2002 Nissan Altima: engine failure

Filed Jul 26, 2025 · KY

I purchased a 2002 Nissan Altima from Stone’s Automotive in Somerset, Kentucky on [XXX]. I was told by the dealer that the oil pressure light sometimes comes on and he thinks it may have a weak oil pump. A couple of days later, I brought it to the mechanic they use, and at first, they thought it was just the oil pressure sensor or old oil. I had the sensor and oil replaced, but the oil pressure light is still coming on. When I returned, the mechanic told me it likely is the oil pump and advised me not to drive the vehicle anymore, as low oil pressure will ruin the engine. I was never told how serious this problem actually is when I purchased the vehicle. I didn't know you’re not supposed to drive a car when the oil pressure light is on, but the dealer should have known. It’s unsafe and could lead to complete engine failure or a crash. I am reporting this because I believe a car in this condition should not have been sold in the first place, and I am concerned it may be a recurring issue with this model or dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 1, 2017 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

Took our 2002 nissan altima in to nissan for a recall repair (2003 recall for exhaust / catalytic converter issues) - recall states if engine is damaged, that it will be replaced. Engine has been destroyed due to catalytic converter failure. Nissan has acknowledged the recall and damage and indicated the engine would be replaced. This car was purchased lat year by my daughter, we were unaware of the recall until increasing oil consumption became extreme. I contacted steven's creek nissan and they confirmed the recall repairs had never been completed. I was told to bring the car in for the repairs. I was very explicit in the description of the oil consumption as well as metallic residue on components - (I had replaced the cam / crank position sensors when the engine began to run rough - they both had a grey paste residue on them). Nissan acknowledged the engine was indeed damaged and needed to be replaced. After having the car for nearly 2 months, I received a call advising they did not have the parts anymore and would need to use aftermarket parts. They gave me a phone number to the nissan consumer affairs, who authorized the aftermarket parts. Multiple times, nissan called to say they had the parts and the repair would be complete by the end of the next week. This never happened. After another month passed, nissan called to say they didnt have the proper tools to replace the engine. I went to nissan and observed the car had not moved or had any work done at all since it was dropped off in june. Nissan has called back again and advised they are unable to do the repair and that I should come pick the car up as is and try some other dealership. Nissan has had this vehicle since 06/09/17. Nissan has had this car for 5 months and has not begun the recall repair.

Filed Mar 15, 2017 · Engine · CA

2002 nissan altima. Consumer writes in regards to power valve screw issue. *ld the consumer stated he was quoted a price of $1,000 for a catalytic converter and $5200 for a new engine with less than 90,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Engine · 124,000 miles · NC

I bought this 2002 nissan altima ($4500 at randy marion dealership in hickory, nc) for my wife on january 20th, 2015. The car had 123,000 miles on it. Just 5 or 6 days later, the engine light came on engine started making a loud knocking sound when you crank it up after it had sat for a while. I checked the oil level and it needed a quart of oil, so I added a quart. The noise came back after 2 days. This immediately became a mandatory issue to check the oil level and add more oil every 2 to 3 days. It is now august 7th and I have to check and refill the oil every day! I started my research for complaints on this vehicle and found thousands of complaints on the same issue along with recalls for replacing the ECM, catalytic converter and/or engine. The ECM recall applied to this car, so I had that done on july 30th along with an oil change. On top of that, I just spent $1006.62 to get the catalytic converter replaced yesterday along with a quart of oil. Got the knocking sound again this morning. I took it to the closest dealership this morning and they said it needs a new engine. My wife and I are so upset now. We feel like we were sold someone else's problem (certified lemon) from a dealership that should not have resold it in the first place. How much more complaints is going to be needed for someone to make nissan fix this problem???

Filed Feb 20, 2014 · Engine · CA

I bought my car brand new in 2002 and there was a series of recalls for different items. I noticed that the engine was not keeping a clean idle after about 69,000 miles in 2010 so I had to have it computer tested due to maintain lights etc. I got p0420 code for catalytic converter not working properly. I took the car to the star nissan dealer where I bought it, and the service writer told me there was no issues with the cat or pre cat which was a lie! Since that time I have been losing about 2 1/2 quarts of oil every couple of weeks and then the engine quit on me and now I am told it is a extremely common problem with no answer and that I need a new engine!!! Nissan just told me oh well!~ is there anything I can do about this I have seen thousands of exactly the same problem from other consumers? Thank you for your reply.

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Engine · FL

The vehicle has a defective catalytic converter that goes bad very quickly which results into junk being sucked into the engine. Eventually the engine gets blown or burns oil at an alarming rate. Everyone with the 2002 nissan altima has this problem and nissan refuses to accept responsibility and make a recall. Nissan simply charges us thousands to replace the engine multiple times which of courses does not fix the problem.

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Engine · 136,000 miles · IL

Car was purchased almost two years ago, used. It drove well and any maintenance showed the car in great shape until recently. The engine started making a rattling noise. I took it to a mechanic to find that the car was extremely low on oil, which had never been an issue and oil changes done on schedule. The car now goes through about one quart of oil per two weeks. I was told the car would need a new engine. No warning lights appeared while driving to indicate that there was an issue with the engine or the low oil.

Filed Dec 13, 2012 · Engine · 110,000 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that he received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v084000(engine and engine cooling: exhaustsystem: manifold/ header/ muffler/ tail pipe ) and took the vehicle to the dealer for recall service. Several years later, the engine failed without warning. The contact stated that because of an oil consumption issue with the vehicle, excessive smoke would blow out of the exhaust pipe. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the head gasket was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the engine did not need replacing and that they had honored their end of the recall campaign agreement. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2012 · Engine · 189,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. An independent mechanic was performing a diagnostic test on the vehicle to determine what cause the check engine light to illuminate; he stated that the exhaust and the catalytic converter were defective. The vehicle was also consuming oil excessively. The mechanic informed the contact the vehicle needed a new catalytic converter system, 3rd such repair. Oxygen sensors, a new ECM reflash and a new engine the 1st catalyst had apparently cause parts to be sucked into the engine which subsequently LED to the failure of additional converters and engine oil consumption . The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that he would have to pay to have the vehicle repaired. The vehicle is having a remanuafactured engine, catalyst and sensors replaced at a cost of nearly $3000.

Filed Jul 15, 2012 · Engine · 110,963 miles · CO

Engine was consuming oil at an accelerated rate (1+ qt per 2,000+ miles). Dealership conducted an oil consumption test beginning december 2011. It appears that when the catalytic converter goes out, it sucks in pieces of the converter substrate during the negative cycle. The small pieces of the converter then score the cylinder walls. After several months of the dealership monitoring the oil consumption, I was told that I would need a new engine. I took the car in to an independent mechanic for a second opinion. The cylinder compression test indicated the first cylinder was at about 82 psi and the other three cylinders ranged from 111 to 118 psi. Back at the nissan dealership, the mechanic stated that the first cylinder is the one that is initially damaged by the pre-catalyst overheating. Nissan consumer affairs has told me they would not provide financial assistance in getting a new engine because I did not get a warranty when I bought the car used, and also because the mechanic who replaced the catalytic converter at 90,000 miles was not the nissan dealership (nissan case # 8897586). The car is suffering the effects identified on the federal safety agency campaign id 03v084000. There is the possibility the engine could catch on fire as identified in the campaign. I have meticulously recorded all of the repairs and oil changes to the car, only to have nissan tell me that they will not provide me with any assistance with this issue. It appears to be a design flaw with the pre-catalyst overheating and subsequently casing grave damage to the engine. Thank you.

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Engine · 102,000 miles · CA

I believe that this engine defect caused the pre-catalyst to overheat and damaged the catalyst substrate. These particles entered the combustion chamber and probably scoured the cylinder walls prior to recall 03v‑084 implementation. This resulted in increased oil consumption throughout the lifetime of the vehicle which in turn adversely affected the heater system not working properly, coolant reserves disappearing, engine started to heat-up, and ultimately engine seized-up. Prior to this I had to be adding engine oil and coolant every two to three weeks since engine would start to make noise and start to heat-up, but there was no leaks or engine light did not turn on. Previously, mechanics did not see any problems when taking it for oil changes and service. It is now at the dealership and they state that it will cost me $2100 to $5500 to fix this. I told nissan service personnel that I found the same thing happening to many nissan 2002 owners on the internet. I found several websites with hundreds of complaints just by goggling "2002 nissan altima oil consumption". Even nissan service personnel told me that this is not normal since these vehicles should last over the 200 thousand miles, especially since we are the original owners and have always done routine oil changes and service. Please help me and the many owners of these nissan altimas who have trusted nissan in building long lasting dependable vehicles.

Filed Mar 6, 2012 · Engine · TN

The cooling system has failed twice, each time I had to replace the head gasket. Now it is doing this again. Noticed there were 3 recalls about this. Two before I purchased and one after, but I do not recall getting a notice about the recall. Much money has been spent, now dealer is telling me I need a new engine. How do I find out if any recall was performed? Do not trust this dealer.