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SuspensionPart report

2002 Nissan Altima Suspension Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
1%of 1,047 total for the year
Median mileage
57,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Nissan Altima, 1% of the 1,047 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“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

“I owned this Nissan Altima for three months, and did not encounter any problems until this incident. Ovember 25, 2004 drove over 200 miles to maryland. Traffic was not backed-up at all. Weather was perfect. November 28, 2004, approximately 4am, I was driving, and a friend was following me (driving), on a well paved, two lane (one lane for each direction) road with no sidewalks and absolutely zero potholes. After driving less than 1 (one) mile, the road began to bend to the left. …”

NHTSA complaint #10114395, filed 2005-03, 22,600 miles

“I have a 2002 Nissan Altima, that is burning oil. I have to put at least two quarts of oil in there every 2 weeks. Now my car is shuttering and hissing at me and not getting anymore when I accelerate. I'm being told that I will need a new catalytic converter and possibly an engine. Nissan is willing to do nothing about this issue. After doing some research I'm showing that this a common problem with this year of car and should be taken care of by Nissan. As a consumer what can be done. This is unfair to us, thinking we are buying a reliable car when it's really a piece of crap. …”

NHTSA complaint #10367222, filed 2010-11, 111,111 miles

“Too many issues to remember than all but I'll try: - excessive oil use - excessive coolant use - overheating to the aforementioned issues - intermittent transmission issues - failing airbag - electrical issues - broken sensors - catalytic converters gone bad - oxygen sensors gone bad - intermittent failure to start - intermittent car shaking and so on.”

NHTSA complaint #10240328, filed 2008-08, 55,000 miles

“Re: 2002 Nissan Altima. There is severe rust and corrosion in specific locations directly under both the driver and front passengers seats and floors. The corrosion appears to be related to two factory holes in the floor, one on each side of the vehicle. The corrosion on the passenger side of our car is less severe: a large area of rust but a relatively small hole (tennis ball size) through the sheet metal. The drivers side of the car has a large hole (soccer ball size) in the floor. …”

NHTSA complaint #10358132, filed 2010-09, 60,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202412%
202226%
202157%
202053%
201983%
201842%
2017113%
2016122%
2015647%
201413212%
201328912%
2012174%
2011146%
2010318%
2009332%
2008162%
200712126%
2006182%
2005212%
2004104%
2003152%
2002141%
20012013%
200064%
199978%
199897%
199776%
199644%
1995106%
199477%
199332%

Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Altima

Engine cooling
594 complaints
Body and structure
128 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

← 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