2002 Nissan Altima Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,047 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,048miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Nissan Altima, 5% of the 1,047 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,048 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2002 Nissan Altima started to have problems with the car engine shutting off without any warning. Just 98000 miles on it dealer charged me $900 for set of sensor and labor. Car would stall in traffic on the highway, no warning, we would lose all power. Went to Nissan and they said no one else had this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10810728, filed 2015-12, 3 miles“My car is burning 3 quarts of oil evry 2 weeks..I tryd replacing parts..using different oil..nothing works..I looked online to get some ideas of what the problem might be..but most people with the same model have the same problem and still haven't found a answer.”
NHTSA complaint #10693447, filed 2015-03, 143,000 miles“Have a sloping driveway - when car is parked with a full tank of gasoline, under certain conditions (usually warm days), gasoline drips out of car in the area around the rear of the fuel tank. Have had the car into dealer multiple times, they have been unable to recreate problem. The problem is intermittent, but unless solution is found I'm sure it will recur - I would rate this a significant safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10155840, filed 2006-04, 32,000 miles“Service engine light has come on seven times. The engine has shut off for no apparent reason four times. Total the car has been in for service nine times. Two recalls have been issued one for the crank position sensor (which I was never notified of) and now one regarding gas tank ice crystals (received my notification 5/20/04). Both of these problems can cause a crash without warning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10072936, filed 2004-05, 7,575 miles“I was driving my car to work while I was driving to the I 95 highway by pembroke rd there was a big metal stuff on the lane I was I couldn't go nowhere because the highway was busy didn't want to get into an accident therefore I drove into that metal stuff and hit under my car now my car don't start I don't have now way to go to work and didn't know what to do I called towing to towning my car I did not know I should police on the first place that's real suck they should have people to clean the highway I have a picture of the thing and I took it on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10532095, filed 2013-07, 135 milesRelated recalls
- 03V251000Jul 14, 2003On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana…Covers: Nissan Altima 2002–2003
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% |
| 2019 | 13 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 17 | 4% |
| 2016 | 30 | 5% |
| 2015 | 28 | 3% |
| 2014 | 25 | 2% |
| 2013 | 49 | 2% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 4% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 11 | 1% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 9 | 2% |
| 2006 | 32 | 4% |
| 2005 | 35 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 50 | 6% |
| 2002 | 56 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 5 | 6% |
| 1998 | 19 | 15% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 8 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Altima
594 complaintsBody and structure
128 complaintsEngine
92 complaintsElectrical system
77 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 30, 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