RoadVitals

2002 Nissan Altima Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
56
Latest Jan 20, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 1,047 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 56 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 56, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jan 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V251000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted for recall completion and informed the contact that the recall was not applicable to the vehicle because the contact did not reside in the States listed in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle registration could not be renewed due to the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11712207
Incident
Jan 20, 2026
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 2, 2022

first, I started to notice my car would loose power while driving, over a couple months, it started to stall and/or completely shut off while driving at low speeds or at red lights! When this first stared happening, the car would immediately fire back up when cranked, after about a month of this, I noticed, I could not drive at or above 45mph or it would shut down, or drive for more than 15 minutes and it would shut off…AND NOT START AGAIN! It would crank, but not start, I would have to wait 30 minutes or more and then it would start right up! This is dangerous due to the immediate- no- warning shut off, whenever and wherever! I’ve almost caused multi car pile up! Not to mention my kids in the back seat and on the interstate! We could have been slammed into, and pushed down the interstate and over into other lanes! There’s a recall on 2002 Nissan Altimas for THIS VERY ISSUE!!! Somehow, my vehicles VIN # does not qualify! INFACT….. My VIN# NEVER EVER qualifies for ANY recall, but yet, my vehicle has the exact same problems!!

NHTSA ID
11477270
Incident
Aug 2, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Apr 19, 2021

TOOK MY CAR TO EMISSIONS AND THEY PRINTED THIS PAPER OUT OF A RECALL ON MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
11412914
Incident
Apr 19, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 4, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I PROCEEDED TO TRY AND REACH THE SPEED LIMIT BUT THE CAR LOST POWER TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE CANNOT GO PAST 55 MPH, IT LOSES POWER DURING ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ID
11266020
Incident
Oct 3, 2019
Mileage
79,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 27, 2019

THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER

NHTSA ID
11182882
Incident
Feb 27, 2019
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 6, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
11043748
Incident
Apr 3, 2015
Mileage
18 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 12, 2017

FUEL PUMP LEAKING GAS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION

NHTSA ID
10972090
Incident
Apr 2, 2017
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Aug 26, 2016

MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS TO WEAR I GOT IT FIX WITH REPLACING A STEERING RACK WHICH HAS NOT LASTED LONGER THEN A YEAR. 2015-2016 AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET A REPAIR MAN TO FIGURE IT OUT. THIS HAS HAPPEN DRIVING, AND TURNING. I HAVE HAD EXHAUST PROBLEM TO WERE THE REPAIR MEN HAS TOLD THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH OF FIRE DUE TO THE HEAT SHIELD SO THEY REMOVE ONE. WHICH STILL LEFT MY CAR DEALING WITH OIL SPILLAGE AFTERWARDS AFTER DRIVING IT ANYWHERE. MY OIL NEVER TOUCHES THE GROUND JUST SITS IN EXHAUST PIPE AND BLOW SMOKE SOMETIMES AND IT HAS STARTED BACK UP ONCE AGAIN AFTER PUTTING SO MUCH REPAIRS INTO MY CAR. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS START POPPING ON AND OFF, EVERYTIME I GET IT TESTED IT SAYS CRANK SENSOR THATS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR OR WHEN THE CAR MOVING. THEN SOME DAYS IT WILL DISAPPEAR. AND IT MESS WITH THE POWER OF MY ENGINE. AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE TO CRANK THE CAR. NOW I HAVE TRIED REPLACING ANOTHER MOTOR IN THE CAR BUT THIS MOTOR THAT I HAVE NOW IS GIVING ME THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE FIRST MOTOR. AND I THINK THATS BECAUSE THE REPAIR MEN ARE NOT FIXING THE RECALLS ON THE MOTOR OF THE CAR, THEY ARE JUST REPLACING THE MOTOR LIKE MINES GOT REPLACED WITH ANOTHER MOTOR OF THE SAME YEAR MAKE AS MY CAR. BUT I FEEL THAT IF THESE RECALLS ON THESE YEAR MAKE OF MY CAR HAVE BEEN KNOWN THEN THE NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR THE DEFECTS SO PEOPLE WANT HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING SO MUCH MONEY INTO FIXING THE CAR AND ITS NOT THEIR FAULT ITS NISSAN. I HAVE PROBLEMS ALSO OUT OF MY MANIFOLD GASKET AND THE WHOLE PART ITSELF ALL THE TIME THAT CAN BURN ME AND MY CHILDREN UP WHILE DRIVING. AND I'M JUST SO SCARED SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AND THERE ARE RECALLS ON MY MAKE MODEL CAR.

NHTSA ID
10899014
Incident
Aug 25, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Mar 3, 2016

FUEL PUMP LEAKED UNDER THE BACK SEAT AND SPREAD THE GAS ALL AROUND THE SEAT

NHTSA ID
10839680
Incident
Oct 14, 2015
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 16, 2015

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. JUST 98000 MILES ON IT DEALER CHARGED ME $900 FOR SET OF SENSOR AND LABOR. CAR WOULD STALL IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY, NO WARNING, WE WOULD LOSE ALL POWER. WENT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID NO ONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10810728
Incident
Dec 10, 2015
Mileage
3 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 2, 2015

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 AM A CASE IN POINT OF SOMEONE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER, NISSAN HAS OF YET NOT STATED WHETHER THEY WILL ADD THE 2003 TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. I WANTED TO FIRST LET OTHER 2003 ALTIMA OWNERS WITH THE 2.5S ENGINE BECOME AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SECONDLY DON'T PAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, IT NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA THAT THE 2003 MODELS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS POWER VALVE SCREW ISSUE. HERE IS THE KICKER: MORE THAN HALF THE CURRENT VALUE OF THE CAR. PLEASE BE SURE AND NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU. I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND MY DEALERSHIP. MY DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HONEST WITH ME AND IS WORKING WITH ME TO GET NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO ADD THE 2003-YEAR MODELS TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. IF YOU HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND HAD TO PAY FOR IT, OR IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS, HEARING ENGINE RATTLE, UNUSUAL ENGINE VIBRATION, OR HEAR A MOTORCYCLE ENGINE TYPE NOISE OR MUFFLER TYPE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THAN YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER VALVE. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION SAVES SOMEONE OUT THERE BOTH MONEY AND TIME. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE THAN PLEASE LET ME KNOW. WE ARE CURRENTLY MOUNTING EVIDENCE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND ADD THE 2003 MODEL TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AS WELL AS ADDRESS THE DAMAGE. IF NOT WE WILL NEED TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10722927
Incident
Dec 10, 2014
Mileage
205,176 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 21, 2015

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 VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESTART AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRE-CATALYST OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE PARTICLES TO FLOW INTO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER WALLS FAILED CAUSING OIL CONSUMPTION, WHICH LEAKED INTO THE SPARK PLUGS CAUSING DAMAGES. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 8/19/15*CN UPDATED 10/06/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10711995
Incident
Jun 5, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10693447
Incident
Nov 6, 2014
Mileage
143,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Feb 18, 2015

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 2/16/15 IT WAS PLACED IN DRIVE IT AUTOMATIC WENT INTO REVERSE INSTEAD OF DRIVE BUT THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10684209
Incident
Feb 2, 2015
Mileage
172,300 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 3, 2014

HARD STARTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652245
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2014

- 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 POSITION SENSOR HARNESS IS OPEN OR SHORTED - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION - FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (POS) SINCE THE INTAKE VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE USES OIL FLOW TO CONTROL TIMING, DIRTY OIL CAN CAUSE THE VALVE TO STUCK OPEN OR CLOSE. BEFORE REPLACING THE VALVE, CHANGE ENGINE OIL AND FILTER AND RESET ENGINE CODE. WHEN THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN ANGLE OF TARGET AND PHASE-CONTROL ANGLE DEGREE, THE VALVE WILL STOP WORKING AND THE ECM WILL TRIGGER THE P0021 CODE. POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS - ENGINE LIGHT ON (OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT)- LACK/LOSS OF POWER- ENGINE ROUGH IDLE P0021 NISSAN DESCRIPTION THIS MECHANISM HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLS CAM PHASES CONTINUOUSLY WITH THE FIXED OPERATING ANGLE OF THE INTAKE VALVE. THE ECM RECEIVES SIGNALS SUCH AS CRANKSHAFT POSITION, CAMSHAFT POSITION, ENGINE SPEED, AND ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE. THEN, THE ECM SENDS ON/OFF PULSE DUTY SIGNALS TO THE INTAKE VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE DEPENDING ON DRIVING STATUS. THIS MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE SHUT/OPEN TIMING OF THE INTAKE VALVE TO INCREASE ENGINE TORQUE IN LOW/MID SPEED RANGE AND OUTPUT IN HIGH-SPEED RANGE. THE INTAKE VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE CHANGES THE OIL AMOUNT AND DIRECTION OF FLOW THROUGH INTAKE VALVE TIMING CONTROL UNIT OR STOPS OIL FLOW. THE LONGER PULSE WIDTH ADVANCES VALVE ANGLE. THE SHORTER PULSE WIDTH RETARDS VALVE ANGLE. WHEN ON AND OFF PULSE WIDTHS BECOME EQUAL, THE SOLENOID VALVE STOPS OIL PRESSURE FLOW TO FIX THE INTAKE VALVE ANGLE AT THE CONTROL POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639988
Incident
Sep 25, 2014
Mileage
54,048 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 27, 2013
Crash reported

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 SHOULD POLICE ON THE FIRST PLACE THAT'S REAL SUCK THEY SHOULD HAVE PEOPLE TO CLEAN THE HIGHWAY I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE THING AND I TOOK IT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532095
Incident
Jul 26, 2013
Mileage
135 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 23, 2013

THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WOULD OFTEN HESITATE TO START WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT AND THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ALSO MY CAR IS LOOSING COOLANT AND DON'T KNOW WHERE THE COOLING IS GOING, TOOK IT TO NISSAN THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE EITHER. ALSO I SOMETIME SMELL GAS WHEN THE CAR START UP AFTER A LONG STALL CRANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10499757
Incident
Nov 18, 2011
Mileage
100,351 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2012

WILL NOT START,REPLACED CRANK AN CAM SENSOR NOTHING THEY ARE RECALLS ON THESE CARS FOR LOTS OF PROBLEMS I PURCHASED THIS CAR THINKING IT WAS A GOOD CAR FOR MY WIFE TWO DAYS LATER IT LEAVES HER AN MY DAUGHTER STUCK ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE DONE RESETS NOTHING WORKS IS THERE SOMETHING YALL CAN HELP ME WITH IM OUT OF POCKET CAUSE THIS CAR. CAN I TAKE IT TO NISSAN DEALER AN THEY FIX IT FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10444821
Incident
Dec 15, 2011
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 26, 2011
Fire reported

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. UNIT #1 WAS WESTBOUND ON IR80 IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. UNIT #1 PULLED TO THE RIGHT BERM AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. *LN ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BURNT WIRES WERE TRACED TO THE FUEL INJECTION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0425-90)

NHTSA ID
10415950
Incident
Jun 16, 2011
Fuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2010

DRIVER SMELLED GASOLINE AT STARTUP. WAS ONLY FAINT AT FIRST, BUT GREW STRONGER OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. ODOR BECAME SO OVERPOWERING THAT DRIVER HAD TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN TO VENT FUMES. DRIVER IDENTIFIED GAS DRIPPING FROM FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR VISIBLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF ENGINE. DEALER CONFIRMED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAK, ORDERED REPLACEMENT PART, AND RETURNED VEHICLE TO OWNER STATING THAT IT'S STILL SAFE TO DRIVE. DRIVER CONCERNED OVER POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE SINCE GAS DRIPS ONTO ENGINE WHILE IT'S RUNNING. DRIVER HAS DISCONTINUED USING VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIR IS MADE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10370694
Incident
Dec 12, 2010
Mileage
109,497 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 31, 2009

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S VEHICLE "SHUTS OFF" SUDDENLY WHEN I AM DRIVING, LEAVING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. NISSAN SENT OUT A SAFETY RECALL IN EARLY 2008 REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT THE RECALL ONLY "REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE". I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER, AND THEY REFUSED TO REPROGRAM THE ECM MODULE UNTIL I PAY FOR REPLACING THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR WHICH WOULD COST ME $324. THE CURRENT RECALL FROM NISSAN DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE FOR THE SAME SYMPTOM REVEALS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND REPROGRAMMING THE ECM MODULE HASN'T CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE REAL PROBLEM IS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, BUT THE COST FOR FIXING IT IS BEING BORNE BY THE CONSUMER, AND NOT BY NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263720
Incident
Mar 31, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 30, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AROUND THE FUEL TANK. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE KNOCKING NOISE ORIGINATED FROM THE OVERHEAD CAM COMPONENT OF THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT MAINTAINED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS THAT DESCRIBED THE SAME FAILURES HE EXPERIENCED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V455000 AND 03V455000). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,600.

NHTSA ID
10256989
Incident
Feb 10, 2005
Mileage
32,500 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Aug 30, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10240328
Incident
Jun 30, 2006
Mileage
55,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 28, 2007

PURCHASED VEHICLE JULY 3, 2006. AUGUST 8, 2006- SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REPORTED MULTI CYLINDER MISFIRE, SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. FEB 07- SAME CODE FOUND AND SPARK PLUGS AND O2 SENSORS REPLACED. JUNE 07- SAME CODE, ENGINE FLOODS TWICE, CAR CRANK BUT WONT START AND SPARK PLUGS, COILS, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. NISSAN TECH COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT MENTIONED COOLANT WAS LOW AND SO THAT WAS WHY THE CYLINDER MISFIRE AND HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE FIXED. OCT. 07 ENGINE SHUT OFF ABOUT 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. NOVEMBER 07- ENGINE FAILS. NO RECOURSE FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS NOR WHERE NISSAN CAR WAS PURCHASED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10213079
Incident
Nov 6, 2007
Mileage
101,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .