← 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
55,000 miles · Jun 17, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF FOR A FEW HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF FOR A FEW HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10407226

62,000 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNLESS IT WAS TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS. A YEAR AGO THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 06V242000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) RECALL AND THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNLESS IT WAS TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS. A YEAR AGO THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 06V242000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) RECALL AND THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IDENTICAL FAILURE HAD RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10405692

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED FOR RECALL REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND HESITATING AT RANDOM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10397720

150,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENTERING HIS VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT ACTUALLY START UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE LOOSE WIRES TO THE CRANK SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HE WENT TO THE DEALER, THE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENTERING HIS VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT ACTUALLY START UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE LOOSE WIRES TO THE CRANK SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HE WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HIS MOTOR HAD BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME AND THE VEHICLE DROVE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10381333

52,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL-*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEE…

Read full complaint

TL-*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10381248

26,000 miles · Jan 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CAR WAS HARD TO START AND EVENTUALLY WOULDN'T START. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. MANY COMPLAINTS POSTED ONLINE WITH A NISSAN CAMPAIGN FOR SOME YEARS BUT NOT THE 2004. WIDER CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE DONE. ONLY 26,000 MILES ON AUTO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373677

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WILL HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE, BECAUSE NISSAN CLAIMED IT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED YET. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMERS MECHANIC STATED IT WAS GOING BAD AND COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10359829

93,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE YET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A SPARK PLUG WAS REPLACED. THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE YET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A SPARK PLUG WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUTTERFLY SCREWS FRACTURED FROM THE POWER VALVES AND BECAME LODGED INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10352372

141,500 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA IS STALLING AT RED LIGHTS AND WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT SINCE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR WITH MY CAR UNTIL THE RECALL WORK FOR THE ECM REPROGRAMMING WAS DONE. BUT, IT HAS BEEN …

Read full complaint

MY 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA IS STALLING AT RED LIGHTS AND WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT SINCE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR WITH MY CAR UNTIL THE RECALL WORK FOR THE ECM REPROGRAMMING WAS DONE. BUT, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THEN. SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECT MORE THAN ONCE, AND NOTHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE HAS STOPPED THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350854

133,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND REPAIRS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND REPAIRS WOULD FALL AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 133,000.

NHTSA ODI #10349610

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