Problems with 2002 Nissan Altima ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

In 2003, nissan conducted a recall of 2002 altima's, ref #03v-084, in which they were to correct a fire hazard resulting from engine damage caused by a failure of the catalytic convertor. on 9/8/03, a nissan dealer completed repairs under the recall. over the last year, my vehicle had very high temperatures under the hood and began consuming excessive amounts of oil. in august 2006, the 'service engine soon' light came on and an independent mechanic advised me that the catalytic convertor had failed and was the probable cause of the excessive oil burning. i took my vehicle to a nissan dealer who performed an oil consumption test. the vehicle burned 2 quarts of oil in 600 miles and advised me the engine was most likely damaged and would need to be replaced. i contacted nissan and they refused to complete any diagnostics or repairs to the vehicle. i have had the catalytic convertor replaced again and the interior surfaces of the convertor installed as a result of the recall are clearly disintegrated. i have the old part available for inspection if needed. the repairs nissan completed in its recall did not resolve the defect and are a continuing safety hazard. *jb

Vehicle stalls without warning at any speed. nissan mechanic at local dealershiip witnessed the car stalling. nissan engineers state they are unable to find the cause, cannot actively duplicate the problem, and therefore have not repaired the car. this car is an uncalculating risk not only to passengers, but to anyone on the highway. nissan should take possession of the vehicle to conduct further testing and replace this vehicle for highway use. *jb

On different occasions, 08/07/03 being the latest, my car has stalled, or shown poor accelleration while driving. it has happened while driving over 65 mph, soon after starting the car and putting it into drive, and a small time period after driving it. on one occasion i exited out of a parking lot onto a busy two-way traffic road, to cross to the other side and it stalled while there was oncoming traffic. i was very reluctant that the traffic speed wasn't high, for they may not have had the time to slow down. i have taken my car in several different times to my dealer, and other car maintenance shops, and they say that they can't find the problem, and in order to fix the problem, they must duplicate it. but the problem that comes from that is, it doesn't happen on a recurring basis. it can happen hours apart to 2 months apart. it gives no warning, and it goes back to running normal as if nothing has ever happened. the first time it happened was approximately 3 months after.*ak

My 2002 4 cylinder nissan altima has suffered two complete starter motor failures. once at approx. 2000 miles and again at 10,000 miles vehicle would not start on both occasions. *nlm

No start - car towed for third time - dec. 30, 2002 ; feb. 19, 2003 and june 9, 2003 - each time given a different reason--rented car2 times-reimbursed once. on 12/30-told problem due to cold damp weather;2/19 charged $113. by legend nissan--said no start my fault because i moved car for plow and did not run long enough before turning off; 6/9-returned from 4 day vacation-again no start. *ak

The tic-toc sound from the blinker is muted, then comes back days later. fixed once before, problem is back again. *jb

While driving 30 mph vehicle caught on fire. as result, consumer almost lost control. no injuries reported. *ak the consumer received two recall notices related to problems which could result in a fire (recall 03v-455 and 04v-251). it is unclear if the consumer had theses recall done and if the consumer received these notices before of after the failure. the consumer has retained a lawyer. *nm

I depressed the clutch then the brake, the brake peddle seemed stiff like something was preventing from going down. ph

While driving and without warning vehicle caught on fire under the hood. dealer notified. ts...*ak

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. the air conditioning system will not circulate heat. also after service the oil and antifreeze levels depletes prematurely. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and she was advised that the catalytic converter and the engine coil needed to be replaced. a representative from the dealer and manufacturer stated that the repairs cost $1600.00. no repairs were made. the failure mileage was 21. the mileage was 105,000. the consumer stated the vehicle would stall while driving at any speed. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and upon inspection, the consumer was informed a sensor was soaked in oil. there was no oil leaking from the vehicle, but they were not able to tell the consumer where the oil was coming from. soon after, there was a recall for the same problem. the wheel bearing and alternator had to be replaced. the engine light has been on for over 2 1/2 years, the vehicle has no heat and anti-freeze was evaporating, but there were no leaks. the consumer stated she could smell coolant coming through the vents. updated 02/01/10*jb

Went out in the morning and the car would not start. tried all day to get it to start and finally had it towed to the dealer. the next day the car started without problem and the dealer says they could do nothing as long as the car started. we were told it could be the air temp., which was about 40 degrees the morning that the car wouldn't start. if we would have dreamed of having problems with this car we would have never bought it!!

Car would not start after sitting overnight. i had the car towed to the dealer who had no solution. they used a cold start and told me not to let the gas go below 1/4 tank and not to park on an incline. two incidents happened in november 2002. in april 2003, the car would not start again after sitting one day and night. i took my car to another nissan dealer who gave me the same answer. anyone with a similiar problem? *tt

While traveling 70mph on highway and without prior warning engine check light appeared on dashboard, indicating that vehicle caught on fire. the dealership was aware of the problem. *ak there was a sudden loss of power, there was also a clicking sound as if it were coming from the fuel injection system, the oil light, and the light had illuminated. *cc

While driving at 68mph and with no warning engine caught on fire. consumer was forced to pull over. then,vehicle went up in flames. dealer notified.*ak

On 06-09-02 and 09-23-02 engine would turn over but would not start. mr

Battery blew up while the consumer was driving, causing some damage to the hood and engine. there was 600 dollars in engine damage. contacted dealer who was not willing to do anything.*ak jlg

The dashboard light went out on the vehicle. the dealership serviced the vehicle twice for this issue. they replaced the computer and fuse, however the problem recurred. *ak the left front seat was loose and the wipers were inoperative. *sc *jb

Multiple problems with recall service work not correcting the malfunction the recall is supposed to correct. specifically of concern nhtsa campaign id numbers : 03v455000 & 03v084000 & 03v251000. not receiving recall notices by manufacturer or being informed by nissan service dept. i have since contacted nissan corp consumer affairs but received no resolution or suggestions. problems with engine performance, excessive exhaust, and strong burning smell are still present along with service engine soon light remaining on. have taken vehicle to service department for over 6 visits in last 5 months - vehicle is still at service dept. i have been told the vehicle was safe to drive over these past months while these problems persisted. i asked for a loaner vehicle or to have transportation to get my vehicle to the dealership but was declined any help - even though id # 03v084000 nissan recall notice states it should be offered free of charge if customer makes this request. i am greatly concerned for the safety of myself and my family and am scared to drive this vehicle any further. my local nissan service dept (pine belt nissan automotive) and nissan consumer affairs has not addressed my concerns and have failed to correct this problem that has existed for months. vehicle has had reduced power, hesitation, pulling and vibration, excessive exhaust and an increasingly strong burning smell from engine shortly after vehicle is started.*ak

This car has been a lemon since day one, in and out of dealership for one reason or the other, it started with the car running hard, dealership told me it was because i have broke the car in and now this is how they run, took it back again 3 to 4 more times with same problem,told them car idles high, shifts bad, runs bad, they said nothing wrong, i do alot of highway miles and as soon as i was over the miles and out of the warrenty they told me that the motor mounts were gone only 800 to get fixed, i was then hit by a car head on and really hurt i suffered major back problems , come to find out i probaby could have prevented some of the damage to my self if i had a saver car, my air bags didn;t deploy. i have had every recall to this car , the service men at the dealserships are the rudest men i have ever delt with. i was right the whole time !!!!! i have also experienced the same thing with the lights cost around 800 to fox kept changing the lights not to mentions the tickets i recieved from the cops , i explained to them the light keeps going out, they are like this is a 02 that doesn't happen, if they only knew!!! i am really tired of this car , now i was just told that the car has another problem, it over heats they think it might be the therostat but they don't know. how much money will that cost me??? i am one angry person when it comes to this car!!!!!!!*ak

This evening i went out to start the car. the temp. was about 32 degrees. the car would not start. since this has happened before, i did what the service dept. at the dealer suggested and pushed the gas to the floor and tried again with no luck. i was told before that this could be a problem with the air being cold. why would they sell a car where it snows if it won't start. my wife is expecting a baby in 8 weeks and we need a reliable car. the dealer does not seem anxious to help solve the problem. today is jan. 6, 2003 and i cannot register below as 2003 because it is not offered on the drop down box. therefore i am registering as 2002.

Odometer error 5% faster, speedometer error 5% faster. *tr

Airbag warning light goes off - dealer orders new airbag module and combination must be replaced. has happened at 600 mile and again at 3700 miles , still not repaired- parts are on nation wide back order - major safety factor: ignition noise and static in radio from coils. *ak