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Nissan Altima

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Nissan Altima • Stalling • Engine problems • Gas tank • Steering • Paint --- • Other Nissan Models

Mary of Santa Cruz, CA August 22, 2008

Mary of Santa Cruz CA (08/22/08)
I purchased my Nissan Altima 2002 2.5s in October of 2003. It had 26,623 miles on it when purchased. I now have 96,764. I have maintained my automobile with all of the necessary oil changes and major tune ups as required. The car still looks imaculate as the day I purchased it. The problem I have started when the service engine light came on so I took it into the Nissan dealership where I bought it and they verified light on scanned vehicle for faults, p0420 catalyst system bank 1 needs catalytic converter. Estimate of 736.00. I paid 109.00 for the diagnostic test.

I did some research on the web and found many consumer complaints with the catalytic converter. The recall campaign #ntb03-070c also 03v084000 went out in July 28th, 2003 three months prior to me purchasing the car. The work according to the dealership was never done on my car and I was not notified of the recall. I was told that all recalls pertaining to my vin # have been complete. I called Nissan North America Inc. to let them know the work had not been done and I was not notified of this recall. They said even though my vin# was within the range of the cars to be recalled it would still have to be vin specific.

I just feel that since my car is within the year, make, model and within the range of the recall that they should honor this for me. I have received no help from Nissan North America Inc. and the local dealership where I purchased the car can't seem to understand why they won't cover it? I have seen so many complaints with regards to the catalytic converter on the 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5s that there should be some kind of class action suit against this corporation.

I am not driving my car at this point even though I a told It is still driveable. I don't want to do anymore damage until I can at least get some answers on whether they should honor the recall.

Sandra of Providence, RI August 13, 2008

Sandra of Providence RI (08/13/08)
We purchased the 2002 Nissan Altima when it was first released - we were ecstatic and received compliment after compliment on the vehicle. We had little issues here and there, mainly with the interior of the vehicle; the stripping on the door was falling off, the tint on the rear view mirror faded, etc. When we were slightly under 30,000 miles, check engine light was on, turned out to be the catalytic converter. After fighting with the dealership, I went straight to Nissan; luckily replacement still fell under the Federal Emissions Warranty. I dodged a 700.00 bullet. As I'm sure all other owners know, we had the miscellaneous recall work done here and there. June 2008 my service engine light was coming on. At the same time I went for an oil top off at my local Valvoline and they told me I was down 2 1/2 quarts of oil in less than 3 weeks. Brought the car to a garage near me, was told the light was due to the CATALYTIC CONVERTER! The burning oil issue was a bigger problem the dealership would need to help me with. Took car back to what is now Balise Nissan in Warwick, RI - another diagnostic test shows...CATALYTIC CONVERTER!!! But in order to diagnose the burning oil issue, I would need to have an oil consumption test performed for a whopping 379.00 - then of course replacement of the converter at 750.00. Of course this does not include any oxygen censors if per chance they are shot or the cost of fixing the root of the burning oil. The response I get from the manager @ the dealership is I have high mileage, 126,000 so my car is not new. I may have high mileage, however the car has always been well maintained and regardless the converter should not be shot twice in 6 years nor should my engine be shot in 6 years. I am in the process of playing phone tag with Regional Specialist to see what, if anything, Nissan is willing to do for me. This has been ongoing for 2+ weeks...of course she is only in the office until 4:30 and the only person who can help me. I've spoken with other mechanics who have told me they would not be surprised if the cause of the converter replacement 3 years ago was due to burning oil and it just wasn't caught. If I replace the converter, this will be the 2nd CONVERTER IN 6 YEARS! I am sick to my stomach reading these other entries and seeing repeatedly converter and burning oil problems AND Nissan not doing anything about it! I for one purchased a new vehicle so I wouldn't have to worry about these issues. My car was paid off in March and now I run the risk of either soaking money that I do not have into a vehicle that who knows what will go next or bite the bullet and buy another vehicle. I have a young child and being without a car at this time is not an option. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OWN UP TO AN OBVIOUS FAULTY VEHICLE!!!

Jeff of St. Augustine, FL August 13, 2008

Jeff of St. Augustine FL (08/13/08)
The odometer and speedometer in my 2005 Nissan Altima registers vehicle speed and miles traveled too quickly. I have confirmed this using a GPS device.

My vehicle's limited warranty has expired too quickly, leaving me exposed to a potential loss. Also, this signifies that my fuel economy is significantly lower than advertised.

Logan of Olney, MD July 31, 2008

Logan of Olney MD (07/31/08)
Owner of a 2003 Altima 2.5S. Around 55,000 - 60,000 miles, my oil level was getting low enough to turn the stupid light on, 2,000 miles after an oil change. I have always been religious about oil changes every 3,000 miles so I was curious as to why this was happening. I now have 85,000 miles on the car and the problem is still occuring. I've even had my car cut off while drivig through a parking lot. Luckily I did not hit anything, but what if this occured on the highway? I had Nissan perform an engine diagnostic and they indicated that the ompression was low and oil was seeping through the rings. This was caused by a faulty catylitic convertor. Basically the cat spat back debris into the engine scratching the cylinder walls causeing the rings to fail. Remedy; NEW ENGINE! Of course I called Nissan consumer affairs to request this be fixed and they responded with Your warranty is over the mileage. Sorry. If you have this issue, call & comlain. There will not be a recall on the product until they have a certain number of files. I've seen a headlight get replaced quicker than this. Needless to say, this has been my second and LAST Nissan I will purchase! A good product gets return business. Better customer relations keeps the business. Nissan seems to have missed on both.

Joan of Canton, GA July 21, 2008

Joan of Canton GA (07/21/08)
I own a 2002 Nissan Altima. I began experiencing problems with it beginning in February 2007, in which I immediately took it into Town Center Nissan in Kennesaw, GA. to have serviced. The car was idling heavy, sputtering, hesitating, and the check engine light was on. It also smelled heavily of gasoline when the heater or defrost was on. I explained the symptoms to Mike Little, and left my car there for the entire day. At the close of the business day, I recieved a phone call from a service technician trying to sell me services that were unrelated to the symptoms and was informed that they have no idea what is happening with my vehicle. Again in October 2007, I began experiencing the same exact problems. I decided to take my car to Team Nissan of Marietta this time. I again was told that they were unable to duplicate the problem. I paid for another diagnostics and went on my way again. In March of 2008, I took my car in for the same exact problems. They told me that I had faulty spark plugs and replaced them. I had purchased the extended warranty when I bought the car, and this covered the cost. I also payed out of pocket to have the 90,000 mile check-up service at this time. Less than 5,000 miles later my car began again with the same exact symptoms. I brought my car in for the fourth time on July 11, 2008. I was called later that evening with the news that my car had a blown head gasket and that my extended warranty had expired two months before, in May 2008. I explained to the service technician that this has been an ongoing problem that I have made multiple attempts to get fixed before my warranty expired. He agreed with me and said that he would call Nissan to see if they would help out with the situation. They denied the request based on the age and mileage of the vehicle. I then called 1-800-NISSAN1 and asked to speak with a representative. I first spoke with Melissa Watson in which she explained to me that it was Nissan's final decision and that she was the highest available representative. I refused to believe that as the truth and asked to speak with her manager. The following day her manager, Erica Hill called me and said the same exact thing. She insisted that she was the only person that I could speak with regarding my situation. I went online and found the number (615-725-1000) to the executive office located in Nashville, TN. Two days later, I recieved a call back from Kim, in which she was unable to share any additional information with me and I was again told that she was the highest possible person for me to speak with. In short, Nissan has sold defective automobiles to thousands of people and they are unwilling to rectify the situation. I absolutely refuse to spend another penny with their company aside from the remaining amount owed on my vehicle. I will pay for oil changes, repairs, and sevices elsewhere. I kept my car serviced appropriately and this situation did not occur as a result of any negligence on my part. This company knowingly sold vehicles with multiple internal problems. I will never buy another Nissan product!

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