2002 Nissan Altima Complaint Log

ONE MONTH AGO OIL LIGHT WENT ON, CHECKED OIL AND LOW. MECHANIC SAID THE OIL WAS NOT LEAKING, YET WE WERE LOSING OIL EVERY 100 MILES. WENT TO NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY SAID THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, 80,000 MILES NEEDS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE .RESEARCHED ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A ENGINE FIRE. *TR

NISSAN 2002 2.5 SL HAS TO BE CHECKED ONCE A WEEK BECAUSE THE ENGINE LOSES OIL. WHEN THE OIL IS CHECKED IT IS COMPLETELY DRY. OIL HAS TO BE PUT IN THE CAR ONCE A WEEK. THE ENGINE KNOCKS AND COMES CLOSE TO SHUTTING DOWN. *TR

I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 02 ON SEPT 08. AFTER THREE DAYS I FOUND OUT THE OIL WAS LOW TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A BRAND NEW ENGINE. ONE DAY MY WIFE CAME AND PICK ME UP AT WORK AND THE CAR WON'T START AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WITH IT AND I AM SUSPECTING BECAUSE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME ONE TIME THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD. NISSAN WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH IT AS A MATTER OF FACT MY MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT ALL NISSAN ALTIMA WITH THAT TYPE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE CAR, NISSAN 2002 ALTIMA 2.5S, WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS STARTING TO HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2009. NISSAN REPLACED THE CRANK & CAM SENSORS. THEY STATED THEY WEREN'T COVERED UNDER ANY NISSAN SAFETY RECALL. *TR

A MONTH OR SO AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. MY CAR IS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, 104,000 MILES AND THE MECHANIC STATED IT NEEDS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND POSSIBLY A NEW ENGINE . THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) IN 2004, BUT THAT RECALL HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. THIS IS RIDICULOUS- THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF EXACT FAILURES AND NO RECALL??? NISSAN SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR NOT REPAIRING THE MATTER. THE SMALL FIX IN 2004 DID NOTHING TO AVERT THE LONG TERM ISSUE. THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO THIS CAR ARE IMPECCABLE. OIL CHANGES DOCUMENTS EVERY 3000-5000 MILES USING TOP GRADE SYNTHETIC SYNPOWER MOTOR OIL. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ASIDE FROM DESIGN FLAWS. *TR

I HAD PURCHASED A NISSAN 2002 ALTIMA FROM A DEALER AS CERTIFIED VEHICLE. I HAVE BOUGHT TWO OTHER CARS FROM THE SAME DEALER AND IN ADDITION ALL THE CARS WERE ALWAYS SERVICED BY THE SAME DEALER. SINCE LAST TWO YEARS THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON AND ON ONE SUCH OCCASION I WAS INFORMED BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAT CONVERTER HAD FAILED AND THE SAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . RECENTLY THE CAR HAS FAILED MV INSPECTION WITH TWO CODES P0420 AND P1217. THERE IS A SIMILAR RECALL # PE02078 ON 268,000 CARS ON OCT. 2002 (I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2005, AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE IF THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF OR NOT.) THE MV INSPECTION REPORT CLEARLY INDICATES THE FAILURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REQUIRES REPAIRS AND MONITORS SET FOR RE-INSPECTION. THE INSPECTION ALSO NOTES A VOLUNTARY RECALLS NTB07-081 AND NTB03-070C FOR PRE-CATALYST. THE FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES EMISSIONS WARRANTIES (AS PER THE MV INSPECTION REPORT)FOR AT LEAST 80000 MILES AND I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS WAS CORRECTED ON MY VEHICLE ON NISSAN'S VOLUNTARY RECALL. I HAD NOT OPTED TO REPAIR THIS WHEN THE MECHANIC AT DEALER INFORMED THE REASON FOR "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AT 82080 MILES AS THE COST WAS EXORBITANT AND UNTIL I HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM (RECALL)WITH A FORD WINDSTAR VAN THRU" NHTSA AND WAS SOLVED BY THE DEALER. (I WAS ABOUT TO JUNK THAT CAR, THANKS TO NHTSA). *TR

RECENTLY TRAVELING TO NC AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WON'T START. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ENGAGED CONSTANTLY AND THE CAR BURNS OIL WITH NO ENGINE LEAKS. I PURCHASED BRAND NEW MANUAL TRANSMISSION 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED VERY HARD WHEN PURCHASED AND CLUTCH WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR AFTER 1 MONTH. TOOK CAR TO NISSAN DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE PRESSURE PLATE WAS BAD AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY IN AUG. 2006 AT 115K MILES ($850). THEO2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL, HAD IT REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL, AND IT'S STILL CRAP! TO BOOT, THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY BROKE WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, AND NISSAN RECALLED. THEIR 'FIX' BROKE TOO. I WAS TOLD THAT I'LL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEIR 'RESOLUTION' FIXED BECAUSE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THAT TIME, BETWEEN 6/08 AND 11/08, I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, OIL COOLER, ALL MOTOR MOUNTS, FAN BELTS, DRIVER'S AXLE, POWER STEERING BOX, VALVE COVER GASKET ($7K WORTH OF WORK). CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 145K MILES AND I BELIEVE THE CAR IS JUST A LEMON. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN NISSAN, BUT NOW DECLARE IT WILL BE MY LAST ONE. I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER $5K TO PUT IN TO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, SENSORS OR AN ENGINE. DON'T THINK SO. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THESE ISSUES. *TR

RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS FRONT . FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED SPECIALLY PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO DEFECT IN THE DRAINAGE INSIDE OR POOR DESIGN. PERSONS COULD INHALE GAS FUMES OR FLOOR BOARD SUDDENLY FALL DOWN IF A PERSON IS UNAWARE THAT A RUSTED HOLE IS UNDERNEATH. TOLD OUT OF CORROSION WARRANTY WHICH IS ONLY 5 YEARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A SERVICE CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE OIL RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. ONE WEEK LATER, THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) IN 2004, BUT THE RECALL HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR WAS RUINED BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DISINTEGRATED DUE TO PARTICLES ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL RAPIDLY AND IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR HEAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,250.

THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IN THE NISSAN MOTORS VQ35DE AND VQ40DE ARE PRONE TO FAILURE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS REVISED THE PARTS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING BUT THOSE PARTS ARE ONLY INSTALLED AFTERTHE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE COST TO HAVE THIS DONE PRIOR TO FAILURE IS VERY HIGH. SURELY NISSAN SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING BEFORE PUTTING THESE MOTORS INTO PRODUCTION...*TR

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH THE 2.5L ENGINE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND HAVING TO GET IT REBUILT APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND WHILE I DRIVE A LOT OF MILES EACH YEAR THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN TERMS OF WARNING LIGHTS THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LOW. THIS PROBABLY LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IN ADDITION TO THAT POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE OTHER DESIGN DEFECTS (I.E. PRE-CATALYST) IN THIS MODEL. THERE SHOULD BE SOME PENALTY TO NISSAN FOR LACK OF OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY MUST HAVE BEEN AWARE OF FOR THIS MANY YEARS. *TR

I HAVE AN 02 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT IS CONSUMING MY OIL AND ANITFREEZE. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND A NEW CAT. MY CAR RANDOMLY DIES AND WILL NOT START MOST OF THE TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED AND SHATTERED. THE SHATTERED PIECES ENTERED INTO THE MOTOR, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO COMPLETELY FAIL. THE ONLY REMEDY WOULD BE TO INSTALL A NEW ENGINE AND A NEW EXHAUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REASON FOR THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS MANUFACTURED INTO THE VEHICLE BY NISSAN. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

ON EXTREMELY COLD DAYS (5 DEGREES F OR LOWER) I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST DRIVEN. THE CAUSE IS DUE TO APPARENT MALFUNCTION OF A CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM LINE TO POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. THE PEDAL REMAINS HARD (I.E. - THE PEDAL DOES NOT GO TO THE FLOOR). USUALLY AFTER A FEW SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO BRAKE, THE BOOST FUNCTION RETURNS AND THE BRAKES FUNCTION NORMALLY. MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED AND REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON INTERNET FORUMS SUCH AS HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2002-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-DISCUSSION-2-5-3-5/256153-COLD-WEATHER-BRAKING-ISSUE.HTMLINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT IS ONLY BY LUCK THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE IT HAS RESULTED IN BEING UNABLE TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NISSAN TO REPAIR AS A SAFETY RECALL. NISSAN HAS REDESIGNED THE PART AND IT IS VERY INEXPENSIVE (ABOUT $28) AND THE NEW HOSE/CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY CAN BE REPLACED IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE REDESIGNED VACUUM HOSE/CHECK VALVE IS 47430-L31002 FOR THE 3.5L V6 ENGINE. FOR THE 2.5L 4 CYLINDER ENGINE THE PART NUMBER IS 47430-L31001. IT'S CALLED A "TUBE-VACUUM". I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE PART MYSELF. SOME PEOPLE REPORTED THAT SOME DEALERS MISTAKENLY THINK THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ITSELF IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE REPLACED IT AT A COST OF UP TO $500 (AND DID NOT REPLACE THE HOSE) ONLY TO HAVE THE OWNER CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THE BRAKE FAILURE ON THE NEXT EXTREMELY COLD DAY. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALER USED (2ND OWNER) IN 2005 WITH APPROX 37,000 MILES. RAN FINE. DURING THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS NOTICED IT BURNED ALOT OF OIL, HOWEVER HAD NO OIL LEAK. ALSO BEGAN HAVING HEATING ISSUES (WHICH PERSIST)IN THE WAY THAT IT WILL ONLY GIVE OFF HEAT IF CAR IS MOVING AT 2RPMS OR HIGHER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON PROBABLY WITHIN FIRST 6 MONTHS AND HAS ONLY NOT BEEN ON SINCE THEN WHEN A MECHANIC "RESETS" IT--AND THAT LASTS SHORT PERIOD(LIKE WEEK). THIS CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WINTER OF 2009. IT WAS FOUND TO NEED NEW ENGINE. REPLACEMENT WITH USED ENGINE APPROX $4,000.00. THIS ENGINE PROMPTLY DIED IN LESS THAN A MONTH AND YET AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A 2005 MOTOR WAS THEN PUT IN MY CAR, BUT GUESS WHAT?? SAME PROBLEM WITH OIL MYSTERIOUSLY VANISHING AND NO LEAKING ON GROUND AND NO LEAK TO BE FOUND. SPRING OF 2010 ALL RECALL WORK DONE, INCLUDING SENSOR 03V084000 WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. NOW FIND OUT CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD. ALSO THROUGH WEB-BROWSING THAT THIS CAN CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, IS RELATED TO THE RECALLED SENSOR, AS WELL AS THE NEED FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE COLD AIR ISSUE APPEARS UNRELATED TO THIS AND IS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM, HOWEVER THIS TOO IS VERY COMMON NISSAN ALTIMA PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT NISSAN IS PUTTING BANDAID ON BIGGER ISSUE BY RECALLING ONLY SENSOR AND NOT ADDRESSING THE FACT THAT THIS IS CAUSING BIGGER, MUCH COSTLIER PROBLEMS FOR THE CONSUMER. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND 100'S OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WHO ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. I ALSO PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER "02 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WHO SHARE THIS ISSUE. I HAVE EASILY PUT $8,000 INTO THIS CAR FOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ENGINE ONLY.THIS IS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN A SERIOUS MANNER. THANK YOU. *TR

NISSAN ALTIMA '02-05 2.5/3.5 MODELS HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A VALVE CHECK ASSEMBLY IN A BRAKE VACUUM TUBE. WHEN THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME, LIKE THOSE EXPERIENCED THIS PAST WINTER IN IL, THE VALVE FREEZES UP AND PREVENTS PROPER OPERATION OF THE VACUUM AND THUS COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. IT FIXES ITSELF AFTER PUMPING OF THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES. I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES WITHIN A 2 WEEK PERIOD. IMAGINE ROLLING UP TO A STOP SIGN ONLY TO PUMP YOUR BRAKES TO THE FEELING OF A BRICK STUCK UNDER THEM, NO STOPPING ACTION, HELPLESSLY COASTING RIGHT INTO THE INTERSECTION. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND STUMBLED ON TO A NISSAN ENTHUSIAST FORUM WHERE IT WAS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE TO THEM. THEY SAID THAT NISSAN WON'T EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS TO BE AN ISSUE AND TO JUST ORDER THE REDESIGNED PART AND REPLACE IT YOURSELF AS IT WAS A DYE JOB. THE FACTORY PART REPLACEMENT NUMBER IS #47430-8J100 (3.5 MODEL) OR #47430-8J000 (2.5 MODEL). WHY DID NISSAN REDESIGN THE PART IN '06 IF THEY DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH IT? WHEN I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, SURE ENOUGH THEY WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT PART AND EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NEVER EVEN ORDERED THAT PART. THEY HAVE EITHER NEVER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE CORRECTLY OR THEY OUTRIGHT LIED TO ME. I CALLED A DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIP, ORDERED THE PART AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF AND HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM DESPITE THE SUBZERO TEMPERATURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE. I'LL CONCLUDE WITH THE FACT THAT I HAVE ZERO AUTOMOTIVE/MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE. I AM A COMPUTER SYSTEMS ENGINEER SO I'M USED TO REPLACING PARTS IN SMALL SPACES ON A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MACHINERY. BUT YET I WAS ABLE TO RESEARCH, DIAGNOSE, AND FIX MY OWN CAR PROBLEM, CAUSED BY A KNOWN DEFECT IN A FACTORY PART, WITH THE HELP OF THE GUYS IN THAT FORUM. HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE DRIVING TICKING-TIMEBOMB ALTIMAS THAT DON'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO DO THAT?? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH HER CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR EMISSIONS TESTING, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 06/10/09 *BF UPDATED 06/11/09 UPDATED 06/30/09. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS/HER COMPLAINT. UPDATED 03/01/10 UPDATED 03/05/10

WELL MAINTAINED 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA.... FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES, HAD ALL RECALLS PERFORMED ALL WORK PERFORMED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. HAS HAD CONTINUAL OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES, HAD HEAT ISSUES, CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE LEADING TO FULL ENGINE FAILURE. NISSAN DENIES ANY WRONG DOING AND WILL NOT HELP DUE TO MILEAGE ON THE CAR. HOWEVER THIS PROBLEM STARTED WELL WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THE DEALERSHIP(S) DID NOT DO LET US KNOW ABOUT A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN (CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN FRONT OF THE EXHAUST). THERE ARE 1000 OF CONSUMERS ON THE INTERNET WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STARTED RUNNING SLUGGISH, AND TOTALLY RAN OUT OF OIL! MECHANIC SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I BOUGHT ONE - AND THAT ONE WENT ON THE FRITZ TWO DAYS AFTER FIXING IT. THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST SAID IT WAS AN O2 SENSOR. IT RAN OUT OF OIL. NOW I FIND OUT THE CAR IS A LEMON, AFTER I BOUGHT A NEW ENGINE TO BOOT. TWO ENGINES ARE RUINED IN THIS CAR, AND I STILL DON'T HAVE IT PAID FOR. *TR

THIS ISN'T FAIR. 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. 5900 MILES. MAN THIS CAR IS JUNK, NISSAN SHOULD REIMBURSE PEOPLE ABOUT THAT, WORK CAR EVER. AND I NOTICE EVERYONE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR STALL, CAMSHFT PROBLEM.. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE. ITS NOT SAFE WHEN U DRIVING AND CAR DIE ON YOU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPAIRS FOR RECALL 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) HAD BEEN PARTIALLY PERFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED, WAS NOT AND WAS NOT MALFUNCTIONING; THE CONVERTER FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION WHICH ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL HAD NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY PERFORMED, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

POWER VALVE SCREWS FELL INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLATE ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 NISSIAN ALTIMA 2.5 STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR HAD BEEN IDLING VERY ROUGH AND ENGINE VIBRATION AS WELL AS INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS 24 HOURS PRIOR TO ISSUE. TOOK IT TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE PVC VALUE SCREW FELL INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS WAS ALSO CONFIRMED BY NISSAN. HOWEVER IT WAS ONLY RECALLED ON THE 2004-2006 MODELS. IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT NISSAN HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE ON MY VEHICLE IN 2004, THEREFORE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT BECAUSE MY CALL IS 02 NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE PROBLEM. 2002 MODELS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

1. EVENTS- VEHICLE CONSTANTLY MISS-FIRED. 2. FAILURE- SCREWS IN BUTTERFLY VALVE CAME OUT, WERE PASSED THROUGH PISTON, DAMAGED SPARK PLUGS AND CAME TO REST IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. 3. CORRECTION- PART "AIR PLENUM GASKET". LABOR "R&R UPPER AIR PLENUM INTAKE" AND "R&R EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO REMOVE SCREW". *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO THE FOLLOWING: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE02078 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 CATALYST CONVERTER. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CATALYST CONVERTER NOTICEABLE CHUCKS OF THE CATALYST 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 WITH FIXING THE PROBLEM. SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO A PERCENTAGE OF MILES OR TO A PERIOD OF TIME. *TR

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA , I HAVE TO PUT A QUART OF OIL IN THIS CAR EVERY 50 MILES, FROM WHA T I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM , THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT AND REFUSES TO ADMIT TO THE PUBLIC THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MOTOR, THAT THE RECALL WILL COST THE COMPANY TO MUCH IN REPAIRS. WE ARE A FAMILY ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD THE $6000.00 FOR REPAIRS ON THIS CAR. NISSAN ASKS SO MUCH FOR THESE CARS THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND REPAIR THIS DEFECT!!!! *TR

NISSAN CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THEIR RECALLS BUT CAR STALLED ON A HWY WHERE SPEED LIMIT WAS 70 MY FAMILY & MYSELF COULD HAVE GOT KILLED. I PAID 1100 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON DID OIL CHANGE CAR KEEPS BURNING OIL EVERY DAY I HAVE TO CHECK IT AND ADD OIL THEN THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE HAVE CALLED OVER 50 TIMES & LEFT MESSAGES THEY TELL ME THEY CAN NOT GIVE ME A NEW ENGINE BUT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM & THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR & SAME PROBLEM THEY NEED A NEW ENGINE & NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SHOULD GIVE THEM A NEW ENGINE FOR FREE BECAUSE THEY MANUFACTURE THESE CARS WRONG & ARE STILL MANUFACTURING CARS WITH PROBLEMS THEN THEY WONDER WHY PEOPLE AREN'T BUYING THERE CARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ANYONE WHO OWNS THIS CAR & UNTIL PEOPLE START GETTING KILLED THEY WON'T DUE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX THIS LEMON. THEY ALSO TELL YOU THAT YOU NEED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL DEATH PLEASE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY. ALL MY RECALLS ARE UP TO DATE SO THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA S 2.5 LITER ENGINE. WE HAD A RECALL DUE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN POSSIBLY IGNITING WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. AFTER THAT WAS DEALT WITH, THE DEALER CHARGING ME $80.81, SAID THE ENGINE NOISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS DUE TO FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONVERSION EFFICIENCY OF THE PRE-CATALYST HAS DETERIORATED AND NOW THE CATALYST HAS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO HEAT WHEN THE CAR IS AT IDLE AND NOW HAVE INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION, 5 QUARTS EVERY 2 WEEKS. BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE A NEW ENGINE MAY BE IN THE PICTURE. THERE ARE ONLY 85000 MILES ON THE CAR. WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR EVEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO GET NISSAN TO FIX THEIR FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER/ENGINE PROBLEM? NISSAN IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT! WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT BUYING A GALLON OF MILK! WE ARE DRIVING A CAR THAT COULD POSSIBLY START ON FIRE WHILE WE ARE IN IT! SEARCH "NISSAN CATALYTIC CONVERTER"; CAR AND DRIVER ALTIMA CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AND WWW.CANADIANDRIVER.COM/ARTICLES/CC/02-06ALTIMA.HTM THE COMPLAINTS ARE NUMEROUS PLEASE REPLY WITH WHAT RECOURSE WE HAVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GAS STATION FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THEY REFERRED HIM TO A DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST THREE QUARTS OF OIL AFTER 630 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE EXPIRED WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 103,000. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. MATERIAL FROM THE DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS DAMAGED THE ENGINE CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. UPDATED 03/26/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD CONSUME ABNORMAL AMOUNTS OF OIL. SHE HAS A 2.5 LITER ENGINE IN HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); THEREFORE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE COST OF $5,000. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN JULY OF 2004; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IS RECURRING DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER PROPERLY. ENGINE RATTLES. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALTHOUGH PREVIOUS RECALLS WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM HAVE BEEN HONORED NISSAN FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE COMPLAINED. *TR

MY CAR STARTED STALLING AND GOT HARDER AND HARDER TO START. PREMIER NISSAN (METAIRIE, LA) SAID A POWER VALVE SCREW CAME LOOSE, FELL INTO THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE WAS RUINED, AND I NEEDED TO BUY A NEW ENGINE. I GOOGLED THE MATTER. MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS FOR SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR (2002). (THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THE 2003 MODEL ALSO.) AND THIS WAS EXACTLY THE SUBJECT OF A NISSAN RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 ALTIMAS (NISSAN #: P5202; NTB05-058B). *TR

THE COOLING SYSTEM HAS FAILED TWICE, EACH TIME I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. NOW IT IS DOING THIS AGAIN. NOTICED THERE WERE 3 RECALLS ABOUT THIS. TWO BEFORE I PURCHASED AND ONE AFTER, BUT I DO NOT RECALL GETTING A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL. MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT, NOW DEALER IS TELLING ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE. HOW DO I FIND OUT IF ANY RECALL WAS PERFORMED? DO NOT TRUST THIS DEALER. *TR

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 CATALYST CONVERTER. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CATALYST CONVERTER NOTICEABLE CHUCKS OF THE CATALYST 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 WITH FIXING THE PROBLEM. SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO A PERCENTAGE OF MILES OR TO A PERIOD OF TIME. *TR

ON TUESDAY 11/25/08 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA TO WORK AND THE CAR TURNED OFF IN MID DRIVE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL (#03V455000) ON THIS WEBSITE. IT MATCHED EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM OF THE RECALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SAME PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (CRANK POSITION SENSORS, AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS) BUT MY CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL AND THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. MY VEHICLE MATCHES THE RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE 100% IE: " 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA...ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS...THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN CRASH...DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS, CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS, AND IN SOME CASES THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSORS." AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NEGLECTED TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A VALID RECALL. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAIN CATALYST FAILED DUE TO INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I PURCHASED WITH 57,000 MILES (2ND OWNER). IN DECEMBER 2006 WITH ABOUT 68,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BLEW UP. I HAD THIS REPLACED AND AT 76,000 MILES I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE OIL/COOLANT AND METALLIC NOISE FROM ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, AT 86,000 THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR SINCE THERE WERE PARTICLES THAT HAD BEEN SUCKED IN FROM THE CAT, THEY WANTED $5,900 TO REPLACE. I CALLED AND SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVES OF NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND LODGED A COMPLAINT, AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM STATING THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR OR HELP WITH COSTS. I WAS FORCED TO FIND AN ALTERNATE REPAIR OPTION AND PURCHASED A REBUILT MOTOR, THE PROBLEM WITH THIS WAS AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED SMOGGING THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO, I FINALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, I HAD THE CAT REPLACED AGAIN ($750) AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT SMOGGED. THIS WAS ONLY 3-4 WEEKS AGO AND ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RATTLING/GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AGAIN!! PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS, I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON THE 2002-06 ALTIMA/SENTRA WITH THE 2.5L MOTORS IS A "FACTORY DEFECT"!! THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINTS ON NUMEROUS SITES. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT. I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT I PAY $300 A MONTH FOR THAT I HAVE PUT AN ENGINE & 2 CAT'S IN, AND NOW IT NEEDS ANOTHER MOTOR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR COMPANY TO SELL VEHICLES AND NOT STAND BEHIND WHAT THEY MAKE. *TR

NISSAN ALTIMA - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NOVEMBER 2006. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR COULD BE BAD AND NOT NECESSARILY THE PART. THEY SHUT THE LIGHT OFF AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO GO OFF AND ON OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR YET PASSED A STATE EMISSIONS TEST. NO OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS OCCURRED. NOVEMBER, 2008 VEHICLE FAILED STATE EMISSIONS TEST - TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATES THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 80K MILES - THE CAR HAS 83K MILES. HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY DEALERSHIP MECHANIC YET FOR FEAR THE ESTIMATED $1000 REPAIR COULD TURN INTO AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT A MUCH HIGHER COST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW THE SEVERITY. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS ACTUALLY FROM 2003, AND THAT THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS ENGINE DAMAGE AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS SYPTOM WAS ALSO STATED ON THE RECALL NOTICE (THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH IS WHY HE NEVER TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. HE ALSO COMPLETED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN, BUT HE RECEIVED A DENIAL LETTER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 02/10/09 *BF UPDATED 02/11/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, IT STALLED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WENT INTO THE WALL OF THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CRACK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $6,000. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND IF ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,197.

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE FAILURE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. IT STARTED WITH AN ENGINE CODE . REFERRED TO THE CATALYST CONVERTER. I HAD BEGUN SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE OF A BIGGER PROBLEM PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT FORUMS DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS FOR THE SAME CAR. NOT IRONIC, DISTURBING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND PREVENTABLE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED REGULARLY. I ALSO HAD HARD TO START PROBLEMS . RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. I KEPT LOOSING COOLANT AND OIL AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY WITNESS MARKS ON MY DRIVEWAY TO PROVE THAT IT WAS LEAKING. AT TIMES YOU CAN SMELL THE SWEET ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER NISSAN SERVICE VISIT, THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE..CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE UP AND WAS SUCKED BACK INTO THE ENGINE. HERE IS WHAT THE INVOICE READS. INVOICE: ECM RECALL COULD NOT PERFORM RECALL VEH HAS E-LIGHTS THAT NEED TO BE CORRECTED?MULTI POINT VISUAL INSPECTION ONLY?INSPECTION PERFORMED REC ENGINE ASSY AND CAT RELATED PARTS A/C LOW PRESSURE HOSE?CUST STATES VEH LOSING COOLANT AND HAS A MISS CK DIAG AND CHCK OUT TIME ONLY?CUST STATES VEH HAS COOLANT LEAK AND MISS1.00 INSPECTION VEH FOR COOLANT LEAK BUT FOUND NO VISIBLE LEAK. MISFIRE FOUND INSPECTED PLUGS AND FOUND THEY'RE FOULED OUT AND HAVE CORROSION TYPE SUBSTANCE ON THEM?VEH POSS BURNING COOLANT. INSPECTED CAT AND FOUND IS COMING APART. REC ENGINE CAT AND RELATED PARTS CUST DECLINED REPAIRS? NOTE HAS REPLACED O2SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS. I ASKED THE SERVICE REP WHY NISSAN WOULDN'T PAY FOR THIS IF THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN PROBLEM. SHE SIMPLY RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT ALL THEY WOULD DO IS THE WORK BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING. THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT NISSAN HEADQUARTERS IF I HAD A COMPLAINT. IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT MANY OF MY FELLOW ALTIMA OWNER?S HAVE HAD MUCH LUCK WITH THAT. NISSAN BE RESPONSIBLE. LIVES MAY DEPEND IT. *TR

2002 ALTIMA BEGAN STALLING DURING LOW SPEEDS TRIGGERING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ACCOMPANIED BY REDUCED ENGINE POWER. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED PROBLEM WITH CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH WAS CLEARLY LISTED UNDER RECALL. NISSAN WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RECALL STATING THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE TO ECM REPROGRAMMED WHICH WOULD NOT FIX STALLING PROBLEM BUT WOULD MAKE THE ECM MORE SENSITIVE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE CSP SENSOR. NISSAN WOULD NOT PERFORM THE ECM REPROGRAM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. NISSAN WANTED TO RUN A $90 DIAGNOSTICS TEST FIRST. I TOOK CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC THE HAVE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED WITH UPDATED FACTORY MODEL. THE SENSOR THAT WAS REMOVED WAS CLEARLY THE OLDER FLAWED MODEL WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING ONE QUART OF ENGINE OIL PER WEEK. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,505 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,908.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,721.

NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO CAR FIRE. DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO DEFECT IN ENGINE. SEE: HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/1106267/NISSAN/2002-NISSAN-ALTIMA-OIL-DROPPING-AT-108000MILES-I-W/INDEX.HTML. I HAD TO PAY $5,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. *TR

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IN MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 MODEL. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, HE SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEING SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE MIGHT BLOW UP ANY TIME. AND THEY ARE ASKING $6000 FOR FIXING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS TOTALLY SUCKING THE CUSTOMER OF ANYTHING THAT ONE CAN LIVE OFF EVEN. AS A SMALL FAMILY WITH MEAGER EARNINGS, THIS IS GOING TO HIT OUR FAMILY IN A MAJOR WAY AS THIS KIND OF SPEND IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN AFFORD. THIS PROBLEM IS BEING FACED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ALSO. REQUEST THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP US OUT IMMEDIATELY. *TR

THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE A DEFECT IN CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH IS DAMAGING MY ENGINE. I HAVE TO GET IT REPLACE, BUT IT COSTS $1500. MY CAR HAS ONLY 84,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, I TAKE IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT EVERY 3,000 MILES AND FOR REGULAR CHECK UPS. SO I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BELOW ARE THE LINKS TO SOME OF THE WEBSITES WITH COMPLAINTS FROM THE ALTIMA DRIVERS ON THEIR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. 1)HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2002/ENGINE/CATALYTIC_CONVERTER_FAILURE_CAUSED_ENGINE_DAMAGE.SHTML 2)HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/NISSAN_ALTIMA.HTML 3) HTTP://WWW.ALLWORLDAUTO.COM/COMMENTS/VIEWTHREAD.PHP?CID=638520 4)HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEW_105673.HTML 5)HTTP://WWW.CARAUDIO.COM/FORUM/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-222455.HTML 6)HTTP://FORUMS.CARANDDRIVER.COM/AUTO/BOARD/MESSAGE?BOARD.ID=NISSAN&THREAD.ID=158 7)HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/1106267/NISSAN/2002-NISSAN-ALTIMA-OIL-DROPPING-AT-108,000 MILES-I-W/INDEX.HTML 8)HTTP://ANSWERS.EDMUNDS.COM/QUESTION-NEGOTIATION-2002-ALTIMA-REPLACEMENT-ENGINE-28642.ASPX 9)HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_84045.HTML 10) HTTP://AUTOREPAIR.ABOUT.COM/B/2008/01/17/ALTIMA-OWNER-THINKS-HES-GETTING-THE-SHAFT.HTM I THINK NISSAN KNOWS THIS PROBLEM AND THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR