Car uses excessive amounts of engine oil and low oil light never comes on to warn driver, can only determine that it is low by engine knocking noise.average oil consumption about 1 - 2 quarts every 300 miles also heater does not work when car is idleling only works when driving.check engine light constantly comes on code states cat converter bad.continous problem has been going on since car had about out 90,000 miles.car also turns off after running and will crank but does not start after multiple tries.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

When my 2002 Nissan Altima was about a year old, my vehicle began having difficulties starting in the morning. I live in sunny southern California, so our coldest mornings are in the high 30S. As a result, I don't believe that outside air temperature was a contributing factor to my vehicle not wanting to start. However, this issue never occurred in the warm afternoon. Ever since the initial instance, it has continued to happen a couple of times each year. I notified my local Nissan dealership on at least two occassions. Of course the problem never arose when I was at the dealership, so I decided to just dop the issue, as it didn't happen frequently enough to be of major concern to me. More recently; however, my car nearly stalled on my way home from my friend's house. I had to throw my car into neutral and press the gas pedal to prevent it from doing so. Ever since my car never wants to start on the first turn of the key. In fact, my check engine light is now on, and I have to pump the accelerator to get the car started. I had the check engine light code checked and discovered that there was a problem with the cam position sensor. Through online research, I discovered that Nissan recalled this part on some 2002 Nissan Altima. As a result, I contacted two different local Nissan dealesrhips and gave them my car's VIN number so they could see if the recall applied to my car. Of course it did not. I also discovered through my research that numerous people are encountering the same problem, and I was directed to file a complaint with NHTSA which is what brings me here today. Please help to keep us safe from vehicles stalling in the middle of busy intersections. Not only is this a terrifying thought, but if and when this happens, it could be a fatal problem.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

The front two windows in my Nissan Altima roll down, by themselves, everytime I take my key out of the ignition! I have tried taking the batteries out of both of my key fobs, thinking maybe there is a short or something wrong with my key fobs, but my front two windows still roll down. I called Nissan to ask them about this problem, and they said, they have never heard of this problem. I have not taken the car to Nissan yet to get it repaired, because honestly I can not afford to pay 100 dollars an hour to have the car sit on the machine to test it, then how ever much it is to fix the problem, which could run into thousands of dollars.

- Front Royal, VA, USA

I was on vacation, driving to cleveland, oh with my wife & parents on 6-13-09, sat in 2002 Nissan Altima, 2.5 sl. Around 9.00 pm, on I-80, apprx 40 mil from cleveland, suddenly smoke started coming from the car hood, causing poor visibility. Temp and oil level indicators did not show any sign of problem with the engine. After narrowly escaping crash with other vehicles by grace of god, we could stop the car with smoke still coming out. By the time I moved everybody away from the car, the smoke stopped. This sudden failure of the engine could have been more disastrous, endangering precious lives. On cranking the engine, loud noise from the engine made us believe that car was in bad shape, so car was towed to Nissan of North olmsted, oh (dealer). After inspection on mon, 6/15/09 I was informed that the engine casting had a big hole apprx 2" big. We were asked to either scrap the car or replace the engine with estimated cost of $4500. We were not told any good reason for this engine failure. Being stranded with my family for 3 days and despaired, I decided to replace engine hoping to get compensation from Nissan. Initial positive response from Nissan customer affairs became very dissatisfying and frustrating after I paid the dealer. It was a shock to us that after calling so many times Nissan did not took any responsibility stating on 6/24 that "the vehicle is outside of manufacturer's warranty" later I found many publications stating that 2002, Nissan Altima-2.5L engines have faced similar engine failures but Nissan has not done enough to avoid such incidents. Irresponsible behavior like this is not expected from such a reputed org. There had been multiple recalls on my car including "engine sensor kit" and " engine cooling system". I would like to request you to look in to this matter so as to contain further damage to precious lives of people at large. I further request you to impress upon Nissan to reimburse us for total cost of replacing engine and mental agony.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

Speedometer registers 5 mph faster than car is actually driving at. I have verified this with a gps system, along with a police radar.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

Odometer error 5% faster, speedometer error 5% faster.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

Just commuting to work and using my car for leisure; however, every other month I have to put oil into my car because the oil light comes on. This is with me doing my quarterly if not earlier oil changes. My 2002 Nissan Altima only has 73000 miles and is consuming oil and now has begun shaking when at a stop and shakes even more when the A/C is on. I've had it checked out and have been told it need a new engine because the oil has to do with the engine and the shaking they can't figure out what is wrong with it. Nissan refuses to take ownership in this mechanical error. I've been doing research and I see that I'm not alone in this costly situation. It's hard for me to trust Nissan when I feel as if they refuse to listen to the consumers.

- Dallas, TX, USA

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.

- Orlando, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While the windows are in the up position, the doors will automatically lock and the interior lights remain illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The failure mileage was 53,000 and current mileage was 55,000. Updated 01/03/08. The consumer stated 5-10 minutes after the vehicle was locked, the windows would automatically roll don and the inside light would come on. When the consumer exited the vehicle, after 5-10 minutes the door would lock on its own. Updated 12/31/07

- Jackson, GA, USA

I could hardly believe the number of complaints I have read regarding the 2002 Nissan Altima. One would think that Nissan would recognize these complaints and simply recall the entire vehicle. When we purchased the vehicle in late 2001 it was called the car of the year. Wow! my Altima has been in the shop more than in my garage in the last month. This time they have had it for more than a week and still can't figure out why it won't start. You name it -- everything that can be replaced, with the exception of the motor itself has been replaced. From the fuel pump to the crank position sensor, the ECM, the throttle position assembly -- and still it won't start. It began with a "check engine light" and now that doesn't even come on. The vehicle has 152,400 miles and until such time as we can get it started we can't even get rid of it. I am terribly disappointed and want to report this to the Texas attorney general and whoever else will listen. Nissan needs to do something!!!!!!

- San Antonio, TX, USA

- the contact took her 2002 Nissan Altima in for maintenance service on 01/18/07, while vehicle was at the dealership they stated that the catalytic converter assembly needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she had the recall (NHTSA campaign id number: 03V084000) work done on her vehicle sometime in 2006 and it was supposed to prevent the problem she presently experiencing.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

- the contact has a 2002 Nissan Altima that he took to the dealership (anderson Nissan in loves park, il) on 01/12/07. The dealership stated that the vehicle needed a new engine and catalytic converter. The contact had his vehicle inspected for NHTSA campaign id number: 03V084000 on 08/21/03 and the dealer(moladi's Nissan crystal lake, il ) stated they fixed the problem by re-programming the computer. The contact felt that the dealer didn't perform the proper work when they work on it for the recall. The contact can provide copies of invoice repair.

- Poplar Grove, IL, USA

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the check engine and oil light illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop, who performed a diagnostic test which produced a failure code, and indicated the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 03V084000, regarding the electrical system. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

: the contact stated after parked for four hours, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was summoned and the fire was extinguished. It was determined the fire started in the driver door and could be electrical. A police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who could not determine the cause of the fire.

- Trenton, NC, USA

2002 Nissan Altima vents were blowing warm air when the air conditioner was on, service engine light illuminated. Vehicle is difficult to start. After the dealer stated they fixed the problem, which they claimed there was too much freon in the vehicle, the engine light illuminated again the next day. The consumer was then told the head gasket was leaking.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

In 2003, Nissan conducted a recall of 2002 Altima's, ref #03V-084, in which they were to correct a fire hazard resulting from engine damage caused by a failure of the catalytic convertor. On 9/8/03, a Nissan dealer completed repairs under the recall. Over the last year, my vehicle had very high temperatures under the hood and began consuming excessive amounts of oil. In August 2006, the 'service engine soon' light came on and an independent mechanic advised me that the catalytic convertor had failed and was the probable cause of the excessive oil burning. I took my vehicle to a Nissan dealer who performed an oil consumption test. The vehicle burned 2 quarts of oil in 600 miles and advised me the engine was most likely damaged and would need to be replaced. I contacted Nissan and they refused to complete any diagnostics or repairs to the vehicle. I have had the catalytic convertor replaced again and the interior surfaces of the convertor installed as a result of the recall are clearly disintegrated. I have the old part available for inspection if needed. The repairs Nissan completed in its recall did not resolve the defect and are a continuing safety hazard.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

: 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.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

My 2002 Nissan Altima stalled in the middle of a residential area for no apparent reason. The engine line, battery light and all other lights including headlamps, and hazard lights were blinking erratically or stopped working altogether. I called for a tow and asked the tower to check the battery and see if a "jump" would fix it. The car started again after the jump. I head off towards home. The car started losing power. Luckily, I made it home as the car stalled while in motion. If that would have happened on the freeway, my fiancee and I would have probably suffered an accident. There was somewhat of an unusual smell like burning plastic. Upon closer inspection, the low beam headlamp was burned through, but the source of the burning smell was coming from under the vehicle. There appeared to be a small fire, judging by the amount of smoke coming off from under the car, that may have stopped shortly after the car stalled.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5L. My car receives regular maintenance every 3 months and/or 3,000 miles (documentation can be provided), it never sits longer than 2 or 3 day, and it's driven on the highway for my work commute. Twice my car suddenly wouldn't start without warning. The first time it was fixed, which was around April, there were several recalls for my car. One was for the fuel pump screen and the engine sensor that would cause the car to not start or suddenly stop running. This second time (10-24-05), my local mechanic showed me a 6-page service technical bulletin that was issued by alldata for my non-starting problem. The document suggested replacing the starter, adding a Nissan brand fuel injector cleaner and/or reprogramming the computer to fix the problem. This second repair will cost me about $500 to fix when I pick up my car tomorrow. I thought the recall repairs would resolve this issue, but those repairs proved to only provide a temporary fix, but not resolve the underlying problem. Since there's a service technical bulletin about my non-starting issue, 2 recalls related to this same problem, and I've had the same problem happen twice, I think my car should be recalled. I'm fortunate that I wasn't driving the car when it stopped running or that could have caused a serious accident. I should not have the same problem happen twice in 6 months. If my car fails to start twice in 6 months and the recall repairs don't remedy the problem, then there must be something else causing the problem. I'd hate to find out in a few months that the $500 start replacement wasn't the culprit, because I'd be back at square one. Please tell me how I can get this issue escalated to a recall status or what I can do to prevent a 3rd failure. Thank you, jenny R. baker.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Nissan Altima 2002, headlight assembly has a latent design defect. The dealer informed the consumer that the entire headlight assembly had melted which was caused by electrical power surges.

- Winter Park, FL, USA