2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S from North America - Comments

I also have a 2002 Altima 2.5. Having trouble starting. The Nissan dealer said it was the fuel pump. Wanted to charge over 600.00 to change. We did it ourselves. The pump is located behind the back seat. Only took 1 hour.

Still having same problem, plus service engine light is on, stating cat converter beyond threshold, only 86.500 miles.

Also using about half gallon antifreeze every 2 weeks. My mechanic said it is also a head gasket problem. Talked to Nissan customer service, sounds like I'm talking to someone from India. They said so sorry my car is not under warranty. I will be looking at a FORD or CHEVY for my next car.

Just want to add that there is obviously a problem with the 02 Altima. I changed my transmission twice and now my engine light won't go off, stating the cat is bad so I can't pass emission in Georgia. Anyone know how to get around this?

No more Nissan for me in the future, Toyota it is.

To the poster with the check engine light and the code saying your cat is bad, there is a way you can reset the computer and wipe out the code for a few days. After you go through the steps and begin driving the car again, the problem will resurface, as you haven't actually fixed the problem. You've only reset the computer. However, you have a little time to get the vehicle through emissions testing. It will pass, unless there's blue smoke coming out of the tailpipe, because the only thing that would fail you is the actual code itself, not anything that's coming out of the tailpipe. You can find instructions on how to reset the code by going to Google, inputting the code into the search line and hitting enter. Look around for just a few minutes and I guarantee you'll find it. I don't have a URL handy or I'd give it to you. It's been some time since I had to do this, as I no longer live in an area with emissions testing. You can find it fairly easily, if you haven't already, by Googling. Simply enter the fault code.

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE standard transmission, love how it drives. Bought the car used with just about 110,000 miles. Exhaust and intake - it is very quick. Have had problems starting the engine for about two years - kind of on and off, sometimes takes many tries to do so - but always does start. Have heard it has something to do with a viper alarm that was already installed before I purchased it. Not sure if anyone has had such problems, but I would appreciate any advice. I do have an engine light that always comes on - diagnosed as something to do with O2, but seemingly not a serious problem until I have to pass state emissions testing.

I bought a used '02 Altima SL with 73K miles, and just a month after my purchase, I had to have everything on the engine replaced from the head gasket up... thankfully it was still under warranty from the dealership or it would have been almost $1500.

Since then I've only had normal wear and tear, no problems with burning oil or antifreeze. However, within the last 2 months I had to have the CAM shaft sensor replaced because my car completely shut down in the middle lane of one of the busiest roads in the DC/MD area... scary!

Now, it seems there is an electrical short-circuit somewhere because my entire dash will go out and come right back on, sometimes when I'm driving, and when I start up my car sometimes the clock will reset back to 12:00 and all of my radio presets will go back to 87.9... it's rather odd. Anyone have any insight for me?!

The CAM shaft sensor replacement put me back $276.

To Oct 06 poster (sensors) #1, everyone else (catalytic) #2:

I have an '02 Altima SL with 64K miles. First, I am not a mechanic, but I will let you know what I know and you can find pretty easily on the web.

The two major problems with the Altima's in these '02-'03 (maybe (04) years are:

1. CAM shaft sensor, and another sensor (there are two). The problem was that Nissan went cheap and part of the sensor was plastic. At about 50-60k miles these sensors started to malfunction, which caused a major safety issue (cars turning off on highways, etc.). Nissan's RECALL fix: jury-rig (reprogram the computer) so the sensors don't shut the car off. The recall doesn't replace the cheap sensors. If you scream loud enough though some dealerships will replace the sensors under warranty (I have found mixed results online). The new sensors are all metal (from what I've heard) so this shouldn't happen again. Have both sensors done at the same time.

2. Catalytic Converter problem. These catalytic converters for Nissan's 2002-2004 are mounted right by the engine on the manifold. The honeycomb substance inside the converter broke apart in my car and caught up in the front exhaust pipe just in front of the regulator. Whenever I gave it good gas, I heard a rumbling sound and the car had less power. I took it to a shop and they drilled holes in the exhaust pipe and ran compression tests to isolate the location of the clog (before the regulator). They said they suspected the catalytic converter (CC) was the probable cause of whatever was in the pipe. Since I had only 64k miles, they said the CC was under warranty for 8 yrs/80k miles. I took it to a Nissan dealership. Sure enough they called me and said the CC had no more of the honeycomb substance inside, and it was the cause of the clog.

HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART. If this happens to you, DEMAND to have them let YOU look at look at the cylinders when the manifold and CC are off. They will suspect you know what you are talking about, and will replace the engine under warranty. What I suspect is that if the engine is still running fine when they do this, they are simply replacing the CC and letting you drive off. Some of the CC stuff that broke of does go the other way into your cylinder and will over time destroy your heads and require a rebuild or a new engine.

After I demanded to see the cylinder before the CC was simply replaced, they said, "we will call you back after we have completed our analysis". They called back 30 minutes later and simply stated they would be replacing the engine also under warranty. If this happens to you do what I did:

When the new engine (includes new plugs and water pump) is about to be put back in, have them replace broken motor mounts, I had a slightly leaky low side A/C hose, old and maybe cracked radiator hose, the serpentine belt (these Nissans only have this one belt for the A/C, alternator, crankshaft, power steering). In most cases they can only charge you for the part (i.e., motor mount, belt, etc.) because they have to completely remove it anyway for the new engine. The other parts, other side of the radiator hose, etc. you should pay for the part and a DEEP discount on labor, since they only have to disconnect it from one side (connected to the radiator) and they have full and easy access without the engine blocking their access.

This is like getting the 100k tune-up at 1/2 price.

HOPE THIS HELPS.

I wish I read this blog before so I could catapult the 02' Altima 2.5 S back at them. It's an expensive lesson learned, but I'm sure the lack of quality in this car will come back to haunt them.

My Altima only gave me about 10 days with the engine light on before it seized on the highway and began to smoke. It's 190,000 kms. I already spent $900 on the ABS malfunction, and after that more engine light! This time it was cylinder misfiring. After a $150 tune up the light came back, shortly after the engine seized. There was no oil in the engine at that point, which was 1500 kms after my last oil change, no leaks. Sad but true. Nissan has lost one (among many on this blog) forever.

My wife has a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5L @ 105,000 miles on it and is experiencing all of the symptoms everyone else is encountering. I know D**N well Nissan knew about these problems before hand and just shrugged it off.

I can't believe her car with an engine that size gets 10 MPG less, consumes a quart of oil a week and the anti-freeze reservoir has to be filled every week, where I don't have any problems like that on my Toyota Camry that has a 2.4L.

I'm just astounded by the recalls of the ECM having to be reprogrammed, catalytic converters and engines being replaced due to what I believe a hidden engineering design snafu that I know Nissan knew about after introducing the model to the public, sort of like the Ford Pinto disaster.

Nissan just doesn't get it. I've read on this blog people spending between $2K to $4K on new engines and other part replacements, and it still doesn't solve the problem - that just baffles me. I never liked Nissan, nor will I ever. I told my wife not to invest in the repair. It's paid off, and when this dies, it dies and will be donated to science. The repairs will not be worth the return investment. She will be getting a Toyota Camry, simple as that.

Before you think about getting any Nissan, invest in a Consumer Reports Auto Buyer guide first before you buy, do your research. Caveat emptor!!!

Hi to every one. I have a Nissan Altima 2002 173k km on it. I want you to let you know all the commentss that you read on this site are true. I'm from Canada, having that Altima is a nightmare for me. So if I were you think twice, this is a big lesson for me.

Wow wow, Altima 2.5SL, every one comments about these car is so true, but who helps the consumer? I have three head jobs from my Nissan dealer. Did not fix the problem. No heat, water disappears from the radiator. I just installed a new exhaust manifold 13/11/2009.

I believe that is a big problem with these cars. I noticed the newer cars now come in dual exhaust. Can we all do something about Nissan doing the consumer wrong, or do we all have to take the crap as consumers?

For yes there is a flaw in the 2002 Nissan Altima design. Nissan should give every one a new motor. Any help, email me at info@bidaddict.biz.

I bought a New Nissan Altima 2.5 SL in 2002, and in 2004 I started to hear pinging when I started my car. The dealer said oh that's nothing, Nissans do that. Well in 2009 I am having all the problems you stated, and now I have to have head gasket job right now. I am angry because my car has always been taken care of by my dealer, and neither Nissan or the dealer want to take the responsibility. My car has less than 95 thousand miles. Yeah Nissan does need to do a recall on their head gaskets...

Why on Earth do people keeping buying these poorly built Japanese vehicles when a Ford and a GM are tops in reliability in both Consumer Reports and J.D. Powers long-term reliability studies??

"Why on Earth do people keeping buying these poorly built Japanese vehicles when a Ford and a GM are tops in reliability in both Consumer Reports and J.D. Powers long-term reliability studies??"

Only in one vehicle class you have to remember. Plus I'd be happy if people started buying domestics again. Then, when Honda and Toyota started losing customers, they'd reign in the quality to what it used to be and bring them all back again. And Ford and GM would go back to their old ways of shabby build quality and low reliability because they will have scored their customers back, and wouldn't need to worry so much anymore. Cause that's what will happen. The Big 3 care too much about money to make a quality vehicle for long.

"Why on Earth do people keeping buying these poorly built Japanese vehicles when a Ford and a GM are tops in reliability in both Consumer Reports and J.D. Powers long-term reliability studies??"

I'll tell you why. When Japan was on the top (where it should be) you domestic fans still refused to listen to import lovers even though they were completely correct about Honda and Toyota being on top at the time. Honda and Toyota were proven to be more reliable and higher quality. Now that Ford holds that title, we'll do the same thing you did years ago. Plus, just because the Fusion is ahead doesn't make Japanese vehicles poorly built. They still beat out everything else.

We can be just as stubborn. I've seen domestic fans sitting in the tow truck with their beloved domestic in tow on the way to the repair shop for the umpteenth time, raving about how American cars are so great because they bought a Honda or Toyota and had some bad luck (most likely because they fell for "Japanese vehicles need no maintenance" a unfortunately common belief.)

It's as simple as that. You refused to believe that Honda and Toyota were great, so what's stopping us from believing that Ford and Chevy are great? The worst vehicle I've ever owned was a Chevy. Your own experience should tell you that bad experiences with a certain product can put people off of them for good.

Over a dozen new Hondas 2 new Toyoyas and a new Nissan since the late seventies, usually 2 at a time. Sorry we switched to GM cars with better ride comfort warranty and far less issues. We switched over quality service issues. That's a lot of former new imports.