2002 Nissan Altima from North America - Comments

Engine blew shortly after purchasing, due to "honeycomb" pieces breaking off from in the catalytic converter and going into the engine. This seems to be a typical problem with this model.

End-state; Engine replaced. Catalytic converter replaced. Manifold replaced (is a unit with the catalytic converter on this model)

A/C unit broke.

Windows rattle when rolled down.

Unbelievable how cheap this car is. For what is paid for this car, you get penny material for interior. The catalytic converter is a typical problem with these models which should be recalled by Nissan, but, with this problem unknown by consumers, it results in blown engine costing buyers thousands of dollars.

If you read comments on this site about cars, take serious consideration to what they say. Future cars that I buy (will replace the Nissan soon)

I will disregard ANY vehicle with over 20% negative reporting for major cost repair problems. I didn't with this Nissan and it has cost me $2,250 to date. ($1,800 = new engine, $200 = new climate control unit, $250 = new catalytic converter & manifold)

I'm looking for people with your situation as well... we just replaced the engine and catalytic converter in my niece's car---cost $4,500...I want to start a class action suit againt Nissan---there is a design flaw with this engine---want to find others in this situation to participate. Contact me at kathytbell@gmail.com

Thanks.

8th Aug 2007, 19:38

I liked my 02 Altima 2.5s a lot until a few weeks ago. Long story short: Leased it new, crushed the mileage, and bought it used with the 'Extended (but not on cat's!) Warranty'.

Have always had, but could deal with the squeaky doors, frozen doors, reluctance to start in the cold, windshield fogging and stank. (It's only Pittsburgh and it's a pretty car with the wheels and such that I have done to it... and I've had to put up with more when dealing with 'pretty things' before.)

Last year (67k miles) had the rough running coil, plug, O2 issue. Warranty covered... I'm OK.

This year (89k miles), I picked it up today!, with the cat story. And broken AC not touched, but I was welcomed to pay for the Ac repair along with the exploratory teardown... NO THANKS.

Next step is to break out the cat all together and fill'er up with oil and antifreeze while I check the gas. It is getting remarkably better gas mileage... go figure.

So my take on it is... genius marketing (if the crooks can get away with it...) Bolt on a component that is almost guaranteed to fail, is a non maintenance part, has no failure detection system, that is federally regulated, and if it breaks it grenades the motor. Have it happen just after warranty, or don't cover it.

Somebody went to college! (jail seems more appropriate than college... just sayin!) AND then DENY ALL RESPONSIBILITY.

Good game if you can pull it off... until it bites you! So I have joined http://www.thenissanfight.com

Sorry to here everyone's plight, but in some ways I'm glad I'm not the only one... but it sucks for all of us.

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5s with 46 k miles on it. Today it would not start when the ignition was switched on I smell gas and I hear gas pour out on ground from somewhere underneath the car. What is the problem?