2002 Nissan Altima Nissan Altima 2002

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2002 Nissan Altima repairs by problem area

Engine (56%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (15%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 129 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Nissan Altima.

2002 Nissan Altima repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (11%)

$500 - $999 (23%)

$100 - $499 (40%)

< $100 (22%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 119 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Nissan Altima

Engine not specified

Nissan Altima in Texas, United States
Mar 2007 - Mar 2010
Apr 2007

63000 mi

US $50
AC not blowing cold air 
Nissan Altima in Illinois, United States
Dec 2007 - Mar 2010
Jan 2008

127000 mi

US $729
Well, I bought this car January 6, 2008, since then I have had it in the shop getting things that needed done. First off took it in for a  
Nissan Altima in Illinois, United States
Sep 2012 - Oct 2012
Oct 2012

120000 mi

US $1265
Head gasket leaking. needed to be replaced. 
Nissan Altima in Georgia, United States
Sep 2013 - Oct 2013
Oct 2013

119000 mi

US $300
Driving car when battery, brake, and ses light came on. Car stalled. Started back up. Sensor replacement needed. Car shut down engine when it thought sensor was accurate and not just an error. 

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2002 Nissan Altima 4dr Sedan

240-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed manual FWD

Nissan Altima in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2011 - Apr 2011
Apr 2011

152331 mi

C $650
Replaced spark plugs and a damaged coil Replaced spark plugs and a damaged coil 
Nissan Altima in California, United States
Feb 2009 - Dec 2012
Mar 2009

34000 mi

US $500
Window didn't go up by itself as it should. 
Jun 2009

36000 mi

US $300
Window went up and then back down. 
Sep 2011

45000 mi

US $800
Replaced 3 engine sensors. 
Nissan Altima in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2007 - Oct 2011
May 2007

55000 mi

US $240
Front left wheel bearing went bad, was replaced. Front left wheel bearing 
Mar 2009

70000 mi

US $1100
Thermostat and engine coolant sensor failed and caused a Check Engine Light. Replaced both thermostat and engine coolant sensor. Front left ABS sensor failed, causing the ABS light to turn on. Replaced front left ABS sensor. 
May 2010

79000 mi

US $30
Rusted exhaust shield was causing rattling from under the car. Removed shield to fix problem. 
Nov 2010

82000 mi

US $610
Alternator was failing. Replaced. Apparently it was a pain to get to the alternator on the V6, which resulted in 3.5 hours of labor costs to me. 
Mar 2011

84000 mi

US $210
Oil pan had rusted and was starting to leak. Replaced oil pan. 
Jul 2011

86000 mi

US $400
Rear left caliper was stuck because of rust (MA winters are hard on cars). Had to replace both rear calipers, rotors, and pads. Did not include pads and rotors in cost number above. 
Oct 2011

88000 mi
CEL was illuminated. Code was small evap leak. Mechanic couldn't fix it because required diagnostic equipment he didn't have. He was somewhat afraid to work on the car because of a large amount of rust. Sold car. Large amount of rust when sold. 
Nissan Altima in New Hampshire, United States
- Apr 2009
Dec 2006

91000 mi

US $275
Rear rotors & pads done myself 
Oct 2007

110000 mi

US $790
Replaced #3 catalytic converter as original became clogged. 
Apr 2009

155000 mi

US $375
New front rotors and pads 

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2002 Nissan Altima 4dr Sedan

240-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Nissan Altima in Minnesota, United States
Dec 2011 - Apr 2017
Sep 2012

142000 mi

US $150
catalytic convertor went bad 
Nov 2013

151600 mi

US $230
had to replace oxygen sensor 
Dec 2015

158000 mi

US $500
Misfire cylinder number four. 
Feb 2017

185000 mi

US $1400
engine misfires 
Nissan Altima in Ohio, United States
Jan 2011 - Oct 2012
Mar 2011

70000 mi

US $300
New front struts and back shocks which is typical wear and tear items considering the mileage 
Oct 2012

103000 mi

US $22500
Replaced left front lower control arm with wheel bearing 
Nissan Altima in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2013 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013

148800 mi

C $600
Leaking radiator. Sway Bars Bushings 
Nissan Altima in Michigan, United States
Sep 2011 - Jun 2018
Nov 2017

86000 mi

US $820
Replaced throttle body unit as throttle control motor died. 
Nissan Altima in Connecticut, United States
- Jun 2009
Jun 2009

65000 mi

US $500
65k miles on the car had to replace a ball joint. 2yrs that's all i have had done. car runs great no issue 
Nissan Altima in Ohio, United States
Jun 2010 - Oct 2012
Jul 2010

122000 mi

US $350
exhaust already slightly damaged in winter 2009. new motor installed spring 2010. car towed to shop for motor r/r and exhaust was further damaged during tow. shop repaired damage but repair failed. unwilling to do anything else w/o $$$. 
Nissan Altima in Texas, United States
Jul 2011 - Aug 2011
Aug 2011

151000 mi

US $300
Engine was turning on but no acceleration was there. Service Engine Soon, TCS OFF and SLIP light turned up. Engine was overheating. 
Nissan Altima in New Mexico, United States
Jun 2011 - Sep 2013
Aug 2011

79000 mi

US $200
AC stop working after barely using it while in England. 
May 2013

96300 mi

US $124
AC was leaking. 
Aug 2013

99100 mi

US $1600
Steering wheel leaking....cambers not aligned causing uneven tire wear. Oil leak. 
Nissan Altima in Iowa, United States
Mar 2007 - Nov 2018
Sep 2008

139000 mi

US $80
heim joints on front sway bar links became loose - replaced sway bar links 
Jul 2010

167000 mi

US $200
front motor mount replaced 
Apr 2012

191500 mi

US $500
The original four O2 sensors replaced at 191300 miles. 
Jun 2015

222000 mi

US $1100
Both valve covers on the V6 began seeping oil into spark plug wells. Had to replace both valve covers as the seals are integral to the valve cover. 
Aug 2016

234000 mi

US $743
Mufflers were falling apart. Replace cat-back with Magnaflow system. 
Apr 2017

239000 mi

US $271
Badly worn front right wheel bearing replaced 
Jun 2018

251000 mi

US $250
Front calipers seizing and were corroded beyond repair so they were replaced with remanned units 
Nissan Altima in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2007 - Nov 2010
May 2007

93620 mi

C $700
Left rear ABS sensor replacement. Problem ws causing ABS to engage whenever the brake pedal was pressed. In addition the Slip,TCS Off and ABS light were all lit. 
Nissan Altima in Pennsylvania, United States
Apr 2007 - Nov 2011
Jun 2007

17000 mi
Bubbled patch on the paint of the Aluminum trunk lid. It was corroded under the paint. 
Oct 2007

18000 mi
Water found on carpet, and floor mat of front passenger side floor. While exploring this problem, I found that all of the duct work for the rear heating had been knocked apart and needed to be repaired as well. (No heat was getting to the rear seats.) 
Nissan Altima in Kentucky, United States
Nov 2007 - Apr 2010
Dec 2009

106000 mi

US $450
Starter stopped working. 
Nissan Altima in Ohio, United States
Sep 2007 - Mar 2010
Jan 2008

131000 mi

US $799
Check engine light came on, dealer had difficulty diagnosing the problem, finally decided it was the ECU (main computer chip). Check engine light came on, first shift was "hard." According to dealer, new ECU (installed previous week) allowed existing problem with the transmission solenoid to surface, which required the replacement of the transmission solenoid. 
Mar 2009

138000 mi

US $400
Repeated transmission sensor problems -- cannot seem to fix. Continuation of problem that first surfaced last year. Dealer has been somewhat co-operative but cannot really fix the problem. 
Jun 2009

140000 mi

US $900
Problems with transmission - hard shift. Dealer could not figure it out, had to take it to transmission specialist. Turned out to be a bad wire in wiring harness -- was bypassed. 

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2002 Nissan Altima 4dr Sedan

175-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Nissan Altima in Kentucky, United States
Mar 2013 - Jun 2013
May 2013

151400 mi

US $2000
Catalytic converter and sensors Timing chain was replaced Tie rod ends 
Nissan Altima in Illinois, United States
Sep 2011 - Sep 2018
Jun 2014

102000 mi

US $45
Replaced crankshaft sensor and made the CEL go off 
Sep 2014

105000 mi
All 3 engine mounts broken, trans mount broken. Not fixing for the time being. The trans mount is very expensive because it is for the manual trans ~ $200 for part. 
Oct 2014

105500 mi

US $100
Burning smell from alternator, needed replacement 
Dec 2014

108000 mi

US $300
Right Front Control arm, barely 30,000 miles had elapsed since previous replacement. 
Aug 2015

114100 mi

US $70
Replaced radiator, car overheated and now burns about 1 quart of oil every 6,000 miles. 
Sep 2016

125000 mi
replaced right strut, under warranty 
Aug 2018

135000 mi

US $120
Replaced drivers side front window regulator 
Sep 2018

135000 mi

US $130
replace all 4 coils on plugs and spark plugs 
Nissan Altima in North Carolina, United States
Aug 2008 - Jan 2009
Sep 2008

88000 mi

US $95
headlight out and rattling under car which turned out to be a loose exhaust hanger. 
Dec 2008

88000 mi

US $75
Went in for Service Engine Light. The code indicated a misfire in cylinder 2. Coil and spark plug were fine but a coolant system pressure test indicated a leak in the head gasket. Repair cost estimated at $1200. Forums indicate that this is common.  
Nissan Altima in Tennessee, United States
Oct 2010 - Apr 2013
Oct 2010

63000 mi

US $1250
Service engine light came on. Code reading indicated misfire in cylinder 2. Coolant pressure test indicated a blown head gasket. Repair cost $1250. 
Oct 2011

74500 mi

US $54
Low pressure in clutch pedal on occasion, engages close to the floor, no slippage felt. Hard to put in gear one cold morning. Dealer diagnosis was clutch replacement needed. Decided to get other opinion. I suspect hydraulic system problem. 
Jun 2012

83000 mi

US $260
I had low pressure in the clutch pedal. I first flushed clutch fluid and then I had to replace clutch master cylinder. Clutch problem seems fixed. 
Aug 2012

85000 mi

US $300
Bad alternator. It had to be replaced. 
Nissan Altima in Utah, United States
Mar 2011 - May 2011
May 2011

125000 mi

US $5000
The engine was consuming lots of oil. It started blowing out gray smoke and losing power. I read that this was due to the catalytic converter being burned up and sucked into the engine deteriorating it from inside. I sold it at auction. The engine was consuming lots of oil. It started blowing out gray smoke and losing power. I read that this was due to the catalytic converter being burned up and sucked into the engine deteriorating it from inside. I sold it at auction. 

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2002 Nissan Altima 4dr Sedan

175-horsepower 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Nissan Altima in Massachusetts, United States
Aug 2015 - Dec 2016
Dec 2015

77000 mi
Steering was off a bit and pulling to the right. Noticed issue when I had tires replaced. 
Nissan Altima in Massachusetts, United States
Dec 2014 - Jun 2017
Aug 2015

66100 mi

US $475
Wouls not start hot. Started OK cold. Replaced cam position sensor 
Sep 2016

76000 mi

US $300
Replaced failed ignition coil 
Nissan Altima in Colorado, United States
Jul 2014 - Dec 2016
Aug 2014

110500 mi

US $4
Sensors replaced, CAt converter replaced, heater switch replaced, front suspension replaced, engine replaced 
Jul 2015

124000 mi

US $2000
front end suspension needed replacement 
Sep 2015

124000 mi

US $500
Burning through coolant 
Nissan Altima in Mississippi, United States
Feb 2014 - Apr 2017
Oct 2015

303300 mi
I had a cracked bumper replaced. I had the rear driver's side exterior handle replaced as it had snapped off some time ago 
Nissan Altima in South Carolina, United States
Dec 2015 - Aug 2016
Aug 2016

223000 mi
front windows broke down and would not open. 
Nissan Altima in Texas, United States
May 2014 - Jun 2014
Jun 2014

164000 mi

US $100
Valve cover gasket failed allowing oil in spark plugs. Replaced valve cover gasket, spark plugs, cleaned oil. Also replaced thermostats due to heater issue in winter. 
Nissan Altima in Washington, United States
Jul 2016 - Mar 2017
Aug 2016

137500 mi

US $4000
Piston cracked after returning from a long trip to Oregon. 
Nissan Altima in Texas, United States
Aug 2009 - Oct 2012
Nov 2009

138000 mi

US $400
Steering fluid leak required replacement of hose. 
Feb 2012

143000 mi

US $600
Replaced fuel computer. 
Nissan Altima in Quebec, Canada
Mar 2010 - May 2011
May 2010

85560 mi

C $220
Rust hole on the floor passenger side 
Oct 2010

89900 mi

C $550
Problem: Rear driver side caliper was clogged and cause a premature wear of the brake pad which scratch the disc. Repair: Rears calipers, discs and pads changed. Discs and pads were changed only one year and a half before. 
Jan 2011

91760 mi
Headlight replacement Technical bulletin service #NTB05-057b 
Nissan Altima in Texas, United States
Sep 2009 - Mar 2010
Jan 2009

65000 mi

US $1800
replaced mass air flow sensor 
Oct 2009

97000 mi

US $450
Had to replace right rear wheel bearing. 
Nissan Altima in California, United States
Aug 2002 - Jun 2011
Mar 2002

21000 mi

US $75
engine light on. camshaft sensor bad. replaced myself. can't trust dealerships. 
Sep 2004

49000 mi
engine light on. catalyst below threshold. dealership replaced cat converter, o2 sensors, flashed computer. code did not go away. Got new engine barely under warranty, 4 week repair time. Major issue with 4cyl motors at that time. 
Jan 2005

59000 mi

US $440
exhaust manifold gasket replaced. 
Apr 2005

63000 mi

US $10
Rack & pinion leaking badly. Added stop leak. repair/replace cost outrageous! 
Mar 2006

78000 mi

US $60
driver side CV axle shaft torn. Dealer wanted $700 for axle (had to come from japan) and 3hrs labor. Found axle replacement from junkyard, no auto parts store had one. swapped it myself. 
Feb 2009

135000 mi
canister purge valve plugged with crud. had to replace $45 for part 
May 2009

137554 mi

US $650
All keys lost transponder coding. Had to tow car to dealership to have NEW keys and remotes reprogrammed to car. 
Sep 2009

145000 mi

US $75
canister purge valve no longer working (again). replaced again with nissan part. 
Oct 2010

146000 mi

US $625
OE Replacement Catalytic Converter weld around bung plug broke, causing loud noise, chk enging light and damaged o2 sensor. Took 6 hours to R&R cat. Had to buy cat from dealership (damn Calif). Used Felpro Exhaust manifold gasket vs. OE. OE was low qulty. OE Replacement Catalytic Converter weld around bung plug broke, causing loud noise, chk engine light and damaged o2 sensor. Took 6 hours to R&R cat. Had to buy cat from dealership (damn Calif). Used Felpro Exhaust manifold gasket vs. OE. OE was low qulty 
Nissan Altima in Texas, United States
Sep 2012 - Jun 2015
Oct 2012

155200 mi

US $100
Engine would occasionally lose power, run rough, and trigger MIL. Problem traced to failed ignition coil. Replaced. Problem solved. 
Sep 2013

157000 mi

US $100
Front passenger side window shattered while parked in driveway, probably due to excessive heat. Bought and installed a used window from local salvage yard. 
Nov 2014

160300 mi

US $100
Clunking sound over bumps. Found RH engine mount rubber completely deteriorated. Replaced with new aftermarket engine mount. Problem solved 
Nissan Altima in Washington, United States
Aug 2006 - Oct 2007
Dec 2006

73000 mi

US $1900
Replace head gasket 
Mar 2007

121000 mi

US $1400
replace catalytic convert and both oxygen sensors 
Nissan Altima in Georgia, United States
Mar 2016 - Mar 2016
Mar 2016

108000 mi

US $200
Check engine code p0300 has been pulling for 6 months. Replaced plugs and ignition coills. Car still had problems starting and emitted strong gas.oil smell from hood. 
Nissan Altima in North Carolina, United States
Jun 2013 - Mar 2014
Oct 2013

125000 mi

US $60
External door handle broke off the passenger door. 
Nissan Altima in British Columbia, Canada
Feb 2012 - Mar 2012
Nissan Altima in Quebec, Canada
Jun 2012 - Sep 2013
Jul 2012

73660 mi

C $3000
My engine was burning oil and during a trip to quebec city it broke. I had to buy a new engine and get it installed on my car. 
Sep 2012

76260 mi

C $680
I had to replace the 4 shock absorbers of my vehicle with new ones. 
Nissan Altima in Oklahoma, United States
Jun 2010 - Aug 2010
Jul 2010

115000 mi

US $100
wiring to compressor went bad. Repaired and now AC works fine. 
Aug 2010

115000 mi

US $1100
Had timing chain replaced. Now needs new Cat Conv.  High oil consumption. Had timing chain replaced now needs new Cat Conv. High oil consumption. 
Nissan Altima in Texas, United States
May 2011 - Oct 2013
Jun 2012

88000 mi

US $550
noise when car in drive and stationary with a/c on.. replaced drive belt and tensioner. transmission fluid flush, power steering fluid changed. brake fluid changed. 
Jun 2013

96000 mi

US $150
Check Engine light illuminated with codes P0335 and P0725. The car was taking longer than usual to start. This was an issue withe the Crankshaft Postion sensor. Replaced the sensor. 
Nissan Altima in North Carolina, United States
May 2009 - Jun 2017
Oct 2010

125000 mi

US $170
ignition coil 
Apr 2014

138000 mi

US $300
Ignition system 
Nissan Altima in North Carolina, United States
Apr 2007 - Mar 2010
Jun 2008

120000 mi

US $500
replaced cv joint 
Dec 2008

130000 mi

US $800
Hole in radiator. Replaced. 
Mar 2009

132000 mi

US $380
Replaced water pump.  
Sep 2009

143000 mi

US $300
Oil leak. Transmission fluid leak. 
Oct 2009

144000 mi

US $400
It was idling rough so they replaced the distributor/rotor wires but it never got better and now they are saying it has an air intake leak. Will cost another $500 unless I just sell the car. 
Nissan Altima in Florida, United States
Aug 2012 - Jan 2013
Dec 2012

122000 mi

US $200
Radiator Cracked 
Nissan Altima in New York, United States
Sep 2013 - Dec 2013
Dec 2013

160000 mi

US $175
alternator was replaced winter blast of December 2013, temperature was 6 degrees F, vehicle would not start. needed new spark plugs 
Nissan Altima in California, United States
Mar 2013 - Jun 2013
Apr 2013

155700 mi

US $500
CEL on repaired 02 Sensors upper/lower. 
Nissan Altima in New Jersey, United States
Jan 2010 - Jun 2011
Mar 2010

96000 mi

US $1000
1. Shocks and Struts 2. Engine Coolant reflush 3. Drive belts need to be replaced 4. Wheel Alignment 
Nissan Altima in British Columbia, Canada
Jan 2013 - Feb 2013
Feb 2013

161200 mi
Engine started to misfire. Result was a bad catalytic converter 

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2002 Nissan Altima 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Nissan in Ohio, United States
Mar 2007 - Mar 2010

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2002 Nissan Altima 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Nissan Altima in Louisiana, United States
Dec 2007 - Mar 2010
Jan 2008

85000 mi

US $4500
Engine failure due to Nissan defect!! Nissan refuses to warranty like many other other claims! From 02-05 Nissan customers replaced over 60,000 2.5 L motors in these cars and majority was out of customers pocket!!! NO MORE NISSANS!!!! Motor went out again Nissan told me they could not garantee me it wouldn't do it again. Nearly caused a catastrophe!! Department of Highway Safety needs to look into this problem and do something about it!! 

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2002 Nissan Altima Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Nissan Altima problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.