2002 Nissan Altima
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 122 |
| 1994 | 106 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1028 |
| 2009 | 1547 |
| 2010 | 380 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 423 |
| 2013 | 2303 |
| 2014 | 1111 |
| 2015 | 941 |
| 2016 | 544 |
| 2017 | 382 |
| 2018 | 223 |
| 2019 | 223 |
| 2020 | 172 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 229 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD, INDICATING THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020903
16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 164 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY9% of complaints: structure — 92 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: engine — 92 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
NISSAN ALTIMA 4 DOOR. MY DAUGHTER [XXX]. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH, OIL, COOLING, COIL PACK CAUSE A MAJOR CRASH, TOTALING A COMPLETE WRECKAGE. [XXX] SUSTAINED, SERIOUS MEDICAL ATTENTION, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171106
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO THE I 95 HIGHWAY BY PEMBROKE RD THERE WAS A BIG METAL STUFF ON THE LANE I WAS I COULDN'T GO NOWHERE BECAUSE THE HIGHWAY WAS BUSY DIDN'T WANT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THEREFORE I DROVE INTO THAT...
NHTSA ODI report, 20130727
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A STRANGE NOISE AS SMOKE BEGAN TO BELLOW FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130109
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 91 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. ON CERTAIN 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 02I001000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.
Remedy: 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 SERV
Campaign 03V061000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SE
Remedy: 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
Campaign 03V084000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESO
Remedy: 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
Campaign 03V251000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY T
Remedy: 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 A
Campaign 03V455000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 315-1145L-AS AND 315-1145R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP REFLE
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 07E054000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLE
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 07E063000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORR
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 07E074000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
Remedy: 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 REPRO
Campaign 07V527000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (229 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (164 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (92 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02I001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V061000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V251000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E054000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E074000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Altima have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.