2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S from North America - Comments

I have a similar situation to all of these comments. We own a 2002 Altima 2.5S, with 73k miles on it. Check engine light a few months ago, no heat when idling. Got a P0302 error code (cylinder 2 misfire). Just got worse last week when it would take forever to start when cold. Local mechanic advised it is a blown head gasket, which we all know is not cheap to fix (99% labor expense). After reading these comments I called Nissan Consumer affairs (1-800-647-7261). The message states that a recall is in the process and you should call your local dealer on 12/11/07 or after to see if your vehicle is affected. I hope mine is covered, otherwise THIS WILL ALSO BE OUR LAST NISSAN! Wish you all the best of luck.

I have most of the problems listed! I can't list them all because I will run out of space!!!

My car is at 100,000 miles and my cat has gone bad for the second time in a year and broke my engine! I called Nissan and they have been running me in circles! I've had it towed so many times because it wouldn't start. I replace the oil every week and nobody at Nissan can tell me where it is going!

I have reached the end; I can't take it anymore. I will not stop until something is done!

If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them! Remember everybody, the squeaky wheel always gets the oil! So don't stop until justice is done.

This is an update to my comments on 12/3/07 (2002 Altima 2.5S). The recall for my car was the ECM needed reprogramming. I also had the car re-diagnosed and was told there is no problem with the head gasket. The radiator was leaking and the radiator fan (passenger side) was broken and not working. It may have occurred from a prior accident before we owned the car(which is completely another issue with the used car dealer!). The car had trouble starting because running around town was causing the engine to run a little hot since the fan wasn't working. Anyway we had a new radiator and fan installed and the car runs fine now, at substantially less cost & less labor. Heat works, engine runs fine and no check engine light. I'm not sure why I was told by Firestone there was a problem with the head gasket. Guess I won't go to them again, at least not for anything more than tires. Dishonest mechanics are just the reason I normally do the work myself, but sometimes we have no choice. They also told me they couldn't fix the head gasket. Just a thought, but if you can't fix it then how can you give a solid diagnosis? But that's just my opinion. Good luck to you all.

I have an 02 Altima (QR25DE 4-cyl) with 94,000 miles I purchased back in 2004. As with others in this forum, the car started having issues around the 60,000 mile mark (code P0304 - Cylinder 4 Misfire). Hesitation and engine misses/lost power are the result. I had driven from Los Angeles to Las Vegas when this happened. The car has individual coil-packs atop each cylinder. I purchased a new coil for $55 bucks. The car drove fine to the trip home.

A couple weeks later, P0304 is back, along with the hesitation. I pulled the platinum spark plugs - looked fine, but I bought a new set. Cleared the code and all was fine until around the 80,000 mile mark. Camshaft position sensor error (P0335). Hard cold starting and intermittent misses were the symptoms. I replaced both the crank (located in a fun area in the back, under the intake plenum) and cam shaft sensors (easily accessible on the side near the throttle body). I then removed and carefully clean the throttle body. Of course the idle speed increased and generated an error (P0507). Had the dealer do an IAV reset ($60). No codes :-)

Moving along to around 90,000 - I start having mystery leaks of coolant (oh I wonder what would cause that...sigh). Took it to the radiator shop for a pressure test. I have a 'pre-head gasket leak'. It was in the beginning stages. At about the 93,000 mile mark, large clouds of white smoke were observed billowing out the tail pipe on start-up. No water observed on the dipstick, though a little 'milking (oil/water mix) ' was observed on the oil cap. I was preparing to have it repaired when, at 94,547, it died in transit requiring the requisite tow home. Now the lower end cranks - the accessory pulleys turn when start attempt is tried, but the cams aren't turning (possible timing chain failure). So, at thousands under the 100,000k mark, my Altima sits until 1) Nissan decides its had enough of watching loyal customers being stranded via POS design or 2) I get enough time and energy to complete an upper-engine tear-down, rebuild and sell off the car (I have 4 years of classroom mechanic experience, built 4 hi-po 400 cid engines, rebuilt 1 TH-400 tranny, but am a computer systems specialist by trade). Good luck to all who took a chance on this redesigned piece of craptastic work.

I bought my 2002 Altima 2.5S in 2003. It was a fantastic car, emphasis being on WAS. I now have approximately 82K miles on it. I've had the no-heat-when-idling, something wrong with my emissions system 2 months ago, 2 months before that, it was something else, have had multiple recalls "fixed" on it. I, too, have had the problems lately with the cold-start, which honestly, it's the first winter ever to have this problem. Also, I was hearing a noise in my right front end that I thought might be the CV joint. I took it to the dealership. Of course, there was yet another recall, which they fixed. They also said I needed a starter which would fix the cold start problem. Also, the front end noise was not the CV joints, but that my power steering pump (I may have that wrong, it's written down elsewhere) was leaking "badly." I haven't had any trouble with my power steering with it being tough to turn or anything, just heard a click/pop/whine sound when turning and only in one direction. Anyway, Nissan says it'll ONLY cost me $1100 to fix... took to Colony Tire and I'm going to be paying close to $700 instead. This car is sucking me dry and I've lost all faith in Nissans. As soon as this latest problem is "solved," however temporary, I'm going to try to trade it in! This is the third and final Nissan I will EVER own!

I'm taking a friend of mine to pick up her car at the dealership today. She has a 2002 Altima with the 4 cylinder engine. She is experiencing the same problems as outlined. The dealer is saying the head gasket is bad and that the catalytic converter needs replacing. Total = $24000.

I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE with the 3.5 V6 engine. The dealer is also telling me that my catalytic converter needs replacing.

I believe the catalytic converter is a scam. No car should need this replaced that quick. Also, a lot of these problems should be taken care of by Nissan.

My check engine light is constantly on for one reason or another and I think it's a way to get money in the dealers pockets. Sorry!!

I will think twice about buying another Nissan product.

I have all the same headaches with the 02 also oil, coolant, no heat won't start check engine light (misfire 1 cyl) and last week over heating and wouldn't start up just under 90000 now mechanic telling me head gasket blown heating coil shot $2000+

and now I see it won't help any. if anyone actually knows what to fix the first time or have any advise please contact me at croncron02@yahoo.com.

Nissan should recall these cars I have read all these articles on this site and can relate I own a 2002 Altima bought it brand new. 1.oil used synthetic uses oil have to check every 2 weeks.2 rear brakes had that problem.3cold start problem also after recall fix.4.head light replacement fog lights a real joy to change. 5.104k on it just hoping to get 2 more years out of it. Nissan again probably not or no 2.5 again.

I have a 2003 Altima 4 cylinder. I had the P0304 code (Cylinder #4 misfire) pop up and I'm seriously considering selling this car.

After checking, cleaning my fuel injector and checking my hoses for any vacuum leaks I decided to clean the throttle body. I sprayed so much crap in there the car stalled b/c it was so rich. I let it sit for 30 minutes and cranked her up and I currently have no problems. Currently is the operative word. I feel I have to sell this car before the code pops up again. This car only has 53,000 miles on it.

In addition to this I had my window "bottom out" becasue the plastic tabs don't hold the window secure enough.. and the car burns/leaks oil and I have no idea where it goes.

A cylinder misfire is the most aggravating thing to have happen to a relatively new car. I hope to sell this car to get it off my hands. Thanks for nothin nissan.

In every state someone is having the same problem with their

02 nissan altima I have the oil problem antifreeze issue along

with heat issue it is time we contact the media in our different states along with a class action suit.

How about adding one more owner of a 2002 Altima 2.5 to the list... I just got off the phone with Nissan yesterday after taking the car in for all of the similar problems mentioned in this post. Heater not working, coolant loss, cold start issue. They called me back and told me the head gasket is blown...$1600 repair. Beautiful. The car only has 65k miles on it.

I think I am in trouble!!! With all these complaints, I am afraid!!! I just purchased an Altima 2002 model with 73000miles+. It runs well, consumes fuel at 16.6mpg in the city. I have not driven it for up to 40miles and the service engine soon light is already on. With all these sensor, gasket stuff and diagnostic problems, what am I gonna do? I live in Ilorin Nigeria and we don't have all these dealership. I don't even know if the parts are available.

I need your candid advice before I go crazy. In fact I am afraid to drive this car, but I like the drive for now.

I should have stood with my Maxima 1992 model that has been wonderful. I sold it because of fuel consumption and now this.

I just made a comment now that I need help, but I forgot to put my address- ndiboy@yahoo.com Phone number - 2348033974181.

Thanks in anticipation for your comments.

Just starting the same downhill spiral. I experienced same 'no heat' issues, then increased oil consumption, and now chaning spark plugs due to check engine light coming on. I refuse to sink more money into this car. This may be the end of the road for this Altima and definitely my last Nissan purchase.

My 2002 Altima 2.5SL needed a new catalytic converter and engine at around 80K miles. $4000 down the drain.

When we first got the car new in 2002, I thought it was light and zippy. After around 4 years or so, I was careful not to tell my wife what I really thought of it (ie: piece of junk). But then the "service engine soon" light started going on a lot and the thing started burning a lot of oil - I mean A LOT. Then the car started slowing down; reduced power. Analysis by the dealer and a private garage said the same thing. Lo and behold that Altima has 100K miles on it now; the new engine and converter are 20K old - the car is decent and OK, but no pride of ownership. Now I'm in a quandary over Nissan as to whether I'll buy another product from them.

Note: I drive a 2000 Maxima SE (8 years old and 69K miles on it) leather and loaded and it rides like a champ. Incredibly solid, smooth, and very comfortable. Hums like a butterfly and requires very little maintenance. Love that car.