2002 NISSAN ALTIMA Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

ON TUESDAY 11/25/08 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA TO WORK AND THE CAR TURNED OFF IN MID DRIVE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL (#03V455000) ON THIS WEBSITE. IT MATCHED EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM OF THE RECALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SAME PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (CRANK POSITION SENSORS, AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS) BUT MY CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL AND THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. MY VEHICLE MATCHES THE RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE 100% IE: " 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA...ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, IT STALLED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,000.

2002 ALTIMA BEGAN STALLING DURING LOW SPEEDS TRIGGERING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ACCOMPANIED BY REDUCED ENGINE POWER. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED PROBLEM WITH CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH WAS CLEARLY LISTED UNDER RECALL. NISSAN WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RECALL STATING THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE TO ECM REPROGRAMMED WHICH WOULD NOT FIX STALLING PROBLEM BUT WOULD MAKE THE ECM MORE SENSITIVE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE CSP SENSOR. NISSAN WOULD NOT PERFORM THE ECM REPROGRAM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. NISSAN WANTED TO RUN A $90 DIAGNOSTICS TEST FIRST. I TOOK CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC THE HAVE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED WITH UPDATED FACTORY MODEL. THE SENSOR THAT WAS REMOVED WAS CLEARLY THE OLDER FLAWED MODEL WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A SLOW STOP AND THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SMELLS BURNING OIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

OIL IS CONSUMED AT A RATE OF APPROX. 1 QUART EVERY 200 MILES, MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THERE ARE NO NOTICABLE LEAKS. AROUND THE 80,000 MILE MARK OIL BEGAN TO RUN LOW BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INCREASING. *TR

I WENT THROUGH INSPECTIONS IN DELAWARE AND THE CAR FAILED FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE OIL IS TOO LOW. I THINK THE CAR DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE ENGINE FINALLY RESTARTED. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE ONE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS VERY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. SEEMS THAT I"M NOT ALONE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER SERVICE PEOPLE. IS COSTING ME A LOT IN REPLACING ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. MY CAR HAS 140K MILES AND I HAVE AN IMPECCABLE SERVICE RECORD AND HAVE ALL OF MY RECEIPTS FROM EVERY OIL CHANGE AND SERVICE I HAVE EVER DONE--ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AT NISSAN DEALERS. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY CAR BEGAN BURNING OIL VERY QUICKLY. IT WAS NOT LEAKING OIL AT ALL, I JUST STARTED GOING THROUGH A QUART OF OIL EVERY WEEK. THE ENGINE ALSO BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH SOMETIMES. SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER TO BE FIXED. I PAID $1200 AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM (REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ETC). HOWEVER, THE CAR STILL USED A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF OIL (BUT DOES NOT LEAK OIL) AND RUNS ROUGH. IT NOW ALSO RUNS AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE (MAXED OUT ON THE THERMOSTAT) AND I GET NO HOT AIR OUT OF MY VENTS. SO...

ENGINE LIGHT. SEE SERVICE BULLETON 06009. NHTSA# 100119613. CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, THEN WANTED TO REPLACE IPDM. HAD CAR CHECKED BY AAA CERTIFIED SHOP. CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH NOW I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH HOW CAR RUNS. AM AFRAID CAR WILL STALL ON HIGH WAY. SEVERAL MECHANICS STATED THAT THEY BELIEVE THE DEALER IS GUESSING ON THE DIAGNOSIS. NO CODES EXCEPT U1000 AND U1001 ARE BEING STORED IN COMPUTER. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. THIS AFFECT ALL 2002-2006 NISSAN. CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ALREADY FAILED, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ECM AT THE COST OF $500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,359.

I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER. MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO BE LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE MAY BE BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT LINE. THEY BLED THE LINE, REFILLED IT AND IT WAS FINE FOR AWHILE. I HAVE NO HEAT AGAIN. THEY CHECKED AND COULD FIND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR, AND EVERY FEW MONTHS I NEED MY COOLANT REPLACED AND BLED. I'VE GONE TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND NOBODY CAN FIND THE LEAK. I'VE SEARCHED MANY SITES AND FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF CAR. THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING BECAUSE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, THE CAR IDLES ROUGH AND IS DRIVING W/ HIGHER RPMS THAN IT USED. *TR

I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER. MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO BE LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE MAY BE BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT LINE. THEY BLED THE LINE, REFILLED IT AND IT WAS FINE FOR AWHILE. I HAVE NO HEAT AGAIN. THEY CHECKED AND COULD FIND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR, AND EVERY FEW MONTHS I NEED MY COOLANT REPLACED AND BLED. I'VE GONE TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND NOBODY CAN FIND THE LEAK. I'VE SEARCHED MANY SITES AND FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF CAR. THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING BECAUSE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, THE CAR IDLES ROUGH AND IS DRIVING W/ HIGHER RPMS THAN IT USED. *TR

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5L OIL CONSUMPTION! I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 18 MILES, I HAVE DONE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3K. I LOSE ALMOST A QUART EVERY 1K MILES. I HAVE SEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THE VQ AND STILL NO RECALL. PLEASE HELP! *TR

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L. I HAD MY CAR LOOKED AT IN EARLY 2008 BECAUSE MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING. THE MECHANIC SAID THE COOLANT WAS LOW BUT COULD FIND NO PROBLEM SO HE TOPPED IT OFF AND TOLD ME TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT. IN THE SUMMER OF 2008 I NOTICED IT WAS GOING THROUGH COOLANT AGAIN. IT WOULD ALSO SHUDDER WHEN FIRST STARTED AND A FOUL BLACK SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS OUT. SO HE IS REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET. HE JUST ORDERED THE PARTS AND HIS SUPPLIER SAID THEY WERE SENDING OUT ABOUT ONE A MONTH, WHICH IS A LOT. THEY ALSO HAVE A DIFFERENT NUMBER, SO IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD GASKET. INITIAL COSTS PUT IT AROUND $1500. I DID INTERNET RESEARCH AND...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,764.

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 105,000 MILES. I HAVE NO OIL LEAKS, SMOKE COMING OUT WHEN I DRIVE BUT MY CAR IS CONSUMING A QUART OR MORE A WEEK. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THEY HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. BUT ON CAR COMPLAINTS THERE ARE SEVERAL. I AM AFRAID MY ENGINE WOULD BLOW WHEN I AM DRIVING. *TR

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN TOLD MY CAR IS NOT FIT FOR THE ROAD AND AS THE MECHANIC AND SALES PERSON TOLD ME, IS A "TICKING TIME BOMB". THE CAR WAS VOLUNTARILY RECALLED IN 2003 BY NISSAN AND I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HEAT UP AND BREAK DOWN THE CATALYST CAUSING IT TO SPRAY PIECES BACK INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT NISSAN TELLS ME HE IS "AWARE OF THE ISSUE" BUT MY CAR IS NOW OUTSIDE OF THE 80,000 MILE WARRANTY AND IT DOESN'T MATTER( I JUST TURNED OVER 100,000). NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THAT I DID TAKE MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AND MANY TIMES AFTER WHEN THE SENSORS WENT OFF...

IN LATE 2007, I WOULD HAVE TO START UP MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD CRANK UP. ON THE WAY HOME ONE DAY, AS I WAS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR SHUT OFF AT LOW SPEED. I REVIEWED MY PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THINKING THAT THIS WOULD BE A FREE FIX, NOOOTTT! IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL. I PAID ABOUT $300 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS YEAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. AROUND MAY I HAD MY ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. MY BELT WOULD ALSO START TO RATTLE WHENEVER THE CAR WOULD BE STOPPED IN DRIVE WITH THE A/C ON. THIS WOULD NOT OCCUR WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, ONLY IN DRIVE. THE RATTLING WOULD GO AWAY ONCE...

MY ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT SHUT OFF!!!! *TR

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. 1)REAR PADS + ROTORS WORN AT 35,000 MILES: REPLACED AT OWNERS COST. NOW 83000 MILES(MAY '08): DEALER HAS TOLD ROTORS AND PAD NEED REPLACEMENT AND POSSIBLY CALIPERS NEED TO BE EVALUATED. AT 75000 MILE CHECK EVERYTHING WAS OK. (PER THE SERVICE RECORD). IN JAN'08 I HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE BREAKS TO BE INSPECTED. TOLD OK. NOW SUDDENLY THE ROTORS ARE SHOT. OTHER THAN A SQUEAL SOUND FOR 2 DAYS NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. CONCERNED ABOUT HOW BRAKES GO FROM FINE TO SHOT IN 3 MONTHS. I THINK IT IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN IF THE TIME IT TAKES BREAKS TO DISINTEGRATE IS LESS THAN A 3 MONTH PERIOD. 2) ENGINE NOT STARTING AFTER PARKED IN THE COLD. HAPPENED TWICE ONCE AT 48000 MILES. (LOWER BILL. ) 2ND TIME AT 78000 MILES. (HUGE BILL ~$1000). MULTIPLE PARTS REPLACED AND SERVICED. HIGHLIGHTED AS PROBLEM ON VARIOUS FORUMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR...

LOSING OIL AND COOLANT WHICH LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IN MARCH 2006. REPLACED ENGINE AND 50K MILES LATER LOSING COOLANT AND MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3. SUSPECT HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND TAKE 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WORSENED OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE TWO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS (03V455000 AND 07V527000), BOTH FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. SEVERAL YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND A REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED HIM THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2004, THE TECHNICIAN USED THE SAME EXACT PART THAT THEY REMOVED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,555. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 06/09/08. *JB

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURES THAT ARE INCREASING ACCORDING TO REPORTS WIDELY PUBLICIZED ON THE INTERNET. THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT IN US. IN SPEAKING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE REASON FOR THE RECALL BEING RECOGNIZED IN CANADA BUT NOT IN THE U.S. IS DUE TO THE FACTORY IN WHICH VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED. SEEMS TO ME THIS REASON IS RIDICULOUS IF THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING IN THE U.S. TOO! SEE INFO BELOW: TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL NUMBER 2003060. UNITS AFFECTED: 30589. 2002-2003: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD WHICH COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. CORRECTION: DEALER WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. ALSO, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND...

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,...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NISSAN REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS START, IT IS LOSING COOLANT, AND THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,400.

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA BEGAN OVERHEATING, LOSING COOLANT RAPIDLY AND GAUGES INDICATED RAPID TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS. UPON TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER, VISUAL DIAGNOSTIC SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT OF VALVE COVER GASKET. GASKET WAS REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $300. OVERHEATING RESUMED AFTER REPAIRS IN ADDITION TO OVERHEATING, VEHICLE BEGAN PRODUCING WHITE SMOKE AS WELL AS MISFIRING UPON START-UP. COMPUTERIZED DIAGNOSTIC WAS THEN COMPLETED. DIAGNOSIS WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. REPAIR COST WAS QUOTED AT $2100 PLUS TAXES. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET WASN'T ISOLATED TO ME ALONE AND THAT THERE ARE MANY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS THAT BLOW THE HEAD GASKET AROUND 70,000 TO 90,000 MILES. MANY CUSTOMERS APPEAR TO HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT NISSAN BUT COMPANY WILL NOT OWN UP TO APPARENT DEFECT WITH THE MODEL. IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO BLOW A VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET AND IT IS UNFAIR FOR A MODEL TO HAVE SUCH A MAJOR...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IDLING IN TRAFFIC, DRIVING DOWNHILL, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYDAY. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL JERK HARD. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN MARCH OF 2008, BUT THE STALLING RECURRED THREE WEEKS LATER. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,685 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AFTER THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WAS REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT NO FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 05/13/08. *LJUPDATED 05/13/08. *JB

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE FOR NISSAN ALTIMA RELATED TO POWER VALVE/BUTTERFLY VALVE INTAKE MANIFOLD DESIGN. THIRD GENERATION ALTIMA'S QR25DE 4-CYLINDER AND VQ35DE 6-CYLINDER ENGINES HAVE UNFORTUNATELY BEEN AFFECTED BY A RECALL RELATED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE POWER VALVES, ALSO KNOWN AS THE BUTTERFLY VALVE. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN P5202 - DOES NOT MENTION ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR PRODUCTION YEARS W SAME DESIGN. THIS HAS LEFT SOME OWNERS AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM WITH NO RECOURSE/REMEDY FOR WHAT IN SOME CASES HAS AMOUNTED TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE POWER VALVE IS A SERIES OF FOUR PLATES IN THE QR25DE 4-CYLINDER AND 6 PLATES IN THE VQ35DE 6-CYLINDER ENGINES, ONE PER CYLINDER. THE PLATES OPEN AND CLOSE SIMULTANEOUSLY TO ALLOW MORE AIR INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER FOR INCREASED POWER. EACH PLATE IS HELD IN PLACE BY TWO SCREWS. THE SCREWS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO COME LOOSE AS WELL AS THE PLATES AND...

NO HEAT, OIL LOSS, COOLANT LOSS, CHECK ENGINE STATING MISFIRE, O2 SENSORS REPLACED, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, CURRENTLY CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY GETTING THE RECALL REMEDIED BECAUSE SHE LIVES IN A REMOTE AREA WITH THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER BEING 2.5 HOURS AWAY. SHE IS FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY DEFECT. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THEM TOW THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED HER MESSAGES. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE CONSUMING OIL. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VIN AND PRODUCTION DATE IS NOT IN THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE THE DEALER TOLD HER THEY CANNOT FIX HER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE OIL AND THE VEHICLE MADE A ROUGH IDLING SOUND. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD GONE BAD, AND BEING THAT IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT OIL AND OTHER DEBRIS HAD EXTRACTED BACK INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH CAUSED THE PISTONS TO GRIND ON BROKEN CONVERTER PIECES. *JB

CAR ENGINE STOPPED WORKING ON THE ROAD. *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT FALLS WITHIN NHTSA RECALL # 03V-084 (CAMPAIGN ID# R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016 & R3017). THE RECALL CAMPAIGN (NTB03-070B) WAS DONE IN 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, SOMETIME BEFORE 95,000 MILES ON THE CAR, A FAILURE OF THE PRE-CAT OCCURRED WITH EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. MATERIAL FROM INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST ENTERED THE CYLINDERS AND RESULTED IN HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND NOW NISSAN IS RECOMMENDING A NEW ENGINE. THIS DEMONSTRATES THAT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OR THE DEALER DID NOT FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES. EVEN WITH A NEW CATALYST THERE IS STILL A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF ANOTHER FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FIRE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2008 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, SHE NOTICED THE SAME SYMPTOMS WITH THE ENGINE, BUT OF A MILDER DEGREE. THE VEHICLE APPEARED AS IF IT WOULD STALL AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, BUT DID NOT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,900.

WELL I HAVE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 I HAVE ABOUT 66,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM . IT FIRST STARTED WHEN THEY HAD RECALL OXYGEN SENSOR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME SENSOR 3 TIMES ALREADY AT ABOUT COST OF $350 EACH TIME . NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND TOLD ME I HAD TO CHANGE MY ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS FOR ABOUT $1000 DOLLARS . AFTER THAT WAS COMPLETED THERE WAS NO CHANGE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON ENGINE IDLES ROUGH ALWAYS HAVING TO FILL COOLANT . AND HAVE HAD TO BEEN TOWED SEVERAL TIME TO THE DEALER WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT IS WRONG. *TR

THROUGHOUT THE LAST 4 YRS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION IT DOESN'T ENGAGE. I HAVE PULLED FROM A PARKING SPOT USING REVERSE, AND JUST WHEN I AM PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND SHIFT TO DRIVE THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. THE ENGINE DOESN'T REACT TO THE ACCELERATOR; THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE. WHEN IT HAPPENS I HAVE TO PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. ONE TIME IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINS TO BE ABLE TO RESTART AND RESTORE ALL FUNCTIONS. ON ANOTHER OCCASION I ENDED UP HAVING TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE SCARY PART IS THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST; GETTING INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR MY OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY....

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE ENGINE WAS PERFORMED IN 2004; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. SHE STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V527000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.

WE OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA (PURCHASED AT AUTOWAY NISSAN, CLEARWATER, FL IN 2002) AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME MECHANICAL FAILURE AS MANY WHO HAVE POSTED TO THIS AND MANY OTHER SITES. WITH 100,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WE HAVE JUST LEARNED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS DISINTEGRATED AND METAL PARTS ARE NOW THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED OR WALK AWAY FROM A 5 YEAR OLD CAR THAT, OTHER THAN THIS DEFECT, IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. UPON SPEAKING TO AUTOWAY NISSAN WE WERE INFORMED SINCE THE CAR HAS EXCEEDED THE 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NISSAN WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS. UPON TYPING IN 'NISSAN CATALYTIC CONVERTER' IN GOOGLE KEY WORD SEARCH MY HUSBAND AND I FOUND IT IS ENLIGHTENING AND CONCERNING TO READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME MECHANICAL FAILURE. I'M SURE THERE...

RECENT RECALL FOR 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA DATED 11/07/2007. I RECENTLY CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REGARDING A RECALL I SAW WHILE SURFING THE WEB. I CALLED NISSAN TWICE, NOV. 7, 2007 & JAN. 10. 2008, AND THEY GAVE ME A FILE# AND FAXED ME A LETTER STATING "THESE REPAIRS ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO YOU". YET WHEN I TRIED TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY SAID I HAD TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC OR THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT EVEN UNDER THE RECALL. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ALREADY, REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SINCE 2007, I AM DISABLED AND ON A FIXED INCOME, THIS CAR PROBLEM HAS PUT ME IN CRITICAL FINANCIAL TROUBLE. WHEN I NOTIFIED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. OF MY PROBLEM TRYING TO GET IT FIXED THEY TOLD ME TO TRY AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER HOW MUCH THE...

(1) CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND EVENTUALLY CAUSED ENGINE TO FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH. CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. (2) I REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO ME AGAIN. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. (3) UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND I CAN PRODUCE 100'S OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS??? *TR

PURCHASED VEHICLE JULY 3, 2006. AUGUST 8, 2006- SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REPORTED MULTI CYLINDER MISFIRE, SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. FEB 07- SAME CODE FOUND AND SPARK PLUGS AND O2 SENSORS REPLACED. JUNE 07- SAME CODE, ENGINE FLOODS TWICE, CAR CRANK BUT WONT START AND SPARK PLUGS, COILS, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. NISSAN TECH COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT MENTIONED COOLANT WAS LOW AND SO THAT WAS WHY THE CYLINDER MISFIRE AND HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE FIXED. OCT. 07 ENGINE SHUT OFF ABOUT 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. NOVEMBER 07- ENGINE FAILS. NO RECOURSE FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS NOR WHERE NISSAN CAR WAS PURCHASED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND HAD THE REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THREE YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED FIVE MINUTES LATER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,640. UPDATED 3/18/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HAD THE AIRBAG SENSOR RECALL PERFORMED. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. ON DECEMBER 1, 2007, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT, CRANK SHAFT, AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE TWO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS REGARDING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (03V455000 AND 07V527000). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/06/08. *LJ THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. UPDATED

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...

IN AUGUST OF 2007, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CRANKSHAFT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. I THEN RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED NISSAN VIA THEIR WEBSITE TO INQUIRY IF MY PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL BECAUSE I DO NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WAS TRYING TO DETERMINE IF I SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR JOB. NISSAN USA NEVER RESPONDED TO ME. NOW I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT. THE DESCRIPTION IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME: I.E, LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING DURING LOW SPEEDS. THE DIAGNOSIS CODE IS P0335, CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. IF THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM, I FELT THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED WHAT I PAID FOR THIS REPAIR JOB. *TR