2002 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
- 89
- 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 89 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- catalytic converter · 27 records
- needed replaced · 17 records
- check engine · 17 records
- engine light · 15 records
- failure mileage · 15 records
- independent mechanic · 13 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 26 |
| 150–400k mi | 22 |
| 60–100k mi | 18 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed excessive amounts of oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that debris entered the catalytic converter and damaged the engine. The mechanic referred the contact to the authorized dealer for further assistance. The dealer stated that the vehicle was previously repaired according…
ODI 10734007
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Steering
Car would not start. Towed to mechanic and found out it was crank shaft positioning sensor. After repair was made i found the recall on this website. According to nissan service dept. Looking in nissan database this repair was made at 28k miles before i bought the car. I had to have the same thing repaired and nissan will not reimburse me for the repairs. According to the safety information posted about this recall…
ODI 10725591
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Nissan altima 4 door. My daughter [xxx]. While driving the vehicle ignition switch, oil, cooling, coil pack cause a major crash, totaling a complete wreckage. [xxx] sustained, serious medical attention, taken to the hospital by ambulance. I started a series of complaints which nissan failed to comment or investigate. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11043748
Engine
First there was a random misfire when i first started it that morning. Eventually got it to start, allowed it to run for a few minutes, and then attempted to pull out of the driveway. Once i put it in drive in and moved a few miles the engine completely shut off. Got it back home, changed the camshaft sensor and while attempting to see if the problem was resolved the catalytic converter began to overheat and caused…
Crash reported · Fire reported
ODI 10682839
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · Power Train
The first issue i have are the oxygen senor are bad no speed when getting pass 35 feel like your driving in 25. The major issue and it is very unsafe. I was driving down the street with my under age children in the car and when the gears was in drive it stop and went backwards then i put it all the way in park and it stop and took off and speed went to 60 then back down to it normal speed. Just the other day on…
ODI 10684209
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and the check engine warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the crank shaft sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The…
ODI 10703870
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the crank shaft position sensor needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The vin was not included under nhtsa campaign number: 07v527000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure…
ODI 10679979
Engine
I bought this 2002 nissan altima ($4500 at randy marion dealership in hickory, nc) for my wife on january 20th, 2015. The car had 123,000 miles on it. Just 5 or 6 days later, the engine light came on engine started making a loud knocking sound when you crank it up after it had sat for a while. I checked the oil level and it needed a quart of oil, so i added a quart. The noise came back after 2 days. This immediately…
ODI 10746914
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
Power valve screws in their 2003 nissan altima 2.5s. There is currently a recall on 2004 and 2005 altimas with the 2.5s engine with vins starting with 1n4al11. The recall campaign id for this problem is p5202. However, the same problem affects the 2003 altima with the 2.5s engine, but nissan north america has not added the 2003 year model to the recall. Both the 2003s and the 2004s have the exact same engine and i…
ODI 10722927
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
My car is burning 3 quarts of oil evry 2 weeks..i tryd replacing parts..using different oil..nothing works..i looked online to get some ideas of what the problem might be..but most people with the same model have the same problem and still haven't found a answer. *tr
ODI 10693447
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed excessive amounts of oil. The dealer suspected that the failure was probably associated with nhtsa campaign number: 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.
ODI 10648503
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
- faulty intake valve timing control solenoid valve - intake valve timing control solenoid valve harness is open or shorted - intake valve timing control solenoid valve circuit poor electrical connection - faulty camshaft position sensor - camshaft po
ODI 10639988
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While stopped at an intersection, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart, but the failure recurred on numerous occasions. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would consume oil rapidly and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle…
ODI 10652058
Engine
This car almost killed me. While i was driving in the traffic, the engine suddenly died, there are no power, no steering, no brake, and will not start again this time. The engine has been eating oil and coolant like crazy. *tr
ODI 10631988
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that oil was leaking into the radiator and the vehicle was using one quart of oil per tank of fuel. The contact also stated that the he could smell smoke emitting from the passenger's side compartment. The dealer diagnosed that engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
ODI 10643137
Engine
Engine light continues to come on after replacement of spark plugs and wires. Car shakes and stalls. Idles roughly and will not "go" upon acceleration. Have been given the run around and recently viewed recalls online for faulty engine and cooling system. I have never received notification that a recall was issued. Problem has persisted and only gotten worse for over 6 months. *tr
ODI 10615826
Engine
This was not an accident but a manufacturer fault. The engine is burning excessive amounts of oil to the tune of 1 qt per 200 miles. *tr
ODI 10645066
Engine
Tl * the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated and lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pre-catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle had excessive oil consumption, and was making the catalytic converter failure worst. In addition, the…
ODI 10606445
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The vehicle stalled while idling at a traffic light and the check engine indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure occurred on several occasions. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
ODI 10628041
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 03v251000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the service engine warning lamp remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the oil was constantly low and had to be refilled. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the 02 sensor, but the failure recurred. While traveling, the…
ODI 10711995
Electrical System · Engine
Problems: service engine soon light, no start condition, reduced engine power, stopped running during vehicle operation. Car was parked and when started would not go over 15000 rpm - would not back out of the parking space. After several attempts at restarting it i was able to drive it to my local mechanic for him to check why the service engine soon light was on. Code he received did not give him any information so…
ODI 10606942
Engine
The catalytic converter below threshold light came on then afterwards it got sucked up into engine and caused the engine to burn oil ridiculously fast causing me to buy hundreds of dollars in oil and oil changes. Now the engine doesn't run right it seems and needs to replaced among with catalytic converter. *tr
ODI 10594459
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while idling at a stop light, she heard a knocking in the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the catalytic converter, spark plugs, boots, and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,757.
ODI 10584137
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Did check engine light repair fixed crank position sensor . I drive to the store car shuts down to 5mph i pull over reset check engine light then it works fine. *js
ODI 10681747
Engine · Power Train
Nissan altima 2.5 auto transmission. Nearly killed me. Car suddenly went to 20 mph on the interstate in heavy traffic with 18-wheel 30 ton vehicle behind me. Burns oil like crazy. Put in better synthetic oil, burns faster. Had the car die on the interstate at 75mph right in front of an 18-wheeler. Could have died. Could have been killed by the nissan corporation. Know any good lawyers? This is really dangerous,…
ODI 10588459