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.
4.3
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,604 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.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The air conditioning system will not circulate heat. Also after service the oil and antifreeze levels depletes prematurely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and she was advised that the catalytic converter and the engine coil needed to be replaced. A representative from the dealer and manufacturer stated that the repairs cost $1600. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 21. The mileage was 105,000. The consumer stated the vehicle would stall while driving at any speed. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and upon inspection, the consumer was informed a sensor was soaked in oil. There was no oil leaking from the vehicle, but they were not able to tell the consumer where the oil was coming from. Soon after, there was a recall for the same problem. The wheel bearing and alternator had to be replaced. The engine light has been on for over 2 1/2 years, the vehicle has no heat and anti-freeze was evaporating, but there were no leaks. The consumer stated she could smell coolant coming through the vents. Updated 02/01/10
Contact states while driving on the freeway vehicle stalled/ lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealership. They told the contact it was an alternator, and it was repaired. When she drove the vehicle home it started doing the same thing. She took vehicle back to the dealership, they said it was the intake manifold. There was a recall on this year, make and model of vehicle, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Also, the dealership told her that if she didn't have this fixed that it would blow the pistons.
The wire to the alternator loosened twice. Consumer was not driving when this happened, the vehicle would not start, and first suspected it was the alternator and later determined it was the wiring to the alternator. Has not been to the dealer for this problem. Aaa was called, and noted the loose wiring. No repairs have been made. Consumer simply placed/pushed wire back into to place.
2002 Altima with 54 thousand miles on it just died today with a battery light and the emergency brake light on the dash. Dealer is acting like they dont cover this...but I bought the car in February 2003....this is still a new car and I take excellent care of it!
Intermittently while driving vehicle at any speed vehicle lost power between 10 to 15 seconds. Dealership inspected vehicle several times, and they didn't find nothing wrong. The last incident was on Friday August 7, 2004, and technician indicated they will replace the alternator.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Matteson, IL, USA