A section of the floor-pan under the front driver and passenger feet rusted completely out. Both holes look identical a rectangular hole just forward of the seats between the frame ridge and the rocker panel about 16 inches long.and 4 inches wide.
2002 Nissan Altima body complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 128, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I brought my car in 2002 from nissan. I have had this car now for 12 years and nissan is the only place I take it to always have it serviced. My mileage on it is very low as I don't do a lot of driving. I love my altima and haven't had any major problems or concerns with it. On july 8 2014, I took my car in to have it service while waiting for it the receptionist came and asked me had I considered buying another vehicle, I said no I'm not able to and my car I don't have any problems at all with it. She said follow me I need to show you something. Lord and behold my car was up on the lift and what did they show me but these two heavily rotted areas on my driver and passenger side floor. All I could say when I seen it was that is definitely a safety hazard for not only me but also a passenger that sits in my front seat. Yet nissan don't want to take any fault for this and the many other 2002 nissan altima that this is and has happen to with these vehicles. I live on a limited income and feel they should be the one to repair the rotted floorings on the many vehicles that have rotted flooring. Thank you for allowing me to send a report on my 2002 nissan altima heavily rotted floor that they had never informed me of until it is now heavily rotted and my foot or a passenger foot can now end up at any given time going right through the floor when I am sure that they knew much earlier that my floor was rusting out and they just waited till now when it is heavily rotted. Feeling disgusted and very disappointed with nissan.
Passenger side floor board completely rotted out. I bought my car 2 1/2 years ago (purchased in 2012) from a nissan dealer and they put a inspection sticker on my car which it should of never got one. I looked under the car at the time of the sale but I didn't see any holes because they popped riveted a plate to cover the damage and painted it so it looked like nothing was wrong. I just recently brought my car in for service and the plate fell off and you can see my carpet from the outside of the car. Granted my car is 12 years old but the rust is so bad that it looks like a 30 year old car.
Purchased car used from nissan dealer in 2005 with 33,936 miles on it. Although I live in the midwest and am exposed to road salt, I very seldom drive my car in the winter, if at all. For the past several months I've noticed "orange" spots on the garage floor where I park. At first I thought it was a fluid leak, however, when my husband went to change the oil we noticed a hole, 3-4" in diameter, on the driver's side floor board, where the opener for the fuel compartment is located. Upon further examination, we observed a rusted area approximately 2ft x 1ft waiting to break through. Now, if this is not a safety hazard I don't know what is. I currently have a rag stuck in the hole to avoid any road debris from hitting me and fumes from entering the passenger compartment. After researching this issue I discovered that this is a common problem with the 2005 model year, but mine is a 2002. This may indicate nissan has been allowed to sell this defective product for a much longer period of time. I have owned several vehicles over my lifetime, which I keep as long as possible, and have never encountered a situation like this. It's been my understanding that automobile manufacturers had remedied this problem years ago ! Please, someone, make nissan accountable !
The vehicles floor boards on both passenger and driver are rusting and there is a whole that you can see the ground. I have done research and have seen hundreds of vehicles in the same year as mine having this same issue. Nissan can blame it on salt all they want, but how is it that other vehicles don't have this issue? I think it's an issue with the car itself, it just doesn't make sense. This needs to be a recall.
I took my car in for 100,000 basic tune-up estimate. I have had no serious issues with the motor, nor with the body or reliability of this vehicle. I pointed out to the mechanic a piece of metal was hanging from the undercarriage of my passenger side and asked him if it was from my exhaust. He checked further and indicated with shock and surprise that "no, it was from my undercarriage", "the hole appearing before me contained my interior carpet". I screamed in horror! Literally, I did yell out of frustration and fear as I have small dogs and when I travel, I have one that does get on the floor and sniff around. He could have easily fallen through if the carpet was not secure! I was in shock and actually still am and don't know what I am going to do with my car. I am sad because it was a good car. I wanted to drive it until 200,000 miles because the engine still has the ability to get up and go! Since monday I've frequented many websites and have seen this has been an ongoing issue with many 2002 nissan altima owners and find it very sad that the motor and body of a car outstand the actual framework. This makes me feel really safe on the road today. What are we putting on our roads in the winter, acid? I keep my car clean too. I'm not a person with a lot of money so I am in limbo right now. I'm hoping you can help? Thank you.
Front floorboards both driver and passenger are entirely rusted away. Area adjacent to the outer sill about 14 inches in length and 9 inches in width has no structure remaining. Affected area appears to have consisted of two thin sheets of mild steel.
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.
While my mechanic was reattaching the bumper guard that had come loose, he noticed the rust on the floor pans under both front seats. My mechanic was able to flake off large pieces of rust. He pulled back the carpet and it was rusted all the way through. He said he hadn't seen this kind of rust on vehicles that are double the age of mine. The remainder of the undercarriage was rust free. I took the car into the nissan dealer where I bought it, and the manager said it was caused by the salt/chemicals used on the roads in different parts of the country (apparently he was not including nebraska). The manager stated that it must have been in an area of the country that uses corrosive materials on the roads. The funny thing is that when I purchased this car, the same man said he knew the previous owners and they took excellent care of the vehicle, always spotless and in for every maintenance check!! Which time was he lying!!! Come to find out, the car was purchased at a nissan dealer here in omaha, and stayed in omaha the entire time. The nissan dealer said they could not fix it, and they gave me a business card for a body shop!!! It would cost about $300, he told me, but I have found it would be closer to $2000. At that time, I hadn't even had the car a year. The dealership had to know about the rust when they sold it to me, which makes me very angry!! This is a severe safety issue! I am afraid that one day I will be driving down the highway, I'll fall through the floor, and of course, I will be killed, no doubt about it!! Also, exhaust fumes could be getting into the passenger compartment. Please issue a recall before my car becomes a "flintstone" car and/or I am killed. Nissan is responsible for this safety issue, and they should take responsibility!!
During a safety inspection I was recently shown two large holes in the floor pan of the car that have obviously been rusting for quite a long time. I was advised that this is a safety concern because of the extent of the damage and their locations under the driver and passenger seats. Further research on the internet has proven this is a common problem for all the altimas of this era. The inspection shop also told me that they have seen it many times before on altimas. Nissan is not receptive to any complains about this problem from what I have read and it's clearly a generic problem with this car. Since this problem obviously started a long time ago with no one noticing it I have made an estimate as to the date and mileage when it may have first been noticeable. The car currently has 72000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that an independent mechanic informed him that the under carriage was corroded near the front passenger's side floor board. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,026.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the floorboards were rusted. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN and failure mileage was unavailable.
On above date fount that there was substantial rust on the driver and front passenger floorboards. There is no other rust on the vehicle due to car being garage-kept at home. Rust is completely through the floorboard on the passenger side in a few small areas. Cost to repair at one body shop is $2303.00. Estimator at shop stated that this should not be happening to a car that is this old and with the mileage it has. Have found on the internet that this is a common problem with altimas from 2002 to at least 2006 model years. My wife and I have been the only owners of this vehicle. Nissan dealer has been used for multiple repairs and oil changes and never indicated the rust problem which is visible under the car (they do a safety inspection of the vehicle as part of their normal service procedure when they have pointed out other issues with the vehicle over the years). I take my car to the nissan dealer in chantilly, va.
Just purchased this used car from a dealer in il. Car overall seemed to be in good overall condition for it's age no visible rust or issues noted during test drive or my basic oversight of the vehicle including checking fluids, hoses belts tires etc... I took the car to my local mechanic as it was in need of some routine maintenance work and it was discovered the floorboards on both the passenger and driver side were completed rotted out in some spots the carpet is the only thing covering the hole. This is a dangerous condition I was told because it can lead to fumes in the vehicle or possibly the whole pan falling out, worse case weakening the structural integrity of the entire vehicle. The mechanic suggested I take the car back but since I bought the car used and "as is" I did not think I had a recourse. I called the dealer anyway where I purchased it from about the issue and asked why this issue was not disclosed to me he said too bad you signed the papers it's a done deal sue us if you want your money back and said he had to "go". I am now stuck with this car and trying to get it fixed.my mechanic tells me he cannot give me an estimate to fix it until he takes the seats, carpet and center console out to see the extent of the damage and what needs to be repaired, time and material. I have no idea what this repair will cost but he told me it will take 3 hours of labor just to get to the floor to see the extent of the damage. Apparently this is a known issue that nissan has never acknowledged for 2002-2006. This is my first nissan my next new car was to be a nissan as well, I don't think so any longer. Help!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact noticed that the under carriage of the vehicle was severely rusted near the front driver's side wheel area. Additionally, the front driver's side floorboard area also exhibited severe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that there were two holes in the floor boards. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
We are the second owners of this vehicle having purchased it in 2008. One of the reasons we purchased the car was its reputation for reliability and for the past 7 years it has lived up to its reputation. Recently, I noticed something "hanging from underneath" the car and upon examination (and to my utter amazement) found that the floor boards on both sides of the car are completely rusted through! What I really find incredulous is that, after searching on the internet, this manufacturing defect is apparently as predictable as the sun-rise!! Additionally, although the vast majority of the owners of these cars have complained to nissan north america, nissan continues to disavow any knowledge of a problem nor any culpability. I find it disconcerting that in this day and age any vehicle, regardless of age, would show this extent of rusting. Though not a structural engineer, I would have to deduce that this defect would compromise the safety of these vehicles seeing how both the front seats and seat belts are secured to the car in this area. Not sure what to do with this car at this point. Should I sell it to some unsuspecting person? How many thousands of these cars are being driven by an owner with no knowledge that they are about to be launched into oblivion if ever in any type of a crash. This needs to be addressed by nissan and they need to be held accountable!
Due to a design flaw in the floor board, driver and passengers side, the floors have rusted out. There was 2 drain holes on both floor boards which welcomed sand/salt to the interior of the car. I purchased the car used in 2005 from nissan of middletown ny. They did not make me aware of the issue at the time. At some point a tar tape overlay was placed over the holes to disguise the hole from the inside. This seems deceiving to me and not remedy the problem. The vehicle has been well maintained and has no other rust on the vehicle. I fear the car to be unsafe for myself and family. These holes compromise the structure of the vehicle. I understand the age of the vehicle and still believe this to be a issue that should not be existent on many 3rd generation altimas in this day and age.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side floorboard was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the floorboard would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while having an oil change performed, he noticed that the under carriage of the passenger's side frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000. .....updated 01/14/13 *bf the consumer stated the dealer stated they have never heard of any failures such as this. Updated 1/18/2013
Driver and passenger side floor pan rusted. Holes on both sides.
Floor pan under both driver and passenger side front footwells has completely rusted through. I'm not sure when the rust perforation occurred, as I purchased the car used in may 2012 and noticed the problem shortly thereafter.
The floors in the altimas are rotting out, this is 2002,2003,2004,2005,2006 and maybe later models. Obviously an engineering, design defect. Just read about this and checked my daughters 2002, just carpet on the passenger side. I haven't checked deeper, but other have reported rotted seat supports. Nissan body shop quoted 950.00 to repair/replace rotted area. I am lucky that I am able to cover the cost of her repair, other may not be so lucky. This information needs to be aired in the national press before we have a seat failure in a crash that results in death.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the floorboard had rust damage so severe that it would take very little pressure from her foot to completely go through the bottom of the vehicle. A dealer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a body shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the front floor pans were rusted on the driver and passenger sides. The contact spoke to the manufacturer and was told to take the vehicle to a dealer and have a price quoted. The front floor panel was attached to the front seats. The contact stated that they could push their foot through the floor of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileage was 92,834.
Like other customers, my 2002 nissan altima v6 developed a rusted floor board in both the front areas with metals flaking off even at an early time. I didn't realize there were a lot of us having this problem with this model.. This is the only part of the car that is very badly rusted, all of the other parts have barely any rust. I think this is something that really needs investigation.
Discovered rust thru in passenger floor pan during routine maintenance. Car was garage kept more than 80% of time. Well maintained. No damage to this area from accidents. No immersion. Discovered on the internet that the problem common to this make and model over multiple years. Have never had a floor plan rust thru in any vehicle I have ever owned. Is a safety concern as exhaust gases may enter cabin.
My 2002 altima, driven by my son, was being checked out for a problem with a bad tire. While up on the lift, the mechanic identified two holes in the floor pan. One is on the driver's side and one on the passenger's side, each at the location of a seat floor mount bolt. Not exactly safe. This car will not pass state of pennsylvania safety inspection as is. I have not contacted nissan, as that is most likely fruitless, based on the many comments I've already read on the federal safety agency website. Nissan obviously has a problem with this design. Even if the car is 10 years old, the floor pan shouldn't be rotting away. The state of pennsylvania obviously thinks this is not safe. Why doesn't the federal safety agency agree? What are you guys waiting for? Fatalities?
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for a routine oil and brake service when the mechanic stated that there were two rusted areas on the front frame. The dealer stated that they needed to reseal the rusted areas. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty, providing no further assistance. The failure mileage was 122,000 and the current mileage was 123,000. The VIN was not available.
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