2002 Nissan Altima Complaint Log

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE INEXPLICABLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, FALLS TO THE FLOOR AND BECOMES INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, ESPECIALLY DURING 'STOP-AND-GO' TRAFFIC. THE PEDAL SIMPLY DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS FOR MY MECHANIC, WHO GAVE THE CLUTCH A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. ONCE IT FAILED ME AT 60 MPH!!

THE CAR EITHER HESITATED OR STALLED (ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING) ON ABOUT 3 DIFFERENT TRIPS WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 30 MPH AND 50 MPH. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP EACH TIME. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN THOUGH A RECALL ON 11/17/2003 (R3021/R3022) TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. I WAS NOT THE OWNER OF THE CAR WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE. THE DEALER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THAT RECALL. THE PROBLEM HAS APPEARED AGAIN OR A SIMILAR PROBLEM IS HAPPENING A SECOND TIME. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 9/29/06 AND THEY REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR TO STOP THE STALLING. SINCE THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION APPEARED TO BE THE SAME AS IN THE 11/17/2003 RECALL, THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED ONCE AND THEREFORE THE SECOND REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I'M CONCERNED WEATHER THIS COULD BE A RECURRING PROBLEM AND IF THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS ADEQUATE TO REMEDY THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, SMOKE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. NO FIRE WAS PRESENT, ONLY SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE OIL WAS DRY IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE INSPECTOR CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONSISTENT FROM A LACK OF HAVING THE OIL CHANGED. UPDATED 10/12/06. *JB *NM UPDATED 1/17/2006 - AT NO TIME DID THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE LOW OIL. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE OIL LIGHT HAD NEVER ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR OIL CHANGES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A KNOW DEFECT IN THE 2.5 LITER ENGINES. *NM THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ENGINE SHE HAD TO REPLACE. UPDATED *JB

I HAVE FOLLOWED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS MAINTENANCE AND HAVE SO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO REVISIT THIS MODEL AND DETERMINE IF IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE AN 02 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE HEATER WAS REPLACED IN THE 2ND YEAR, THIS YEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE STRUTS ARE WORN OUT. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE LONG RUN, NOT WITH A NEW CAR. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT HAS BEEN GIVING ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS . I HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED AND NOW IT NEEDS ANOTHER ONE . OIL IS BEING CONSUMED OR AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE NISSAN DEALER TOLD ME IN 2006 HE SAID I NEED A MOTOR I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER TOO MANY TIMES TO THINK THEY HAVE CLAIMED TO CHANGE THINGS EVERY TIME I'D TAKE IT . IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT I DON'T THINK THEY KNEW THE PROBLEM AT FIRST. EITHER THEY DIDN'T KNOW OR THEY DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER MY WARRANTY ENDED TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED A MOTOR!! I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR. I FEEL THAT I PAID TOO MUCH FOR THIS CAR TO BE TRYING TO PAY OVER $5000 FOR A MOTOR. THE CAR IS NOW 6 YRS OLD AND THAT'S NOT OLD ENOUGH FOR A MOTOR. NISSAN SHOULD FEEL VERY BAD THAT THEY A RESPONSIBLE FOR PEOPLE PAYING TOO MUCH MONEY FOR THAT LEMON OF A CAR. I NEED TRANSPORTATION NOT A NEW CAR NOTE!! *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE WAS USING OIL EVERY 1000-1500 MILES. TOOK CAR TO VANN YORK NISSAN. WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAME APART, WAS SUCKED INTO ENGINE. HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THOUGHT IT WOULD COVER THE PROBLEM. NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA SAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THEREFORE DOES NOT COVER THE ENGINE. ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. WAS TOLD I'D GET A CALL BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS. NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. CALLED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. NEVER WOULD LET ME SPEAK TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE TELEMARKETER. FINALLY RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TO INFORM THEY WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. TOOK CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I BOUGHT 2 NISSANS IN 2002- 1 ALTIMA; 1-QUEST. HAD OWNED A 1998 ALTIMA PREVIOUSLY. THOUGHT NISSAN WAS A GOOD BRAND. THOUGHT NISSAN WAS A GOOD COMPANY. THOUGHT WRONG! WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT AS LONG AS I LIVE. HAVE TOLD EVERY PERSON I KNOW. WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE UNTIL I GO TO MY GRAVE. *NM

I BELONG TO HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM AND MANY OWNERS OF THE NISSAN ALTIMA WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM 2002 TO CURRENT 2006 MODELS HAVE HAD PREMATURE MASTER/SLAVE CYLINDER FAILURES WHICH ARE A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOU CAN NOT SHIFT YOUR CAR INTO OR OUT OF GEAR WHILE IN MOTION. MANY OF US FIND OURSELVES IN A PANIC MODE WHEN WE CAN NOT STOP OR GO BECAUSE OUR CLUTCH PEDAL HAS NO PRESSURE AND WE CAN NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. MY PERSONAL INCIDENT INVOLVES ME HAVING NO ABILITY TO SHIFT WHILE IN ANY DRIVING SITUATION, SUCH AS PARKING LOTS AND UP TO HIGHWAY DRIVING. I NEARLY GOT HIT WHILE DRIVING SOUTH THEN MAKING A LEFT TURN (WEST) WHEN I COULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND AND ANOTHER CAR WAS COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION (NORTH). I HAD TO REV MY CAR TO REDLINE JUST TO MAKE IT PAST THE INTERSECTION. IF YOU GO TO NISSANCLUB.COM YOU'LL FIND MAY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD FAILURES WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND HESITATE TO START. SHE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL AND HESITATE. THE CONTACT FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE AND WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 85,000.

THE ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CAME ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO MY LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT. THEY SAID THAT THEY GOT A CATALYTIC INEFFICIENCY CODE BUT WERE POSITIVE THE CATALYTIC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DECIDED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED GOOD. ONE WEEK LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILED AND PIECES OF IT BROKE OFF AND GOT INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE CONVERTOR AND ENGINE. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON MY CAR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM BUT APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T. I HAVE PLACED SEVERAL CALLS TO THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM ANYBODY, FOR NOW MY CAR IS SITTING AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, INOPERABLE. *JB

NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 2002 IN 2006 MY CAR WAS USING 2 OR 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY THREE THOUSAND MILES. LUCKILY MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NISSAN AND THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WERE VERY RELUCTANT TO PROVIDE HELP. FINALLY AFTER MONTHS OF TESTING, TEN TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP, CALLS TO CORPORATE, AND A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY FATHER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED MY ENGINE. THEY WOULD NOT, HOWEVER, TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND WHY THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW, TWO YEARS LATER, I AM FACING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS I NEED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEW O2 SENSOR. ANOTHER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS! AFTER RESEARCHING THIS CAR AND OTHERS WHO ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEMS I AM CONVINCED NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATORY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

FAULTY REAR SPEED SENSOR TURNING THE ABS SYSTEM ON/OFF. THIS FAILURE WOULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PUSH TO THE GROUND AND NOT ALLOW FOR PROPER BRAKING. IN FACT IT WOULD FEEL AS IF I WERE LOOSING THE BRAKES ENTIRELY. *JB

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I WENT TO START MY CAR AND WOULD NOT START. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I LEFT THE CAR PARKED WHERE IT WAS. ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER I STARTED THE CAR FINE. A WEEK HAD PASSED WITH NO KNOW PROBLEMS WHEN SUDDENLY MY "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN BACKING UP FROM THE DRIVE WAY, AND AGAIN WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER. THE DEALER CLAIMS THE CHECK ENGINE CODE CAME UP AS "APP POSITIONING SENSOR" WHICH IS THE THROTTLE CHAMBER. I THOUGHT THIS WAS WARRANTED FOR UP TO 60,000 MILES? *NM

MY 2002 ALTIMA IS USING OIL EXCESSIVELY. ONE QUART IN 500 -700 MILES. *JB

I NOTICED MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOR NO REASON. I PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN WORLD,SPRING FIELD NJ STATING THERE WAS A RECALL OUT ON MY CAR. I WENT ON LINE AND CHECKED WWW.NISSANUSA.COM WEBSITE TO SEE IF I CAN IDENTIFY IF MY CAR WAS AFFECTED. I SAW A NOTICE ON THE SAME 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AIR BAG CONNECTOR CLIP CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BLINK ON AND OFF WHICH IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AS NOTED BY NISSAN, I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS OUT FOR MY VEHICLE (MY VIN). JUST BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE APPROXIMATED RANGE AS POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE, I SEE NO REASON WHY A COMPANY SUCH AS NISSAN WILL NOT RE-COMPENSATE ME FOR THE COST TO REPAIR THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED ON THEIR WEBSITE. I DO HOPE NISSAN USA CAN RE-EVALUATE THIS AIR BAG ISSUE SINCE IT DEFINITELY NOT LIMITED TO THE VIN RANGE AS POSTED. ALL IT REQUIRE IS A MINIMAL COST OF REPAIRING A CONNECTOR CLIP. THIS SMALL DUTY WILL AND CAN PROVE TO SAVE LIVES. NISSAN SHOULD EXTEND THE POSTED RECALL TO ALL 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS, AND COMPENSATE THOSE OF US WHO HAD TO PAY FOR THE SAID PROBLEM THEY CLAIM TO AFFECT THE SELECTED FEW. THANK YOU. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V223000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAD TO ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE EVERY 500 TO 800 MILES. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ALSO HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE, WHICH WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO AN OXYGEN SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,286 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,500.

CAR FAILED 2 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND FAILED TO ALLOW ENGINE TO RUN OVER 900 RPM'S. PART REPLACED WAS THROTTLE BODY CHAMBER ASSEMBLY. *JB

TOO MANY ISSUES TO REMEMBER THAN ALL BUT I'LL TRY: - EXCESSIVE OIL USE - EXCESSIVE COOLANT USE - OVERHEATING TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ISSUES - INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES - FAILING AIRBAG - ELECTRICAL ISSUES - BROKEN SENSORS - CATALYTIC CONVERTERS GONE BAD - OXYGEN SENSORS GONE BAD - INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO START - INTERMITTENT CAR SHAKING AND SO ON. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2002 ALTIMA WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT INNER FENDER SPLASH SHIELD CAME LOOSE AND JAMMED AGAINST THE TIRE. SHE THOUGH SHE HAD A BLOWOUT AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. CAR HAD PRIOR NISSAN RECALL TO INSTALL SUPPLEMENTAL SNOW/ICE SHIELDS. ALSO PRIOR OCCURRENCE OF THIS SHIELD DETACHING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NISSAN CHARGED FOR REINSTALLATION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON DRY ROADS, THE MOTOR STALLED. HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED OPERATIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB

THE OXYGEN SENSOR ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED ITSELF. THE FRAGMENTS OF THE SENSOR SHATTERED THE MAIN CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PIECES OF THE PARTS MIXED WITH THE OIL DAMAGING THE ENTIRE ENGINE, IE. PISTONS AND OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS, RENDERING THE ENGINE NOT SERVICEABLE. NEW ENGINE IS NEEDED AT A COST OF ABOUT SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS. I HAVE NOTIFIED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FROM THE MAIN CATALYST. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V084000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE COOLANT STARTED LEAKING INTO TO COMBUSTION CHAMBER, HAD TO HAVE THE HEADS RESURFACED, AND CAT CONVERTERS REPLACED. NOW THE CAR BURNS OIL, HAS TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT 1000 MILES (COMPLETELY EMPTY IF I LET IT GO TO 1500 MILES). THE CAR NOW STOPS WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT DIES WHILE DRIVING. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE: AT JUST UNDER 78,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER AN EXTENDED CRANK. COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURIZED INSTANTLY UPON COLD START IN A.M. MECHANIC SUGGESTED TOWING TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE HE SUSPECTS A POSSIBLE CYLINDER HEAD PROBLEM. HE SAYS THE 02 ALTIMA HAS A WELL-KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS THE ENGINE WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING OUT OF OIL AND COOLANT. THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP WERE REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A FULL TUNE UP WAS DONE. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER READING MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL WORK THAT I HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY WAS EITHER NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY OR SOMETHING ELSE IS NOT QUITE RIGHT. A NISSAN SHOULDN'T HAVE A RUINED ENGINE WITH THIS FEW MILES. THIS IS MY SECOND ALTIMA AND MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH NISSAN IS FADING FAST. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT EXHAUST ASSEMBLY, FRONT 02 SENSOR, AND CLEARED THE SYSTEM CODES. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,065 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMES OIL AT A HIGH RATE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

MY NISSAN ALTIMA (2002) WITH VIN#[XXX]) ENGINE'S STOPPED WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED REDUCED ENGINE POWER AS I DROVE TO A SAFE LOCATION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND SHOWS A CODE P0335 AND I WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC (SERVICE GARAGE) THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2002 ALTIMA'S WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED NISSAN DEALER IN TUCSON AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN # DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALLED GROUP. UPON CALLING THE NATIONAL CONSUMERS AFFAIRS OFFICE @ (888)737-2647 I SPOKE TO MACY SPENCER (EXTENSION 8510). SHE LOOKED UP THE VIN # AN INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED IN MAY OF 2004 AND THAT IT ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM NISSAN IN JULY 2005. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I HAD A SMALL INCIDENT WHERE SOMEBODY DAMAGED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PLACE. I GOT BODY WORK DONE AFTER ABOUT 15 DAYS (NO PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG UNTIL NOW) AND WHEN I TOOK THE DELIVERY OF THE CAR, I NOTICED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE BODY SHOP AND THEY WERE CLUELESS. NEVERTHELESS THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE IT A NISSAN DEALER TO GET IT INSPECTED. NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHARGED $110 AND TOLD ME EVERYTHING WAS ALL RIGHT AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN AFTER 2 DAYS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY TELL ME THAT DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG CABLES ARE SHORTED AND IT WILL COST $1170 TO REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE. I DO NOT THINK THE AIRBAG ISSUE IS GOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH INCIDENT I HAD. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE SO WEAK TO CAUSE THIS KIND OF ISSUE AND POTENTIALLY PUT ME AT RISK EVERYDAY NOT KNOWING IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FOR NISSAN ALTIMA 2002, BUT THAT DOES NOT MATCH THE VIN NUMBER OF MY CAR. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TELL ME IT IS NOT RELATED. REGARDLESS WHETHER IT IS RELATED OR NOT I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD FIX IT FREE OF COST. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD THE ENGINE ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER, BUT WOULD ONLY START WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE ONLY RESTARTED WITH A JUMP START. THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC WHO FOUND NO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE RECALL WAS SERVICED TWICE BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I HAVE A 2002 ALTIMA WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH. I WAS TOLD THAT THE #1 CYLINDER WAS SHOWING UP FAULTY ON THE COMPUTER READING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND REPLACED THE PLUGS. THE WHOLE TIME THEY WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE NISSAN FACTORY TECH TEAM. 2 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AFTER ANOTHER TRY TO THE DEALER THEY INSTRUCTED ME THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND FILLED IT. 2 WEEKS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE COOLANT LEVEL DROPPED. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND NISSAN TECH SAID TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. BOLTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY TOOK A MONTH TO COME IN. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND THEN DISCOVERED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NOW BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 2 MONTHS, MADE 2 CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT I DID NOT HAVE, AND AM GETTING PRETTY ANNOYED. I CONTACT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, WHO WAS SOOOO VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE PROBLEM SINCE I HAD A WARRANTY AND THE MONEY WAS NOT COMING OUT OF MY POCKET. FURTHERMORE, THEY HAD MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO ATTEND TO SINCE THE 2006 ALTIMA RECALL. THESE TOOK PRECEDENCE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN MY ENGINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF CARING FROM THIS COMPANY. I HAVE YET TO DECIDED WHERE TO TURN NEXT. IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. 8JB

MY 2002 ALTIMA HAD THE RECALL FOR THE HEAT SHIELDS AND EVERY OTHER ONE I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT. MY CAR STARTED CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. ON APPROXIMATELY MAY 5 I DROVE THE CAR IN THE MORNING, PARKED IT IN MY MOMS YARD, WENT TO LEAVE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD TO TOW AT MY EXPENSE THE CAR TO THEM. THE CAR HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT BUT I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I THOUGHT I WAS OKAY. WELL DEALER SAYS THAT TO TEAR IT APART AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG HE NEEDED TO GET AUTHORIZATION FROM THE WARRANTY COMPANY. I WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE I DID ALL THE OIL CHANGES MYSELF, THEY WOULDN'T AUTHORIZE IT, EVEN THOUGH I COULD GET A STATEMENT FROM THE GARAGE ATTESTING TO THIS FACT ALONG WITH MY OWN PERSONAL LOG WHERE I RECORDED ALL MY GAS UPS AND OIL CHANGES. ANY IDEAS HOW I CAN GET THEM TO FIX THIS CAR I STILL OWE THREE YEARS ON IT. AND I THINK IT IS BS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO PAYUP. MY CAR FAILED EXACTLY HOW THEY DESCRIBED IT WOULD ON AOL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOLDER AND THEY KNOW IT!!! THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL # 03V455000 REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON APRIL 14, 2004 CONCERNING, THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON APRIL 28, 2006. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 05/16/2006 - THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK *NM

MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 IS SMOKING MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK I HAVE HAD TO PUT BRAKE PADS ON MY CAR 4 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR MY CAR HAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I DON'T KNOW THE REASON WHY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER A NEW ENGINE AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM FOR MY CAR STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED ONCE. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN OF GADSDEN AL. THAT I NEED TO HAVE OVER $13,000.00 WORTH OF WORK ON MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD . I CALLED THE NISSAN COMPANY AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THEN THEY STOP ACCEPTING MY CALLS AND SAID DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE THEY WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS MADE TO MY CAR. I PAID CASH FOR MY CAR AFTER THE FIRST YEAR I BEGAN TO START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT NSSAN NEW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THEY COULD WORK OUT SOMETHING WITH ME INSTEAD OF PAYING $12,000.00 FOR THE REPAIRS THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $8,000.00 FOR THE REPAIRS I DO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND NISSAN TOLD ME TO DEAL WITH IT. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS PLEASE HELP I PAID $13,000.00 FOR A CAR THAT DON'T WORK PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU SHELIA GASTON *TR

HAVE A SLOPING DRIVEWAY - WHEN CAR IS PARKED WITH A FULL TANK OF GASOLINE, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS (USUALLY WARM DAYS), GASOLINE DRIPS OUT OF CAR IN THE AREA AROUND THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK. HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT UNLESS SOLUTION IS FOUND I'M SURE IT WILL RECUR - I WOULD RATE THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.*JB

1) ON 4/15/06 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOT RUNNING RIGHT, AND WAS MISSING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN CORONA, CA. 2) THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED CYLINDER #1 MISFIRE, BUTTERFLY BOLT FELL INTO #1 CYLINDER BROKE SPARK PLUG. 3)REMOVED INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPLACE BUTTERFLY BOLT. REMOVED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR INSPECTION, MINOR HAIRLINE CRACK NO CODES. CUSTOMER DECIDED TO HAVE OLD CAT REINSTALLED. REINSTALLED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPLACED RELATED GASKETS. 4) SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND KNEW WHAT IT WAS RIGHT AWAY. THEY CHARGED ME $727 TO REPAIR AND I STILL HAVE A CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HAVE CHECKED OUT MESSAGING FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR NISSAN ALTIMA'S. *JB

AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE (2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S) IN DECEMBER 2001 I HAVE CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. HOWEVER, GOOD MAINTENANCE HAVE NOT LED TO GOOD PERFORMANCE AFTER ABOUT 10,000 MILES I STARTED EXPERIENCING ALL KINDS OF ENGINE PROBLEMS (RADIATOR, THROTTLE BODY AND NOW THE ENTIRE ENGINE) WHICH I MOSTLY HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TYPES CONCERNING VARIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME SOME OF THE PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE FIXED. I ALSO CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, HOWEVER, THEY BASICALLY TURNED ME DOWN, LEAVING ME WITH ASTRONOMICAL BILLS FOR CAUSES THAT WERE MANUFACTURER RELATED AND NOT OPERATIONAL RELATED. BELOW IS A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THUS FAR AND HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET: 1. RADIATOR CRACK - $1,000 INCLUDING LABOR (AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES) 2. NEW THROTTLE BODY - $1,200 INCLUDING LABOR (AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES) 3. NEW ENGINE - ESTIMATED $6,500 INCLUDING LABOR (AT 70,000 MILES) 4. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LEADING TO BATTERY FAILURE EVERY 2/3 MONTHS (A NEW BATTERY WAS PUT IN A YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS) 5. NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS IN WHICH THE DEALER HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE DEALER AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAVE NOT STEPPED IN AND FIXED OR COVER SOME OF THE THESE COSTS DESPITE NUMEROUS VISITS. CONSEQUENCES: 1. ASTRONOMICAL MECHANICAL BILLS 2. NO USE OF A VEHICLE PRESENTLY WHICH IS AFFECTING MY LIVELIHOOD. *NM

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH VARIOUS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING UP AND PIECES DESTROY ENGINE. ONGOING BATTLE NEVER RESOLVED CAN'T GET HELP STILL OWE 3700 ON VEHICLE WITHOUT VEHICLE NOW. ENGINE WON'T CRANK HAVE TO PUMP GAS PEDAL EVEN THEN LIKE NOT GETTING GAS BUT MECHANICS ALL SAY THE SAME YOU GOT A BAD CAR, DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. PLUS NISSAN REFUSES TO DO RECALLS NEVER EVEN DONE THAT WERE ECM RELATED AND REAR SUSPENSION. ALL ONGOING SINCE APRIL 2006. HAVE RECORDS/EVIDENCE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH FLASHED CONSTANTLY. THERE IS A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN, # 02I001000, REGARDING THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 4/17/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT EH AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 2000 MILE OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP WAS INOP. THE TECH REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB. RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT. THE HEATER BLEW OUT COOL AIR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE TECH FOUND AN AIR POCKET IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM. REPLACED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. *NM

THERE WAS A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR RECALL ON MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO. LAST MONTH THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT OUT AND WAS NOT COVER BY NISSAN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE WOULD GO THROUGH 2 CRANK SHAFT SENSORS IF THE PART WEREN'T DEFECTIVE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 LITER ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY IN MARCH OF 2006 AND AGAIN IN MAY OF 2009. SHE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 ON THE INTERNET AND REALIZED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES WITH HER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN 2006, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED AND CHARGED $1,000 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. A RECALL NOTICE IN 2002 DID NOT STATE THAT IT WAS RELATED TO A VIN AT THAT TIME. THE RECALL WAS LATER AMENDED IN 2006 AND 2008 TO PERTAIN TO A SPECIFIC VIN. IN MAY OF 2009, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND BLACK SMOKE AND OIL POURED OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAD CONSUMED OIL. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN AS LONG AS THE OIL DOES NOT LEAK. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS UNUSUAL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED THIS FREQUENTLY. THE FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE RECENT FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000. UPDATED 062909 *BF UPDATED 07/02/09.*JB

GAS DOOR DID NOT LATCH CLOSED. HAD REPAIRED ON 3/9/06. NOW I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ON 7/7/06 AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS DEFECT WAS NOT IN RECALL STATUS, AND I COULD THEREFORE NOT BE ISSUE A REFUND FOR THE REPAIR. I BEGAN COLLECTING PLATE NUMBERS OF ALTIMAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M AT NUMBER SEVEN SO FAR. I BELIEVE THAT THE GAS DOOR NOT CLOSING COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS DEFECT IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO MY CAR. *NM

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, CASE#5865538. THE VERY PUBLIC AND WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH OIL CONSUMPTION IN THE 2002 AND 2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS WARRANT YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. I HAVE SPENT OVER 26 MONTHS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX MY CAR. I FIRST NOTICED AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES. I KEEP UP WITH THE REQUIRED SERVICES ON MY VEHICLE AND I MAKE OIL CHANGES AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS AT A MINIMUM, SO I TRIED ADDITIONAL OIL CHANGES AND OIL REFILLS. THESE EFFORTS DID NOT SEEM TO WORK; SO I REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE TWO CRANK POSITION SENSORS, THE PCV VALVE, FOUR COIL PACKS, TWO OXYGEN SENSORS, AND THE SPARK PLUGS. MANY OF THESE ITEMS WERE ON RECALL AND NISSAN SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THEM, BUT I PAID FOR THEM. I FOUND COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WERE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. IN FACT, THERE ARE NOW REPORTS OF THE 2002/2003 ALTIMA'S ENGINES CATCHING ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. THIS RISK OF ENGINE FIRE PRESENTS A RISK FOR INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SINCE PART OF THE PROBLEM INCLUDES NO WARNING THAT THE ENGINE IS RUNNING DRY. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAS IT WITHIN THEIR POWER TO TURN THIS APPARENT FAILURE INTO A PUBLIC RELATIONS AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY SUCCESS STORY. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY HAVE ASKED, WHICH INCLUDED MULTIPLE OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS. WHEN THESE TESTS WERE BEING PERFORMED, I WAS TOLD THAT IF THEY CRACKED THE ENGINE AND DID AN ENGINE INSPECTION TO PROVE THE ENGINE WAS WELL MAINTAINED, I WOULD RECEIVE A NEW ENGINE. THE LOCAL HUNTSVILLE DEALERSHIP CRACKED THE ENGINE AND STATED IT WAS THE CLEANEST THEY EVER SAW. WHEN NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WAS INFORMED OF THIS THEY DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR A NEW ENGINE OR ANY ASSISTANCE. AFTER PRESSING THE NISSAN AGENT AS TO WHY, HE SAID IT WAS A BUSINESS DECISION AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE EVERYONE'S ENGINE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. ORIGINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THE VEHICLE WAS CUTTING OFF, STALLING AND LURCHING. THE RPM HAND WAS MOVING ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A INTERNAL FAILURE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER HAVING A SECOND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

LOSING OIL AND COOLANT WHICH LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IN MARCH 2006. REPLACED ENGINE AND 50K MILES LATER LOSING COOLANT AND MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3. SUSPECT HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. *TR

A RECALL (R3007) WAS ISSUED ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 TO CORRECT A MANUFACTURING SAFETY DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CONSUME EXCESSIVE OIL, AND IF NOT MONITORED WOULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. CONSEQUENTLY, WORSE CASE, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ON FEBRUARY 16, 2006 MOSSY NISSAN (NATIONAL CITY) DEALERSHIP DID A DIAGNOSIS ON MY ENGINE AFTER I HAD STATED THAT MY ENGINE WAS MAKING A NOISE AND CONSUMING EXCESSIVE OIL. THE RESULTS WERE "ENGINE FAIL" AND "CATALYTIC FAIL". I BROUGHT RECALL R3007 TO THEIR ATTENTION AND SAID THAT THEIR RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT. THEY INSISTED TO THAT I TAKE IT UP WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA. I HAVE AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA IS STATING THAT THE RECALL R3007 CORRECTED THE DEFECT AND THAT I CAN'T PROVE OTHERWISE. MY FOUR YEAR OLD CAR IS SUDDENLY A SAFETY HAZARD AS I DRIVE IT TO WORK AND FOR PERSONAL USE WITH MY FAMILY IN IT. PLEASE HELP. THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *NM

AFTER REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSOR VARIOUS TIMES, I BEGAN TO GET HUGE AMOUNTS OF OIL CONSUMPTION WHERE I HAD TO ADD EVERY WEEK. AS A RESULT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SHOT, AND ALSO RUINED THE ENGINE. DURING THAT PERIOD, MY 2002 ALTIMA HAD SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE OPERATING ON CITY ROADS AND INTERSTATE FREEWAYS. DESPITE HAVING PERFECT MAINTENANCE AND COMPLETING ALL RECALLS (SEE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 03V084000 OR NISSAN RECALL R3007), I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE DESIGN IS COMPLETELY FLAWED AND NO RECALL WILL CORRECT THIS BAD DESIGN. *TR

I WAS TURNING RIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS CHOKING AND SPUTTERING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, SLIP LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I SLOWED DOWN AND IT SEEMED TO WORK ALRIGHT BUT WHEN I GOT UP TO 35-40 MPH THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AGAIN AND WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 35 MPH. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AROUND AND I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE. LATER THAT NIGHT I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT STARTED BUT IMMEDIATELY DIED, STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT IMMEDIATELY DIED, STARTED IT A THIRD TIME AND IT IMMEDIATELY DIED, BUT ON THE FOURTH TRY IT STARTED AND STAYED RUNNING. THAT NEXT MORNING I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. THE CALLED ME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR ON THE CAR AT A PRICE OF $700.00 + TAX. I HAVE READ MANY CAR FORUMS AND THIS PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILING SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT ON 2002-2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR BECAUSE WITH A CAR HAVING THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. READING THE FORUMS IT SOUNDS LIKE NISSAN FIXED THE PROBLEMS ON THE 2004 AND NEWER ALTIMAS SO WHY CAN'T THEY FIX THEM ON THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS? *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V251000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). SHE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISES AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. MINUTES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY DURING COLD WEATHER. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALTHOUGH SHE PREVIOUSLY HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO AND OIL HAS BEEN ADDED 8 TIMES. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V084000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.