2002 Nissan Altima problems
NHTSA has received 1,321 complaints about the 2002 Nissan Altima, and 55% of them involve engine. After that come exhaust system (17%) and body & structure (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,321 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 55% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 41 and 43
- Injuries and deaths
- 48 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 1,005 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 82 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 73 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 80 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 157 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 244 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 163 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 108 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 37 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 29 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 11 |
| 200k+ miles | 21 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,005 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 87,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 90,000 miles (594 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 41 complaints mention a crash; 43 complaints mention a fire; 48 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 32 model years of the Nissan Altima with enough data (594 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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. 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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving 75 MPH, the contact heard a bumping sound from outside the vehicle and noticed that the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle lost power and the brakes failed. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle was stopped, she was unable to place the vehicle into park. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the front end caught fire. There were no injuries and a police report was filed.
Did check engine light repair fixed crank position sensor . I drive to the store car shuts down to 5MPH I pull over reset check engine light then it works fine.