2002 Nissan Altima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,047 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 1,047 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The headlight failed on my 2002 Nissan Altima while I was driving. The dealership informed me that the entire headlamp assembly would have to be replaced on the car, and that it was no longer covered under warranty because it was over 35k miles. The car only has 38k miles on the odometer, and the headlight assembly should not have failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10107656, filed 2005-01, 38,253 miles“Takata recall . The car has been giving engine problems but I did not know what it was until I searched it online and I am having the same problem as many complaint on the recall website. The engine while on slow drive or when on a full stop it shuts down without any warning. It has happened to me a couple of times once I was on a highway but there was traffic and my car shut down. Another time I was at a regular city road and I was driving slow looking for parking and the car shut down but thankfully the car behind me was far and I turned my blinkers on, but thankfully no crashes as of yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10884948, filed 2016-07, 125,000 miles“I have a 2002 Nissan Altima. My passenger headlight had gone out. I took my car to the dealer because I could not figure out how to get to the bulb to replace it. The dealer told me that the backside housing had melted and I needed a new headlight assembly. The dealer told me that the light/bulb reflects off of the back of the headlight assembly and shines out. Apparently, the heat from the light/bulb had gotten so hot it melted the backside housing (where it is grounded). …”
NHTSA complaint #10112320, filed 2005-02, 61,000 miles“My 2002 Nissan Altima vehicle was taken in for service at bob bell chevrolet Nissan, 7900 eastern avenue, baltimore, maryland, 21224, on thursday, august 2, 2007. It was brought in for servicing of all the vehicles' recalls, a soft grinding noise that could be heard when turning the steering wheel and low freon levels for air conditioning. On friday afternoon, august 3, 2007 around 5pm, I was contacted by the service department and strongly advised to pick up the vehicle before the service division closed at 6pm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10202769, filed 2007-09, 73,000 miles“I too have had problems with front headlights in '02 Nissan Altima. Replaced the driver's side bulb only once; and the passenger side 3 times. Lights will work fine for awhile then intermittently; and then not at all. Contacted the dealership & was told I would need to replace entire light assembly & not just the bulbs because the housing melts. Replacement of assembly without paying the dealership would be difficult (if not impossible) because it requires the removal of the front bumper. If we could repair it ourselves, the cost for the part alone is still $188. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129201, filed 2005-07, 43,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10180984Sep 30, 2020VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2002 â 2003 ALTIMA; HALOGEN HEADLAMP GROUND PLATE KIT Service Campaign ID # PB135 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this…
- 10032306Nov 27, 2013Nissan: exterior lamp fogging. Occasionally water is noticed in the exterior lamps. This is generally not due to a defect. All current exterior lamp assemblies are vented to the…
- 10015516Mar 14, 2008Campaign announcement regarding service campaign ntb05-057 - low beam halogen headlamp bulb illumination failure due to poor ground contact. *tt csc was received. Updated 3/21/08.
- 10021508Apr 18, 2007Exterior lamp fogging.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 270 | 28% |
| 2014 | 299 | 27% |
| 2013 | 442 | 19% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 41 | 4% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Altima
594 complaintsBody and structure
128 complaintsEngine
92 complaintsElectrical system
77 complaintsFuel system
56 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 31, 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