2004 Nissan Altima
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
26% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 72 distinct reports on file.
13% of complaints: structure — 35 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: engine — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
NISSAN ALTIMA JUST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WE BOTH SUSTAINED MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND WAS ADMITTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. CALLED NISSANUSA TO INFORM THEM, BUT THEY DON'T CARE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120814
The car has a fuel problem and crankshaft position sensor issue causing the car to die and also not start up normal idling. When I do get it to start up it idles very groggy.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230907
9% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CAR WAS STALLING 2 DAYS AGO SHUT IT OFF AND DROVE AWAY JUST FINE NOT EVEN 4 HOURS LATER MY FIANCE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME HE CAME UP AROUND A HILL /BEND ON A CITY STREET THE CAR LOCKED UP ON HIM ALONG WITH THE OIIL BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT THE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20180410
NISSAN ALTIMA JUST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WE BOTH SUSTAINED MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND WAS ADMITTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. CALLED NISSANUSA TO INFORM THEM, BUT THEY DON'T CARE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120814
THE VEHICLE KEPT SHOWING CODES P1148, P1278 AND P1279. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CHANGED MAF SENSOR, ALL OXYGEN SENSORS, FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING BUT THE CODE KEPT SHOWING UP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120731
8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 06V242000 — 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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (72 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (35 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling) 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Nissan Altima is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?
5 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.