573 complaints reported

2002 Nissan Altima Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
573
Crashes
5
Fires
15
Injuries
5

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Nov 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 721-1351 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2011
Nov 2011

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, BOUGHT NEW, AFTER 93,000 MILES IT BURNS EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, AND COOLANT. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, RECALLS, ETC. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS TO FIND OUT WHY MY CAR IS DOING THIS AND A RESOLUTION HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. NEVER HAVE I BEEN INFORMED BY NISSAN OF THE ISSUE AT HAND THOUGH IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE READ AND RESEARCHED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHER ONLINE MECHANICAL FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE RESULTS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE RESOLUTION FOR THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO A CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL/FAILURE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, CONTINUOUSLY ADD OIL AS NEEDED, SELL/TRADE THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A FORMAL INVESTIGATION THAT IS ONGOING OR HAS BEEN RESOLVED. IF RESOLVED, WHAT SOLUTION(S) HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO HOLD NISSAN RESPONSIBLE FOR LACK OF INFORMING CONSUMERS, NOT DOING MORE TO PREVENT FURTHER ENGINE FAILURE. WILL NISSAN PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND SUCH AS NEEDED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2010
Nov 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,590.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2010
Nov 2011

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2009
Oct 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND AS A RESULT, BECAME CLOGGED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2011
Oct 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL, THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2010
Sep 2011

MY VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BELOW RECALL AS MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AND RECOMMENDED I BRING TO NISSAN TO FIX. BUT PER THERE RECALL MY CAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH BE AS CAMPAIGN # 03V084000. PLEASE SEE CAMPIAGN NOTICE BELOW TO REFERENCE. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE NISSAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX UNDER RECALL. RECALL NUMBER: 03V084000 SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. CONSEQUENCE: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NOTES: ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. NISSAN IS STILL DEVELOPING A REMEDY FOR THE PRE-CATALYST PROBLEM. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2011
Sep 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/ HEADER/ MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE) AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,450. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2011
Sep 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS ALSO UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/ HEADER/ MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,450.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2011
Sep 2011

AFTER GOOGLING THE MAKE, YEAR AND PROBLEM OF OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR, IT IS OVERWHELMING WHAT YOU FIND. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF TROUBLED CONSUMERS WHO HAVE GONE TO NISSAN FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN PRODUCT TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER THAT THE FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MADE THAT YEAR ARE NOT COVERED AND WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF WHAT IT WOULD COST THEM. PLEASE HELP US..... *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2009
Sep 2011

WE HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT HAS ABOUT 132XXX MILES ON IT AND IT IS BURNING OIL AT ABOUT 5 QUARTS IN A WEEK. WE HAVE CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM STARTING, WHICH WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD WE HAD A CATALYTIC SYSTEM FAILURE AND IT WAS GOING TO COST $900 TO FIX, THEN WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED COSTING UPWARDS OF $4000. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND A TON OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM JUST OUTSIDE OF THE "WARRANTY". *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2010
Aug 2011

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 ENGINE. AT 66,000 MILES I WAS TOLD THE CONVERTER WAS BAD. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE PRE-CONVERTER AND THE CONVERTER ON MY OWN DIME. AFTER SIX MONTHS THE NEW CONVERTER FAILED, IT WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER I AM IN THE SAME BOAT. I'M TOLD THAT THE CONVERTER IS BAD AGAIN. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2011
Aug 2011 Fire

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2011
Jul 2011

I PURCHASE THE CAR ON 03/29/2011 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP,ON JUNE 27, 2011 WHILE ON VACATION THE CAR QUIT RUNNING CHECKED FLUIDS AND FOUND OIL RESERVOIR HAD NO OIL IN IT. HAD OIL CHANGE PERFORMED BEFORE I WENT ON VACATION. NEVER HAD AN OIL LEAK OR SIGN OF OIL BURNING.HAD CAR TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHOM TOLD ME THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED DUE TO HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION.DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE CAR AND FOUND IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTORS COMING APART AND SUCKING THE CARBON INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING CYLINDERS BEING SCORED AND CAUSING THE HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING THE SECONDARY CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BECOME CLOGGED AND IN TURN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW UP.I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM MY CATALYTIC CONVERTOR WAS CLOGGED WHICH CALLED MY ENIGNE TO BLOW UP AND THEY TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN CAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WHEN I PUSHED THE ISSUE THE HEAD SERVICE TECH SAID IT IS WHAT IT IS AND WALKED AWAY.I LEFT AND CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA,THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF ON 01/08/2004 AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD OPEN A CLAIM ON THIS VEHICLE,SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF IT WAS REPAIRED PROPERLY IN 2004 THE I WOULD STILL HAVE 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE CONVERTOR SINCE THEY PLACE A 8 YEAR 80,000 MILES ON THE CONVERTOR,SHE ADVISED ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT SINCE SHE OPENED A CLAIM.THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I RECIEVED A CALL STATING I HAVE TO CALL NISSAN GOOD FAITH PROGRAM NUMBER.I CALLED AND EXPRESSED MY FEELING ON HOW I THOUGHT NISSAN SHOULD COVER ALL DAMAGED PARTS SINCE IT WAS A PREVIOUSLY RECALLED PART THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM,THEY INFORMED ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK BY THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY WITH THEIR ANSWERS.I RECIEVED A CALL AND WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERING ANYTHING ON THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SAID THEIR WAS NEVER A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW 1 PERSON AT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA COULD SAY THEIR WAS A RECALL AND THEY OTHER SAY THERE WASN'T,RIDICULOUS!! *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2011
Jul 2011

I HAD PURCHASED MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A PRIVATE PARTY AND HAD NOTICED IT WAS BURNING AN USUAL AMOUNT OF OIL WHEN I TOOK IT ON ITS FIRST LONG DISTANCE DRIVE A WEEK AFTER I HAD PURCHASED IT. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PARTY I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HELP RESEARCH THE ISSUE BUT COULD NOT REFUND MY MONEY. WE FOUND THIS PARTICLE MODEL HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IF NOT REPAIRED IN TIME COULD AND WOULD DAMAGE THE ENGINE. WE THEN FOUND THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN FIXED AT THE 50,000 MILE RANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM THE PREVIOUS PARTY HAD PURCHASED THE CAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO PAY TO GET AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE TO ENSURE THAT IS WAS INDEED BURNING OIL. AFTER I PAID A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS DONE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ( AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE STILL HAD UNDER 90,000 MILES). SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACES ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER, VALVE COVER, AND NUMEROUS GALLONS OF OIL. MY LAST VISIT TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD I'M NOW BURN ANTIFREEZE AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2010
Jul 2011

MY CAR IS 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 77,000 MILES ON IT. MY CAR HAS FAILED EMISSIONS AND THE REASON IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE RECALLS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NISSAN DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2011
Jun 2011

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2009
Jun 2011

MY FAMILY HAS OWNED MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE COMPLETED ALL RECALLS. IN JULY 2005 RECALL 03V084000 WAS "SUPPOSEDLY" CORRECTED, BUT I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PARTICLES FROM THE CONVERTER BEING INHALED BY MY ENGINE. I HAVE 143,582 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT I FEAR THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS A HAZARD, DUE TO THE CHANCE THAT IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. THROUGH MY RESEARCH I'VE LEARNED THAT THOUSANDS OF 02 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP NISSAN CUSTOMERS GET JUSTICE, WHEN NISSAN IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE THAT THE CORRECTIVE ACTION DOES NOT STOP THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF FIRE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2011
Jun 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SINCE WATER AND OIL WERE MIXING TOGETHER AND LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO OVER HEAT. THE ENGINE BLOCK ALSO NEEDED TO BE RESEALED. THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2002
Jun 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY CONSUMING FOUR QUARTS OF ENGINE OIL IN UNDER A MONTH. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2011
Jun 2011

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2006
Jun 2011

BLOWN HEAD GASKET DETERMINED BY MECHANIC AFTER PROPER MAINTENANCE USED ON THE CAR FOR PAST 9 YEARS. CAUSES LOSS OF COOLANT, AND THUS CAR CAN OVERHEAT AND ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. CAR ALSO HESITATES WHEN STARTING AND IDLING. CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTION AND THUS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2011
Jun 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS IDLE. THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,683.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2011
May 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. HE WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART YET THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FIRST NEED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE WHO ONLY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,138 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000. UPDATED 07-06/11 *BF UPDATED 3/1/12 *CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2011
May 2011

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2009

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Quick Summary

The 2002 Nissan Altima has 573 Engine complaints on file. 5 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.