NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,047 reports160,000 miles · Apr 20, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE CHECKING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. HE REPLACED THE OIL WITH AT LEAST TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE CHECKING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. HE REPLACED THE OIL WITH AT LEAST TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING AROUND THE RINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ECM FAILURE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE FAILED. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT PARTICLES FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGED THE CYLINDER WALLS IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE FAILURE THAT HE EXPERIENCED, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10266154
100,000 miles · Apr 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A SERVICE CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE OIL RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. ONE WEEK LATER, THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A SERVICE CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE OIL RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. ONE WEEK LATER, THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) IN 2004, BUT THE RECALL HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10265871
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
ONE MONTH AGO OIL LIGHT WENT ON, CHECKED OIL AND LOW. MECHANIC SAID THE OIL WAS NOT LEAKING, YET WE WERE LOSING OIL EVERY 100 MILES. WENT TO NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY SAID THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, 80,000 MILES NEEDS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE .RESEARCHED ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND MANY COMPLAINTS FOR T…
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ONE MONTH AGO OIL LIGHT WENT ON, CHECKED OIL AND LOW. MECHANIC SAID THE OIL WAS NOT LEAKING, YET WE WERE LOSING OIL EVERY 100 MILES. WENT TO NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY SAID THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, 80,000 MILES NEEDS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE .RESEARCHED ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A ENGINE FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265154
120,000 miles · Apr 10, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT APPROX 100K MILES, MY ALTIMA WAS CONSUMING ALOT OF OIL, RUNNING POOR, EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE FAILED, HAD ENGINE REPAIRED, BEGAN SAME OIL BURNING PROBLEM AGAIN, HAD CAT CONVERTER HALLOWED OUT, ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264888
96,158 miles · Apr 6, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOW. HE PLACED 11/2 QUARTS OF OIL INTO THE VEHICLE AND HAD A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP CHANGE THE FILTER AT THE COST OF $42.68. THE CONTACT I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOW. HE PLACED 11/2 QUARTS OF OIL INTO THE VEHICLE AND HAD A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP CHANGE THE FILTER AT THE COST OF $42.68. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOSING A QUART OF OIL PER WEEK. EACH WEEK, HE WOULD ADD A QUART TO REFILL THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AT THE COST OF $28.96; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND ERROR CODE PO420 WAS PRODUCED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CRANK CASE PRESSURE WERE FAILING. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $4,500. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE COULD NOT PRODUCE MAINTENANCE RECORDS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT EVEN WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD STILL FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,158 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,400.
NHTSA ODI #10264288
120,000 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S VEHICLE "SHUTS OFF" SUDDENLY WHEN I AM DRIVING, LEAVING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. NISSAN SENT OUT A SAFETY RECALL IN EARLY 2008 REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT THE RECALL ONLY "REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE". I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN A…
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MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S VEHICLE "SHUTS OFF" SUDDENLY WHEN I AM DRIVING, LEAVING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. NISSAN SENT OUT A SAFETY RECALL IN EARLY 2008 REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT THE RECALL ONLY "REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE". I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER, AND THEY REFUSED TO REPROGRAM THE ECM MODULE UNTIL I PAY FOR REPLACING THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR WHICH WOULD COST ME $324. THE CURRENT RECALL FROM NISSAN DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE FOR THE SAME SYMPTOM REVEALS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND REPROGRAMMING THE ECM MODULE HASN'T CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE REAL PROBLEM IS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, BUT THE COST FOR FIXING IT IS BEING BORNE BY THE CONSUMER, AND NOT BY NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263720
81,145 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR, NISSAN 2002 ALTIMA 2.5S, WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS STARTING TO HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2009. NISSAN REPLACED THE CRANK & CAM SENSORS. THEY STATED THEY WEREN'T COVERED UNDER ANY NISSAN SAFETY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263215
137,000 miles · Mar 26, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAIN CATALYST FAILED DUE TO INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MAIN CATALYST FAILED DUE TO INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
NHTSA ODI #10263135
80,000 miles · Mar 20, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION AT 80,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262596
93,000 miles · Mar 20, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IN THE NISSAN MOTORS VQ35DE AND VQ40DE ARE PRONE TO FAILURE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS REVISED THE PARTS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING BUT THOSE PARTS ARE ONLY INSTALLED AFTERTHE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE COST TO HAVE THIS DONE PRIOR TO FAIL…
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THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IN THE NISSAN MOTORS VQ35DE AND VQ40DE ARE PRONE TO FAILURE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS REVISED THE PARTS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING BUT THOSE PARTS ARE ONLY INSTALLED AFTERTHE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE COST TO HAVE THIS DONE PRIOR TO FAILURE IS VERY HIGH. SURELY NISSAN SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING BEFORE PUTTING THESE MOTORS INTO PRODUCTION...*TR
NHTSA ODI #10262580
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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