2002 NISSAN ALTIMA Complaints

I GOT A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS MY ENGINE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER(BURNING OIL AND DEBRIS GOING INTO THE ENGINE) AND I NEEDED TO REBUILD IT. HE REBUILT IT AND AFTER ABOUT 7,000 THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED BURNING OIL CONSUMPTION. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BECAUSE HE SAID THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE A FIX FOR THIS AND HE ISN'T FIXING THE PROBLEM EITHER. IT'S SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITHOUT A FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PRE-CATALYST CONVERTER OVERHEATED AND SHATTERED INTO PIECES, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RUINED THE ENGINE WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALER USED (2ND OWNER) IN 2005 WITH APPROX 37,000 MILES. RAN FINE. DURING THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS NOTICED IT BURNED ALOT OF OIL, HOWEVER HAD NO OIL LEAK. ALSO BEGAN HAVING HEATING ISSUES (WHICH PERSIST)IN THE WAY THAT IT WILL ONLY GIVE OFF HEAT IF CAR IS MOVING AT 2RPMS OR HIGHER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON PROBABLY WITHIN FIRST 6 MONTHS AND HAS ONLY NOT BEEN ON SINCE THEN WHEN A MECHANIC "RESETS" IT--AND THAT LASTS SHORT PERIOD(LIKE WEEK). THIS CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WINTER OF 2009. IT WAS FOUND TO NEED NEW ENGINE. REPLACEMENT WITH USED ENGINE APPROX $4,000.00. THIS ENGINE PROMPTLY DIED IN LESS THAN A MONTH AND YET AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A 2005 MOTOR WAS THEN PUT IN MY CAR, BUT GUESS WHAT?? SAME PROBLEM WITH OIL MYSTERIOUSLY VANISHING AND NO LEAKING ON GROUND AND NO LEAK TO BE FOUND. SPRING OF 2010 ALL RECALL WORK DONE, INCLUDING SENSOR 03V084000 WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. NOW FIND OUT CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD. ALSO THROUGH WEB-BROWSING THAT THIS CAN CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, IS RELATED TO THE RECALLED SENSOR, AS WELL AS THE NEED FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE COLD AIR ISSUE APPEARS UNRELATED TO THIS AND IS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM, HOWEVER THIS TOO IS VERY COMMON NISSAN ALTIMA PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT NISSAN IS PUTTING BANDAID ON BIGGER ISSUE BY RECALLING ONLY SENSOR AND NOT ADDRESSING THE FACT THAT THIS IS CAUSING BIGGER, MUCH COSTLIER PROBLEMS FOR THE CONSUMER. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND 100'S OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WHO ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. I ALSO PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER "02 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WHO SHARE THIS ISSUE. I HAVE EASILY PUT $8,000 INTO THIS CAR FOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ENGINE ONLY.THIS IS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN A SERIOUS MANNER. THANK YOU. *TR

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM A DEALER IN RITTMAN, OHIO, ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2011. CONSUMER REPORTS RATE THIS MODEL AS VERY RELIABLE FOR THE YEARS MANUFACTURED. LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, 9-15-11, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO A QUICK CHANGE OIL PLACE ON THE MORNING OF 9-16-11, AND THE WORKER COMMENTED THAT IT ONLY HAD 1 QUART OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. DROVE FOR 2 DAYS AND WAS CHECKING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOTICE THERE WAS AGAIN NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. ON 9-19-11, TOOK CAR TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEAR THE ENGINE HAD BROKEN INTO PIECES AND BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN MANSFIELD, OHIO CONFIRMED THIS DIAGNOSIS ON 9-20-2011. ALERTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF A VEHICLE RECALL EXECUTED BY THE NHTSA IN 2003. (CAMPAIGN ID 03V084000) WHILE THE RECALL AFFECTED 338,000 VEHICLES, NISSAN SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED? NISSAN SAID THAT THEY WOULD BE UNWILLING TO ASSIST ME WITH THE COST OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR THAT REASON AND THAT THE MILEAGE WAS TOO GREAT. HOW CAN A CAR THAT EXHIBITS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL DESCRIBES NO MATTER WHAT THE MILEAGE NOT BE INCLUDED IN A SAFETY RECALL? THE NHTSA WEBSITE LISTS 982 COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS, MANY FOR ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER DESIGN. CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE NHTSA HAS NOT OPENED ANOTHER INVESTIGATION TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE? THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT CONCERNED THREE VEHICLES. THIS RESEARCH SHOULD SHOW THAT A GREATER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES. I ASK THAT THE NHTSA PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM FOR MYSELF AND THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER MOTORISTS AFFECTED BY THIS BORDERLINE CRIMINAL ACT. HAVE SPENT ALMOST AS MUCH MONEY TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO COMPLIANCE ($4600) AS THE PURCHASE PRICE. *TR

FLOOR PANS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES ARE RUSTED THROUGH ENGINE DIES RANDOMLY. *TR

CAR USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF ENGINE OIL AND LOW OIL LIGHT NEVER COMES ON TO WARN DRIVER, CAN ONLY DETERMINE THAT IT IS LOW BY ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE.AVERAGE OIL CONSUMPTION ABOUT 1 - 2 QUARTS EVERY 300 MILES ALSO HEATER DOES NOT WORK WHEN CAR IS IDLELING ONLY WORKS WHEN DRIVING.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON CODE STATES CAT CONVERTER BAD.CONTINOUS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE CAR HAD ABOUT OUT 90,000 MILES.CAR ALSO TURNS OFF AFTER RUNNING AND WILL CRANK BUT DOES NOT START AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES. *TT

MY VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BELOW RECALL AS MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AND RECOMMENDED I BRING TO NISSAN TO FIX. BUT PER THERE RECALL MY CAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH BE AS CAMPAIGN # 03V084000. PLEASE SEE CAMPIAGN NOTICE BELOW TO REFERENCE. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE NISSAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX UNDER RECALL. RECALL NUMBER: 03V084000 SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. CONSEQUENCE: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NOTES: ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. NISSAN IS STILL DEVELOPING A REMEDY FOR THE PRE-CATALYST PROBLEM. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/ HEADER/ MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE) AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,450. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS ALSO UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/ HEADER/ MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,450.

WE HAD STOPPED AT THE SIGNAL AND ONCE THE SIGNAL TURNED GREEN WE TRIED TO MOVE, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE AT ALL, SEEMED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE THOUGHT OF GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND THUS WE PUT ON THE WARNING FLASHER SWITCH AND TRIED TO PUT INTO PARK BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED THE SELECTOR LEVER FROM D (DRIVE) TO P (PARK). DURING THIS PROCESS THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED ON TO THE BUSY TRAFFIC (THE TRAFFIC WAS ON BY THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE). THIS MAJOR ACCIDENT INVOLVED A TOTAL OF 5 CARS AND 3 CARS WERE TOWED AND TOTALED INCLUDING OURS AND INJURING ONE OF THE PASSENGERS. OUR 1 YEAR SON WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT, BUT LUCKILY HE WAS NOT INJURED, THANKS TO THE STABLE CAR SEAT. MY FATHER ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. ABOVE ALL, THE CAR WAS FULLY SERVICED FROM NISSAN DEALER (COSTING AROUND $900) DAY BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED. *TR