2004 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 11%of 276 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Nissan Altima, 11% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Nissan Altima just died on the highway without warning. The vehicle was rear ended and we had to be taken to the hospital. We both sustained multiple surgeries and was admitted for about a week. Called nissanusa to inform them, but they don't care. There were suppose to get back to us and nobody did. Very disappointed in Nissan. They are crap cars!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10470659, filed 2012-08, 10,000 miles“First of all I noticed on 06/07/11 that my 2004 Nissan altima3.5 se passenger floor board has a big rust spot which is about 11 inches by 7 inches, but the rest of the floor board is in pristine condition. Huh. Also the timing tension chain tensioner went bad on 05/01/12, with 86000 miles and had to be repaired which was a very expensive to repair, and saw that this is a common problem on the Altima 3.5 l engine. Hmmmm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10473116, filed 2012-08, 85,000 miles“I was driving at 35 MPH and the engine shut off, the brake light came on, although the hand brake was not activated. The car would not steer or the foot brake would not work without a lot of pressure. Once I got stopped and put the car in park it started right up. I have noticed hesitation at times like it was going to shut off. The car has 3/4 tank of gas and has been serviced regularly. This is the third time it has shut off at low speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10475999, filed 2012-09, 53,416 miles“For the 2nd time car running very rough and stalling. Had it serviced seems the spark plugs were destroyed and not functioning. Paid over $500 for mechanic to put in new plugs now it happened again. Seems there is a voluntary service campaign qr25de power valve. Campaign id p5202. A bolt from manifold is falling into cylinder and blowing out spark plug and causing internal engine damage, my mechanic put camera in cylinder. Car is running but it has already happened to cylinder 1 and 4. Next time my 22 year old daughter may not be so lucky on her highway commute. …”
NHTSA complaint #10863752, filed 2016-05, 92,000 miles“On my way home I was going about 25mph, the car started losing power and started to stall. I pulled over and took about 15 minutes and started it back up and it started fine. I made it to napa and one of the guys took a look at it and said it was the accelerator pedal because obviously it wasn't moving. So I got that and had my father put that part on and put it into drive and it still did nothing. I park it back in the driveway as I normally would with the little power that it did have, and the transmission just made a loud thump. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587556, filed 2014-05, 200,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 6 | 20% |
| 2022 | 7 | 23% |
| 2021 | 6 | 9% |
| 2020 | 37 | 20% |
| 2019 | 48 | 21% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 39 | 10% |
| 2016 | 86 | 16% |
| 2015 | 66 | 7% |
| 2014 | 77 | 7% |
| 2013 | 158 | 7% |
| 2012 | 68 | 16% |
| 2011 | 36 | 15% |
| 2010 | 50 | 13% |
| 2009 | 107 | 7% |
| 2008 | 54 | 5% |
| 2007 | 31 | 7% |
| 2006 | 166 | 20% |
| 2005 | 141 | 13% |
| 2004 | 30 | 11% |
| 2003 | 117 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 9% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Altima
109 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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