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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 · 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

98,777 miles · Apr 7, 2011
Structure

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I TAKE GOOD CARE OF. I DON'T DRIVE IT IN THE WINTER SO IT DOESN'T SEE MUCH SALT.I RECENTLY NOTICED RUST HOLES IN BOTH MY DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOORBOARDS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING THE CAR IS BARELY SEVEN YEARS OLD AND SO WELL TAKEN CARE OF.MY OPINION IS THAT THE…

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I TAKE GOOD CARE OF. I DON'T DRIVE IT IN THE WINTER SO IT DOESN'T SEE MUCH SALT.I RECENTLY NOTICED RUST HOLES IN BOTH MY DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOORBOARDS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING THE CAR IS BARELY SEVEN YEARS OLD AND SO WELL TAKEN CARE OF.MY OPINION IS THAT THE METAL USED IS FAR TOO THIN AND THAT IT IS A FLAWED DESIGN.NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL OF THESE ALTIMAS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE IT RIGHT.I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395214

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…

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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…

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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

137,000 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Electrical System

WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT I NOTICED THE LIGHTS DIM IN THE REFLECTION OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I ALSO SAW A RED LIGHT ON THE DASH WHICH I HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE NEAR THE TOP ABOVE THE GEAR INDICATOR. THEN WHEN I APPROACHED THE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THE LIGHTS DIM AGAIN AS MY RPM'S DROPPED BELOW 1000. ALL WAS FINE O…

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WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT I NOTICED THE LIGHTS DIM IN THE REFLECTION OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I ALSO SAW A RED LIGHT ON THE DASH WHICH I HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE NEAR THE TOP ABOVE THE GEAR INDICATOR. THEN WHEN I APPROACHED THE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THE LIGHTS DIM AGAIN AS MY RPM'S DROPPED BELOW 1000. ALL WAS FINE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I GOT OFF AT AN EXIT NEAR MY HOUSE WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A LEFT ON MY ROAD THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. COMPLETELY DEAD ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OFF NO RADIO NO HEAT NOTHING! I SHIFTED IT OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER TRIED TO TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND THEY DID NOT WORK EITHER. I COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF N/D WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS WAS AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE AS I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AND PISSED OFF A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AS I WAS IN A DARK INTERSECTION FOR ALMOST 5 MINUTES IN A BLACK CAR. I TRIED TURNING THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND NOTHING HAPPENED ? IT WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THAT I COULD HEAR SOME ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY (THE KEY WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION) AND THEN SOME LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS LATER I COULD START THE CAR AND GO ON MY WAY. ALL ELECTRICAL SETTINGS WERE RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULTS ALL RADIO PRESETS ETC THE RADIO AND HEAT WERE POWERED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373378

134,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Structure

RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS IN PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF 2001-2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARDS DUE TO A DRAINAGE PLUG THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK AFTER THEY SAID I WOULD GET A CALL BACK. THE RU…

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RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS IN PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF 2001-2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARDS DUE TO A DRAINAGE PLUG THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK AFTER THEY SAID I WOULD GET A CALL BACK. THE RUSTED OUT FLOOR PANS CAN BECOME A HAZARD IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAPPEN TO SEE THEM THEN YOU WILL NOT NO THEY ARE THERE. MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOUND; IT SEEMS THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED ALL THEY WAY THROUGH TO THE MAIN CABIN. I AM AFRAID THAT IF PEOPLE NEVER CHECK FOR THIS PROBLEM, IT WILL PROGRESSIVELY RUST THROUGH AND AFFECT YOUR SEATS AND EVERYTHING THAT IS THERE. LOOKS LIKE NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM! THEY DON'T CARE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370468

43,000 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Air BagsCrash

HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING 15MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 30MPH! THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367999

89,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 32 DEGREES,WHEN CARE IS FIRST STARTED POWER BRAKES DO NOT WORK UNTIL CARE WARMS UP, TAKING CARE TO DEALER THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR CAR TO WARM UP BECAUSE OF A CHECK VALVE ON BRAKE BOOSTER HAVING MOISTURE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363617

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

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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