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Nissan Altima

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

Shanay of Hartford, CT July 29, 2009

I purchased a nissan altima in 2007 of april and a couple of months after there were recalls on the vehicle and i went to the nissan dealership and they said they reset the computer for the crankshaft and i believe the drop was not done properly because the problem is worse and when i'm driving on the highway my car drive slow and it jerks and i'm scared my car may stop on the highway and cause an accident. all 2005 nissan altima should have a recall on this again and be fixed at no charge.

Pierre of Gatineau, QC July 24, 2009

Last night my 2007 Altima 2.5 S would not start in my own driveway and dash symbols, dome light and even the car lights were flashing randomly with some weird ticking sound coming from the dash. I couldn't even lock the door with the remote. First I thought the smart key was faulty and I tried my wife's. I even tried to insert both devices into the backup slot on the left under the steering console. No go. I hooked up my intelligent charger (carefully following Nissan's instructions) and the battery indicated 80% charge. I still charged it up to 100% and the charger never complained.

I called Nissan Canada for road side assistance and since the dealer's gates were locked they said to call back this morning. I got the car towed to the dealer. This morning they called back indicating that the battery was toast and that I had to pay 50% of its value since it was in its second year. 30,000 for a car and with less than 24,000 Km they wanted me to pay 75 for the same Nissan original part telling me their batteries are better than others and that is why they cost more... I bought a Costco battery for 80 for my Silverado 8 years ago and it still runs great!!! What am I missing here...??? I called Nissan Canada and they were ever worst, they said they didn't cover the battery at all on their warranty and they pushed the ball back to the dealer... wonderful service practices!... That car is going for sale next week and I am bying a Toyota.

Mike of Clinton, IA July 10, 2009

We bought our Nissan Altima in 2006. We were very excited when we bought it but have had trouble ever since. The push button start fails to start about 2 out of 5 times. We have to pump the brakes numerous times in hopes to start it. we have had it to the dealership twice. Both times they say they can not find anything wrong. So we pick it up to find it will start all over again. now the drivers seat{witch they have fixed once} is broke again! We've had it and will never buy another Nissan product. What a lemon.

Sheryl of Washington, DC July 10, 2009

I currently own a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5s. I purchased this car brand new. The car only has a little over 35,000 good miles, which is excellent for the age of the car. I don't have a long commute and I seldom drive the car more than 10 miles at a time. I have been having serious problems with the car shutting of while it's in motion. The first time it occurred I was making a right turn into a parking lot, the steering wheel locked and I was unable to move the car without putting it in neutral and I almost got hit in the rear by another car. The second time it occurred, I was at a stop light and the car shut off again. The third time I was on the highway at night, the car shut off again and I was driving about 40mph which almost resulted in an accident. The fourth, fifth and sixth time it shut off, I was trying to get it out of my parking garage. This is a very serious situation that could have had very catastrophic consequences. This is very uncommon in a car that has only 35,000 miles.

I called Nissan North America to inquire about any recalls to my vehicle and what they described was the exact same problem I was having with my car. The problem was due to a faulty ECM(engine control module). My next step was to have my car towed and diagnosed at a local Nissan Dealership. I followed through and ended up leaving my car there overnight. The following day they called and said my problem was due to the CAM position sensor and Crank position sensor not working properly due to them being drenched with oil. They said in order for the ECM (engine control module) to be reprogrammed, the Crank and CAM positing sensors had to be replaced and this was not part of the recall. I in turn have to pay out of pocket for towing fees, parts and labor which total 500.05 and on top of that I was not offered shuttle service or a car to rent after leaving my car with them overnight.

After doing some research on the problem, I learned that the problem stems from the location of the sensor. Therefore it's a problem with the design of the engine. I believe Nissan needs to take responsibility for their defective engine. This problem can kill someone. This needs to be taken care of because on two occasions I almost had a car hit me from the rear. I should not have to pay their outrageous fees for something that has to do with their poorly designed engine.

Darnisia of Redisville, NC July 9, 2009

I have had this on going issue with nissan for about a years time. my car has progressively gotten worse due to a recall ref# ntb03-070c (a 58 pg recall) never being completely resolved. i was told by nissan and given a claim history print out and was told it was fixed in 2006. When i asked why the recall papper work dosen't have the same information as my claim history on file at the lot. I was told that the catalytic converter is more than like the same thing as manifold exhaust and the words are just different. I have filed 3 corporate complaints and nothing has been done.

My car is a 2002 altima in which has had many reacalls. I was finally told i needed a referbished motor in feburary of 2009 and given an estimate of 3500 dollars but once i saved my money and ready to put my car in the shop in june of this year the estimate shot up to over 5000 dollars. I am have been battling this for a year i really need guidance or help.

Tracy of Lepanto, AR June 30, 2009

I bought an "Benchmark" 2008 Nissan Altima. This was supposed to be the top of the line from bluetooth to the heated leather seats. And the car was new and fairly expensive. The paint is chipping and Nissan has refused to fix it. Keep in mind at only 20,000 miles I have chips off clear up to the roof and they say its from rocks or bugs. (I do not drive on dirt/gravel roads) I can't believe you pay over 25,000 and they would not stand behind the product.I pointed out, that there are no indentions from the so called "rocks" their alleging hit my car.

Beverly of Tyler, TX June 29, 2009

NHTSA has on file numerous complaints all similar in nature from owners of the 2002-2006 Nissan Altimas described as "engine losing oil within the engine without warning and catching fire". I have filed complaint #10275053 describing the same thing happening to my daughter. She was driving home and the car suddenly began operating poorly, check engine light came on, she heard a "pop", smoke came from car and reportedly a "ball of fire" appear underneath the vehicle.

We check the oil level and all the oil was gone from the car. It did not come out from oil filter or oil pan. Oil was loss within the vehicle somehow. Date of failure was 6-12-09. Oil changed on 5-21-09. Week of June 7-12, car was not driven because we were in San Antonio, Texas on vacation. Car towed to Peltier Nissan dealership and service manager reported that there was no oil in the car causing the rod to blow through engine block. Engine needs to be replaced.

This campaign was focused on a hangar pin but it did mention the other problem of engine defect. Unfortunately, NHTSA closed this campaign on Nissan's word that Nissan is "developing a corrective action". As a result, when consumers contact Nissan, Nissan will just tell them there was no recall involving this problem. Technically, they are correct because NHTSA did not OFFICIALLY create a recall involving defective engines and fires. The recall only addressed the hangar pin. Nissan is using this loophole to avoid replacing the engines and the consumers are driving around in vehicles that have the potential of catching fire. Is it going to take someone getting killed before NHTSA do a recall on these engines?

Owners are these vehicles have hundreds of complaints online and listed with NHTSA. We are so frustrated because we are driving hazardous vehicles, Nissan North America is not concern, and NHTSA is not protecting us. Many of us wish to pursue Class Action Lawsuits to get remedy but cannot find an attorney to take the case. Now is NHTSA going to help the citizens or is there another more effective safety government agency available to force Nissan to recall these vehicles? Bottom line, these hazardous vehicles are on the road and NHTSA is suppose to make sure auto manufacturers are not producing HAZARDOUS VEHICLES.

Slim, of Laval, QC June 25, 2009

I have a Nissan Altima 2003 2.5 . Recently (June 2009), my car start having a sporadical problem, it has trouble to start. Similar problem was noticed in (August 2007) and was fixed by replacing the Crank Sensor. Less then 2 years later the problem occurred again. On the net I read that the problem is related to bad design of the Cam Sensor and the Crank Sensor. Also I was very low on oil and the oil warning sensor had not come on and the oil gauge was registering fine. Be aware don’t relay on the oil sensor on the 2003 Altima 2.5.

K of Phoenix, AZ June 25, 2009

Bought my 2005 Nissan Altima brand new. To date, with 53k miles, I have replaced the A/C Compressor (at 45k), Serpentine Belt, and am about to replace three Engine Mounts. Seems a little excessive to me. . . .This dealership recently told me I had a Cracked CV Boot. (This was on one of my numerous visits to get the gravel guard pinned back up - and was not part of their 99.00 "Bumper to Bumper Inspection").

I went to another mechanic shop - very highly rated in the area. They told me I had no problems with my CV boot(s). Kind of makes you wonder. I will be having the private mechanic replace the Engine Mounts - and will not be trusting Nissan Dealerships anymore. Of course this one lost my trust when I referred a friend there, and they failed to pay out the "Refer a Friend" bonus of 100.00 You'd think their reputation would be worth more than that!

Ken of Bowie, MD June 23, 2009

My 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5l stalled out on me several times while driving. I was very lucky since I did not have an accident during these incidents. When I took the car to the dealership, I was informed that the diagnosis was that the Cam and Crankshaft sensors needed to be replaced and the ECM reprogrammed. I went online and found a recall for EXACTLY the same issue on 200 Nissan Altima's with 2.5l engines.

I notified the dealership and they informed me that my VIN was NOT part of the recall. I called Nissan and the individual took my information and told me there was nothing they could do. After promting to speak with a manager, I was told that a regional representative would be in touch. 2 days later, I received a call from the Regional Rep. She took my information and said that she would investigate the situation and that Nissan will usually help owners in such a case.

3 days later, I get a call notifying me that I did not meet the criteria for being helped. In other words, since I have only been a Nissan customer for 3 Years and had only 2 nissans '06 & '08; I did not take my vehicles for regular maintenance to the nissan dealership (i.e. oil changes and tire rotations are provided by the shop 5 mins from me); and I was too far out of warranty (3yr/36k and I have 3yrs/40k). I restated her explaination and asked if she meant to tell me that Nissan North America's position is that I am not a good enough customer for them to correct a known safety issue on my car? and she confirmed my understanding was correct and that Nissan's position was that they would not take responsibility for the bad sensors. To sum it all up, I was told that buying two Brand new Nissans and taking them to the Nissan Dealership for major maintenance was not enough for them to take care of a known safety issue once I went over the warranty period.

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