITH INDIVIDUAL CARS. PLEASE HELP HOLD NISSAN RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT THEIR CARS HAVE!!!! *TR

1. THE FAILURE FOUND AT JUNE, 6 2008 AT MILEAGE 65,000 MILES 2. IT HAS MISFIRE CODE CAUSE BY VERY SMALL CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAK 3. THE GASKET IS REPLACED AND THE HEAD CYLINDER IS RESURFACED. *TR

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA BEGAN OVERHEATING, LOSING COOLANT RAPIDLY AND GAUGES INDICATED RAPID TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS. UPON TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER, VISUAL DIAGNOSTIC SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT OF VALVE COVER GASKET. GASKET WAS REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $300. OVERHEATING RESUMED AFTER REPAIRS IN ADDITION TO OVERHEATING, VEHICLE BEGAN PRODUCING WHITE SMOKE AS WELL AS MISFIRING UPON START-UP. COMPUTERIZED DIAGNOSTIC WAS THEN COMPLETED. DIAGNOSIS WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. REPAIR COST WAS QUOTED AT $2100 PLUS TAXES. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET WASN'T ISOLATED TO ME ALONE AND THAT THERE ARE MANY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS THAT BLOW THE HEAD GASKET AROUND 70,000 TO 90,000 MILES. MANY CUSTOMERS APPEAR TO HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT NISSAN BUT COMPANY WILL NOT OWN UP TO APPARENT DEFECT WITH THE MODEL. IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO BLOW A VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET AND IT IS UNFAIR FOR A MODEL TO HAVE SUCH A MAJOR DEFECT AND THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY AND COST OF REPAIRING THE PROBLEM - A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL. TO PRESENT, NO INJURIES OR CRASHES HAVE RESULTED, HOWEVER, DEALER HAS WARNED THAT WITHOUT REPAIR, ENGINE PARTS MAY CONTINUE TO WARP AND MAY RESULT IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 L ENGINE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, BURNING OIL NO LEAKS. BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPE WANTS TO STALL AND SHAKES MOST OF THE TIME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. *TR

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FAULTY ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

NORMAL DRIVING IN AIR TEMPERATURES ABOVE 80 DEGREES. FAILURE IN THE CLUTCH PETAL PRESSURE- UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND SHIFT GEARS. HAD FLUID FLUSHED HOWEVER THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE AND SO THE MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER WERE REPLACED AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER. ONE YEAR LATER THE ISSUE RETURNS, FLUID WAS FLUSHED AND REPLACED WITH A HIGH GRADE CLUTCH FLUID (DOT 4) HOWEVER STILL DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE. MASTER AND SLAVE WILL BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS LINK BELOW WILL SHOW THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH PRESSURE. HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2005-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-SE-R-DISCUSSION/229124-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-CLUTCH-PROBLEM.HTML. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NISSAN REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS START, IT IS LOSING COOLANT, AND THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,400.

'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT CAME ON & WOULD GO ON & OFF FOR THE PAST 3-4 MONTHS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE AND THE DEALER SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACED. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE FAILING ON THIS CAR. WHEN PICKING UP THE PART FROM THE DEALER, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD MY FATHER THAT THEY KEEP THIS PART (EXHAUST MANIFOLD) IN STOCK B/C THEY REPLACE SO MANY OF THEM. MY DAD ASKED IF THEY WERE GOING TO RECALL THE PART, THE NISSAN SERVICE MGR SAID NO. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING OR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. I GOT THE PART ($400) AND MY MECHANIC IS FIXING IT TODAY. *TR

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA (2.5L) STARTED OUT WITH O2 SENSORS NEEDING REPLACED, THE OVERHEATING, NO COOLANT, LOOSING OIL, REPLACED CRANK SENSOR, HAD ALL RECALLS DONE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). NOW I AM LEFT WITH HAVING TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM OUT OF MOST 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 2.5 ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET SEARCHES I HAVE COMPLETED. I FEEL NISSAN NEEDED TO RECALL THE WHOLE ENGINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. SEVERAL YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND A REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED HIM THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2004, THE TECHNICIAN USED THE SAME EXACT PART THAT THEY REMOVED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,555. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 06/09/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 69 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WARNING BLINKERS WERE ACTIVATED AND WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE FROM THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE FOOT APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE TO THE MEDIAN WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE RECALL REPAIRED WAS PERFORMED UNDER CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECU), BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY OFF THE LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL FAILURE, AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET FOR A RECALL ASSOCIATED REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE." THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ONE MILE FROM THE DEALER. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NON-RESPONSIVE WITH EXTREME BODILY FORCE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH AS "DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE." THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,800.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AFTER THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WAS REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT NO FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 05/13/08. *LJUPDATED 05/13/08. *JB

NO HEAT, OIL LOSS, COOLANT LOSS, CHECK ENGINE STATING MISFIRE, O2 SENSORS REPLACED, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, CURRENTLY CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

CAR MISFIRING ,TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER WAS TOLD THAT POWER VALVE SCREWS LOCATED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAME LOOSE IN TO ENGINE DAMAGING #3 SPARK PLUG HEAD CYLINDER AND PRECAT DEALER ESTIMATE REPAIR OVER $3,000 .CONTACTED NISSAN CORP FOR ASSISTANCE WITH NO LUCK,RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 04 AND 05 BUT NOT FOR MINE 02 OR 03 ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE IS THE SAME,AND ALOT OF COMPLAINTS. THANK YOU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY GETTING THE RECALL REMEDIED BECAUSE SHE LIVES IN A REMOTE AREA WITH THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER BEING 2.5 HOURS AWAY. SHE IS FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY DEFECT. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THEM TOW THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED HER MESSAGES. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NISSAN RECALL ON FRONTAL DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. SHORTAGE THAT WOULD PREVENT AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. CONTACT NISSAN MY VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE SINCE PROBLEM CAUSED BY DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

CAR ENGINE STOPPED WORKING ON THE ROAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT OFF, BUT IT REMAINS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE MAY BE RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR OPEN RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER TO GO TO A DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE REPAIR WAS MADE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REMOVED. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD SHATTERED INTO PIECES AS EXPLAINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED METAL HANGING FROM THE BOTTOM OF HER VEHICLE. THERE WAS A HOLE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE, WHICH EXPOSED ROTTEN METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE FLOORBOARD WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SALES DEALER TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. MOST RECENTLY, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT BE OF ASSISTANCE AND THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE SALES DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $6,000 REPAIR COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. UPDATED 07/29/08. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA TO WORK ON MARCH 16TH 2008 I NOTICED THAT IT WAS BUCKING SEVERELY ON THE FREEWAY AND THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING RAPIDLY. MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. I DROVE MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN TEMPE AND HAD IT LOOKED AT ON MARCH 17TH 2008. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN IN THE ENGINE. AFTER HAVING MY WARRANTY COMPANY TAKE A LOOK AT IT I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD IN FACT NEED A NEW ENGINE IN MY CAR. APPARENTLY WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW IT LEAKED COOLANT INTO MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN THAT HAPPENED AND THE COOLANT HEATED UP ENOUGH TO COMBUST IT STARTED TO DISINTEGRATED THE INSIDE OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MY ENGINE THEN INGESTED SOME OF THE SUB STRAIT OF THE CONVERTER. IN DOING SO I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENGINE BECAUSE ALL OF THE COMPONENTS ARE COVERED IN A FINE SANDY MATERIAL FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CONVERTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE ENGINE FINALLY RESTARTED. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE ONE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO START. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FAULTY AND A RECALL WAS PENDING FROM 2004 FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL IN 2004; THEREFORE, THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE IS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,500.

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

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

BOUGHT MY 2002 ALTIMA NEW IN MAY \'02. THE CAR HAS RECEIVED ALL MAJOR AND MINOR SERVICES, OIL CHANGES, AND RECALLS THROUGH A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. RECENTLY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS AN ONGOING HEAD GASKET LEAK THAT HAD GONE UNDETECTED PAIRED WITH A SOUND FROM THE TIMING CHAIN THAT INDICATED IT WAS SOON TO GO. RECOMMENDATION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MIND YOU, THE CAR WAS IN THIS NISSAN DEALERSHIP A MONTH PRIOR FOR A ROUTINE MINOR SERVICE AND 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS \"DIAGNOSIS\" FOR A RECALL. NOTHING WAS INDICATED ON EITHER OCCASION. AFTER PLEADING, THE DEALERSHIP SUBMITTED TO NISSAN A PROPOSAL FOR THEM TO COVER THE COST (WHICH WAS DENIED BY NISSAN HEAD QUARTERS) THEN NISSAN APPROVED A 50/50 COMPENSATION (ME PAYING 1/2 AND NISSAN PAYING 1/2) I THEN OPENED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN\'S REGIONAL OFFICE IN THE HOPES THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE COST BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE 50/50 OFFER WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO.. DAMAGE RESULTING = A NEW ENGINE WAS QUOTED AT APPROX: 3500.00. I ENDED UP PAYING 1700 PRE-TAXED OUT OF MY POCKET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. INITIALLY, THE REAR SEAT BELTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RELEASE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. CURRENTLY, THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMPS DIM ON THEIR OWN; HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL SHOW THEM AS BEING ACTIVATED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 073054000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TICKET DUE TO THE HEADLAMP FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,791 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN REMAINED LIT. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TAKING OFF, THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND JERKED AS IF SOMETHING WERE SLIPPING. ONCE THE VEHICLE GAINED SPEED, THE NOISE STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TWO MAJOR SENSORS, AND THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL ON THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND THEN FOUR DAYS LATER, THE OIL WOULD HAVE BURNED OUT COMPLETELY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/ HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE), 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING WERE REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 06/05/08 *BF THE DRIVER SIDE POWER MIRROR WAS REPLACED, THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS STICKING. THE CYLINDER HEAD, GASKET RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED. WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/04/08

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IGNITION DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNOVER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION HESITATES REGULARLY IN ALL TEMPERATURES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND THE COOLING LEVEL WAS LOW. THERE WAS MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED ON THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING INTERNALLY AND ADVISED THAT IT BE REPLACED. THE HEATER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THE VEHICLE. THE HEAD GASKET HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,783.

JUST COMMUTING TO WORK AND USING MY CAR FOR LEISURE; HOWEVER, EVERY OTHER MONTH I HAVE TO PUT OIL INTO MY CAR BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON. THIS IS WITH ME DOING MY QUARTERLY IF NOT EARLIER OIL CHANGES. MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA ONLY HAS 73000 MILES AND IS CONSUMING OIL AND NOW HAS BEGUN SHAKING WHEN AT A STOP AND SHAKES EVEN MORE WHEN THE A/C IS ON. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT NEED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THE OIL HAS TO DO WITH THE ENGINE AND THE SHAKING THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE OWNERSHIP IN THIS MECHANICAL ERROR. I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND I SEE THAT I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS COSTLY SITUATION. IT'S HARD FOR ME TO TRUST NISSAN WHEN I FEEL AS IF THEY REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THE CONSUMERS. *TR

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.

AT APPROX 100K MILES, MY ALTIMA WAS CONSUMING ALOT OF OIL, RUNNING POOR, EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE FAILED, HAD ENGINE REPAIRED, BEGAN SAME OIL BURNING PROBLEM AGAIN, HAD CAT CONVERTER HALLOWED OUT, ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. *TR

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

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.

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

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

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

RECENT RECALL FOR 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA DATED 11/07/2007. I RECENTLY CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REGARDING A RECALL I SAW WHILE SURFING THE WEB. I CALLED NISSAN TWICE, NOV. 7, 2007 & JAN. 10. 2008, AND THEY GAVE ME A FILE# AND FAXED ME A LETTER STATING "THESE REPAIRS ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO YOU". YET WHEN I TRIED TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY SAID I HAD TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC OR THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT EVEN UNDER THE RECALL. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ALREADY, REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SINCE 2007, I AM DISABLED AND ON A FIXED INCOME, THIS CAR PROBLEM HAS PUT ME IN CRITICAL FINANCIAL TROUBLE. WHEN I NOTIFIED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. OF MY PROBLEM TRYING TO GET IT FIXED THEY TOLD ME TO TRY AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER HOW MUCH THE DEALERSHIPS CHARGE. IF I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM GETTING IT FIXED THEY WOULD DEAL WITH MY PROBLEM THEN. DOES INTEGRITY MEAN ANYTHING TO ANYONE ANYMORE? THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. THIS CAR HAS SHUT OFF DURING OPERATION ON THE FREEWAY AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. IT IS NOT TRUE WHEN ITS SAID IT ONLY STALLS AT LOW SPEED. I AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER ARE A WITNESS TO THAT. DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT A HUMAN LIFE? *TR

I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH MY CAR UNTIL 1-/9/08 I TOOK MY CAR TO STEWART NISSAN IN FAYETTEVILLE TO DO A COMPUTER UPDATE AND TO SEE WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY DID THE UPDATE AND TURNED THE LIGHT OFF AND SAID I MIGHT WIND UP NEEDING A CATALYST CONVERTER IF THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. IT CAME BACK ON BEFORE I EVEN GOT HOME. I CALLED THEM BACK AND ASK IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY SAID THE ONE THAT TELLS THEM THAT WAS OFF AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TILL THAT MONDAY BUT I CALLED VESTER IN CLINTON. I TOOK IT TO THEM ON SATURDAY BUT THEY HAD TO GET ONE IN. PICKED MY CAR UP THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT IT STARTED SKIPPING AND MY OIL WAS A QUART LOW .DROVE A FEW MORE DAYS ANOTHER QUART LOW CALLED BACK TO CLINTON TOOK IT BACK IN THEY CHANGED PLUGS AND DID OIL CHANGE TOLD ME TO DRIVE A FEW DAYS AND KEEP A CHECK ON MY OIL I HAVE AND IT IS WORSE STILL SKIPPING AND USING OIL BUT CANNOT SEE A LEAK OF ANY KIND I JUST DO NOT UNDER STAND WHAT HAPPEN TO MY CAR I DID NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLE UNTIL THIS CATALYST CONVERTER I AM SUPPOSE TO TAKE IT BACK TO VESTER SATURDAY. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS CLOSE TO THIS ONE ON THE INTERNET SO MAYBE YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET MY CAR BACK TO NORMAL AND WHY THIS HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE I REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAME FROM THAT PART . I ONLY HAVE 81,000 THOUSAND MILES. *TR

I HAD A 90,000 MILE VEHICLE CHECKUP AT NISSAN VILLAGE IN ATTLEBORO, MA. THE VEHICLE HAD 88,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE. AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, I HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT AND I NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. AFTER LOOKING THE CAR OVER I NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS BONE DRY. I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET FOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BURNING OIL, AND EVENTUALLY TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AND THE OIL BURNING PROBLEM HAS STARTED. I FEAR THAT I WILL HAVE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE SHORTLY, LIKE NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE, BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/1106267/NISSAN/2002-NISSAN-ALTIMA-OIL-DROPPING-AT-108,000 MILES-I-W/INDEX.HTML HTTP://WWW.NISSANFORUMS.COM/L31-2002-ALTIMA/105620-LITTLE-GUY-VS-NISSAN-NORTH-AMERICA.HTML HTTP://WWW.NISSANFORUMS.COM/L31-2002-ALTIMA/117470-RECALL-R3007-RESURFACES-02-03-ALTIMA.HTML. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IDLING IN TRAFFIC, DRIVING DOWNHILL, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYDAY. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL JERK HARD. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN MARCH OF 2008, BUT THE STALLING RECURRED THREE WEEKS LATER. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,685 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

I TOOK MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN FOR REPAIR. WHEN I WAS TOLD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD ALSO DESTROYING MY ENGINE. I SEARCHED YOUR WEB SITE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND ONE DEALING WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN I BROUGHT IT UP TO MY DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS DONE IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, IF IT WAS ALREADY DONE WHY WOULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND SHOULDN'T THEY REPLACE THE ENGINE?WELL I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULDN;T HONOR THE RECALL ! SO I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND HOPE THAT YOU CAN PRESSURE NISSAN TO UPDATE THEIR SERVICE TO COVER THE SECOND TIME THIS SAME DEFECT HAPPENS TO OVER 250,000 CARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SMELLS BURNING OIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

(1) CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND EVENTUALLY CAUSED ENGINE TO FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH. CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. (2) I REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO ME AGAIN. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. (3) UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND I CAN PRODUCE 100'S OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS??? *TR