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Fuel systemPart report

2004 Nissan Altima Fuel system Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
3%of 276 total for the year
Median mileage
88,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Nissan Altima, 3% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,500 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.

“I was pulling out of the apartment but it would only go about 10 miles per hour. There was no smell or noise and it was the first time I had started the car today. I returned home, turned off the car for a short time, restarted and it ran fine in the parking lot.”

NHTSA complaint #10511010, filed 2013-05, 115,000 miles

“I was driving down the interstate going 60-65 MPH, with my girlfriend and my newborn daughter. The check engine light came on, the car shut off and the engine stalled with a river of traffic surrounding around me. After about 10 minutes the car finally started back up & ran fine. A few days later the car became harder to start and the engine shut off on the interstate once again. I got the engine code, checked out and it was p0340 (cam shaft position sensor). Upon further research I noticed that this is a very common nationwide problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10533581, filed 2013-08, 103,000 miles

“Car does not start. Acts like it is not getting fuel...mechanic suggesting cps vehicle was stationary for only ten minutes.. Ran just fine before hand.”

NHTSA complaint #10899386, filed 2016-08, 127,000 miles

“Every winter or when the weather gets cold there is a strong smell of raw gas coming in through the air vents, when car warms up in morning even with all windows open smell is choking and unbearable. Also brakes squeak terribly like a big truck when turning to left and braking, even at slow speeds, such as in a drive thru or parking. Even brand new brakes. Lastly and most scary is the driver seat shifts, rocks, forward and back when braking hard or during a sudden stop. Purchased car in 2007 as a lease return.”

NHTSA complaint #10486381, filed 2012-11, 40,000 miles

“The car has a fuel problem and crankshaft position sensor issue causing the car to die and also not start up normal idling. When I do get it to start up it idles very groggy.”

NHTSA complaint #11543061, filed 2023-09

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025114%
202425%
202074%
2019136%
201821%
2017174%
2016305%
2015283%
2014252%
2013492%
2012133%
2011104%
201072%
2009111%
2008212%
200792%
2006324%
2005353%
200493%
2003506%
2002565%
200174%
200064%
199956%
19981915%
199755%
199644%
199574%
199455%
199387%

Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Altima

Engine cooling
109 complaints
Body and structure
42 complaints
Electrical system
32 complaints
Engine
30 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
17 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Other or unknown
10 complaints
Suspension
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Visibility (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 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