CarComplaints.com Notes: Here's a disturbing trend for the 2002 Nissan Altima: the engine starts burning oil like crazy, the catalytic converter goes bad, the head gasket blows and eventually the entire engine needs replacement. Sound familiar? Like a script from a horror film, these Altimas seem doomed to fail around 95k miles.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,277 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Nissan Altima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

May 012002

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This car has been a lemon since day one, in and out of dealership for one reason or the other, it started with the car running hard, dealership told me it was because I have broke the car in and now this is how they run, took it back again 3 to 4 more times with same problem, told them car idles high, shifts bad, runs bad, they said nothing wrong, I do alot of highway miles and as soon as I was over the miles and out of the warrenty they told me that the motor mounts were gone only 800 to get fixed, I was then hit by a car head on and really hurt I suffered major back problems, come to find out I probaby could have prevented some of the damage to my self if I had a saver car, my air bags didn;T deploy. I have had every recall to this car, the service men at the dealserships are the rudest men I have ever delt with. I was right the whole time !!!!! I have also experienced the same thing with the lights cost around 800 to fox kept changing the lights not to mentions the tickets I recieved from the cops, I explained to them the light keeps going out, they are like this is a 02 that doesn't happen, if they only knew!!! I am really tired of this car, now I was just told that the car has another problem, it over heats they think it might be the therostat but they don't know. How much money will that cost me"?" I am one angry person when it comes to this car!!!!!!!

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #7

Apr 292004

Altima 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles
My car stalled on rt 9 at a light and did not start right back up. 6 weeks later it stalled on the mass pike going 70 mph hr. Both times I brought it to my local Nissan dealer who has told me they do not know what is wrong with it. I am scared for my family (my infant) and I. this is a safety issue that should be addressed! they built this car they really should know more about its mechanics!

- Northborough, MA, USA

problem #6

May 232002

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,400 miles
Multiple problems with recall service work not correcting the malfunction the recall is supposed to correct. Specifically of concern NHTSA campaign id numbers : 03V455000 & 03V084000 & 03V251000. Not receiving recall notices by manufacturer or being informed by Nissan service dept. I have since contacted Nissan Corp Consumer Affairs but received no resolution or suggestions. Problems with engine performance, excessive exhaust, and strong burning smell are still present along with service engine soon light remaining on. Have taken vehicle to service department for over 6 visits in last 5 months - vehicle is still at service dept. I have been told the vehicle was safe to drive over these past months while these problems persisted. I asked for a loaner vehicle or to have transportation to get my vehicle to the dealership but was declined any help - even though id # 03V084000 Nissan recall notice states it should be offered free of charge if customer makes this request. I am greatly concerned for the safety of myself and my family and am scared to drive this vehicle any further. My local Nissan service dept (pine belt Nissan automotive) and Nissan Consumer Affairs has not addressed my concerns and have failed to correct this problem that has existed for months. Vehicle has had reduced power, hesitation, pulling and vibration, excessive exhaust and an increasingly strong burning smell from engine shortly after vehicle is started.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #5

Mar 222004

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 55 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Consumer tried to restart, but was unable to start vehicle. Driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic was unable to resolve the problem.

- Chino, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 302004

Altima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Occasionally when it rains, the windshield wipers do not work. I have taken it to the dealership and they were unable to find the problem. Also, at any given time (day or night) the head lights will flicker on and off. Sometimes not even coming on at all. This is my second Nissan Altima purchase. I was so pleased with my first purchase I decided to get another one. I feel that is the biggest mistake that I made. I would not recommend this care to another consumer. What bothers me the most is the lack of concern that I received from the dealership. The car has never been wrecked therefore, I do not understand where the problem lies.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #3

Aug 152003

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,331 miles
Vehicle stalls without warning at any speed. Nissan mechanic at local dealershiip witnessed the car stalling. Nissan engineers state they are unable to find the cause, cannot actively duplicate the problem, and therefore have not repaired the car. This car is an uncalculating risk not only to passengers, but to anyone on the highway. Nissan should take possession of the vehicle to conduct further testing and replace this vehicle for highway use.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #2

Aug 082003

(reported on)

Altima

  • miles
The vehicle experienced an electrical failure prior to receiving recall notification 03 V 084 000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

May 032003

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles
The tic-toc sound from the blinker is muted, then comes back days later. Fixed once before, problem is back again.

- El Paso, TX, USA

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