Model year
2002 Nissan Altima
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 1,047 complaints for the 2002 Nissan Altima (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (229), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE (164), ENGINE (92). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 160 complaints
- 2001 159 complaints
- 2002 1,047 complaints
- 2003 883 complaints
- 2004 276 complaints
- 2005 1,091 complaints
- 2006 824 complaints
- 2007 471 complaints
- 2008 1,030 complaints
- 2009 1,547 complaints
- 2010 381 complaints
- 2011 242 complaints
- 2012 426 complaints
- 2013 2,313 complaints
- 2014 1,114 complaints
- 2015 955 complaints
- 2016 554 complaints
- 2017 392 complaints
- 2018 226 complaints
- 2019 233 complaints
- 2020 160 complaints
- 2021 70 complaints
- 2022 31 complaints
- 2023 30 complaints
- 2024 41 complaints
- 2025 7 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Recalls
07V527000 · Nov 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
03V455000 · Nov 17, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
03V251000 · Jul 14, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO,…
03V084000 · Mar 11, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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 SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO…
03V061000 · Feb 27, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Complaints
1,047 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 29, fire flag on 28, injury field 27, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE02078 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | Oct 18, 2002 | Mar 25, 2003 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima · 2.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Altima · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Altima · 3.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Altima · 3.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Nissan Altima at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.