1994 Nissan Altima XE review from North America
"Worst car ever made.."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
How to start this nightmare?
Seal crank at 55 000 KM (warranty).
Oxygen sensor at 55 000 KM (warranty).
Seal crank again at 99000 KM (warranty).
Mass air flow broke down, making the car run no higher than 90 Km/h; cost $535 + towing at 121 000Km.
Cable shifter broke in the transmission car had to be towed again at 126 000 KM, cost $450.
Oxygen sensor again at 127 000 KM, cost $150.
Car started to rust badly in the 1999 winter, even with a good anti-rust treatment.
Power transistor broke down, cost $200 at 132 000 KM.
Major electrical problems occurred at 135 000 KM, front light left and right stopped working in alternation on high or low beam.
New radiator at 135 000 Km.
Heating stopped partially to work (only the trap in the middle of the dash blowing hot and cold air at the same).
Oil leak into the distributor assembly repair by myself, cost $145 + towing again (during the holidays) at 144 000 KM.
New starter and head gasket, done by myself at 155 000 KM, $250.
New front suspension including coil spring, top plate bearing etc... cost $1000.
Rear lift kit. Installed by myself for $120.
Lining started to leak at 162 000 KM due to RUST, RUST and more RUST (always treated).
Gas tank ripped off on the road during vacation at 178 000 KM. Lost all my fuel on the road in the middle of nowhere, sent the car to the junkyard for $200, too angry!
General comments?
This is the worst car I have owned in my life, I should have sold this car before. I cannot believe I kept this car during 14 years.
I am Aircraft Technician, and a normal family would have ruined themselves by driving a Nissan Altima. Every time I went on vacation with this car, it broke far away from my garage. The only good thing in that car is the KA24DE 2.4 L engine, which always sounded as a new and never took an drop of oil.
The rest is garbage.
I cannot believe this car rusted that much, even after I started to treat it after my warranty in 1997.
This car had several major electrical problems that I was not able to fix, even though I am certified Aircraft Technician.
A good car for a mechanic apprentice if you bring your tool box and spare parts in the trunk. NOT for normal people, except if you are rich enough to afford all the repairs.
Recommended reviews
| If you have a 5-speed Altima GXE built in 1995, keep it, and maintain it, it will be worth it |
|
| Overall, a dependable nice looking car with pep |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1994 |
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 1994 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.4 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 0 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 14 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 178000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Suzuki Samurai |
| Date of Entry | 12th November, 2008 |