← New search

2004 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

225 reports with mileage · 51 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

109 reports
Clear category filter
136,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, MY CAR JUST CUT OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO EVEN TAKE IT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT UNTIL RECENTLY AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE GOING BAD AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1100 TO GET IT FIXED. SO I CHECKED ONLINE TO SEE IT WAS ANY RECALLS ON IT AND IT WAS SEVER…

Read full complaint

WHILE I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, MY CAR JUST CUT OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO EVEN TAKE IT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT UNTIL RECENTLY AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE GOING BAD AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1100 TO GET IT FIXED. SO I CHECKED ONLINE TO SEE IT WAS ANY RECALLS ON IT AND IT WAS SEVERAL BUT WAS TOLD IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR. SINCE THE FIRST TIME THAT IT CUT OFF IT HAS DONE IT AT LEAST 6 MORE TIMES. ONCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE RECALLS SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL AND MILEAGE OF MY ALTIMA BUT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676717

110,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10618916

95,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE CRANK AND CAM SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE CRANK AND CAM SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526125

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIRS RELATED TO REPLACEMENT OF SENSORS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH HE HAD THE RECALL NOTICE AND THERE WAS EXPIRATION DATE, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR …

Read full complaint

2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIRS RELATED TO REPLACEMENT OF SENSORS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH HE HAD THE RECALL NOTICE AND THERE WAS EXPIRATION DATE, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10449797

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT LOW SPEED DUE TO AN OVERHEATED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. NISSAN SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446312

92,665 miles · Nov 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,665 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,700.

NHTSA ODI #10436847

80,000 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10420922

87,433 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR WAS BACK TO DEALER ABOUT 16 MONTHS AGO FOR RECALL NTB06-051A. AT THAT TIME CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED . THIS MONTH AUGUST 2011 SAME SYMPTOMS BUCKING HARD TO START STALLING. TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT SHOP AND CONFIRMED ANOTHER CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419930

90,000 miles · Jul 27, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA SL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIG…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA SL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V24200 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415293

105,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE CA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10413785

Official recalls

1

06V242000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jul 7, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE 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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY 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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems