Problems with 2002 Nissan Altima EQUIPMENT

Yes, i have a complaint about interlocks, i know the are to designed to save lives of others, but at risking the lives of the drivers that have them, it is unsafe to be driving down the road doing retest, i know a retest is to ensure that the driver of the car has not drank since driving or had someone else blow to start the car, but in my opinion it's hazardous to the driver to be put in this danger of having to retest every 30min, there is a camera placed in the car for a reason, yes i broke the law, i understand the reason for my interlock, yes i know i can pull to the side of the rode for retest, but in some cases you are not able to pull to the side of the road for them because you never know when they are coming, it took a child to point out the unsafe way retest are. yes, i know i could have not had it placed in my car, but i have to work and provide for my family. another thing i think interlocks are a money gimmick for the state and dealer that puts them in. i wasn't court ordered to have one, the judge in my case, said i could've had a restricted license, but the state of motor vehicle so said i had to have one to keep driving. when is the judges judgment not good enough? *tr

When my 2002 nissan altima was about a year old, my vehicle began having difficulties starting in the morning. i live in sunny southern california, so our coldest mornings are in the high 30s. as a result, i don't believe that outside air temperature was a contributing factor to my vehicle not wanting to start. however, this issue never occurred in the warm afternoon. ever since the initial instance, it has continued to happen a couple of times each year. i notified my local nissan dealership on at least two occassions. of course the problem never arose when i was at the dealership, so i decided to just dop the issue, as it didn't happen frequently enough to be of major concern to me. more recently; however, my car nearly stalled on my way home from my friend's house. i had to throw my car into neutral and press the gas pedal to prevent it from doing so. ever since my car never wants to start on the first turn of the key. in fact, my check engine light is now on, and i have to pump the accelerator to get the car started. i had the check engine light code checked and discovered that there was a problem with the cam position sensor. through online research, i discovered that nissan recalled this part on some 2002 nissan altimas. as a result, i contacted two different local nissan dealesrhips and gave them my car's vin number so they could see if the recall applied to my car. of course it did not. i also discovered through my research that numerous people are encountering the same problem, and i was directed to file a complaint with nhtsa which is what brings me here today. please help to keep us safe from vehicles stalling in the middle of busy intersections. not only is this a terrifying thought, but if and when this happens, it could be a fatal problem. *tr

On 1/25/10, my 2002 altima with only 27,000 miles on it, kept stalling or not starting during 3 shopping stops. i thought it was my battery and was near clark auto where my battery is under warranty... *tr

I purchased a 02 altima 2.5 (automatic) on thursday, july 16, 2009. on friday, july 17, i had to take it to the mechanic because it was making a terrible sound coming from the engine. upon arrival, it was found that the oil tank was bone dry. after adding 3 quarts of oil, the noise was gone. throughout that day when driving i smelt something like exhaust or burning oil or something. i just thought oil was spilled on the engine and it was simply burning off. i put approx 30 miles on the car that day. on saturday, july 18, i put approx 20 miles on the car (same smell). on sunday, i noticed smoke coming out of my muffler when i would hit the gas. it would go away when i was at a steady pace but if i put gas in it, the smoke would come out. i took the car to a friend of mine and had him check the oil. to my surprise, there was not a lick of oil left in the tank... where did it go????????? there was no sign of leaks underneath the car and no spot on my driveway. we went and purchased 3 more quarts of oil and added it to the car. when we checked the dip stick, the oil was pitch black. the car was also blowing black smoke. i am a single 27 year old mom, working and going to school. a nissan is what everyone told me to get.. why??? i have just forked out every dime i had (7800.00) in savings to purchase this car so what was i to do now? on monday, july 20, i took it back to the mechanic which then told me the engine needed to be replaced. i then took it to another mechanic which verified the same thing. after 2 weeks a 05 model engine was put in the car and i picked it up on august 7. shortly after being on the road, the check engine light came on and it was making a loud squeaky sound. after taking it back on august 18, they said it now needed a catalytic converter and they replaced a belt. on august 23, the car started going dead with no warning while driving; once i was on the interstate and thought i was going to die! it also acts as ...

This isn't fair. 2002 nissan altima. 5900 miles. man this car is junk, nissan should reimburse people about that, work car ever. and i notice everyone have the same problem. the car stall, camshft problem.. something need to be done. its not safe when u driving and car die on you. *tr

My 2002 nissan altima's check engine light came on. the car started running sluggish, and totally ran out of oil! mechanic said i needed a new engine. i bought one - and that one went on the fritz two days after fixing it. the diagnostics test said it was an o2 sensor. it ran out of oil. now i find out the car is a lemon, after i bought a new engine to boot. two engines are ruined in this car, and i still don't have it paid for. *tr

Power valve screws fell into the intake manifold plate on 2002 nissan altima 2002 nissian altima 2.5 stalled on the highway. car had been idling very rough and engine vibration as well as intermittent power loss 24 hours prior to issue. took it to two independent mechanics. both confirmed that the pvc value screw fell intake manifold. this was also confirmed by nissan. however it was only recalled on the 2004-2006 models. it just so happens that nissan had to replace my engine on my vehicle in 2004, therefore my car should be included in the recall but because my call is 02 nissan will not cover the problem. 2002 models need to be included in the recall. *tr

I own a 2002 nissan altima , i have to put a quart of oil in this car every 50 miles, from wha t i have found on the internet this is a very common problem , that nissan knows about and refuses to admit to the public this is a defect in the motor, that the recall will cost the company to much in repairs. we are a family on a fixed income and can't afford the $6000.00 for repairs on this car. nissan asks so much for these cars they should stand behind their products and repair this defect!!!! *tr

My nissan altima has gone through 2 catalytic converts and is burning 2 quarts of oil every 100 miles. *tr

Own a 2002 nissan altima; replaced catalytic converter 6/2005 @ 71k miles. it fell under federal emissions warranty. 7/2008 service engine light on again and seem to be burning through oil. took into balise nissan - converter needs to be replaced again, needs more expensive tests to diagnose oil issue. googled 2002 nissan altima problems, consumer affairs website had post after post of owners with the same problem as i've had/having. ultimate fix, need to replace engine. one man replaced engine twice and car is still not correct. called nissan headquarters, the regional rep, catherine, who was extremely rude as though i was trying to accomplish something terrible, said she reviewed my complaint and there is nothing nissan will do because there are no recalls pending and the car is a 2002 and now has 126k on it and my warranty expired. i told her the initial problem happened while i was still under warranty and obviously that had to be a problem also because a well maintained vehicle, regardless of mileage should not burn through 2 catalytic converters in 6 years and also need a new engine. i also tried to bring her attention to the countless other owners with the same issue, she did not want to discuss it. there is an obvious problem with the vehicles...please help!!!!! *tr

2002 nissan altima catalytic converter failures that are increasing according to reports widely publicized on the internet. there is a recall in canada for the problem, but not in us. in speaking with a representative from nissan consumer affairs, i have been advised that the reason for the recall being recognized in canada but not in the u.s. is due to the factory in which vehicles were produced. seems to me this reason is ridiculous if this problem is happening in the u.s. too! see info below: transport canada recall number 2003060. units affected: 30589. 2002-2003: on certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road which could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. correction: dealer will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. also, certain operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate. if substrate particles enter the combustion chamber, they may score the cylinder walls, resulting in increased oil consumption. correction: dealer will reprogram the engine control unit to prevent the possibility of the pre-catalyst overheating. if the conversion efficiency of the pre-catalyst has deteriorated, then the catalyst will be replaced. the original pre-catalyst will then be inspected for evidence of damage to the catalyst substrate. if damage is present, the vehicle engine will be replaced. while i have been obsessive about ensuring my vehicle is serviced routinely, i have recently experienced engine failure which will result in having to replace my engine. i do not have the finances to just drop $2000 on a new engine! my case is currently in the hands of a regional specialist (file # 6149122), but i have not gotten the outcome of the review to date. i am respectfully requesting review of this problem. thank you. *tr

I have a 2002 nissan altima, i have an error message on my 6 disc cd changer. it is err3. i cannot load or eject any cd's. this is ridiculous. i am not paying to have this fixed. nissan should cover, or bose. thank you. *tr

2002 nissan altima faulty engine and catalytic converter. *tr

1. vehicle's exhaust pipe hanger caught bag of debris from the road and felt like the car was falling apart in the rear. debris was removed by discount tires after purchasing new wheels and tires. 2. service engine warning light is on. engine has reduced power and it causes the engine to stop running without warning during operation, with vibrating noises. nissan states that the cam sensor with crank sensor is faulty and should be replaced. apparently it is under recall and they want us to pay for a recalled item. 3. engine long block was replaced on 2/14/06 because of catastrophic engine failure, and the engine continues to have problems with vibrating and sluggishness. 4. rear engine mount replaced in 11/03/04 as recommended. now, passenger upper mount was recommended to be changed on 3/14/08. 5. air conditioning is blowing hot air and we replaced air conditioning high side compressor and oil recharged system in 6/01/07, as recommended. as of today 3/30/08 air conditioning is blowing hot air again. we purchased new wheels, tires and brakes because of the vibration in the car and steering column with low sounding noise. we have consistently taken our car in for maintenance, recalls and additional mechanical problems with very minimal resolutions. thank you. *tr

I have a 2002 nissan altima with 117,000 miles. nissan usa replaced the engine and the catalytic converter as part of a recall january 06 when the car had 99600 miles. last week on 1/24/08, the car shut off while driving and i was lucky to pull to the side on time to prevent an accident. i took the car to the dealer nissan cox in the bronx the following saturday. they checked the car out and told me that the reason why the car shut off is not related to the previous recalls. they told me that i needed to replace my throttle and clean the fuel system. i paid $563 for the labor on 1/30/08. i drove the car around the dealer and once again the car shut off by itself then i started it again and while driving it back to the dealer the engine surged a couple of times. i took the car to the dealer and the next day 1/31/08, i received a call from the service worker in which she tells me that my catalytic converter is bad and that's what's causing the problem. i don't think is fair that i had to pay $563 to later find out that the car had something else. also, i don't understand why the catalytic got damaged when i religiously serviced the car for the past two years since the new engine and cat were installed. the dealer tells me that i'm no longer covered by the warranty and that i need to pay another $900 for parts and labor. i think im being ripped off by the dealer and nissan. i've read how much problems the 2002 altima has. can you guys please help me. *tr

My car wouldn't start. i notified nissan, they towed my car in. my car had several recalls. nissan checked my car and reset my ecm. when i went to get my car from mitchell nissan which is 30 miles away. they told us that i had a possible head or coil failure. when we left the dealership we didn't check the oil cause when they reprogrammed they suppose to have checked everything. when my husband checked that's when we found out it was no oil. i drove my car 30 miles with no oil. my car is a 2002 altima i checked the recalls and saw that the 2.5 2006 altimas has a recall on the engine as well as the sensor like the earlier years. the recalls states something about the ecm and about the pistons and driving without oil. now i have to get my engine replaced and nissan is saying it is not on them. my car was not acting up nor smoking until it cut off and had to be reprogrammed. i feel this messed up my engine. *tr

Bought used 2002 nissan altima 3/07 took car to dave solon nissan, pueblo co 12/07. i commuted every other week to colorado springs on those weeks i was putting 3 quarts of oil. there was no oil leak oil was gone. nissan couldn't tell me where oil was going they contacted warrant & they decided on a refurbished engine. got my car back end of december. jan, feb & march only drove car every other week to springs. noticed at end of feb i was putting about 8 quarts oil a week. took it back to nissan in beginning of march they told me i needed to find receipts for oil changes, told them i wasn't sure i could find them. but questioned that it oil would need to be changed when there was no oil in the car after a two days. a week later husband started back to work he took nissan to colo springs for work on his way home it just died out good thing for us on our not so busy street and only a couple of houses from ours. so there it stood for a couple of months not having money to get it towed or even looked at. in may we found a mechanic a mile from our home who would come and tow it to his shop. he looked at it and found we needed a catalytic converter paid $800 for it. when he went to put it in he found where our oil was going. he said 3 of our 4 cylinders were covered in oil which made the catalytic converter explode. he told use to call nissan which i did they said they would not look at the car unless we give them receipts for oil changes again why tried again to find them of course could not locate i think we did 2 in the time frame. argued with them for a long time they basically told me it was our problem not there's. went online and researched found many many people with same problem as myself. need something done about this we are paying for a car that is not working. i would understand if it was our fault but how can a 2002 car with about 89,000 miles ...

I own a 2002 nissan altima. it seemed great when i bought it and now after 5 years it is crap and the thing wont run. the car idles rough when it first starts if it starts at all, there is a water rushing sound under the dash, and my check engine light has been on for quite some time. i am constantly refilling the radiator with coolant and adding so much oil to my car it is crazy. my father-in-law which is a mechanic, told me that the catalytic converter was deteriorating into the #4 cylinder which is causing engine failure which is also where the oil and coolant and gas are going. the easiest fix is to replace the whole engine, which is a $6,300 fix. i just finished paying off my car in may and 3 months later my car start having major problems. i cant afford to fix this and i don't think i should have to, catalytic converter don't just deteriorate. heck i am the only owner to my car and it is only 5 years old. this is crazy. i have now replaced my engine at my own cost, because the dealer that i bought the car at claims they are not be enough to do anything and to call nissan, which i did and nissan does care. well after spending six grand on fixing my car, my machine has informed me this is all due to plugged pcv valve because the two inlace holes for this valve are so small they get clogged so easily and the discharge for the pcv valve becomes in intake and to to the size of the discharges the oiled is getting pulling into the engine and well as other fluids which is what is causing the failure of the engine and destroying the catalytic converter. i am giving you the date my car finally died. it took me over a month and a 1/2 to get this fixed and it is still far from being fixed. please also check out this website for thousands of other nissan dealer that are having the same issue. http://www.thenissanfight.com/phpbb3/index.php http://forums.automotive.com/70/1106267/nissan/2002-nissan-altima-oil-dropping-at-108,000miles-i-w/page5.html#6468288. *tr

My nissan altima 2002 is smoking my brakes have failed almost causing a wreck i have had to put brake pads on my car 4 times within a year my car has stopped in the middle of traffic and i don't know the reason why. i took my car to a nissan dealership and was told that i need a new catalytic converter a new engine and that was the problem for my car stopping in the middle of traffic the brakes have failed once. i was told by nissan of gadsden al. that i need to have over $13,000.00 worth of work on my car because it was a safety hazard . i called the nissan company and they would not do anything about it then they stop accepting my calls and said deal with it because they was not going to have any repairs made to my car. i paid cash for my car after the first year i began to start having problems with it the dealer told me that nssan new about these problems and refused to do anything about it and they could work out something with me instead of paying $12,000.00 for the repairs that they would charge me $8,000.00 for the repairs i do not have any money to get my car fixed and nissan told me to deal with it. what can i do about this please help i paid $13,000.00 for a car that don't work please help me. thank you shelia gaston *tr

I have a 2002 nissan altima 2.5l. my car receives regular maintenance every 3 months and/or 3,000 miles (documentation can be provided), it never sits longer than 2 or 3 day, and it's driven on the highway for my work commute. twice my car suddenly wouldn't start without warning. the first time it was fixed, which was around april, there were several recalls for my car. one was for the fuel pump screen and the engine sensor that would cause the car to not start or suddenly stop running. this second time (10-24-05), my local mechanic showed me a 6-page service technical bulletin that was issued by alldata for my non-starting problem. the document suggested replacing the starter, adding a nissan brand fuel injector cleaner and/or reprogramming the computer to fix the problem. this second repair will cost me about $500 to fix when i pick up my car tomorrow. i thought the recall repairs would resolve this issue, but those repairs proved to only provide a temporary fix, but not resolve the underlying problem. since there's a service technical bulletin about my non-starting issue, 2 recalls related to this same problem, and i've had the same problem happen twice, i think my car should be recalled. i'm fortunate that i wasn't driving the car when it stopped running or that could have caused a serious accident. i should not have the same problem happen twice in 6 months. if my car fails to start twice in 6 months and the recall repairs don't remedy the problem, then there must be something else causing the problem. i'd hate to find out in a few months that the $500 start replacement wasn't the culprit, because i'd be back at square one. please tell me how i can get this issue escalated to a recall status or what i can do to prevent a 3rd failure. thank you, jenny r. baker. *jb

Nissan altima 2002, 6 recalls issues with 3 way catalytic converter that has burst into the engine causing engine failure. has there been any other reports? company honored warranty for converter, but denied to stand behind the engine. service location in libertyville, il is aware also spoke to executive office in ca. *nm

Steering wheel began tightening making it extremely difficult to move. turning became arduous , slow and scary. we went to the nissan dealer for service. they told us they corrected it. but, the problem returned shortly thereafter. so we returned the vehicle for repair. they told us that the original repair didn't solve the problem (obviously). they needed a new steering part. the agency called that the part arrived. the vehicle was returned again and left all day only to learn that the part delivered to them was wrong. they 'jerry-rigged' it and told us they would call when the new part arrived. the steering is ok but they warned us that it needed to be correctly repaired. the agency has not yet called back . it is odd that a vehicle with only 35,000 miles would have serious, severe steering problems. it is dismaying that we paid to repair a problem only for it to immediately return. then it is annoying to wait all day to learn that the delivered part was the wrong part. and, i am suspicious that maybe the part wasn't wrong, but that they didn't know how to correctly fix the problem. is it enough for them to tell me that the problem isn't correctly fixed? should i have to pay several times for a problem to be correctly fixed? *jb

Nissan's recall deals severely with the motor. heat sensors were not installed on the motor allowing the motor to reach extreme temperatures, thus burning off the oxygen sensor into the pre-catalyst converter causing my motor to lose 3 qts. plus of oil per day. nissan knew of the problem and have tried to correct the problem. although i have 117,000 miles have kept up with oil changes, nissan wants me to pay 50% of the cost to fix my vehicle. i have called and complained to nissan's 800 number and over 20 plus calls went unanswered. i then dropped my vehicle off and left in order to get someone to return my call. nissan threatened me with the towing of my vehicle off their premises and have done so. i am now out of a vehicle and nissan wont budge off of their 50% split for a motor. this was nissan's fault in the production of the vehicle not mine. *nm

(1) my 2002 nissan altima shutters and dies when being driven at low rpms. i.e.(heavy traffic, or stopping at a traffic light). (2) it shuts completely off when in motion. (3) i had the vehicle serviced last week, for this problem, and it's back at the shop again today for the same problem. i tried to explain that there was a related recall issue, but kevin at urban nissan in duncanville told me that according to his system, there were no recall issues for my car. *ak

Well i have 2002 nissan altima 2.5 i have about 66,000 miles on the car and it has been having the same problem . it first started when they had recall oxygen sensor. i have had to replace the same sensor 3 times already at about cost of $350 each time . now my check engine light keeps coming on the replaced the catalytic converter and told me i had to change my engine coils and spark plugs for about $1000 dollars . after that was completed there was no change my check engine light still comes on engine idles rough always having to fill coolant . and have had to been towed several time to the dealer with no explanation as to what is wrong. *tr

2002 nissan altima overheats, air conditioner and engine failures. customer states that she has brought the car in on numerous occasions for the overheating, air conditioning, and engine failures. *kb the consumer stated she was backing out of the driveway, when all of a sudden the engine light flashed and there was an immediate loss of power and no steering capability. the starter, engine control module and radiator were replaced. the thermostat was sticking which was one of the reasons the engine was overheating. the rear middle seat belt locked into place. the fuel door would not open when using the internal latch. the gear was difficult to get out of park. *jb

The 2002 altima started to stall. i took the car to the dealership. i was advised that the car had 3 recalls on it and i should have been notified a year in a half before. i took the car back 3 times and on the third time i was adivsed that the car would need a new motor. that was on mar 15,2004. i called april 24,2004 at 3 pm and was advised by the manager handling the car that nissan approved then disapprove the replacement order then reapproved it again. he adivsed me he would call me with further. this has gone on for the passed 6 weeks and the car is no longer working but i'm paying for it.*ak

My 2002 nissan altima has complete loss of power while driving on three separate occasions, twice i lost control of car and miraculously avoided a crash. i have been told that the problem was repaired the second time having it towed to the dealership. i no longer feel safe placing my children in this car. this car is a death trap, i'm surprised the government (lemon law) requires a total of 5 times same occurrence,report after the third time, then the dealership has another shot of repair #4, only then, they will consider replacement or buy back , after 5th time of engine failure. this to me is russian roulette, the worse part is , i'm paying for it (car pymt.)who is it that actually chose the criteriia for the lemon laws? and whose favor are they in ? the consumer and their families at risk, or the multi-billion dollar a year car manufacturers? i want a safe car!!!! and i want to be treated like the lives of my children matter and we're not just another number. would mr. ghosn (nissan ceo), drive his children in a car that has total power loss while driving, resulting in loss of control?? do i paint big lemons on the side of my car,what does it take to get someone's attention, a death??? feel free to contact me [email protected] *la

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

Headlight problems. *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

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

The consumer stated that the vehicle is lacking a sticker which shows the correct tire pressure to be maintained. *yh