Severe Issues

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Altima. This model year has 1,063 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

1,063
Complaints
30
Crashes
28
Fires
27
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
12
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2002 Nissan Altima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
691
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:8
Fires:23
Injuries:13
#2
128
complaints

Structural Problems

Fires:1
Injuries:2
#3
79
complaints

Electrical Faults

Crash-related:1
Fires:9
Injuries:3

Considering a 2002 Nissan Altima?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Nissan Altima. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems691823β€”
Structural Problems128β€”1β€”
Electrical Faults7919β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures44β€”1β€”
Fuel System4113β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain4011β€”
Gasoline3813β€”
Airbag Malfunctions36171β€”
Equipment361β€”β€”
Brake System3331β€”
Hydraulic2921β€”
Uncategorized Issues233β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration20β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System151β€”β€”
Steering Defects151β€”β€”
Tire Issues152β€”β€”
Suspension Failures14β€”β€”β€”
Visibility11β€”1β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)82β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues61β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues5β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues31β€”β€”
Other3β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper2β€”β€”β€”
Traction Control System1β€”β€”β€”
Air1β€”β€”β€”
Interior Lighting1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 400 most recent complaints of 1,063 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Fuel SystemJan 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V251000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted for recall completion and informed the contact that the re…

Uncategorized IssuesJul 26, 2025

I purchased a 2002 Nissan Altima from Stone’s Automotive in Somerset, Kentucky on [XXX]. I was told by the dealer that the oil pressure light sometimes comes on and he thinks it may have a weak oil pump. A couple of days later, I brought it to the mechanic they use, and at first,…

Transmission / DrivetrainApr 3, 2024

I've owned my 2002 Nissan for about 6 months now the previous owner informed me prior to purchase about issues she was having and the reason she was selling the car, explain to me that her friend who has worked on cars 20+ yrs felt if cause could be found it was repairable but se…

Electrical FaultsAug 2, 2022

first, I started to notice my car would loose power while driving, over a couple months, it started to stall and/or completely shut off while driving at low speeds or at red lights! When this first stared happening, the car would immediately fire back up when cranked, after about…

Engine ProblemsJun 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle hesitated to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related …

Fuel/Propulsion SystemApr 19, 2021

TOOK MY CAR TO EMISSIONS AND THEY PRINTED THIS PAPER OUT OF A RECALL ON MY CAR.

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 8, 2021

DOORS ARE LOCKED SHUT ALL BUT ONE, CANNOT GET THEM TO UNLOCK AND WHEN I GET THEM UNLOCKED, THEY WON'T LATCH CLOSED. WILL NOT UNLOCK THEM EVEN WHEN I ATTEMPTED MANUALLY... I NEED A SOLUTION.

Engine ProblemsJan 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…

Engine ProblemsOct 12, 2019

MY ENGINE IS DESTROYED BECAUSE A SCREW CAME LOOSE FROM THE THROTTLE BODY IN THE PLENUM, GOT SUCKED INTO AN ENGINE CYLINDER AND DESTROYED THAT CYLINDER. THIS WOULD COST SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $3K TO $5K TO REPAIR, MORE THAN THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WORTH. IN TALKING TO A NISSAN MECHANI…

Uncategorized IssuesπŸ’₯ CrashOct 10, 2019

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA S WAS HIT ON DRIVERS SIDE (T-BONED) WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO THE HWY, DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER REAR DOOR IMPACT AT OVER 55 MPH. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *DT PHOTOS ATTACHED *JB

Engine ProblemsOct 4, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I PROCEEDED TO TRY AND REACH THE SPEED LIMIT BUT THE CAR LOST POWER TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE CANNOT GO PAST 55 MPH, IT LOSES POWER DURING ACCELERATION.

Engine ProblemsSep 27, 2019

MY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5L 4 CYLINDER CONSUMES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. I HAVE HAD TO ADD ROUGHLY 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 200 MILES. ENGINE HAS NO EXTERNAL OIL LEAKS. NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS 500 MILES AGO, NEW SPARK PLUGS EVERY 10,000 MILES DUE TO OIL FOULING, NEW PCV VAL…

VisibilitySep 9, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS ALSO I…

Uncategorized IssuesJun 14, 2019

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF NO WARNING NO ENGINE LIGHT JUST DIED

Electrical FaultsFeb 27, 2019

THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER

Wheel IssuesAug 13, 2018

I HAVE A BRAND NEW FIRESTONE T135/70/R16 TIRE IN MY TRUNK THAT HAVE NEVER HIT THE GROUND.I HAD A FLAT AND WENT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE THAT WAS BRAND NEW FROM FIRESTONE AND SEEN THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE RUBBLE COMING OUT,THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS AND CAUSE…

Structural ProblemsJul 17, 2018

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO BIG HOLES IN EITHER SIDE OF THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE HOLES WERE DISCOVERED DURING A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. WE HAVE 12 DAYS TO REPAIR THE HOLES AT A LARGE COST. UNEXPECTED AND DISAPPOINTING ISSUE.

Engine ProblemsJul 13, 2018

THE CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. THE CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING ON STREET AND HIGHWAYS. THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR'(S), CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR'S AND THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR'(S) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. RECALL #R…

Electrical FaultsJun 4, 2018

THE CAR KEEPS STALLING WHILE I DRIVE IT

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashDec 29, 2017

MY CAR WAS HIT BUT NOT HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE THE AIRBAG DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE . IT SHOULD NOT BE SO SENSITIVE .WITCH MADE MY TCS AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON . JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT FROM A STANDSTILL AT A LIGHT . UNKNOWN

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Nissan Altima.

Recalls for 2002 Nissan Altima

12 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Nissan Altima. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

09E012000Jul 4, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

06E023000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

06E064000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

07E054000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

07E063000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

07V527000Invalid Date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

03V251000Invalid Date
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

03V455000Invalid Date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

07E074000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

03V061000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

03V084000Nov 3, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

02I001000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS

2002 Nissan Altima β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2002 Nissan Altima reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2002 Nissan Altima has 1,063 NHTSA owner complaints, 30 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (691 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Altima?β–Ύ

#1: Engine Problems (691 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (128 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (79 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Nissan Altima?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2002 Nissan Altima?β–Ύ

The 2002 Nissan Altima has 30 crash-related complaints and 28 fire reports out of 1,063 total NHTSA complaints. 27 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2002 Nissan Altima have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Nissan Altima. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2002 Nissan Altima?β–Ύ

The 2002 Nissan Altima has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2002 Nissan Altima

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.