2002 Nissan Altima: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1321 complaints
1321
Total Complaints
87,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine And Engine Cooling
Top Issue
41
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
60,770
25th Percentile
87,000
Median Mileage
112,254
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine And Engine Cooling
229
Engine
164
Body
92
Engine
92
Exhaust System
91
Catalytic Convertor
69
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
48
Electrical System
48
Headlights
33
Unknown Or Other
23
Severity Assessment
41
Crashes
43
Fires
48
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS LACKING A STICKER WHICH SHOWS THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE TO BE MAINTAINED. *YH"
"AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF - DEALER ORDERS NEW AIRBAG MODULE AND COMBINATION MUST BE REPLACED. HAS HAPPENED AT 600 MILE AND AGAIN AT 3700 MILES , STILL NOT REPAIRED- PARTS ARE ON NATION WIDE BACK ORDER - MAJOR SAFETY FACTOR: IGNITION NOISE AND STATIC IN RADIO FROM COILS. *AK"
"AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF - DEALER ORDERS NEW AIRBAG MODULE AND COMBINATION MUST BE REPLACED. HAS HAPPENED AT 600 MILE AND AGAIN AT 3700 MILES , STILL NOT REPAIRED- PARTS ARE ON NATION WIDE BACK ORDER - MAJOR SAFETY FACTOR: IGNITION NOISE AND STATIC IN RADIO FROM COILS. *AK"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine And Engine Cooling
229 complaints
25th: 65,250 mi
Median: 86,612 mi
75th: 108,000 mi
Engine
164 complaints
25th: 70,000 mi
Median: 88,000 mi
75th: 109,000 mi
Body
92 complaints
25th: 91,000 mi
Median: 104,000 mi
75th: 120,000 mi
Engine
92 complaints
25th: 87,827 mi
Median: 124,000 mi
75th: 161,000 mi
Exhaust System
91 complaints
25th: 79,500 mi
Median: 94,500 mi
75th: 113,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 149
NY: 110
FL: 99
TX: 86
NJ: 70
PA: 70
GA: 67
IL: 56
VA: 55
NC: 42
Who Files Complaints?
26.4%
Original Owners
73.6%
Second+ Owners
Nissan Altima — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 150 | 25 |
| 1994 | 120 | 37 |
| 1995 | 216 | 49 |
| 1996 | 117 | 27 |
| 1997 | 141 | 40 |
| 1998 | 141 | 20 |
| 1999 | 110 | 29 |
| 2000 | 199 | 34 |
| 2001 | 201 | 29 |
| 2003 | 1099 | 61 |
| 2004 | 334 | 18 |
| 2005 | 1358 | 71 |
| 2006 | 1043 | 58 |
| 2007 | 597 | 39 |
| 2008 | 1373 | 73 |
| 2009 | 2149 | 55 |
| 2010 | 538 | 40 |
| 2011 | 317 | 18 |
| 2012 | 575 | 39 |
| 2013 | 2970 | 104 |
| 2014 | 1376 | 74 |
| 2015 | 1188 | 61 |
| 2016 | 778 | 43 |
| 2017 | 498 | 32 |
| 2018 | 314 | 16 |
| 2019 | 326 | 40 |
| 2020 | 266 | 27 |
| 2021 | 96 | 11 |
| 2022 | 50 | 8 |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 |
| 2024 | 55 | 13 |
Active Recalls (12)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Headlights
Campaign 06E023000 | 13/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E064000 | 17/07/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Headlights
Campaign 07E054000 | 25/07/2007
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Headlights
Campaign 07E063000 | 21/08/2007
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ANZO AT 909-628-1440.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 07V527000 | 14/11/2007
IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNER
Tank Assembly
Campaign 03V251000 | 14/07/2003
THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 03V455000 | 17/11/2003
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.
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.
Headlights
Campaign 07E074000 | 14/09/2007
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
Inflator Module
Campaign 03V061000 | 27/02/2003
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Campaign 03V084000 | 11/03/2003
EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE.
Air Bags
Campaign 02I001000 | 17/04/2002
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS EXPECTED.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261, CONCERNING THE PROBLEM.
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28