1998 Nissan Altima electrical problems

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Electrical · 67,200 miles · IN · fire

After arriving home safely from a long highway drive (7 hrs), our car sat for about 5 hours. When I started the car, I smelled smoke and heard a unusual rubbing noise under the hood. After popping the hood, I saw smoke pouring out of the alternator. I turned off the engine, went inside to get a fire extinguisher. The fire was still burning, but seemed to be inside the alternator. I extinguished it and hopefully saved serious engine damage. The car was towed to the dealer, and is awaiting service now.

Filed Feb 9, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 120,000 miles · FL · fire

Vehicle caught on fire after it had been parked for more than 8 hours. Owner contacted the manufacturer and nothing was done.

Filed Oct 10, 2004 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · CA

The car was idle at a red light when it shut down completely (engine, radio, lights, etc). It would not start again. I got a jump and it started. The next day it started fine. I let it idle for about 15 minutes and it was okay. I drove it for a few minutes and it died again. I had it towed to a repair shop. None of the diagnostic tests showed anything wrong (battery, alternator, etc. Were okay). They drove it and it did not die again. I took it to a nissan dealer and they cannot find any problems either.

Filed Aug 31, 2004 · Electrical · IL

While applying the accelerator pedal vehicle failed to accelerate. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that computer needed to be replaced.

Filed May 6, 2003 · Electrical · 86,000 miles · MN

July of 2002 (days before my vacation) my altima would not start. I was under an third party service agreement and was towed 25 miles from work to the selling dealership. It was determined that wires in/ around the fuel pump had been severely damaged and needed to be replaced, the damage to the wires caused excessive strain on the fuel pump, in turn the fuel pump also had failed. Not all of the repairs were covered components. The exact same failure occurred again in october 2002, however the warranty had expired and all costs were now my responsibility in full. Now, may 2003 the exact failure again has occurred. Each failure has carried a minimum shop charge of approx $475.00 for parts and labor, not to mention the several times I have needed a tow. No failure codes are activated when the vehicle is hooked up to a diagnostics computer. Each dealer has had a hard time troubleshooting the problem as the car usually is towed and will starts the next day. However after leaving the dealership the vehicle will fail again within 24 hours, resulting in another tow. Dealerships are not pleased that they have to get into the car and troubleshoot rather than using the diagnostic computer.

Filed Apr 6, 2003 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · OR

Several times the vehicle wouldn't start, I had to have it jump started. Usually happened after it had been driven for a short time, stopped and then tried to restart. One time it wouldn't start even with a jump. Battery was replaced and it continued to happen. Dealership could not duplicate the problem. All readings for battery and alternator came back normal.

Filed Jul 24, 2002 · Electrical · NY

Horn is so low, if another driver has window up, consumer won't be able to here the horn. Almost caused several accidents.dealer contacted.

Filed Mar 14, 2002 · Electrical · GA

After starting vehicle battery exploded, casing had cracked.

Filed Sep 13, 2001 · Electrical · FL

Battery blew up soon as consumer turned on vehicle. There was some damage to vehicle on hood and around the area of the battery.

Filed Aug 27, 2001 · Electrical · OK · 1 injury

Battery exploded upon start of vehicle. Vehicle shook when battery exploded. Also, battery acid leaked. Consumer got some battery acid in eyes. Consumer was breathing the gas from battery. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated battery was faulty.*ak battery acid sprayed all over the engine compartment, front body panels, front bumper, and the hood was dented because of the battery failure.