Love it
Have had no major problems. Recently had to replace the ignition switch.
I absolutely love this car, I have had it for 5 years and originally had 50,000 miles on it when I bought it used. To this day I haven't had to put a lot of money in it, just your regular maintenance.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th August, 2009
Will never purchase a Nissan again
My A/C compressor went out at 3000 miles.
Used oil from the start.
Head gasket at 100,000 miles.
Throttle body at 115,000 miles.
Current at 118,000 miles, and the dealer states I need new wiring harness, light comes on no power.
I would like to know if anyone has the same problem with the car losing power? It will not go over 10mph, light on, dealer says I need a $1700.00 wiring harness.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 29th July, 2009
Nice car
Just the power steering oil was leaking, and I found out the problem and got it fixed really cheap.
It's a nice spacious car.
It has lot of power.
Very smooth and comfortable drive, specially on highways.
Sound system is really nice.
More comfortable than Toyota.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 10th June, 2009
The '02 Nissan Altima 3.5L was brought brand new with 263 miles on it.
For the first three years, the car ran great with no problems, just regular maintenance. After that, down hill from there. Every time I would go to the dealer, it would be something new (cannot recall the issues from 05-08).
Recently (Jan 08) the flow meter broke, which causes the car to jerk vigorously and not be able to accelerate. Also during that time frame the driver side airbag (dealer price $950) malfunctioned and the dealer would not cover that.
February 2009, ($600) first the rear shocks were starting too go bad, second the oil pan started leaking ($200), and third the radiator blew ($759).
May 2009 (154,344 miles), the car's performance started to take a dramatic turn. The car is now running sluggish and struggling to get up hills and even accelerate. The Nissan mechanic confirmed that the catalytic converter front is bad ($750 part + $200 labor). It was suggested that I have the front and rear converters replaced (total $1,600).
Please do not buy this car with over 100,000 miles, as the durability of parts has surpassed its life span.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 22nd May, 2009
My 2002 Altima head gasket and cat convertor are shot. Nissan said it would cost about 4000.00 to repair. I have only 86.500 miles, talking with nissan reps. now.
I would tell everybody with this problem to call Nissan North America to complain @1 (800) 647-7261. THERE IS DEFINITELY a problem with this year motor, and if enough owners call, maybe they'll do a recall.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 14th May, 2009
I like the car and hate it at the same time. Go figure
My Altima stalls.
The check engine like comes on. My mechanic said it was the throttle body. He then replaced it, but I still have the same stalling problems. The gear selector on the dashboard sometimes blinks. I'm confused & frustrated. Help me Nissan.
I don't understand how a car with so many faults can be allowed to be sold in this country. I thought Nissan was reliable. I would of never thought the opposite. I'm going back to Honda.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 5th May, 2009
I totally get you, in 2006 I bought a 2002 Altima, and to tell you the truth, the space and the aesthetics of it did me in, but a year to the day of purchase, I started feeling it getting stuck in gears, and I got worried.
It did it once and not again, so I didn't think much of it. But when we took a trip to San Antonio Tx, I noticed it was throwing out white smoke, I told my husband that we should just head back home, well we were very lucky to get home, but the next day the car didn't run again. I took it to the mechanic and he told me that the engine head block had warped and that they had to be replaced, it came out to a pretty penny.
The service engine came back on, and I found out that water had gone into the engine and destroyed the catalytic converter, which comes out brand new to 690-720 plus installation. When I got it finally done, my oil release valve broke, because some genius made it out of plastic. I got it fixed, and then I get stopped by the cops because my headlight was out, I hit it and it turned on, but I still got the ticket, twice this happened.
Then if I would go into a drive in car wash, that was the end of my headlights. I don't know, I had somewhat of a hate/love relationship to that car, I loved how it looked, but I hate the way it worked, and it is a pricey car to have so many problems.
Finally I let him go, and it hurt me as if I had just lost a loved one, maybe because of all I invested in it. I paid more than $4,000 in repairs in less than a month, so if you have a lot of money lying around, get yourself a good looking Nissan Altima 2.5 2002.
29th Jul 2009, 10:44
I am very surprised to read all this. I always thought that the Nissan Altima was "world class."