2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S from North America - Comments

I have an '02 Altima 2.5 SE and it is burning oil. The first time it happened (approx 70,000 miles) right around 3000 miles after my oil change-the oil light went on. Upon checking the oil, I was 3 quarts low. Nissan told me the seal in the oil pan drain was faulty (even though I had no oil in my driveway). Around 3000 miles after that oil change I checked my oil and was down 3 quarts again. Took it back to Nissan and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it and told me to monitor it twice a week.

Also, I have to take the car to the dealer once a month during the winter to have them blow out a vacuum in the cooling system otherwise I have no heat at speeds less than 60 miles per hour.

Please let me know if anyone has heard about these problems in Altimas? I have been reading about all the oil problems in the 2006 Altima's.

Fattyb1964@aol.com.

I am currently in the process of dealing with Nissan about the Catalytic issue. It started with my heater not functioning properly. I took it to a Nissan dealer who told me I had a blown head gasket. Nissan did the repairs covered under warranty. The "Service Engine Soon" light came on and Nissan told me that it was the Catalytic converter ($800 repair). I got a second opinion who said that the converter was one of a few possibilities with the code from the “Service Engine” light, and also informed me that I had burned over 1 quart of oil in less than 1000 miles. Assuming that Nissan had performed a bad head gasket job, I took it to them for further inspection ($162 bucks). They had me I had to do a 1000 mile consumption test to find out I was burning an unusual amount of oil. They suggested a new engine!!! Wow! I asked a lot of questions about how they could have missed this during the head gasket job, and they seemed to want to avoid the issue. Later I spoke with an assistant manager who told me the problem had to do with the Catalytic converter breaking apart and getting in the engine and causing damage. He said it was my fault for not fixing it when they suggested repair. According to my mechanic the damage was done as soon as the light came on.

I own 2002 a Altima with 68000 miles. Few days back, "Service Engine Soon" light came up. Took it to the dealer, Charged $95 for diagnosing the problem and suggested they need to replace the Oxygen sensor and it costs $150 and took money to place the order. While I'm waiting for the part, after 2 days the light went out on its own.

The dealer is going to charge me $150 to install the sensor. Since the light is no longer coming, should I fix the sensor?

Meerasant @ comcast. net.

I too, own a 2002 Altima 2.5L. Purchased it back in early 2005 with few minor issues which include the only time I have ever been stranded! This is fairly sad after driving a 1990 Cavalier for 6 years and not once been stuck anywhere far from home!

I too have had the cold start syndrome since the first couple of months I purchased the vehicle. Most of the comments elude to cold weather as the cause, but every single time (including just this morning) the temperature has been in the 70's! The first time it happened I called the dealership and they simply told me what I needed to do which was press the gas all the way and crank the he#$ out of it. Every time it has started and I have never had to take it into the dealership. However, I have noticed that I tend to cause this problem when I don't turn the key long enough for the engine to properly start. I have found that if I always hold the key long enough, then it always starts. Besides that, the car has been OK. Won't buy another Nissan though!

I also have the "cold start" problem with my 2002 Nissan Altima. I just replaced my battery last week thinking that I would be set, but just an hour ago, it wouldn't start. I called my Nissan dealership and the service person told me that this happens because when I start or use my car for a very short period of time, the fuel that is used to start the car has not had a chance to burn off completely. This unburned fuel then is the reason why I have trouble starting the car the next time. He told me that I need to let my car run for longer (I have no clue what longer means -- 5, 10, 20 minutes???). I think its unacceptable that I can't simply move my car from my driveway to the street without risking this cold start problem. My family has bought Nissan's for over 20 years (although this is the first Altima we have bought) and have never had this problem.

I have a 2005 Nissan Altima - LOVE the car... hate the cold start issue EVERY time it gets cold. Last year around the same time I had this problem... no start only in the mornings that it was cold outside. I took it to the good old Nissan Dealer who said that it was my battery - they changed it. Well guess what its one year later and the car is doing the same thing. I called them and scheduled another appointment explained to the tech what was going on AGAIN... he told me "well that just doesn't make any sense." Funny Huh? No it doesn't so tonight I drop it off at the shop - but this morning was the WORST no start ever. After about 5 minutes of not starting it did, but felt like I was on a roller coaster ride and sounded like it was missing along with a black puff of terrible smelling exhaust...

Ya know we pay quite a bit of money for these cars. For this to happen every winter is just ridiculous. Good Luck Nissan Owners...

I have been experiencing a problem related to starting my 2002 Nissan Altima. The problem happens randomly, not related to cold weather or to the initial start of the car, but rather it happens after driving the car for a distance, long or short, parking it, then returning to the vehicle after a short period of time and attempting restart. The dashboard lights and radio come on and that's it. There is no starter click, no noise, no attempt at starting the engine. I have not "flooded the engine", but if I let the car sit for 5-10 minutes it seems to restart without problem, that is until last night, when after 45 minutes of trying, waiting, changing keys, I left it on the street. It was towed the next morning to the dealership where of course it started without a problem. The dealership say they can't find anything wrong with it. If anyone else has experienced this I'd like to hear about it. This is really frustrating!!!

I have an '05 2.5S with 22K miles and apparently have the cold starting problem too. It has been around -15 degrees and I let it sit for a day. It wouldn't start and I received the same reply from the dealer as above. I called AAA and they jumped it??!! I didn't think it was a battery problem, but it worked. Not sure what to do here so I think I'll just buy an engine block heater for $100 and be done with it. Looks like I'll have to start paying for long-term HEATED parking when I travel.

Other than that, the cars is great and I love it.

I am an owner of a Nissan Altima 2002 2.5 since 2004. It's my 3rd winter with it and this this week I've had some troubles starting it with the cold temperature. As I can read in this post, and with what my friend (mecanician) told me, I can make these two recommendations:

1) Keep an eye on your oil. During winter, use 5w-XX oil and be sure to always have a "full" level of oil in your engine.

2) Use gaz line antifreeze in each visit to the gaz station.

2002 Altima, and yes, cold start problems. Spoke with the dealership, they replaced the starter, the fuel pump, reprogrammed the computer, and yes, it still has the problem.

I am going to changed the oil to a 00w30 synthetic and see what happens. I think the computer takes a sample of the temperature of the oil and advances the cam to a position where the starter cannot possibly reach the proper RPMs for the engine to kick over.

RECALL - RECALL - RECALL!!!

I had the same problem with the cold starts and the check engine lights and this was a subject of a recall in 2003. Here is the notice:

Recall Date:

NOV 17, 2003

Model Affected:

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

Summary:

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Consequence:

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR (S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Potential Units Affected:

630000

Notes:

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. R3021/R3022.

I was never notified of this, and neither was the previous owner. But when I took my car to Woodbury Nissan in New Jersey, they informed me of the recall and fixed it no charge. I haven't had the problem since. As for the mechanics who charged you folks thousands of dollars to fix this, and never mentioned it, shame on them.

Paul Driscoll

paul_driscoll1@excite.com.

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima. In cold weather the brake pedal won't go down to the floor (or stop the car) unless I pump the brake pedal several times and then it starts to work. Also, when the brake pedal is working it makes a swooshing sound that doesn't seem right to me (but the brakes do work then). Anyone else with this problem or a solution?

Yes, your car's brake booster is gone. Normally you still have brakes, but you'll need trunks instead of legs to apply the brake. It may be dangerous as well in traffic in case of a sudden or emergency brake because the response to your foot's command is slower. If you are handy, the repair can be done in your home's garage. The part will be (not at dealer) somewhere in-between 150-300 bucks. And I'm talking about aftermarket pricing. I don't know how much will cost the labor because I did this myself (for an Intrepid) and I spent around three hours. Good luck.

Me and my wife bought an 02 Altima just a few months ago and she has had problems with the cold start. We are now looking into it thanks for the advise. But just recently the service engine light came on so I checked the oil, Guess what I put in three quarts of oil. is this normal for a five year old car. I would expect this from another brand of car, but Nissan. Anyway if anyone knows how to fix this problem e-mail me @ sentrafreak243@hotmail.com thanks.

I am glad to see I am not the only one having problems with my 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5s. My engine is burning coolant and oil, I have a misfire in my #3 cylinder and I also had my CAT replaced at 73k. I have 87k miles right now. Evidently the CAT's on certain Altimas are having problems, they break apart inside and get sucked into the engine causing damage. Is anyone else having major engine problems with this vehicle?