2002 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
- 164
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 164 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 7 indicate fire
What owners report
- catalytic converter · 31 records
- engine light · 21 records
- check engine · 16 records
- head gasket · 12 records
- current mileage · 12 records
- failure mileage · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 77 |
| 100–150k mi | 30 |
| 30–60k mi | 13 |
| 150–400k mi | 9 |
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
No real warning. Engine starting knocking one day and found out it was 2 quarts low after changing it the previous week. Put 2 quarts of oil more in and drove 300 miles to only find that it was low again. I have to put oil in around every 200 miles now to prevent my engine from making loud noises. The mechanic i took it too said the cat converters and motor needed replacement. I am a college student and cannot…
ODI 10397174
Engine
At 85,000 miles, the car began to shudder and had difficulty accelerating; the diagnosis was a blown head gasket. At around 130,000 miles the car started feeling rough and making rattling sounds. The dealer replaced the right and back engine mounts, leaking valve cover gaskets, front lower control arms, and left front hub and bearing but the sound still exists. At 141000 miles the "check engine light" came on and…
ODI 10393915
Engine
I bought a nissan altima 2002 2.5 one month ago from her previous owner i drove the car back home it was smooth and perfect i put a temporary plates on it to do safety and emission test to it put before i do that i replaced the oil in it and after a couple of days i drove it to do the safety checks on it suddenly the car was making noise from the engine while i was driving on the highway and i was going about 100…
Fire reported
ODI 10383903
Engine
Nissan 02 altima 2.5s has problem with engine/cat converter, car developed a p0420 error and has been routinely consuming oil, now dealer has diagnosed problem of cat converter disintegrating and getting sucked into engine causing it to fail, estimate for repair is ~ $6,000. See following links for the similar problem reported by others.…
ODI 10379351
Engine · Rear
I have a 2002 nissan altima, that is burning oil. I have to put at least two quarts of oil in there every 2 weeks. Now my car is shuttering and hissing at me and not getting anymore when i accelerate. I'm being told that i will need a new catalytic converter and possibly an engine. Nissan is willing to do nothing about this issue. After doing some research i'm showing that this a common problem with this year of car…
ODI 10367222
Cooling System · Engine
The car began to loose acceleration and the engine would kick and then gained the acceleration back. After 20 miles of driving started loosing acceleration again and shut off on a under construction interstate w/one lane of traffic. No service lights at first and after cranking and driving another 10-15 or so it stalled again and the check-engine, oil, and brake indicator's lights on the dash board came on. Checked…
ODI 10359949
Engine
My vehicle has shut off three times while driving in traffic. Of course, this has been extremely dangerous each time, and we have been very lucky to avoid accidents. Each time, we have had to find a way to get the vehicle to a safe location, and have it towed. Because various mechanics have been unable to properly diagnose the problem, we have given up on driving the vehicle. We have now been through three…
ODI 10386054
Engine
2002 nissan altima. Excessive oil consumption with no leak and problems with the vehicle starting. Dealer states head gasket is blown. Did not look at catalytic converter although i asked them to look into the problem as it mirrored issues car was recalled for. Nissan will not cover as a consequence of mileage 112,000. Many complaints online regarding the same issue. Please investigate for the thousands of owners…
ODI 10358364
Engine
2002 nissan altima engine has hole in the side. I was told they had a recall to put a shied between the engine and the catalytic converter. I think this was done to stop the heat from the cat. Converter from fatiguing the block. Well on my car they did the recall but it didn't work! I had to put another engine in the car! I have also put a complaint in for the floor boards rotting out on the same car! Nissan doesn't…
ODI 10376966
Engine
I had a 2002 nissan altima with 125,000 miles. I was told by nissan that my catalytic converter was bad and there was only one quart of oil in the engine after my check engine light came on. They added oil and i had to replace it again after only 2 weeks. I called the nissan dealership about the excessive oil consumption and was told that the only thing i can do to fix this problem is to replace the engine. I have…
ODI 10360499
Engine · Exhaust System
There were no significant events leading up to this failure. Vehicle has been meticulously maintained. Failure was recognized by cel p0420. Catalytic converters were replaced. Now engine has lost power and is emitting smoke. Coolant and engine oil are dropping at increasing rates requiring constant attention but have never been allowed to be "dry." now engine needs to be replaced. This appears to be consistent with…
ODI 10361043
Engine · Engine And Engine Cooling · Exhaust System
I made a complaint by phone regarding my 2002 nissan altima and have yet to hear back or get a copy as promised of my complaint. Due to the many complaints, concerns and problems related to this year ,make and model ,you would think nissan would be a little bit more concerned and wanting to remedy the problems that exist to avoid legal action for ignoring a potently dangerous problem that could be deadly . All…
ODI 10352894
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While the contact was driving approximately 45 mph, he noticed that the engine light appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the 02 ring needed to be replaced. The contact noticed prior that the vehicle would not start or would hesitate while being driven. The vehicle has not been serviced and the current and failure…
ODI 10298406
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. Within a few hours, she was able to restart the vehicle without difficulty. In addition, the vehicle burned oil excessively. The contact confirmed that she the oil was changed at least three times a week. The dealer was called and stated that there were no related recalls for her vin. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the…
ODI 10328603
Engine
The car had dark oil on the car lot and we just asked to have oil changed, we have mentioned this when we took the car for recalls, always having to add oil and now losing anti freeze. No one could find out where the oil and antifreeze were going-not on the driveway or anywhere. A mystery. Even the first diagnostic test did not show what was going on. Left the car all night to test it. This has been going on for…
ODI 10289958
Engine
Engine needs to be replaced due to a time chain and other engine parts being defective. Vehicle currently has 91,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10289266
Engine
2002 nissan altima 2.5l s. Has started consuming oil despite regular maintenance andu se ig hoigh quality mobile 1 5w30 oil. In searching internet there are thousands of complaints from owners of this model year and engine. Nissan know about the issue and offers no relief. Time for a class action lawsuit. I have not had a car burn oil and have driven every one of my cars over 200,000 and sold them. *tr
ODI 10286258
Engine
Vehicle check engine light came on. Took car in to garage and code reads catalytic converter. Converter was replaced, drove car home and engine was making a ticking noise. Brought car in to dealership on sept. 30, 2009. Dealership said i needed new timing chain to get the noise in engine to stop. Timing chain replaced, and same noise still existed. Dealership had my car for 2 weeks and in the end they said they…
ODI 10290032
Engine
2002 nissan altima check engine light with catalytic converter breaking up and pieces destroying the engine. The engine has started burning oil with loud noises. Was told car needed a new engine by dealer with no explanation on why. Car has only 97, 000 miles and is well maintained. Contacted nissan consumer affairs and was told to send all maintenance records. After they reviewed all my records i was told they…
ODI 10286993
Engine · Exhaust System
I bought a 2002 nissan altima in november 2005. The last two years i have been having several problems concerning the vehicle including, jerking, stalling on highway, over heating and smoking. I have a the oc sensors replaced, spark plugs, cadillac converts, coils...the list goes on and on. I noticed my oil light always coming on and the need to always refill the oil but i could not see where it was leaking from.…
ODI 10283574
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle completely shut off. The contact coasted to the side of the road and was towed to an authorized dealership for a diagnostic test. The dealer informed her that the mass air flow sensor was defective. The failure mileage was 93,338. The current mileage was approximately 98,000. Updated 07/02/10 *lj
ODI 10323542
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the crankshaft sensor malfunctioned. The failure occurred several times before. The vehicle was taken to a local shop where the contact was informed that the crank shaft sensor and the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 65,000.
ODI 10384047
Engine
The vehicle lost power and shut off while i was driving at about 45mph on several occasions. *tr
ODI 10281766
Engine · Exhaust System
7/21/09- check engine light came on brought it into dealer and they tell me that my engine is shot and it needs to be replaced, $5,100 plus tax and labor. The parts from the pre-catalyst have be sucked through the exhaust and back into the engine scoring the cylinder walls, which increases my oil consumption and could result in a fire. After some research i discover that this has been a problem with hundreds of…
ODI 10279246
Engine
Vehicle continuously looses oil 1 1/2 qts per 500 miles regardless of how often i change the oil. I have had my vehicle in the dealership for several recall replacements{catalytic converter, crank sensor, cam sensor after vehicle shut off while driving, headlight ground, air bag sensor as well as others].vehicle has rough start every time vehicle is started. I also have complaint regarding the heater blowing cold…
ODI 10277314