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 · Vehicle Speed Control
Driving vehicle at a low speed and vehicle stops running without warning. *tr
ODI 10576121
Engine
I bought my car brand new in 2002 and there was a series of recalls for different items. I noticed that the engine was not keeping a clean idle after about 69,000 miles in 2010 so i had to have it computer tested due to maintain lights etc. I got p0420 code for catalytic converter not working properly. I took the car to the star nissan dealer where i bought it, and the service writer told me there was no issues with…
ODI 10565192
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 121,000.
ODI 10552122
Engine · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
My car won't accelerate beyond 20 mph, then engine would stall while in drive gear. Took it to my mechanic who turned off the engine service light which allowed me to accelerate to normal speed. However, the engine keeps stalling while i'm driving. I nearly had several accidents while driving on the street and exiting the freeway. Luckily i can notice the engine failing before it completely shut down so i hit my…
ODI 10552956
Engine
My 2002 nissan altima 2.5s has around 70k miles on it and so far had been running very well until very recently, when the service engine light turned on last weekend. Within a day or two, the car started running a little rough. A few days ago the car showed low oil pressure light on the dash board. When i checked for the engine oil level, there was barely any oil left. I immediately put 5 qts of mobile full…
ODI 10548174
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after a few attempts, the engine finally started but idled roughly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.
ODI 10536561
Engine
The vehicle has a defective catalytic converter that goes bad very quickly which results into junk being sucked into the engine. Eventually the engine gets blown or burns oil at an alarming rate. Everyone with the 2002 nissan altima has this problem and nissan refuses to accept responsibility and make a recall. Nissan simply charges us thousands to replace the engine multiple times which of courses does not fix the…
ODI 10536317
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
I was driving my car to work while i was driving to the i 95 highway by pembroke rd there was a big metal stuff on the lane i was i couldn't go nowhere because the highway was busy didn't want to get into an accident therefore i drove into that metal stuff and hit under my car now my car don't start i don't have now way to go to work and didn't know what to do i called towing to towning my car i did not know i…
Crash reported
ODI 10532095
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
On 6/27/2013 i was driving about 30 mph per hour. The car engine shuts off abruptly and i loss all power to the car. I was stuck and the cars behind me almost hit me from behind. I put the hazards on and tried to start the car. I sat for about 5 minutes, put the car in neutral and it started then shut off again. In previous years i had to start the car in neutral but it never shut off while in motion until…
ODI 10522181
Engine · Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the crank position sensor would have to be repaired. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised that the vin was not included in the…
ODI 10512405
Engine
My car is using 2 to 3 quarts of oil about every 200 to 300 miles. I've been putting the best oil in it along with getting the oil changed regularly. *tr
ODI 10512678
Electrical System · Engine
The nissan altima 2002 has muffler recalls people can get killed with the smoke ,all altimas has missfire problems can get killed while driving ,electrical recalls please do something or are they paying you so you don't do nothing ?????????? *tr
ODI 10507429
Engine
After one of my regularly scheduled oil changes i noticed that my oil light flickered. Checked the dip and noticed i was extremely low in oil. It had been about 400miles since the last oil change. A quart every 100 miles. No smoke from the exhaust, no leak when parked so i bring it to a mechanic. Notified me that its possibly my catalytic converter which will cost $2k since this model has 2 or it could be the engine…
ODI 10498082
Engine
Car was purchased almost two years ago, used. It drove well and any maintenance showed the car in great shape until recently. The engine started making a rattling noise. I took it to a mechanic to find that the car was extremely low on oil, which had never been an issue and oil changes done on schedule. The car now goes through about one quart of oil per two weeks. I was told the car would need a new engine. No…
ODI 10496401
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while traveling 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was able to be moved to the shoulder where it was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was inspected by a private mechanic but he was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current…
ODI 10490763
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle exhibited a strange noise as smoke began to bellow from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The dealer informed him that bits and pieces of the catalytic converter were becoming caught in the engine. He was informed of a recall for the failure under nhtsa campaign id number: 03v084000…
Fire reported
ODI 10492008
Engine
Catalytic converter went out and destroyed engine. Now car uses 1 qt oil every 100 miles. Nissan claims engine is old and there is nothing that they can do. Too many cars have this type of problem for it to just be old engines and now the out of warranty people are paying for it. *tr
ODI 10483537
Engine
SPARK PLUG BENTING. *TR
ODI 10547774
Engine
The contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. An independent mechanic was performing a diagnostic test on the vehicle to determine what cause the check engine light to illuminate; he stated that the exhaust and the catalytic converter were defective. The vehicle was also consuming oil excessively. The mechanic informed the contact the vehicle needed a new catalytic converter system, 3rd such repair. Oxygen sensors, a new…
ODI 10475750
Electrical System · Engine
Car was being driven at approximately 35 mph when it stopped running. Diagnosis: the cam position sensors were bad and needed replacement (replaced 2 sensors). The check engine light remains illuminated after replacing the sensor with parts obtained from the dealer. There is a recall on vehicle which was never fulfilled, however, nissan claims it does not affect my vehicle. *tr
ODI 10495062
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where the contact was informed of a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repairs however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not…
ODI 10473809
Engine
My car has been burning oil at a very fast rate, the check engine light has turned on, and my gas has lowered. My check oil light has never turned on, not even once in the 2 years that i have owned it. *tr
ODI 10471166
Engine
I am the original owner of my 2002 nissan altima and i bought the car in the fall of 2001. I religiously change the oil on time and have properly maintained the car. The car has extremely low mileage for its age. I have received all of the nissan recalls. Since december 2001, i have had the problem of the engine stalling without warning and also, at times, losing all power in the car, an extremely dangerous…
ODI 10472674
Engine
My car burns a quart of oil a month at least, were is it going its to much to be evap from loose rings and my gaskets are good and i cant just keep changing catalytic converter 1 a month also my clutch doesn't seem to hold pressure it stays pretty sloppy and sometimes starts grabbing real low. *tr
ODI 10464309
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a routine oil change and she was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact also stated that the vehicle was taken in for the same procedure just a few months prior. The dealer diagnosed that the oil was never exchanged and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
ODI 10465402