2002 Nissan Altima: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 30, 2009 · Engine · 111,000 miles · AL

I purchased a 02 altima 2.5 (automatic) on thursday, july 16, 2009. On friday, july 17, I had to take it to the mechanic because it was making a terrible sound coming from the engine. Upon arrival, it was found that the oil tank was bone dry. After adding 3 quarts of oil, the noise was gone. Throughout that day when driving I smelt something like exhaust or burning oil or something. I just thought oil was spilled on the engine and it was simply burning off. I put approx 30 miles on the car that day. On saturday, july 18, I put approx 20 miles on the car (same smell). On sunday, I noticed smoke coming out of my muffler when I would hit the gas. It would go away when I was at a steady pace but if I put gas in it, the smoke would come out. I took the car to a friend of mine and had him check the oil. To my surprise, there was not a lick of oil left in the tank... Where did it go????????? There was no sign of leaks underneath the car and no spot on my driveway. We went and purchased 3 more quarts of oil and added it to the car. When we checked the dip stick, the oil was pitch black. The car was also blowing black smoke. I am a single 27 year old mom, working and going to school. A nissan is what everyone told me to get.. Why??? I have just forked out every dime I had (7800.00) in savings to purchase this car so what was I to do now? On monday, july 20, I took it back to the mechanic which then told me the engine needed to be replaced. I then took it to another mechanic which verified the same thing. After 2 weeks a 05 model engine was put in the car and I picked it up on august 7. Shortly after being on the road, the check engine light came on and it was making a loud squeaky sound. After taking it back on august 18, they said it now needed a catalytic converter and they replaced a belt. On august 23, the car started going dead with no warning while driving; once I was on the interstate and thought I was going to die! It also acts as if it doesn't want to crank now.

Filed Aug 9, 2009 · Steering · TX

Steering wheel loose, comes out of steering column. The steering wheel is not bolted into the column and therefore the tilt doesn't stay locked and grinds. This is a daily problem that results in either the steering getting stiff or the steering wheel coming out for the column. This is a definite safety issue and nissan needs to do something about it.

Filed May 5, 2009 · Engine · 94,000 miles · MD

Purchased a new nissan altima in sept. 2002 and was recently told that I need a new engine. I have an excellent maintenance record. Brought the car in last month for a loud grinding noise in the engine but was told that they "couldn't find anything wrong." then the engine started a racing noise and I immediately dropped it off. Now I am told that I need a new engine at the tune of $4,700.00. I only have 94,000 miles on the vehicle. I have filed a complaint and am waiting for a response. I have had all of the numerous recalls fixed over the past eight years.

Filed Nov 30, 2008 · Engine · 68,000 miles · CA

I have a 2002 nissan altima that I purchased with 57,000 miles (2nd owner). In december 2006 with about 68,000 miles on vehicle, the catalytic converter blew up. I had this replaced and at 76,000 miles I took the vehicle in to complain about the oil/coolant and metallic noise from engine. The dealer said they could not find a problem, at 86,000 the dealer said I needed a new motor since there were particles that had been sucked in from the cat, they wanted $5,900 to replace. I called and spoke to representatives of nissan north america and lodged a complaint, after about a week I received a call from them stating that they would not repair or help with costs. I was forced to find an alternate repair option and purchased a rebuilt motor, the problem with this was after a few weeks the "service engine" light came on. I tried smogging the vehicle and was unable to, I finally found out that the cause of the problem was the catalytic converter again, I had the cat replaced again ($750) and I was able to get it smogged. This was only 3-4 weeks ago and about 1 week ago I took the car back to the shop and was informed that the rattling/grinding noise is coming from the engine again!! Please help me with this, I have nothing but problems with this vehicle since I purchased it with only 57,000 miles on it. The problem with the catalytic converter on the 2002-06 altima/sentra with the 2.5l motors is a "factory defect"!! There are thousands of the same exact complaints on numerous sites. Nissan should be held responsible for this defect. I now have a vehicle that I pay $300 a month for that I have put an engine & 2 cat's in, and now it needs another motor. This is ridiculous for a car company to sell vehicles and not stand behind what they make.

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Engine · 75,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving at any speed, the engine made a grinding noise. The contact examined the engine and noticed that there was no oil present. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure occurred without warning. The current mileage was 118,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed May 27, 2008 · Brakes, Engine · 83,000 miles · NY

2002 nissan altima. 1)rear pads + rotors worn at 35,000 miles: replaced at owners cost. Now 83000 miles(may '08): dealer has told rotors and pad need replacement and possibly calipers need to be evaluated. At 75000 mile check everything was ok. (per the service record). In jan'08 I had specifically asked the breaks to be inspected. Told ok. Now suddenly the rotors are shot. Other than a squeal sound for 2 days no other symptoms. Concerned about how brakes go from fine to shot in 3 months. I think it is a big safety concern if the time it takes breaks to disintegrate is less than a 3 month period. 2) engine not starting after parked in the cold. Happened twice once at 48000 miles. (lower bill. ) 2nd time at 78000 miles. (huge bill ~$1000). Multiple parts replaced and serviced. Highlighted as problem on various forums with this particular nissan model. Evaluate possibility related to ECM timings etc.

Filed Apr 4, 2008 · Engine · SC

2002 nissan altima problems with the engine consuming oil. Consumer states that her VIN and production date is not in the service campaign for the problem. Therefore the dealer told her they cannot fix her vehicle. *kb the consumer she took the vehicle to a repair shop after she noticed the vehicle began to loose oil and the vehicle made a rough idling sound. The mechanic informed the consumer that the catalytic converter had gone bad, and being that it was attached to the engine, the engine would need to be replaced. The mechanic also stated that oil and other debris had extracted back into the engine block which caused the pistons to grind on broken converter pieces.

Filed Sep 12, 2007 · Airbags, Engine · 73,000 miles · MH · fire · 1 injury

My 2002 nissan altima vehicle was taken in for service at bob bell chevrolet nissan, 7900 eastern avenue, baltimore, maryland, 21224, on thursday, august 2, 2007. It was brought in for servicing of all the vehicles' recalls, a soft grinding noise that could be heard when turning the steering wheel and low freon levels for air conditioning. On friday afternoon, august 3, 2007 around 5pm, I was contacted by the service department and strongly advised to pick up the vehicle before the service division closed at 6pm. The dealership stated that all recalls and issues had been resolved and completed. I picked the vehicle up around 5:45pm and proceeded to travel home. After only fifteen minutes, the vehicle engine started to smoke profusely. The engine started shaking harder and harder and a loud rattling noise could be heard from within the engine. The teenage passenger in the vehicle began to vomit and her eyes started swelling due to the volume of fumes expelled from the cars engine through the ventilation and into the car. I immediately pulled over (3700 eastern blvd.) and rushed to get her out of the seat where she continued to vomit once outside the vehicle. The dealership now denies ever seeing smoke from the engine (see attach.), as well as, denied causing damage to my car that potentially resulted in the engine smoking. The vehicle was picked up on wednesday, august 8, 2007 with the engine rattling uncontrollably even after being returned a second time to the dealership. The vehicle cut off while attempting to de-accelerate at a red light the following day. Uncertainty surrounds whether the vehicle will cut off again while de-accelerating proving it hazardous to drive, whether the vehicles five recalls where all properly addressed, and if the engine will start smoking again.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · CA

When accelerating at high speeds vehicle makes a grinding noise and vibrates, making it possible to feel it through the steering wheel. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. However, dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *ak dec 15 dealer picked up car to fix the problem of vibration car return 12/17 can still not found and there was no paper work given on what was done.