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
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact complained about oil consumption failure. The check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that the catalytic converter was failing. Through further investigation debris was discovered in the engine. The dealer stated that replacing the motor would be the only way to remedy the failure. The cost of the repair would be…
ODI 10189705
Engine · Exhaust System
2002 nissan altima 2.5 s excessive oil consumption began around 92k miles. This vehicle has always had timely oil changes, suddenly the car was low on oil. The car was brought to the nissan dealership in smithtown, ny on 2/22/07, and i was informed that it needed a new engine and that there wasn't anything else that could be done. The catalytic converter was ordered on 2/23/07 (this was back-ordered). The catalytic…
ODI 10261689
Catalytic Convertor · Engine
My 2002 nissan altima 2.5s appears to have pieces of the catalytic converter in the engine cylinder, causing an engine misfire. When doing research on the internet i find hundreds of owners of this same model vehicle with the same problem and in most cases they are being denied any help from nissan due to the vehicle being out of warranty. It is obvious that there is a definite pattern of premature problems/failures…
ODI 10182957
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving at any speed, the engine made a grinding noise. The contact examined the engine and noticed that there was no oil present. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure occurred without warning. The current mileage was 118,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.
ODI 10240775
Engine · Fuel Pump · Sensor/Control Module
Tl*-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 would fix it, but nissan called back refusing to cover the cost of the repair. The failure…
ODI 10187732
Engine
My 2002 nissan altima 2.5 s started engine misfiring and stalling while in heavy traffic. This occurred with no prior warning lights or unusual performance from the engine. The malfunction indicator light then started alternating from flashing to constantly on. I consulted my vehicle manual and followed the directions to drive my vehicle at speeds less than 45 miles per hour to the dealer to have it serviced. The…
ODI 10171275
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving approximately 5 to 50mph, the vehicle began idling intermittently. Speed was not a factor. The failure has occurred since october 5, 2006. The dealer replaced the throttle body; however, that didn't correct the failure. The contact assumed the cost of $42.00 to have the vehicle re-set due an idle error. The manufacturer has given the contact five authorization…
ODI 10200162
Engine
2002 altima service engine light appeared and vehicle stalled. *ts the vehicle's had been serviced several time by the dealer because the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle lacked power, jerked and would stall. It was later determined that the vehicle developed a cracked block which caused coolant to leak in the engine. The engine was replaced. The vehicle had been maintained regularly. *nm
ODI 10171201
Engine
I own a 2002 nissan altima 2.5s. I have seen that they have issued recalls for newer models based on the engine consuming excessive amounts of oil. I have noticed the same thing happening on my car for the past few years. I have mentioned it to the dealer on a couple of occasions and have been sort of blown off and told i am not changing the oil often enough. I recently was in the dealership for a recall for the…
ODI 10168333
Engine
2002 nissan altima 2.5s difficult to start, will frequently stall once started as soon as its put into gear. (nissan dealership said it was due to "bad fuel"-charged $500 to drain tank and refill..problem still exists..) backed out of driveway, vehicle stalled, steering becomes extremely hard, unable to maneuver car, hit tree and cracked spoiler/dent bumper. Not safe to take on highway, as you cannot "merge" into…
ODI 10168093
Engine
Service engine soon light comes on. Continuously fails to start. Reduced engine power. Engine shuts off while driving. *nm
ODI 10166019
Engine
The car either hesitated or stalled (engine stopped running) on about 3 different trips while my wife was driving between 30 mph and 50 mph. The car started right back up each time. This vehicle had been though a recall on 11/17/2003 (r3021/r3022) to replace the cam position sensor. I was not the owner of the car when the recall was done. The dealer said this vehicle was repaired under that recall. The problem has…
ODI 10170817
Engine
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 mph on the highway, smoke erupted from the engine compartment followed by the engine stalling without warning. No fire was present, only smoke from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the oil was dry in the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not alerted. The inspector concluded that the failure was consistent from a…
ODI 10167568
Engine
Check engine light came on. Engine was using oil every 1000-1500 miles. Took car to vann york nissan. Was told catalytic converter came apart, was sucked into engine. Had an extended warranty. Thought it would cover the problem. Nissan of north america said the extended warranty doesn't cover the catalytic converter, therefore does not cover the engine. Asked to speak to a supervisor. Was told i'd get a call back…
ODI 10170381
Engine
Nissan altima 2.5 2002 in 2006 my car was using 2 or 3 quarts of oil every three thousand miles. Luckily my car was still under warranty, but nissan and the nissan dealership were very reluctant to provide help. Finally after months of testing, ten trips to the dealership, calls to corporate, and a trip to the dealership with my father, they finally replaced my engine. They would not, however, tell me exactly what…
ODI 10244041
Engine
I was making a left turn when suddenly the engine shut off. About an hour later i went to start my car and would not start. After making several attempts i left the car parked where it was. About 3 hours later i started the car fine. A week had passed with no know problems when suddenly my "check engine light" came on. The next day the vehicle stalled when backing up from the drive way, and again while i was turning…
ODI 10167907
Engine · Unknown Or Other
My 2002 altima is using oil excessively. One quart in 500 -700 miles. *jb
ODI 10162432
Air Bags · Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · Rear
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 - intermittent car shaking and so on. *tr
ODI 10240328
Engine
The oxygen sensor on my 2002 nissan altima overheated and destroyed itself. The fragments of the sensor shattered the main catalytic converter and pieces of the parts mixed with the oil damaging the entire engine, ie. Pistons and other internal components, rendering the engine not serviceable. New engine is needed at a cost of about six thousand dollars. I have notified nissan consumer affairs representative and i…
ODI 10160549
Engine · Exhaust System
At about 80,000 miles my 2002 nissan altima had an issue where the coolant started leaking into to combustion chamber, had to have the heads resurfaced, and cat converters replaced. Now the car burns oil, has to be replaced at about 1000 miles (completely empty if i let it go to 1500 miles). The car now stops when driving at slow speeds, starts right back up, but dies while driving. *tr
ODI 10240278
Engine
Engine failure: at just under 78,000 miles the car would not start. Car towed to mechanic who was able to start the car after an extended crank. Cooling system pressurized instantly upon cold start in a.m. Mechanic suggested towing to dealership because he suspects a possible cylinder head problem. He says the 02 altima has a well-known history of engine problems. 3 months prior to this the engine was constantly…
ODI 10159354
Engine
My 2002 altima had the recall for the heat shields and every other one i was notified about. My car started consuming excessive amounts of oil. On approximately may 5 i drove the car in the morning, parked it in my moms yard, went to leave and it would not start. I called the dealer and had to tow at my expense the car to them. The car has 71,000 miles on it but i had purchased an extended warranty so i thought i…
ODI 10165798
Engine
After purchasing my vehicle (2002 nissan altima 2.5s) in december 2001 i have consistently maintained the vehicle according to the manual. However, good maintenance have not led to good performance after about 10,000 miles i started experiencing all kinds of engine problems (radiator, throttle body and now the entire engine) which i mostly have had to pay out of my pocket. I have been taking the vehicle to the…
ODI 10156845
Engine
After replacing the oxygen sensor various times, i began to get huge amounts of oil consumption where i had to add every week. As a result the catalytic converter was shot, and also ruined the engine. During that period, my 2002 altima had spontaneously shut down completely while operating on city roads and interstate freeways. Despite having perfect maintenance and completing all recalls (see nhtsa recall number:…
ODI 10240173
Engine
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. They determined the engine needed to be replaced however no repairs were made. The manufacturer was alerted.
ODI 10151698