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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

What owners actually said

276 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2008
Child Seat

THE ADJUSTER TO LOOSEN/TIGHTEN TOP TETHER CRACKED. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2004, MAKE=NISSAN, MODEL=ALTIMA). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218251

77,750 miles · Feb 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AFTER 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR FAILED AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AFTER 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR FAILED AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,750.

NHTSA ODI #10217122

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A RECALL FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE. HIS VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE DEFECT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *KB THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FLAP FROM THE INTAK…

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2004 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A RECALL FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE. HIS VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE DEFECT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *KB THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FLAP FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD WORKED ITS WAY LOOSE AND FALLEN INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE FLAP WAS UNABLE TO BE RE-ATTACHED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10217167

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2008
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2004 ALTIMA WITH 97,000 MILES. CAR VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 60 AND GREATER. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SATISFACTION. THIS VIBRATION WAS DUE TO INFERIOR ROTORS. AFTER I REPLACED THE ROTORS WITH ANOTHER NON-NISSAN BRAND AT 50,000 MILES, THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. ALL THIS FRUSTRATION WAS DUE TO THE…

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I OWN A 2004 ALTIMA WITH 97,000 MILES. CAR VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 60 AND GREATER. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SATISFACTION. THIS VIBRATION WAS DUE TO INFERIOR ROTORS. AFTER I REPLACED THE ROTORS WITH ANOTHER NON-NISSAN BRAND AT 50,000 MILES, THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. ALL THIS FRUSTRATION WAS DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OF NISSAN ROTORS. I WENT TO THE WEBSITE TIRERACK.COM AND BOUGHT BETTER QUALITY ROTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214866

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ONE MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN MY CAR, THAT HAD NEVER GIVEN ME ANYTHING BUT USUAL MINOR PROBLEMS, SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE RUNNING AT LOW SPEED. I PANICKED, BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. I MANAGED TO TURNED IT ON ONCE MORE BUT IT WAS NOT RUNNING THE SAME. IT APPEARED IT WAS GOIN…

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ONE MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN MY CAR, THAT HAD NEVER GIVEN ME ANYTHING BUT USUAL MINOR PROBLEMS, SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE RUNNING AT LOW SPEED. I PANICKED, BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. I MANAGED TO TURNED IT ON ONCE MORE BUT IT WAS NOT RUNNING THE SAME. IT APPEARED IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF WHEN SLOWING DOWN AGAIN. IT DID. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR. THEY COULD ONLY RECAP A SENSOR BUT WOULD NEED MORE EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE WORK TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER. TWO DAYS LATER, I LEARNED OF A MANUFACTURE?S RECALL FOR MY MAKE OF CAR. IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM THAT MADE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. I CONCLUDED MY CAR HAD TO AMONG THOSE RECALLED. NOW I LEARNED, THE YEAR OF MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT THE YEARS SURROUNDING ARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212929

91,520 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

NISSAN ALTIMA 2004. HAS AROUND 91,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JERK A LITTLE, LIKE IT WAS JUMPING INTO GEAR. CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTART THE CAR. THREE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT. THIS TIME IT TOOK SEVERAL …

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NISSAN ALTIMA 2004. HAS AROUND 91,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION JERK A LITTLE, LIKE IT WAS JUMPING INTO GEAR. CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTART THE CAR. THREE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT. THIS TIME IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO START THE VEHICLE. AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IT STOPPED AGAIN THE SAME DAY BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP (CAR IS IN GERMANY DUE TO MILITARY). THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR FALLS UNDER 2 RECALLS. BOTH THE VALVE SCREWS AND THE SENSOR. I MAY END UP HAVING TO PAY FOR IT ALL EVEN THOUGH NNA SAYS THEY "SHOULD" HANDLE IT HERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212391

79,488 miles · Dec 18, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH OR IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE CURRENTLY DRIVES AS SLOW AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE WILL RECUR. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHEN AND IF HE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH OR IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE CURRENTLY DRIVES AS SLOW AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE WILL RECUR. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHEN AND IF HE RECEIVES A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE, THEY WILL MAKE THE REPAIR. UNTIL THEN, THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,488. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF UPDATED 01/14/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212235

60,000 miles · Dec 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED, THE VEHICLE STILL STALLS. THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE MUST REPRO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED, THE VEHICLE STILL STALLS. THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE MUST REPROGRAM ITSELF BEFORE IT CAN BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10211867

41,800 miles · Dec 12, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 MY CAR WAS STALLING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING IS PART OF A RECALL AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. THE NIGHT I PICKED MY CAR UP I WAS STILL HAVING THE STALLING ISSUE. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO THE DEALER …

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IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 MY CAR WAS STALLING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING IS PART OF A RECALL AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. THE NIGHT I PICKED MY CAR UP I WAS STILL HAVING THE STALLING ISSUE. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE COMPLAINT THAT 1) I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ECM. 2) MY CAR STALLED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LUCKILY NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. 3)WHY WAS THIS PROBLEM NOT FOUND WHEN I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE FIXED 4) KNOWING THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH BOTH THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR IN NISSANS WHY IS THE CAMSHAFT NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL CAMPAIGN. 5) IT COST ME ALMOST $300 TO REPLACE A PART THAT COST LESS THAN $40. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211599

52,000 miles · Dec 9, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE HARD TO START, SERVICE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211270

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.

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