KnownCarProblems2002 Nissan Altima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,047 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Altima, most often about the engine (65% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 5th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2002 Nissan Altima problems
Engine
682 complaints · 65%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
My 2002 Nissan Altima has a pre-catalyst that has broken apart inside and has caused severe engine damage. This has happened after my vehicle was in for recall repairs for this exact issue. Never the less, this pre-catalyst has indeed failed and the engine damage has occurred including excessive oil consumption…
While driving onto a ramp at 15 MPH, the consumer heard a loud banging sound from the engine compartment. Consumer lost the ability to steer and almost collided with another vehicle. After pulling over to the shoulder, he determined that the drive belt came off.
Body and structure
128 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
On my 2002 Nissan Altima, both the driver and passenger side floorboards are rotted out. There are holes over 1 foot square on each side below the pass and drivers feet. This is a well taken care of vehicle, purchased new,washed every month (including undercarriage). The vehicle came with a factory "undercoating"…
I own a 2002 Nissan Altima. A few months ago I noticed rust on both the passenger and driver side. The drivers side is worse than the passengers side. There is an actual hole in the metal where it has corroded. It has rusted from the inside out, so it appears to me as if it is a factory defect. I called Nissan and…
Electrical
77 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Too many issues to remember than all but I'll try: - excessive oil use - excessive coolant use - overheating to the aforementioned issues - intermittent transmission issues - failing airbag - electrical issues - broken sensors - catalytic converters gone bad - oxygen sensors gone bad - intermittent failure to start -…
: the contact stated the vehicle was purchased less than two months ago and oil has been added 8 times. There is a NHTSA recall, #03v084000, regarding the electrical system. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Fuel system
56 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
Too many issues to remember than all but I'll try: - excessive oil use - excessive coolant use - overheating to the aforementioned issues - intermittent transmission issues - failing airbag - electrical issues - broken sensors - catalytic converters gone bad - oxygen sensors gone bad - intermittent failure to start -…
Car failed 2 times while driving on the highway and failed to allow engine to run over 900 RPM's. Part replaced was throttle body chamber assembly.
Lights
42 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that there was a haze covering the headlights on the vehicle. An independent mechanic cleaned the headlights, but the failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
I have a 2002 Nissan Altima. My passenger headlight had gone out. I took my car to the dealer because I could not figure out how to get to the bulb to replace it. The dealer told me that the backside housing had melted and I needed a new headlight assembly. The dealer told me that the light/bulb reflects off of the…
Transmission
39 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine and there were no signs of an engine leak. The mechanic was unable to determine…
Was driving and the clutch sank to the floor. Couldn't get into gear so I had to pull over. Once I parked my car, the clutch was completely to the floor. Couldn't drive it because the clutch would not get into gear. Waited about 20 mins and it came up 1/4 of the way and was able to get into gear. This only happens in…
Air bags
34 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
- the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The air bag light has been flashing continuously. The mechanic stated that during diagnosis the code was b1057. There is a short in the driver's side air bag module. There was recall 02i001000 for the connectors related to that code. The mechanic took the air bag apart, and…
-the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima there is a recall on the fuel pump screen which caused the engine to stall, and the engine service light to remain on. During the diagnosis they found a service engine code pertaining to the catalyst. He took it to the dealership and called Nissan, who inform him that the dealer…
Brakes
29 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist, supply.
On extremely cold days (5 degrees f or lower) I have had several instances where the brakes do not stop the car when the car is first driven. The cause is due to apparent malfunction of a check valve in the vacuum line to power brake booster. The pedal remains hard (I.e. - the pedal does not go to the floor). Usually…
As I was driving the road at a good distance from the vehicle in front of me, the other veh stopped suddenly. I put foot on the brakes but I skid to his rear bumper with my front end. I was traveling about 40 miles per hour. The passenager side air bags deployed and the seatbelt tighten, but mind did not. Which caused…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Nissan Altima recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
Fix: 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 alt
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: The driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation on october 18, 2002 based on three reports indicating that the engine compartment in model year (my) 2002 nissan altima vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter engine caught on fire without any warning to the driver while the vehicle was driven at highway speeds.one non-burn related injury was reported as a result of the complainant exiting the vehicle in haste after it had caught on fire.nissan discovered that one of the hanger pins which holds exhaust pipe in place may catch debris from the road.if the debris were to come in contact with the main catalyst, a fire could result.this condition is also present in my 2003 nissan a
Questions about the 2002 Nissan Altima
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Altima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (682 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); body and structure (128 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); electrical (77 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Altima have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 14, 2007 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Nissan Altima?
- It is 5th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints, with 1,047 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.