2002 Nissan Altima: misfire or rough idle

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Engine, Visibility · 251,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine would misfire and the oxygen sensor would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The oxygen sensor was replaced and the oxygen sensor light shut off. The cause of the catalytic converter failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 251,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My brakes are going out fast. My heater takes forever to heat up. My fuses keep burning out,car lighter don't work. It runs rough. I think it has a short on some wires.

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 Feb 11, 2015 · Engine · 201,000 miles · GA · crash · fire

First there was a random misfire when I first started it that morning. Eventually got it to start, allowed it to run for a few minutes, and then attempted to pull out of the driveway. Once I put it in drive in and moved a few miles the engine completely shut off. Got it back home, changed the camshaft sensor and while attempting to see if the problem was resolved the catalytic converter began to overheat and caused a small fire near the sensor.

Filed Nov 20, 2014 · Engine · 76,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of anti freeze and oil. The contact mentioned that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the head gasket and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, eight months later the check engine light indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed a cylinder 3 misfire codes which caused the pistons to freeze and as a result, the engine would need to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 54,048 miles · GA

- faulty intake valve timing control solenoid valve - intake valve timing control solenoid valve harness is open or shorted - intake valve timing control solenoid valve circuit poor electrical connection - faulty camshaft position sensor - camshaft position sensor harness is open or shorted - camshaft position sensor circuit poor electrical connection - faulty crankshaft position sensor (pos) since the intake valve timing control solenoid valve uses oil flow to control timing, dirty oil can cause the valve to stuck open or close. Before replacing the valve, change engine oil and filter and reset engine code. When there is a gap between angle of target and phase-control angle degree, the valve will stop working and the ECM will trigger the p0021 code. Possible symptoms - engine light on (or service engine soon warning light)- lack/loss of power- engine rough idle p0021 nissan description this mechanism hydraulically controls cam phases continuously with the fixed operating angle of the intake valve. The ECM receives signals such as crankshaft position, camshaft position, engine speed, and engine coolant temperature. Then, the ECM sends on/off pulse duty signals to the intake valve timing control solenoid valve depending on driving status. This makes it possible to control the shut/open timing of the intake valve to increase engine torque in low/mid speed range and output in high-speed range. The intake valve timing control solenoid valve changes the oil amount and direction of flow through intake valve timing control unit or stops oil flow. The longer pulse width advances valve angle. The shorter pulse width retards valve angle. When on and off pulse widths become equal, the solenoid valve stops oil pressure flow to fix the intake valve angle at the control position.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Engine · PA

I have a general question please. Someone in my home purchased above mentioned car recently from dealer and was never told of the recall or the problems these cars have. When my friend called the dealer asking why the oil continued to be eaten up, they responded that it was normal. Tonight this individual drove it home from work, it acted up, and had "engine over temp" according to machine that gives codes when there are problems, and said other codes about random multiple cylinder misfire. Could this be related to the recall you issued on this 2002 vehicle. Also what can she do to ensure her safety. This person was sold this without being told. How can we ensure the company complied with the recall and "fixed" safety issues?the recall information sounds very dangerous.

Filed Oct 24, 2010 · Engine · 102,000 miles · CT

I purchased my nissan altima in august 2003, I have maintained my car for 7 years at 111,000 miles my engine went on my car. I was going through 3 quarts of oil in a week, I had a mechanic look at it and could not find anything leaking. I have my sensors change twice in period of 6 months. My sparks plug kept going bad after six months. I would started it up and would get a rattling noise, then I would hear water coming from my front dash. My car was being maintained very well. Until it started to put oil every week, I had it looked at several times and was told needed my oil flushed, then my I had to replace spark plugs. I did everything I needed to do but the issue was still happening. My engine light kept coming on, 2 cylinder misfire, 02 sensor, cat converter. I took it to a mechanic and replaced the censor engine light went off came back on 1 week later had it replaced again. I would come to a stop and would jerk put in neutral and stops, get home check my oil bone dry. I had an mechanic look at so many times that I was throwing money away enduring this for one whole year and no mechanic can find the solution. I was told to keep oil in my car. This was just unacceptable. On august 27th 2010 I went to leave from work and saw a cloud of smoke took it the mechanic only to be told I need a new engine I was appalled. Because my engine should not have went this soon. Well I reviewed complaints on the 2002 nissan altima and what I come to found out many consumer all over the u.s.a. Had the same issues I experienced. This very upsetting. I feel nissan should take responsibility for there products. I have went to many website and found many consumers have made attempts to have there engine replace and to no satisfaction nissan has turned the other ear. This is just unacceptable business practices. I should not have to put out $4800 dollars when it very clear that there is a problem with the nissan altimas made in 2002.

Filed Oct 28, 2009 · Transmission · 110,485 miles · CA

My 2002 nissan altima was having problems with the engine running properly. I would start the car and it would run rough, sputtering, and engine sounds had changed. My check engine light comes on and on some occasions it is hard to start. I took my car in to be fixed by a private garage on 08/05/2009 and when it was put on the computer a code came up. The code was p0420: catalyst efficiency: recall- potential engine compartment fire, according to the garage and the recall bulletin attached to the code. I was told to contact nissan. I did contact nissan and they stated that there was no such recall associated with my vehicle. I told them that I had a copy of the 8 page recall campaign and that my VIN # was associated with this recall. At the end of the conversation they refused to do anything about this because it was an old car that had no warranty attached to it.

Filed Jul 9, 2009 · Engine · 84,681 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and remained lit until the engine was turned off. When pressure was applied to the brake pedal, the vehicle began to shake and vibrate excessively. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and it was discovered that there was a misfire in the engine cylinder. The technician reinstalled new spark plugs. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer if the problem continued. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on a separate occasion for identical failures. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. They also detected missing screws from the engine. The technician stated that the vehicle should not be driven due to the safety hazard. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 84,681 and current mileage was 84,964.

Filed Jan 15, 2009 · Engine · 72,000 miles · TX

I have a 2002 altima 2.5 standard. I bought the car in july 2007 with 72,000 miles and had a misfire reading from the time I bought it till I replaced the head gasket and got some head work done on the car. Mileage now totals at nearly around 110,000 miles. Nissan looked at my car all the way for any problems and I had a few recalls done on it including replacing the headlamps. Little did I know when I had my mechanic (non-nissan mechanic later on from my dealer visit) replace the head gasket ( w/valve guides and oil rings) for $1600 that my front engine fan was unplugged near the headlamps which had caused some really bad overheating issues. My cat is bad (via a engine code) which I have yet to replace as I see no need to at this point... Also my car has been eating up more than 1 quart of oil per week as I drive over 460 miles a week as a commuter to dallas, tx. At this point the option would be to either re..re-build the engine or replace with a new very expensive engine nothing that I have already spent too much money on this car.

Filed Nov 3, 2008 · Engine · 111,835 miles · TX

My 2002 nissan altima 2.5 began to experience engine failure in december of 2007. It started with an engine code . Referred to the catalyst converter. I had begun searching for evidence of a bigger problem prior to taking it to the dealer. There are hundreds of people on different forums describing the exact same symptoms for the same car. Not ironic, disturbing. The vehicle has been maintained properly and preventable maintenance performed regularly. I also had hard to start problems . Recently took my vehicle into the nissan dealer because I could not figure out what was going on. I kept loosing coolant and oil and I did not have any witness marks on my driveway to prove that it was leaking. At times you can smell the sweet odor of antifreeze inside the vehicle. After nissan service visit, the service rep said that I needed a new engine..catalytic converter broke up and was sucked back into the engine. Here is what the invoice reads. Invoice: ECM recall could not perform recall veh has e-lights that need to be corrected?multi point visual inspection only?inspection performed rec engine assy and cat related parts A/C low pressure hose?cust states veh losing coolant and has a miss ck diag and chck out time only?cust states veh has coolant leak and miss1.00 inspection veh for coolant leak but found no visible leak. Misfire found inspected plugs and found they're fouled out and have corrosion type substance on them?veh poss burning coolant. Inspected cat and found is coming apart. Rec engine cat and related parts cust declined repairs? Note has replaced o2sensors, spark plugs. I asked the service rep why nissan wouldn't pay for this if this was obviously a design problem. She simply responded by saying that all they would do is the work but I would have to pay for everything. They told me to contact nissan headquarters if I had a complaint. It doesn't seem that many of my fellow altima owner?s have had much luck with that. Nissan be responsible. Lives may depend it.