NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
594 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 12, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE 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. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10258475
88,173 miles · Feb 4, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
1. EVENTS- VEHICLE CONSTANTLY MISS-FIRED. 2. FAILURE- SCREWS IN BUTTERFLY VALVE CAME OUT, WERE PASSED THROUGH PISTON, DAMAGED SPARK PLUGS AND CAME TO REST IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. 3. CORRECTION- PART "AIR PLENUM GASKET". LABOR "R&R UPPER AIR PLENUM INTAKE" AND "R&R EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO REMOVE SCREW". *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257480
78,785 miles · Feb 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ENGINE FAILURE. HE NOTICED A SILENT RECALL ON THE NISSAN WEBSITE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, ALTHOUGH HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ENGINE WAS RE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ENGINE FAILURE. HE NOTICED A SILENT RECALL ON THE NISSAN WEBSITE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, ALTHOUGH HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,000, BUT WITH LESS THAN 2,500 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND IT WAS BURNING OIL AT RAPID SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,785 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10257359
80,000 miles · Feb 2, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE AN 02 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT IS CONSUMING MY OIL AND ANITFREEZE. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND A NEW CAT. MY CAR RANDOMLY DIES AND WILL NOT START MOST OF THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257235
179,000 miles · Jan 31, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
POWER VALVE SCREWS FELL INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLATE ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 NISSIAN ALTIMA 2.5 STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR HAD BEEN IDLING VERY ROUGH AND ENGINE VIBRATION AS WELL AS INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS 24 HOURS PRIOR TO ISSUE. TOOK IT TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE PVC VALUE SCREW FELL INTAKE MA…
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POWER VALVE SCREWS FELL INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLATE ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 NISSIAN ALTIMA 2.5 STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR HAD BEEN IDLING VERY ROUGH AND ENGINE VIBRATION AS WELL AS INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS 24 HOURS PRIOR TO ISSUE. TOOK IT TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE PVC VALUE SCREW FELL INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS WAS ALSO CONFIRMED BY NISSAN. HOWEVER IT WAS ONLY RECALLED ON THE 2004-2006 MODELS. IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT NISSAN HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE ON MY VEHICLE IN 2004, THEREFORE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT BECAUSE MY CALL IS 02 NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE PROBLEM. 2002 MODELS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257026
32,500 miles · Jan 30, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AROUND THE FUEL TANK. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AROUND THE FUEL TANK. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE KNOCKING NOISE ORIGINATED FROM THE OVERHEAD CAM COMPONENT OF THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT MAINTAINED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS THAT DESCRIBED THE SAME FAILURES HE EXPERIENCED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V455000 AND 03V455000). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,600.
NHTSA ODI #10256989
100,000 miles · Jan 30, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED AND SHATTERED. THE SHATTERED PIECES ENTE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED AND SHATTERED. THE SHATTERED PIECES ENTERED INTO THE MOTOR, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO COMPLETELY FAIL. THE ONLY REMEDY WOULD BE TO INSTALL A NEW ENGINE AND A NEW EXHAUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REASON FOR THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS MANUFACTURED INTO THE VEHICLE BY NISSAN. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10256932
133,000 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER PROPERLY. ENGINE RATTLES. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALTHOUGH PREVIOUS RECALLS WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM HAVE BEEN HONORED NISSAN FAILS TO RECO…
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MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER PROPERLY. ENGINE RATTLES. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALTHOUGH PREVIOUS RECALLS WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM HAVE BEEN HONORED NISSAN FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE COMPLAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256468
126,846 miles · Jan 24, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
WELL MAINTAINED 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA.... FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES, HAD ALL RECALLS PERFORMED ALL WORK PERFORMED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. HAS HAD CONTINUAL OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES, HAD HEAT ISSUES, CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE LEADING TO FULL ENGINE FAILURE. NISSAN DENIES ANY WRONG DOING AND WILL NOT HELP DUE TO MILEAGE ON …
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WELL MAINTAINED 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA.... FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES, HAD ALL RECALLS PERFORMED ALL WORK PERFORMED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. HAS HAD CONTINUAL OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES, HAD HEAT ISSUES, CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE LEADING TO FULL ENGINE FAILURE. NISSAN DENIES ANY WRONG DOING AND WILL NOT HELP DUE TO MILEAGE ON THE CAR. HOWEVER THIS PROBLEM STARTED WELL WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THE DEALERSHIP(S) DID NOT DO LET US KNOW ABOUT A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN (CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN FRONT OF THE EXHAUST). THERE ARE 1000 OF CONSUMERS ON THE INTERNET WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256239
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE BEGAN CONSUMING AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE ENGINE WAR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE BEGAN CONSUMING AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $900. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 02-11-09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST. UPDATED 02/12/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10255343
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 ↗