KnownCarProblems2004 Nissan Altima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 276 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Nissan Altima, most often about the engine (50% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is 15th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Nissan Altima problems
Engine
138 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact received recall notice # 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling). However, she had the repair work performed prior to receiving the notice. She has contacted the manufacturer about reimbursement and they have yet to respond. The engine size was unknown. The current and…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact received a recall notice regarding the ECM, which causes the vehicle to shut off. The failure occurred while driving approximately 40 MPH. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they informed her that the notice was sent out mistakenly. She notified Nissan, but has not…
Body and structure
42 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
My 2004 Nissan Altima has severe corrosion on the passenger-side floor board. I fear this vehicle is no longer safe to drive> Nissan is aware of this issue and has been for several years yet they refuse to repair these corrosion issues, claiming there are not a safety issue and out of warranty.
I have two safety related issues with this vehicle. 1) the front subframe has holes due to rust. 2) the front passenger floor board is rusted through with a hole approximately 10" x 20". I took that car to fred martin Nissan for an inspection. They stated that these issues are not covered by warranty, recall or…
Electrical
32 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, starter assembly, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
Car stalls and stops running on a day basis while being driven and servic engine soon light is on. Nissan dealer reprogrammed ECM, car still stalls, service engine light soon still on. I have almost been in several accidents due to car quitting and power brakes and steering shutting down while driving. Nissan not…
"engine service soon light" came on and took car to the shop on 10/31/06. At the time it came on there were no running problems. Nissan dealer replaced rear 02 sensor and diagnoses and reprogrammed engine control module. On 11/20/06 (less than three weeks later) the "engine service soon light" came on again. Prior to…
Transmission
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, manual transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. Intermittently, when shifting from first to second gear and vice versa, there is a hard jerk. It feels as if the front end of the vehicle is going to drop. The failure occurs once the vehicle has warmed up, especially in warm weather when the contact brings the vehicle to a stop.…
We purchased a 2004 Nissan Altima from crate lake mazda, medford, or jan 31,2009. Two weeks after we had the vehicle it started to buck and act like it wanted die when you stopped at a light. We went back to the dealer and the sales person that sold US the car and were told there was no warranty we had to pay. We took…
Air bags
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I was in an accident on october 20, 2014 and my insurance considered car as " total loss" after appraisal but air bag did not open even though it was severe damage as I rear ended car in front. I did suffer muscle ache for couple of days but no medical attention was needed even my prescription glasses for distance…
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact was driving approximately 20 MPH making a u turn, and suddenly another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the vehicle. The front driver's side shoulder seat belt webbing failed to tightly secure the contact's body during the impact and also the air bags did not…
Steering
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
A defective steering universal assembly. Occurred suddenly. I could barely steer the car. Very dangerous . Thank goodness it happened in my neighborhood and not on the highway.58,000 miles on the car. I wrote Nissan canada about the problem and they contacted me by telephone. I was told that Nissan didn't consider it…
The vehicle makes a clunking sound and power steering ?sticks? When turning the wheel. Though no accidents, there have been near misses due to me not being able to turn on time. This problem is extremely dangerous and should be recalled.
Suspension
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, multiple axle.
Car accident in may 26 off 2010 the ben repair I not satisfy have sam extrayer noises was never have before the accident insurance company do not want paid for the repairs they said is not part off the accident the noise never existing before the time.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air compressor failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the parts were too expensive. The contact had to replace the wheel bearings on both sides of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Brakes
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a loud crunching noise coming from the front of the vehicle. As a result, the stopping distance increased. The dealer reprogrammed the vdc and stated that the failure could be due to the brake booster. Approximately five days later, the…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. While driving 65 MPH or lower, the vehicle acts as if it will shut off. Sometimes the vehicle stalls and will not even start. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the vehicle will not pick up speed. The vehicle will not exceed 30 MPH. Also, when driving, the vehicle jerks back…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Nissan Altima recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Questions about the 2004 Nissan Altima
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Altima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (138 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); body and structure (42 complaints, typically around 114,000 miles); electrical (32 complaints, typically around 53,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2006 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Nissan Altima?
- It is 15th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints, with 276 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.