2002 Nissan Altima Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE WINDOWS ARE IN THE UP POSITION, THE DOORS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 01/03/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED 5-10 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED, THE WINDOWS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ROLL DON AND THE INSIDE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHEN THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AFTER 5-10 MINUTES THE DOOR WOULD LOCK ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 12/31/07

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

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT BOB BELL CHEVROLET NISSAN, 7900 EASTERN AVENUE, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 21224, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2007. IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING OF ALL THE VEHICLES' RECALLS, A SOFT GRINDING NOISE THAT COULD BE HEARD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND LOW FREON LEVELS FOR AIR CONDITIONING. ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 3, 2007 AROUND 5PM, I WAS CONTACTED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND STRONGLY ADVISED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SERVICE DIVISION CLOSED AT 6PM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ALL RECALLS AND ISSUES HAD BEEN RESOLVED AND COMPLETED. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AROUND 5:45PM AND PROCEEDED TO TRAVEL HOME. AFTER ONLY FIFTEEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE PROFUSELY. THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING HARDER AND HARDER AND A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE TEENAGE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VOMIT AND HER EYES STARTED SWELLING DUE TO THE VOLUME OF FUMES EXPELLED FROM THE CARS ENGINE THROUGH THE VENTILATION AND INTO THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER (3700 EASTERN BLVD.) AND RUSHED TO GET HER OUT OF THE SEAT WHERE SHE CONTINUED TO VOMIT ONCE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP NOW DENIES EVER SEEING SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE (SEE ATTACH.), AS WELL AS, DENIED CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY CAR THAT POTENTIALLY RESULTED IN THE ENGINE SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2007 WITH THE ENGINE RATTLING UNCONTROLLABLY EVEN AFTER BEING RETURNED A SECOND TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DE-ACCELERATE AT A RED LIGHT THE FOLLOWING DAY. UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDS WHETHER THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DE-ACCELERATING PROVING IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE, WHETHER THE VEHICLES FIVE RECALLS WHERE ALL PROPERLY ADDRESSED, AND IF THE ENGINE WILL START SMOKING AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED, HOWEVER THE CONTACT IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 213000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ENGINE FAILURE. HE NOTICED A SILENT RECALL ON THE NISSAN WEBSITE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, ALTHOUGH HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,000, BUT WITH LESS THAN 2,500 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND IT WAS BURNING OIL AT RAPID SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,785 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

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

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S 77,000 MILES. JULY 2006 TOOK A ROAD TRIP TO CHICAGO, WHEN WE ARRIVED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD GONE BAD. IT WAS REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. PRIOR TO THAT WE NOTICE THAT THERE WAS NO HEAT WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING, ROUGH STARTS, "WHOOSHING" NOISE UNDER THE DASH. JULY 2007 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, MULTI-CYLINDER MISFIRE, COOLANT IN CYLINDER 3, WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF A LEAK IN THE HEAD GASKET WHICH IS GOING TO CAST $1500.00. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES, WHY DO WE NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET SO SOON. UPON DOING FURTHER RESEARCH, I FIND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER WHOSE 2002 ALTIMA HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, SAME DIAGNOSIS (WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG). CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *TR

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

I HAVE A 2002 ALTIMA 2.5 STANDARD. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY 2007 WITH 72,000 MILES AND HAD A MISFIRE READING FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT TILL I REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND GOT SOME HEAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR. MILEAGE NOW TOTALS AT NEARLY AROUND 110,000 MILES. NISSAN LOOKED AT MY CAR ALL THE WAY FOR ANY PROBLEMS AND I HAD A FEW RECALLS DONE ON IT INCLUDING REPLACING THE HEADLAMPS. LITTLE DID I KNOW WHEN I HAD MY MECHANIC (NON-NISSAN MECHANIC LATER ON FROM MY DEALER VISIT) REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET ( W/VALVE GUIDES AND OIL RINGS) FOR $1600 THAT MY FRONT ENGINE FAN WAS UNPLUGGED NEAR THE HEADLAMPS WHICH HAD CAUSED SOME REALLY BAD OVERHEATING ISSUES. MY CAT IS BAD (VIA A ENGINE CODE) WHICH I HAVE YET TO REPLACE AS I SEE NO NEED TO AT THIS POINT... ALSO MY CAR HAS BEEN EATING UP MORE THAN 1 QUART OF OIL PER WEEK AS I DRIVE OVER 460 MILES A WEEK AS A COMMUTER TO DALLAS, TX. AT THIS POINT THE OPTION WOULD BE TO EITHER RE..RE-BUILD THE ENGINE OR REPLACE WITH A NEW VERY EXPENSIVE ENGINE NOTHING THAT I HAVE ALREADY SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR. *TR

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

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN 2007, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BURNED 1 QUART OF OIL PER MONTH. WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO BURN 1 QUART OF OIL PER WEEK. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE OIL WAS BURNING THROUGH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH CAUSED DEBRIS TO FLOW BACK INTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE OR SHOULD BE SOLD. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERVICE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE ERROR CODE FOR THE CATALYTIC CODE APPEARED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A SERVICE BULLETIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SERVICE HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE DEALER WANTED TO ASSIST, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT LET THE DEALER PERFORM THE SERVICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE AND A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2005. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART HAS SINCE FAILED. UPDATED 12/31/07. *JB

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

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S I HAVE HAD FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AT AROUND 80K MILES MY ENGINE STARTED TO RANDOMLY OVERHEAT EVEN THOUGH COOLANT AND FLUID LEVELS WERE CORRECT. I HAD TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE RADIATOR WAS SPLIT. I SPENT $500 T REPLACE THAT BUT THEN SHORTLY AFTER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE THEN REPLACED BOTH THERMOSTATS ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS HELPED FOR 2 MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY WE HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERING A SEVERE STUTTERING AND SHAKING OF THE WHOLE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING IT UP. REGARDLESS OF IT BEING IN NEUTRAL, DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR JERKS BACK AND FORTH VERY VIOLENTLY. AFTER YOU DRIVE IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE WARMS UP IT CEASES THIS ACTION. IN ADDITION TO THIS THOUGH THERE IS NEVER ANY WARM AIR COMING OUT OF THE VENTS NO MATTER HOW LONG THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY IN ADDITION TO NOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING ALL THE WAY UP BUT THEN JUMPS AROUND SO WE NEVER KNOW WHERE THE TEMPERATURE IS AT. NISSAN THEMSELVES IS VERY UNCOOPERATIVE IN ANY CAPACITY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. THIS IS VERY DISHEARTENING AS ME AND MY WIFE ARE BOTH WORKING FULL TIME STUDENTS AND CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO CHASE THIS WITH TIME OR MONEY. MY WIFE IS A NANNY PART TIME AND HAS HAD THE CAR STOP AND NEED TO BE TOWED WHILE SHE IS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY WITH HER 2 TODDLERS SHE WATCHES. I AM DOING MY BEST TO AVOID MISSING WORK AS A RESULT OF HAVING ONLY ONE VEHICLE. WE HAVE A 2004 VOLVO THAT HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT THIS ALTIMA IS GOING TO DRAG US DOWN. *TR

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!!

STARTING AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING STRANGE NOISES. BUT ONCE I CHANGED MY OIL THE NOISES WOULD GO AWAY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS AND EVEN WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER ABOUT 4 MONTHS OF THIS IS WHEN WE REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. SO, BASICALLY MY CAR WAS RUNNING ON NO OIL FOR MONTHS AT AT A TIME. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND THEY SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET AROUND THIS IS TO PUT OIL IN HER EVERY 2 WEEKS! THAT, OR GET A NEW ENGINE. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX IT, SIMPLY B/C OF THE MILEAGE. *TR

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

EXCESS OIL USE, CAR USING WATER, NOT STARTING THEN WHEN IT STARTS IT BLOWS BLACK SMOKE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TAKES HER VEHICLE IN REGULARLY FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND IS UPSET THAT AT 60,000 MILES, THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START PROPERLY ON JUNE 9, 2007 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. ON MAY 13, 2007, THE VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING AND SHAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN BATTLING WITH THE CORPORATE OFFICE EVERY SINCE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,604 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,493.

THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS 50700 MILES ON IT. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM BECAUSE CATALYST SUBSTRATE PARTICLES FLEW INTO THE ENGINE. THESE PARTICLES HAVE SCORED THE CYLINDER WALLS. NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BASED ON NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE02078, NISSAN HAD MADE PREVENTIVE CHANGES TO THE CAR TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM, AS REQUIRED BY LAW IN 2004. BUT WHATEVER THEY DID HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT RECURRED. SO NOW THE ALTIMA 2002 HAD AN ENGINE FAILURE BECAUSE OF THE PRE CATALYST OVERHEATING PROBLEM, AND NISSAN WAS REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM . THEY STATED HAD DONE RECALL PROCEDURES IN 2004. IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR NHTSA TO LOOK TO THIS MATTER AS NISSAN HAD NOT FIXED THE DEFECTS JUST PROLONGED IT. THERE WERE LOT OF ALTIMA OWNERS AT RISK AS THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. SO OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION SHOULD OPEN THIS INVESTIGATION AGAIN TO GET NISSAN TO FIX THE PRE CATLYST OVERHEAT PROBLEM. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO TO THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT AFTER REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE THE CATALYST CONVERTER BROKE CAUSING THE RINGS IN THE ENGINE WALL TO BE DESTROYED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE BURNED EXCESSIVE OIL. AFTER DRIVING 645 MILES THE VEHICLE BURNED TWO QUARTS OF OIL. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 ALTIMA. THIS IS THE SECOND CATALYST CONVERTER REPLACEMENT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 131654 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97288.

HINGED SEATBACK LATCH FAILED. NO APPARENT CAUSE; I DISENGAED IT TO USE THE PASS-THROUGH FEATURE OF THE SEAT AND WHEN I WENT TO LATCH IT, I NOTICED THE LATCH HAD FAILED.

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.

ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN OF RIVERGATE WITH 78,903 MILES ON IT WHICH WAS WELL WITHIN THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR BACK AFTER I HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES. ON NOVEMBER 22 , 2006 I RETURNED AND SPOKE WITH A SERVICE ADVISOR AND A MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THE OIL WAS ABOUT QUART LOW. THE MECHANIC LOOKED UP SOME QUALIFICATIONS ON THE COMPUTER AND DETERMINED THAT I WAS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE A NEW ENGINE. HE SAID THERE WAS AN ENGINE ALREADY IN STOCK, SO HE DID NOT HAVE TO ORDER ONE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE CAR BACK ON NOVEMBER 28, 2006. WHILE THERE I WAS HANDED A BUSINESS CARD WITH A NOTATION ON THE BACK THAT READ DROP OFF ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2006 FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ON NOVEMBER 28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE SHOP, EXPECTING IT TO BE THREE DAYS IN SHOP TIME FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ON NOVEMBER 29, 2006 STATING THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO ANOTHER OIL CONSUMPTION TEST . AT THIS TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR EVEN TO FIX THE EXISTING ENGINE. ALSO, HE CLAIMED SINCE THE RECALL OF 2004 ALTIMAS FOR OIL CONSUMPTION EVERYBODY Y HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET A NEW ENGINE. THEN, HE ADDED THAT THE PURPOSE OF A DIPSTICK WAS TO SEE HOW MUCH OIL NEEDED TO BE ADDED BECAUSE ALL CARS BURN OIL. A VEHICLE CONSUMING OF A QUART OF OIL WAS ACCEPTABLE OIL CONSUMPTION FOR 1100 MILES. I CONTACTED NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA, WHO ADVISED ME TO GO TO NISSAN OF GALLATIN. I WENT TO NISSAN OF GALLATIN, AND WAS TOLD TO DO ANOTHER OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. I RECEIVED THE SAME RUN AROUND FROM NISSAN OF GALLATIN ,AND AS OF 4/24 I ADDED 3 QUARTS OF OIL AFTER DRIVING 1046 MILES. *AK

DESIGN FLAW CAUSED CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKDOWN WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE DESPITE PROPER MAINTENANCE. CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 85,000 MILES WHEN PROBLEMS BEGAN AND 90,500 WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. NEW ENGINE IS NEEDED AT NO FAULT OF MY OWN AND DESPITE PROPER CAR OF VEHICLE. NINETY THOUSAND MILES IS TOO SOON FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED CONTINUOUSLY AND SHE SMELLED FUEL. SHE ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED; SHE HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FROM THE ENGINE ONCE THE ENGINE WAS WARM. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR HER MODEL BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

I PURCHASED A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S IN DECEMBER 2001 AND CURRENTLY HAVE 113,000 HIGHWAY MILES AND HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR WITH OIL CHANGES AND RECOMMENDED SERVICES. THOUGH I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, I HAVE DONE ALL RECALLS WHEN THE SERVICE DEPT ADVISED THAT THERE ONE ON IT. ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE INTO PIECES AND WENT INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO FAIL ($5,000). AFTER PAYING THE $550 FEE FOR NISSAN BASICALLY TELLING ME THAT I HAD A DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH CAUSE THE DAMAGE, I WENT HOME AND DID SOME RESEARCH. I FIND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FRUSTRATED ALTIMA OWNERS. I CALLED NISSANS HEADQUARTERS TO ADVISE THEM OF MY SITUATION. I WAS CONTACTED BY NISSAN 48 HRS LATER BASICALLY TELLING ME THAT MY CAR HAD TO MANY MILES ON IT AND PAST THE WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS AWARE OF THE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NISSAN IS CHOOSING TO IGNORE THAT THEY HAVE MADE THIS CAR WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS. I ALSO CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE CHOOSING TO RISK PEOPLE LIVES AND IGNORING THE MANY CUSTOMERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEIR EXCUSE IS THAT THE CAR IS PAST THE 80,000 MILE WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH I'M SURE THEY WILL COME UP WITH SOME OTHER POOR EXCUSE. THE MESSAGE I GOT FROM NISSAN IS THAT THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ONLY UNTIL THE WARRANTY AND ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE MADE THEIR CARS WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART, BASICALLY IT IS THE CONSUMERS PROBLEM FOR PUTTING THEIR FAITH INTO SUPPOSEDLY A COMPANY THAT STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I'M CURRENTLY AWAITING WORD FROM THE LOCAL DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE AS A GOODWILL. ALTHOUGH I DOUBT THIS WILL HAPPEN. MAYBE NISSAN WILL FINALLY DO SOMETHING WHEN UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE REALLY GET HURT OR LOSE THEIR LIFE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ALSO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND CONTINUE TO CLOSE THEIR EYES. *TR

MY ENGINE STILL DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAILING. THROUGH FURTHER INVESTIGATION DEBRIS WAS DISCOVERED IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT REPLACING THE MOTOR WOULD BE THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $4,000.00. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION # PE02078 FOR THE SAME FAILURE IN 2003. NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL FROM THIS INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED, AND RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 89,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CLUTCH ISSUE. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD STICK TO THE FLOOR, NOT ALLOWING THE CONSUMER TO SHIFT CORRECTLY; IF AT ALL. ONCE IT WAS STUCK, THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CLUTCH TO FUNCTION WAS TO PULL THE CLUTCH MANUALLY BACK UP WITH HIS FOOT. AT 38,333 MILES, THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF$ 1,092.13. A YEAR AFTER HAVING THE CLUTCH REPLACED, THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. THE DEALER STATED THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO REPLACED AT A COST OF $250.00. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY MORE PROBLEMS.*JB

MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LITE BECAME ILLUMINATED JUST PRIOR TO AND RITE AFTER HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICED. I BECAME ALARMED WHEN, "I NOTICED IT WOULD NOT GO OUT". I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE MY FUEL CAP WAS TIGHTLY SECURED. I THEN DROVE MY VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MILES TO RESET THE SENSOR. WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK, I CALLED NISSAN SERVICE DEPT IN VICTORVILLE, CALIF. TO ASK WHAT ELSE IF ANY COULD BE WRONG WITH MY VEH. THE ANSWER I RECEIVED FROM THE SERV. MANAGER WAS ONE I COULD EXCEPT. HAVING TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE SERVICE DEPT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OF THE PROBLEM. JUST TO BE TOLD THAT MY "PRE CATALYST CONVERTER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO SERVER ENGINE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT FROM DEBRIS BEING SUCKED INTO THE CONVERTER. NOW IF THE "PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIN WAS REMOVED", AND HEAT SHIELDS INSTALLED ON THE PRE CATALYST AND SURROUNDING EXHAUST TUBING WAS DONE TO CORRECT OR PREVENT ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. WHY WOULD THE PRE CATALYST CONVERTOR FAIL IF PROPER CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS PERFORMED CORRECTLY IN A VEHICLE NOT 5YRS OLD. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $1092.00 DOLLARS FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE PARTS/EQUIPMENT. *JB

SINCE I PURCHASED THIS 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5, I'VE CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED COLD STARTS. I'VE ALSO TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A CLICKING SOUND THAT APPEARS TO BE IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM..I STILL HAVE THE CLICKING NOISE.*AK ON MARCH 20, 2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THE CAR. AFTER 6 OR 7 ATTEMPTS THE CAR STARTS. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WHEREBY AIR POCKETS WERE FOUND IN THE RADIATOR SYSTEM. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS IN MY FIRST AND THIRD CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED AN ENGINE. I MUST SAY THAT I'M TRULY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. I'VE EXPERIENCED NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASEDIT NEW. NOW IT IS FIVE YEARS OLD AND NEEDING AN ENGINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH ENDED AT 100,000 MILES AND I HAVE 101,000. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE WHEN NISSAN KNOWS THAT IS PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE 2002 MODELS. THE SALES AGENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I WILL BE CONTACTING NISSAN TO GET FURTHER COMPENSATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY ENGINE. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? THANKS...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN AND PRE CATALYST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MONTH AFTER THE RECALL WAS HONORED A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT HAD ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 1,000 MILES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,444. *AK

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 03/03/07 WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AT 65 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE SPEED WAS DECREASING. SHE CONTINUED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. THE CONTACT CALLED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND IT WAS TOWED TO HILL TOP SERVICE STATION, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY INFORMED HER TO GET TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN TO KOEPPELL NISSAN IN JACKSON HEIGHTS QUEENS, NY. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART WHICH HELPED TO CIRCULATE AIR TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE SHE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2002, AND HAD ALL REPAIR ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32299 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32311. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY. SPARK PLUGS DIED. TOOK CAR TO SHOP. REPAIRED AND OTHER ISSUES APPEARED: CATALYTIC CONVERTER-FAIL (IN PIECES) REPAIRED FOR $800. ONE WEEK OF DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY, OIL EXTREMELY LOW, COOLANT LOW TOOK BACK TO SHOP NOW ENGINE GASKET BLOWN, ENGINE DAMAGED AND NEEDS REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. THIS NISSAN NA MADE SOME PREVENTIVE CHANGES TO THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AS REQUESTED TO BY LAW. HOWEVER THE CHANGES NISSAN NA MADE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT NOR SUCCESSFUL. IT APPEARS THAT THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE NISSAN PROVIDED HAS ONLY PROLONGED THE OUTCOME. THOUSANDS OF 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS WITH A DIRECT RELATION TO A FAILURE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOTICEABLE CHUCKS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE MISSING. NISSAN NA IS VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SELECTIVELY FIXING SOME CONSUMERS VEHICLES. IF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THEIR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY NISSAN NA REFUSES TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IS FIXING THE PROBLEM. SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO A PERCENTAGE OF MILES OR TO A PERIOD OF TIME. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE FOUR MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, HOWEVER, THEY STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING OIL AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURES AS STATED IN THE RECALL ISSUED BY NISSA CONCERNING : EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO THIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THERE IS A RELATED ODI INVESTIGATION, PE02078. *AK

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BEGAN AROUND 92K MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD TIMELY OIL CHANGES, SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS LOW ON OIL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SMITHTOWN, NY ON 2/22/07, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DONE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ORDERED ON 2/23/07 (THIS WAS BACK-ORDERED). THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED ON 3/13/07, APPROX. $600. NOW THE CAR NEEDS ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTED AND THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING SEVERAL COURTS OF OIL A WEEK. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED THIS SUDDEN EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE ARE OTHER ALTIMA YEARS THAT HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THAT WERE RECALLED BUT NISSAN HAS NOT DONE THAT FOR THE 2002 MODEL. IT IS WIDELY KNOW THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE OIL RINGS AND THE FAULTY PRE-CATS AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. THIS CAR NEEDS APPROX. $8K IS REPAIRS IN ORDER TO STOP BURNING OIL AND TO CORRECT THE EMISSIONS. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE FAULTY PARTS IN THESE CARS, IN ALL THE YEARS THAT THEY EFFECTED. *TR

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S APPEARS TO HAVE PIECES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE ENGINE CYLINDER, CAUSING AN ENGINE MISFIRE. WHEN DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF THIS SAME MODEL VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IN MOST CASES THEY ARE BEING DENIED ANY HELP FROM NISSAN DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE PATTERN OF PREMATURE PROBLEMS/FAILURES WITH THIS MODEL THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS. IT IS TIME THAT NHSTA USES THEIR INFLUENCE TO GET THIS COMPANY TO STAND BEHIND THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES! *JB

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