Topic: 2002 Nissan Altima Problems

[SCC]

 If anyone has had any problems with the new generation Nissan Altima (any model), log your complaints here!

[neil]

 SCC, starting a fire storm?  Do have something in mind to start the thread with?

Or just disturbing?

[SCC]

 As you already know, I'm interested in the New Altima and just want to hear what the critics have to say.  Not only about superfluous things like looks, but also build quality, design, comfort, convenience, etc.  I want to know it all.  I've test driven a base model and it's impressive, but that's just it.  When test driving a new car I can't help but become emersed in the experience and lose myself in the immense interior.  There's also the thought in the back of my mind that I shouldn't ram this car into anything!  In other words, test driving that car wasn't enough to fully critique the car.  I'm sure someone who has been driving it for a year would have a much better analysis of it.

[kevlar]

 well all i have to say is there is alot of cars  
several cars coming that will be solidly  
competing with the altima.  number one is the  
acura TSX in late march and number two,  
mazda 6 coming in january.

[SCC]

 Both of those cars sound like (from other threads) they won't have comparable power.  Handling for the Mazda 6 is going to be better, but not by much.  Styling for the 6 is much improved, but the Altima seems to have more presence.  Price is also going to be comparable in all of the groups so until I actually test drive the competition, my pick stands by the Altima.

[kent]

 I am not sure you'll get much response here since I there aren't many Altima owners on this site.  You might want to go to freshalloy and check out the problems with Altina.

[3.5SE]

 My dad owns a 02 altima 3.5SE. there are no major problems with it, but some rattling noice are coming under the dash, sometimes is very loud, sometimes is not even there. The dealer did nothing about it, said they cant hear anything when we bought it in for service.  

Also, my dad previous car is a 98 Accord V6, compare to the fuel consumption, the Altima seems to use more gas, (we drive about 4000km per month, ....yes, alot, cuz we only have one car.........and it uses about $30 more gas than the accord a month). I am not sure about the 2.5L, maybe you can ask you salesman about the fuel consumption firgues.  

Anyways, the Altima is a great car, my only complain is the use of interior material, it seems it is even worse than our 98 accord, and 93 Vigor (which we own before the accord).

[Big Cliff]

 I have been driving an Altama 2003 2.5S for about 4 weeks now (a rental). If I was going to buy a new car right now this would be my choice. Lots of power, excellent handling, very comfortable.  

As far as fuel echonomy is concerned, I think it is really quite acceptable. The only negitive observation I have to offer is that if you are driving it and it is snowing, snow seems to build up on the back window.

Hope this helps!

Big Cliff

[bgclarke]

 One of my friends has one, and he has had to have it towed to the delaer twice so far this winter, as there is a problem with the fuel sensor.

Ends up flooding the car on really cold mornings.

[farleywilbur]

 Wife has the 2.5 S.  No problems yet.

Very, very, very comfortable seating for a big guy like me (6'3" 250).

The interior seems cheap compared to my Acura but I love those seats and the telescopic wheel.

[Greatvio]

 here it the list of problem my 02 altima or should i say my lemon at 40000km
entire heating systems change twice still now
entire exhaust systems.
Armrest clip
dask peace replace do to cleaning with hard sovolant.
Clunk noise in the back replace rear shock
Now it in the garage for a new engine.
there other stuff to just to let you know i've had every TSB that been put out on this model well am trying to get a replacement and nissan doesn't want to help me.

[Snowman]

YIKES!.....

[bgclarke]

Greatvio,

Is you engine being replaced because of the problem with the pre-catalyst particles (see recall notice below) getting into the combustion chamber and scoring the cylinder walls?


--------------------------------
Make: NISSAN  
Model: ALTIMA  
Affected Year(s): 2002 2003  
Units Affected: 30589  
TC Recall #: 2003060  
Manufacturer:  
Campaign Code: R80  

Recall Details:
 
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. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis, engine damage may occur which could result in fire. 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.

[altima2002]

I have a rusty film at the neck of the filling area of my gas tank.  Has anyone else experienced this?  Should I be concerned about it?}

[thesober]

I wanted to buy this car used but when I did my research on it, I found a lot of responses about bad transmission or tranmission failure on the 2002's.  It scared me away from buying used as they were over 100k and no more warranty.

[Roadrunner]

Altima, If the rust gets worse there's a good chance of some falling in the tank (during fill-ups) although there is usually a screen at the bottom of the filler neck. Maybe take a wire brush or a small wire wheel attached to a hand drill and clean away as much rust as possible and prime with metal paint. Stuff a rag in the filler neck first to catch the loose rust as you wire brush it.

[woodys_kitty]

I have to tell ya, I am on a personal mission to let everyone know about the issues I have had with my 2002 Nissan Altima. I purchased it used about 4 months ago. I loved this vehicle initally!  
Then the transmission started giving me problems. One day it would just not accelerate from 1st to 2nd gear. After taking it to my local Nissan Dealership, I was advised it was the Torque converter in the transmission that had gone bad and pretty much burned the transmission. The total cost to repair this....$4600.00. Because just so happened it was 7000miles outside of the original 60,000 mile warranty this repair bill was all on me. I actually had the vehicle towed to AAMCO transmissions and had the same repair completed for $2381.00 only to have the torque converter have to be replaced 2 more times in a 3 week time frame. So, with towing, rental car, and cost, this POS has now cost me about 3500.00 and still counting. I have called the consumer affairs with Nissan only to be told "sorry can't help you until Nissan deems this a recall. I am asking anyone that may know someone faced with the same issue to please contact me, I will add your issue to my growing list of consumers that are having transmission issues. I purchased a Nissan because I "thought" the manufacturer stood behind their product. So far, I have been proven wrong.  
(Thesober; if you would be able to give me an idea were you were reading about the transmission problems on the Altima's I would appreciate it)}}

[thesober]

Woodys_kitty
I did my research on the Altima Forums, there is a section dedicated to problems.  When i started reading this section, the transmission failure kept coming up with different owners.  
http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=62

[scarberian]

SCC;
The 2002 Altima was the first year on this design. After you read enough at the two excellent owners sites listed above ( freshalloy.com and nissanclub.com ) you will discover that the old saying is true. Never buy a  car in its first year of production. I have a 2003 SE made in September 2002 which was about 1 month into the 2003 model year production.  
I have had some interior finishers replaced, specificly the center console, a "B" pillar and a "A" pillar, replaced due to poor fit, and a rattle under the dash fixed.
So I've just told you my particular problems.
Thats all you'll hear from posters to forums...their problems. Its human nature.
Mechanically, my copy of this car at 35,000 is good.
Oversll, the paint is not very sturdy. It chips like crazy.  
The interior quality on the 2002 to 2004 models is below what you will find in most of the competition.  
Gas mileage records I've carefully kept over the life of the car show about 26 mpg or 10.6 lt/100 km. Thats my real world mileage. A long highway cruise can see you reach up to 32 mpg or 8.5 lt /100 but thats really streching it.  
The 3.5 liter V6 recommends premium, but the manual cleary states that regular is ok, and mine runs fine on regular.

It has a big turning radius, so it can be a bear to manuever in tight spots and get parked.  
Ride and room are very good. The SE has a firm "sporty" suspension but doesn't beat you up. Just don't expect Camry / Buick soft .  
Its not really the sports sedan the marketers would have you believe.  
It IS a roomy four door, built for a price with cost cutting you can see on the interior . What other cost cutting you can't see has shown up in the forums. Warped rotors for those hard on the brakes. Blown struts for some. Transmission and engine failures for the unlucky.  

Nissan was facing bankruptcy before Renault invested in them big time and Carlos Goshn the nissan president formulated his turn around plan.  That plan was to build cars people wanted while trimming the big fat at Nissan.  
He trimmed a little close to the bone on the Altima, and I made them pay for it in my warranty claims. Buying used, you don't have that luxury. However, I'm not seeing the used prices hold up, so you may get a good price and have a lot of car for the money.  

My advise is look for a 2003 model. They had a lot of bugs worked out.  

Would I buy it again?
No, and the clincher for that is the dealers
Nissan dealership service is mediocre for the most part.  
I've found Toyota here in Toronto to be excellent.

Today I'd go for the Mazda 6 with a four cylinder and perhaps a manual seems like the smarter choice now.  
Better mileage, better interior, better handling, bigger healthier corporations standing behind it.
Very nice styling to my eye, and a smarter car for my needs. I was seduced by the V6 power. I seldom get to use it on our clogged streets.  
I do see a lot of four cylinder models of the Altima, and they seem to have adequate power.
Some fours did have catalyst breakdown and resulting engine destruction, but that has been covered by a nissan technical bulletin.  

I'm not selling mine anytime soon. I'd take a bath on depreciation, and the car has been reliable, with no major grief. Others haven't been so lucky, but they are still selling well.

Good luck with finding a good used sample.

[safristi]

Good honest report Scarborough FAIR enuf...damned with faint praise. I remember being excited about the new Altima launch and was almost pre-sold on the launch day.Took several test drives and found the 4 cylinder models "rattly"..weird engine noises on 2 of 3 cars I drove.Loved the big 6 despite the torque steer but wifey found them bland inside and too pricey when optioned the way we wanted(NO DEALS) the first 6 months ..they were HOT... so we walked..no regrets ..especially not now..hmm that 1st model year gremlin still survives....