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Body and structurePart report

2002 Nissan Altima Body and structure Problems

Complaints
128about this part
Share
12%of 1,047 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 128 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Nissan Altima, 12% of the 1,047 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Today aftter exiting my vehicle I noticed something hanging from beneath the car on the front passenger side. I opened the door and felt underneath the car in the area where the floor panel is and I was able to push the carpet up from underneath the car. Currently I am unable to view the area of concern because I am unable to get under the vehicle at this time.”

NHTSA complaint #10948150, filed 2017-01, 151,000 miles

“After noticing excessive rust on both front floor panels of my 2002 Nissan Altima, I googled Nissan rust and read the many articles and news shows on the amount of complaints. I live I st louis, so not a eastern state with excessive cold and snow. Very disappointed in this defect, and would hope Nissan would be forced to offer a recall to correct this defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10731845, filed 2015-07, 112,000 miles

“While inspecting my vehicle I noticed on both the driver and passenger sides there is an excessive amount of rot under the vehicle. While inspecting further and lifting the carpet from the front floor boards it has rotted through to the inside of the vehicle. Upon searching the internet I've found this to be a huge issue over the years and would like feedback.”

NHTSA complaint #10553530, filed 2013-11, 94,385 miles

“My driver and passenger side floorboards are completely rusted through I was driving down the street and all of a sudden I heard a loud scraping sound when I got out to look half my drivers floor was on the floor so I go check my passenger side and it is also completely rusted but didn't fall yet.”

NHTSA complaint #10733322, filed 2015-07, 114,000 miles

“On the underneath of the 2002 Nissan Altima the floor is rusting and creating a hole. I have been to different body shops to get an estimate and they said they have seen many Altima's with this same problem recently. When I took the car into the Nissan body shop they also said they have seen many of the Altima's with this defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10479510, filed 2012-10, 99,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025114%
2024512%
202226%
202111%
202074%
201963%
201831%
2017185%
2016295%
2015637%
2014525%
20131346%
2012338%
20112711%
2010308%
2009906%
200831230%
2007276%
200622127%
200535132%
20044215%
200312614%
200212812%
200143%
200053%
199945%
199865%
199787%
199644%
199542%
199422%
199376%

Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Altima

Engine cooling
594 complaints
Engine
92 complaints
Electrical system
77 complaints
Fuel system
56 complaints
Exterior lighting
41 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
39 complaints
Air bags
34 complaints
Brakes
29 complaints
Other or unknown
24 complaints
Equipment
21 complaints
Vehicle speed control
20 complaints
Steering
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