2002 Nissan Altima: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 9, 2014 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

This car almost killed me. While I was driving in the traffic, the engine suddenly died, there are no power, no steering, no brake, and will not start again this time. The engine has been eating oil and coolant like crazy.

Filed Mar 25, 2010 · Driver assistance, Engine · 76,890 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

While driving my car the day before, engine suddenly stopped on a five lane hwy in center lane during heavy traffic at speed limit of 70mph. My son and I were stranded helpless in the midst of cars heading right towards us. An hour later geico sent a tow to take us to the nissan dealership where I purchased my car. The stall was due to a recall on the engine sensor issued in 2006. Dealer had denied recall multiple times prior but had finally recognized it. Left the car overnight to have ecn reprogrammed and was told that it needed diagnostic for $192.14. I stated I wanted to take it elsewhere and was called the next morning to come pick up my car. Got there car was running, asked if there had ever been any other problems with this model and told no. Got 1/2 of mile and loud noise and loss of power. Engine completely died while driving and lost steering and brakes while in traffic. To avoid going into next lane oncoming traffic, I swerved other way into telephone poll. Engine completely dead since then and has been proclaimed as totaled due to locked engine. Engine qr25de was taken off sales floor in 2006 and I received no information at all. Dealer told me he never heard of any problems with my car. On receipt from dealer it states car is unsafe to drive but dealer never gave me receipt to sign and never even eluded to car doing same thing it had done less than 24 hours prior. Said he put oil in car and it started up and was ready for me to pick up. I had just had oil change and had no oil leaks whatsoever. My son is traumatized and can't sleep nights from first incident and I have no vehicle and can't get to doctor for my back, leg, and knee injury I suffered in the crash. Nissan says 6 weeks until they send an inspector to see car and I'm paying for each day it sits on the lot of mechanic. Still have not even dispatched orders and it is now 9 days later. My life and my son's were knowingly put in danger twice due to corp & dealer negligence.

Filed Aug 10, 2009 · Steering · 156,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While the contact was turning the vehicle to the right at an unknown speed, she noticed that there was no power steering ability. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the entire rack and pinion system needed to be replaced. Prior to the failure, the contact experienced difficulty steering the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 156,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2007 · Engine · 138,490 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the engine shut off. There was a loss of steering power and the brakes failed. The vehicle was restarted after two or three attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated and the weather was not a factor. The duplicate failure is related to the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling), which was repaired two years ago. The vehicle was not towed. The dealer has not diagnosed the cause of the failure; however, they advised the contact to call the federal safety agency regarding a recall. The current mileage was 138,890 and failure mileage was 138,490. Updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07

Filed Aug 28, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · CA

2002 nissan altima overheats, air conditioner and engine failures. Customer states that she has brought the car in on numerous occasions for the overheating, air conditioning, and engine failures. *kb the consumer stated she was backing out of the driveway, when all of a sudden the engine light flashed and there was an immediate loss of power and no steering capability. The starter, engine control module and radiator were replaced. The thermostat was sticking which was one of the reasons the engine was overheating. The rear middle seat belt locked into place. The fuel door would not open when using the internal latch. The gear was difficult to get out of park.

Filed Oct 5, 2006 · Engine · VA

The 2002 nissan altima stalls repeatedly while driving on the road. The failure includes the loss of power steering and the ability to control the car safely. The problem is caused by the power valve screws coming loose and getting into the engine. The screws must be replaced with lock tight ones and the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor have been damaged and must be replaced. Nissan has a voluntary service campaign to fix the problem for 2004 and 2005 models. The technical service bulletin is ntb05058. The 2002 and 2003 models have the same engine and should be fixed by nissan as well.

Filed Sep 2, 2006 · Engine · 45,000 miles · NY · 1 injury

Car needs an oil change every month because it burns so much oil. No heat in the winter because of malfunctioning radiator. Almost had several serious accidents on highway from the engine stalling, leaving me with no power steering or brakes.

Filed Sep 10, 2004 · Steering · 10,000 miles · NY

Vehicle would bottom out when driving over small bumps in the road, and lost steering control. Dealer was notified.

Filed Apr 30, 2004 · Steering · 3,900 miles · NY · crash

My car was unattended when it was struck, more like sideswiped. There was a crease approximately 3/4 of the way of the length of the car. I am not sure how it happened but the angle the car was hit, perhaps at the wheelwell sent the car onto the sidewalk. I equate the "incident" with hitting a pothole. After the police left and I tried to remove the car from the sidewalk position and park it I had no steering whatsoever. The steering wheel just went around and around and around. I learned that a knuckle was broken, a bearing was broken and the axel was broken. How? I no longer feel safe in this car. What if I hit a pothole, will the car loose its steering again?