2002 Nissan Altima S from North America - Comments

I loved the car until recently when I started having problems with the heater. Months ago, I noticed that my heater was not working properly. I took it to be looked at and the mechanic told me that there may be bubbles in the coolant line. They bled the line, refilled it and it was fine for awhile. I have no heat again. I'm glad that it is May and I don't need it right now. However, when I took it back to be looked at, the coolant level was very low again. They checked and could find NO external leaks.

Previously I also had to have the spark plugs replaced. When this was done, the mechanic said that they were totally corroded with something on them. I should have pressed them to check further at the time.

Since there is no external leak, they asked me how the car was running for me. I told them it misfires when the car is cold or has been sitting for hours and then I start it. After it is started and is running for a bit, the misfire and the roughness goes away.

My mechanic believes that the coolant is leaking internally, that there is a problem with the head gasket. Upon reading everything on here that everyone else has written, it appears that we ALL pretty much have the same problem. I have contacted Nissan North America at (800) 647-7261 and also NHTSA at (888) 327-4236. I have filed complaints with both organizations and urge all of you to do the same thing. If all of us band together and file complaints, they will realize that there is indeed a problem and not isolated issues with just a few cars. Please take the time to call these two numbers and tell them the problems that you have been having. At the least, your complaint will be recorded. Maybe we can get a recall done. Thanks.

I loved the car up until I started having

serious issues with it.

There have been several recalls for different things on this make and model. I'm not very happy about that.

2002 Altima. Same as others have said. I loved my Altima until I was told by the dealer after taking the car for three month with the same problem that there is a head gasket leak. My car needs a new engine that cost over $5,000. Called Nissan and they were of no help and offered no solution. What is everybody doing? I think we can do a class action suit against Nissan.

Same problem. Wife's car eats coolant, starts funny, the A/C is just OK, the auto-dimming rearview mirror looks like half of the auto-dimming stuff has leaked out or something. We bought this car new in 2002 when they came out instead of an Accord. Guess what we'll do next time? If everyone here is serious about going after Nissan, my email address is nlograsso@sbcglobal.net.