NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,047 reports60,493 miles · Jun 7, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TAKES HER VEHICLE IN REGULARLY FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND IS UPSET THAT AT 60,000 MILES, THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START PROPERLY ON JUNE 9, 2007 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. ON MAY 13, 2007, THE VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING AND S…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TAKES HER VEHICLE IN REGULARLY FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND IS UPSET THAT AT 60,000 MILES, THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START PROPERLY ON JUNE 9, 2007 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. ON MAY 13, 2007, THE VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING AND SHAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN BATTLING WITH THE CORPORATE OFFICE EVERY SINCE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,604 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,493.
NHTSA ODI #10192667
45,000 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND BURNING OIL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW ENGINE AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 110,00…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND BURNING OIL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW ENGINE AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10192560
65,000 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD THE ENGINE ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER, BUT WOULD ONLY START WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE ONLY RESTARTED WITH A JUMP START. THE BATTERY WA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD THE ENGINE ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER, BUT WOULD ONLY START WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE ONLY RESTARTED WITH A JUMP START. THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC WHO FOUND NO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE RECALL WAS SERVICED TWICE BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10192529
85,500 miles · May 24, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
HINGED SEATBACK LATCH FAILED. NO APPARENT CAUSE; I DISENGAED IT TO USE THE PASS-THROUGH FEATURE OF THE SEAT AND WHEN I WENT TO LATCH IT, I NOTICED THE LATCH HAD FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #10191634
78,903 miles · May 23, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CUSTOMER STATES THAT IN OCTOBER SHE NOTICED OIL LEAK AND HAS TAKEN CAR IN AND NOTICE HAS BEEN FOUND BUT CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM**CC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE QUALIFIED FOR A NEW ENGINE. HOWEVER WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS TOLD SHE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR EVEN HAVING THE EXIS…
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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CUSTOMER STATES THAT IN OCTOBER SHE NOTICED OIL LEAK AND HAS TAKEN CAR IN AND NOTICE HAS BEEN FOUND BUT CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM**CC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE QUALIFIED FOR A NEW ENGINE. HOWEVER WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS TOLD SHE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR EVEN HAVING THE EXISTING ENGINE FIXED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S STANDARDS THAT A VEHICLE CONSUMING 3/4 QUART OF OIL WAS ACCEPTABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, BEFORE IT JUST FLICKERED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10192145
67,000 miles · May 21, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER DAMAGED WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO PREVENT. NISSAN AND THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN THE MATTER. THE RECALL R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER DAMAGED WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO PREVENT. NISSAN AND THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN THE MATTER. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN JANUARY OF 2004 AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED THAT SAME YEAR. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 145,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #10191305
97,288 miles · May 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO TO THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT AFTER REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE THE CATALYST CONVERTER BROKE CAUSING THE RINGS IN THE ENGINE WALL TO BE DESTROYED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO TO THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT AFTER REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE THE CATALYST CONVERTER BROKE CAUSING THE RINGS IN THE ENGINE WALL TO BE DESTROYED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE BURNED EXCESSIVE OIL. AFTER DRIVING 645 MILES THE VEHICLE BURNED TWO QUARTS OF OIL. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 ALTIMA. THIS IS THE SECOND CATALYST CONVERTER REPLACEMENT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 131654 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97288.
NHTSA ODI #10191130
90,000 miles · May 16, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 112,000 AND FAILURE MI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10190917
50,762 miles · May 14, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS 50700 MILES ON IT. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM BECAUSE CATALYST SUBSTRATE PARTICLES FLEW INTO THE ENGINE. THESE PARTICLES HAVE SCORED THE CYLINDER WALLS. NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BASED ON NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE02078, NISSAN HAD MADE PREVENTIVE CHANGES TO …
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THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS 50700 MILES ON IT. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM BECAUSE CATALYST SUBSTRATE PARTICLES FLEW INTO THE ENGINE. THESE PARTICLES HAVE SCORED THE CYLINDER WALLS. NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BASED ON NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE02078, NISSAN HAD MADE PREVENTIVE CHANGES TO THE CAR TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM, AS REQUIRED BY LAW IN 2004. BUT WHATEVER THEY DID HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT RECURRED. SO NOW THE ALTIMA 2002 HAD AN ENGINE FAILURE BECAUSE OF THE PRE CATALYST OVERHEATING PROBLEM, AND NISSAN WAS REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM . THEY STATED HAD DONE RECALL PROCEDURES IN 2004. IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR NHTSA TO LOOK TO THIS MATTER AS NISSAN HAD NOT FIXED THE DEFECTS JUST PROLONGED IT. THERE WERE LOT OF ALTIMA OWNERS AT RISK AS THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. SO OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION SHOULD OPEN THIS INVESTIGATION AGAIN TO GET NISSAN TO FIX THE PRE CATLYST OVERHEAT PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190655
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE NEWER MODEL, AND NISSAN REFUSED TO REPAIR IT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEMS ONLY PERTAINED TO 2003-2004 MODELS, NOT THE 2002 MODELS *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190333
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 ↗
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