MYRModel Year Report

2002 Nissan Altima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Nissan Altima
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,047
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

63% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2002 1,047 2003: 883 complaints 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2013 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2018 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2002 1,047 2003: 883 complaints 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2014: 1,114 complaints 2014 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2017 2018: 226 complaints 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint 2026
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1995 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2002 1,047 2003: 883 complaints 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2007 2008: 1,029 complaints 2009: 1,547 complaints 2009 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2013 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2015 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2017 2018: 226 complaints 2019: 231 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2021 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint

2002: 1,047 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1993125
1994113
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021,047
2003883
2004276
20051,091
2006824
2007471
20081,029
20091,547
2010381
2011241
2012426
20132,310
20141,114
2015954
2016553
2017391
2018226
2019231
2020178
202170
202230
202329
202441
20256
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

63% · 660 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2002-09-03

Also filed under Structure and electrical system

While driving 40-45 MPH, noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Consumer pulled over and fire department put out the fire. Vehicle was totalled. Fire department thought fire was caused by fuel injection system.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-30

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Structure

12% · 130 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

FIREINJURY

Engine

9% · 92 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2017-11-06

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and fuel/propulsion system

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, 2013-07-27

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, 2013-01-09

Electrical system

8% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

4% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and tail lights.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 1,047 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2002-04-15Air bags02I001000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2002-10-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-25 Engine compartment fires
  4. R
    2003-04-21Air bags03V061000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2003-07-28Engine and engine cooling03V084000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2003-08-18Fuel system, gasoline03V251000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2003-12-22Engine and engine cooling03V455000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2007-07-16Exterior lighting07E054000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2007-09-10Exterior lighting07E063000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2007-12-11Exterior lighting07E074000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2007-12-31Engine and engine cooling07V527000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 660 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 130 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 92 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 02I001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V061000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V084000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 03V251000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 03V455000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E054000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E063000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E074000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V527000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 63% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Altima have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.