NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility complaints
11 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Sep 9, 2019
StructureVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. CONSUMER STATES THAT ALL DOOR HANDLES ON VEHICLE ARE FRACTURED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN ALTIMAS IN HIS AREA. *DL
NHTSA ODI #11254052
50,000 miles · May 7, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN REMAINED LIT. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TAKING OFF, THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND JERKED AS IF SOMETHING WERE SLIPPING. ONCE THE VEHICLE GAINED SPEED, THE NOISE STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FOLLOWIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN REMAINED LIT. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TAKING OFF, THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND JERKED AS IF SOMETHING WERE SLIPPING. ONCE THE VEHICLE GAINED SPEED, THE NOISE STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TWO MAJOR SENSORS, AND THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL ON THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND THEN FOUR DAYS LATER, THE OIL WOULD HAVE BURNED OUT COMPLETELY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/ HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE), 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING WERE REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 06/05/08 *BF THE DRIVER SIDE POWER MIRROR WAS REPLACED, THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS STICKING. THE CYLINDER HEAD, GASKET RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED. WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/04/08
NHTSA ODI #10226943
85,000 miles · Nov 27, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S I HAVE HAD FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AT AROUND 80K MILES MY ENGINE STARTED TO RANDOMLY OVERHEAT EVEN THOUGH COOLANT AND FLUID LEVELS WERE CORRECT. I HAD TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE RADIATOR WAS SPLIT. I SPENT $500 T REPLACE THAT BUT THEN SHORTLY AFTER IT HAPPENED AGAI…
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I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S I HAVE HAD FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AT AROUND 80K MILES MY ENGINE STARTED TO RANDOMLY OVERHEAT EVEN THOUGH COOLANT AND FLUID LEVELS WERE CORRECT. I HAD TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE RADIATOR WAS SPLIT. I SPENT $500 T REPLACE THAT BUT THEN SHORTLY AFTER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE THEN REPLACED BOTH THERMOSTATS ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS HELPED FOR 2 MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY WE HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERING A SEVERE STUTTERING AND SHAKING OF THE WHOLE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING IT UP. REGARDLESS OF IT BEING IN NEUTRAL, DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR JERKS BACK AND FORTH VERY VIOLENTLY. AFTER YOU DRIVE IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE WARMS UP IT CEASES THIS ACTION. IN ADDITION TO THIS THOUGH THERE IS NEVER ANY WARM AIR COMING OUT OF THE VENTS NO MATTER HOW LONG THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY IN ADDITION TO NOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING ALL THE WAY UP BUT THEN JUMPS AROUND SO WE NEVER KNOW WHERE THE TEMPERATURE IS AT. NISSAN THEMSELVES IS VERY UNCOOPERATIVE IN ANY CAPACITY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. THIS IS VERY DISHEARTENING AS ME AND MY WIFE ARE BOTH WORKING FULL TIME STUDENTS AND CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO CHASE THIS WITH TIME OR MONEY. MY WIFE IS A NANNY PART TIME AND HAS HAD THE CAR STOP AND NEED TO BE TOWED WHILE SHE IS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY WITH HER 2 TODDLERS SHE WATCHES. I AM DOING MY BEST TO AVOID MISSING WORK AS A RESULT OF HAVING ONLY ONE VEHICLE. WE HAVE A 2004 VOLVO THAT HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT THIS ALTIMA IS GOING TO DRAG US DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210040
30,000 miles · May 3, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingVisibility
2002 NISSAN ATLIMA CUSTOMER STATES SINCE 30,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON**CC THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS, DUE TO THE DEFROSTER BEING INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER, SO HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD GAIN SPEED. THE CONSUMER HA…
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2002 NISSAN ATLIMA CUSTOMER STATES SINCE 30,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON**CC THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS, DUE TO THE DEFROSTER BEING INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER, SO HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD GAIN SPEED. THE CONSUMER HAD VARIOUS REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DETERIORATING, THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED, THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO REPLACED THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AFTER EXPERIENCING THE STALLING AND NO START PROBLEMS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10191092
30,000 miles · Nov 29, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOR TWO DAYS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO THE HEATER DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #10174708
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionVisibility
I HAVE FOLLOWED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS MAINTENANCE AND HAVE SO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO REVISIT THIS MODEL AND DETERMINE IF IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE AN 02 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE HEATER WAS REPLACED IN THE 2ND YEAR, THIS YEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE STRUTS ARE WORN OUT. TO …
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I HAVE FOLLOWED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS MAINTENANCE AND HAVE SO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO REVISIT THIS MODEL AND DETERMINE IF IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE AN 02 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE HEATER WAS REPLACED IN THE 2ND YEAR, THIS YEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE STRUTS ARE WORN OUT. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE LONG RUN, NOT WITH A NEW CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10164601
88,000 miles · Jul 21, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibilityFire
OIL CONSUMPTION VERY HIGH , ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT.ON HIGHWAY ENGINE STALLED AND BURNED SOME RUBER HOSES ETC..CAR INOPERABBLE.NISSAN STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM DUE TO MILES ON CAR WERE HIGH..I PAID $7,000.00 IN CANADIAN MONEY FOR REPAIR THAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT..I AM ANGRY AT NISSAN FOR SA…
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OIL CONSUMPTION VERY HIGH , ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT.ON HIGHWAY ENGINE STALLED AND BURNED SOME RUBER HOSES ETC..CAR INOPERABBLE.NISSAN STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM DUE TO MILES ON CAR WERE HIGH..I PAID $7,000.00 IN CANADIAN MONEY FOR REPAIR THAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT..I AM ANGRY AT NISSAN FOR SAYING IT WAS MY PROBLEM...WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OTHER WARNING , I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS NORMAL...
NHTSA ODI #10163088
26,000 miles · Aug 9, 2004
Visibility
REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARDS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE. THE SUN ROOF OPENED. WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS COOL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10087413
20,000 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Electrical SystemSeatsVisibility
THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND FUSE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SEAT WAS LOOSE AND THE WIPERS WERE INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10073661
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL BLOWOUT HEAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT ON CAUSING VEHICLE TO STAY HOT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8011628
Official recalls
5Nov 14, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Nov 17, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Jul 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. AT EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE IN THE FUEL TANK COULD FREEZE AND FORM ICE CRYSTALS. THESE ICE CRYSTALS MAY OBSTRUCT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.
Mar 11, 2003
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. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS 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 BEGAN ON JULY 28, 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. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. 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. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Feb 27, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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