2002 Nissan Altima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 594about this part
- Share
- 57%of 1,047 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 594 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Nissan Altima, 57% of the 1,047 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 20 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2002 Nissan Altima with a 2.5 engine. At 66,000 miles I was told the converter was bad. Since that time, I have replaced the engine, the pre-converter and the converter on my own dime. After six months the new converter failed, it was replaced. Six months later I am in the same boat. I'm told that the converter is bad again.”
NHTSA complaint #10419286, filed 2011-08, 190,000 miles“I recently purchased a 2002 Nissan Altima. Since I've had it, it uses oil and has a bad catalytic problem due to manufacturer defect. This 2.5s is under a recall. The ECM was replaced on the car to avoid this problem, but it still persists. Nissan refuses to acknowledge the recall even though its never been fixed......the recall number for this catalytic converter is 03v084000.”
NHTSA complaint #10281554, filed 2009-08, 80,000 miles“Hi, I own a 2002 Nissan Altima. It shows up a check engine light with issue on catalytic converter and consumes a lot of oil. I am very much concerned on the safety of the car. Requesting Nissan to fix this issue as this is a very much known issue with recalls. Thanks!”
NHTSA complaint #10449625, filed 2012-02, 79,700 miles“Recently the car would be rough to start. And when it did start it would sputter and shake. Brought the car to a Nissan service facility. After the initial diagnosis I was told the head gasket was blown and the catalytic converter was shot. Also told that there was no oil in the reservoir. The oil light never came on so I had no warning that there was a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10239086, filed 2008-08, 85,000 miles“I have a 2002 Nissan Altima with 105,000 miles. I have no oil leaks, smoke coming out when I drive but my car is consuming a quart or more a week. I have 2 small children and I have contacted Nissan and they said they haven't heard anything. But on car complaints there are several. I am afraid my engine would blow when I am driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10238902, filed 2008-08, 104 milesRelated recalls
- 07V527000Nov 14, 2007On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crankshaft position sensor can overheat causing a brief interruption in the signal output from…Covers: Nissan Altima 2002, 2005–2006, Sentra 2002, 2005–2006
- 03V455000Nov 17, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder…Covers: Nissan Altima 2002–2003, Sentra 2000–2003, Maxima 2002–2003 +6 more
- 03V084000Mar 11, 2003On 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…Covers: Nissan Altima 2002–2003, Sentra 2002
Related service bulletins
- 10019613Mar 31, 2006Mil on with dtc u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
- 10019626Mar 30, 2006Engine oil cooler gasket available.
- 10019300Feb 8, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 3% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 | 8 | 0% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 44 | 9% |
| 2006 | 189 | 23% |
| 2005 | 259 | 24% |
| 2004 | 109 | 39% |
| 2003 | 450 | 51% |
| 2002 | 594 | 57% |
| 2001 | 59 | 37% |
| 2000 | 49 | 31% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 11% |
| 1997 | 7 | 6% |
| 1996 | 8 | 9% |
| 1995 | 28 | 16% |
| 1994 | 11 | 10% |
| 1993 | 16 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Altima
128 complaintsEngine
92 complaintsElectrical system
77 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsExterior lighting
41 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
39 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsEquipment
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsSteering
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology