2002 Nissan Altima: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 2, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 165,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving up a ramp at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate and jerk. The rpms increased from 35 to 4,000. The speedometer started to fail and the vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. This was a recurring failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 165,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2010 · Transmission · 133,500 miles · NC · crash

My daughter had complained of the clutch in her car loosing pressure and basically dropping to the floor, interfering with her ability to shift gears, and it sometimes lurching forward on occasions when this happens. In august 2010, she was sitting at a stop light, in first gear with her foot on the clutch when this occurred, causing the car to jump forward into the back of another vehicle. At the time, I felt that her foot may have slipped off the clutch instead, until it lost pressure again a couple of days ago while driving in the mountains. I started researching on the internet and discovered that many people have had the same problem with this vehicle model exhibiting very similar behavior. When this happens in traffic it's dangerous, because it can lurch by itself or you may not be able to shift into gear to move out of the way of oncoming vehicles, like if you're crossing traffic. It also inhibits the ability to downshift when going downhill. Nissan does not recognize this as a manufacturing problem, although many people have badgered the dealerships into replacing the clutch master cylinder and/or slave cylinder under warranty, and nissan has not had a recall for the problem. Mine is way out of warranty, so my only recourse is to file a formal complaint so that hopefully others will not become involved in an accident as a result of faulty parts or fluid being used in the clutch system. The general consensus is that the master cylinder is allowing air, and/or moisture, to enter the system, but moreover, the dot 3 fluid that is used seems to be the major factor in the failure, where as dot 4 or 5.1 should be used instead. I have not done any repair to the car since she has it at school, but I will have it fixed as soon as I get it back home.

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 Apr 5, 2010 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at approximate speeds of 50 MPH and applying the brakes, the vehicle stalled. He was able to restart the vehicle and momentarily, the vehicle exhibited hesitation and slight jerking. The vehicle then proceeded as normal. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty and repairs would be at the owners expense. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 93,000 and the current mileage was 93,100.

Filed Sep 10, 2009 · Engine · 126,000 miles · PA

I bought a 2002 nissan altima in november 2005. The last two years I have been having several problems concerning the vehicle including, jerking, stalling on highway, over heating and smoking. I have a the oc sensors replaced, spark plugs, cadillac converts, coils...the list goes on and on. I noticed my oil light always coming on and the need to always refill the oil but I could not see where it was leaking from. The same problem was with the coolant---I kept pouring it in the place for coolant and in 2 days it would be gone.at the end of august my infant and I were in the vehicle and it began jerking and cut off right in the middle of the highway. A tow truck was called to pick up the car. I took the car to nissan and they told me that the converter needs to be replaced again and the engine. After researching it looks as if this problem has been going on with several nissan altima's. I just want my engine and converter to be replaced the nissan corp to take responsibility.

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Engine · 45,000 miles · TX

1.the year 2004 thanksgiving I was driving home from la, baton rouge when my heat wouldn't come on. I got it fixed but was the knob to the control would only turn 3/4 of the way or it wouldn't work. Then when the spring came and I used my A/C it didn't work. I took it in and when I went to pick it up they said I would have to have it on max in order for it to work properly. 2. As of 2006 to current my car jerks and runs out of oil often and now I need to put at least 4 quarts every week. The check engine light comes on at lease once a week. 3. I take it into my mechanic to check to see what the problem could be and doesn't see a leak, burning oil it just consumes it. I get all the necessary car "medical" check up's and the car still eats oil, jerks and continues to give me panic attacks as I drive to and from work. My mechanic and I have detailed logs of how many times they've put in oil or I have purchased and put it in myself along with any additional work.

Filed May 7, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The service engine light began illuminating intermittently and then remained lit. When starting the vehicle and taking off, the vehicle made a strange noise and jerked as if something were slipping. Once the vehicle gained speed, the noise stopped. The dealer stated that the following components needed to be replaced: the catalytic converter, two major sensors, and the heating and air conditioning systems. The vehicle was burning oil on the inside of the engine, which caused it to fail. The vehicle could have an oil change and then four days later, the oil would have burned out completely. The federal safety agency campaign id numbers 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/ header/muffler/tail pipe), 07v527000 (engine and engine cooling), and 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling were referenced. The current mileage was 116,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 06/05/08 *bf the driver side power mirror was replaced, the gear selector was sticking. The cylinder head, gasket radiator and thermostat were replaced. Were replaced. Updated 06/04/08

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Engine · 108,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle shuts off while stopped at a light, idling in traffic, driving downhill, pulling out of a parking space, or when the vehicle is first started. The failure occurs everyday. While driving between 65-70 MPH, the vehicle will jerk hard. This failure has occurred on three occasions. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v527000 (engine and engine cooling) in march of 2008, but the stalling recurred three weeks later. The dealer has not yet been notified. The current mileage was 111,685 and failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2008 · Engine · 116,460 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that her motor mounts have either failed or are loose. When she depresses the brake pedal, the vehicle jerks dramatically. The sensor in the catalytic converter failed. The dealer stated that if the vehicle had less than 80,000 miles, the failure would be covered under nissan's extended warranty. The vehicle exceeds 80,000 miles and will not be covered under warranty. The current and failure mileages were 116,460. Updated 04/21/08

Filed Nov 27, 2007 · Engine, Visibility · 85,000 miles · MO

I have a 2002 nissan altima 2.5 s I have had for less than 2 years. About 6 months ago at around 80k miles my engine started to randomly overheat even though coolant and fluid levels were correct. I had to tow it to a mechanic and he said the radiator was split. I spent $500 t replace that but then shortly after it happened again. We then replaced both thermostats on the vehicle and this helped for 2 months. Most recently we have been encountering a severe stuttering and shaking of the whole vehicle immediately upon starting it up. Regardless of it being in neutral, drive or reverse the car jerks back and forth very violently. After you drive it for a few minutes and the vehicle warms up it ceases this action. In addition to this though there is never any warm air coming out of the vents no matter how long the car is driven for. This is all happening simultaneously in addition to now the car is overheating all the way up but then jumps around so we never know where the temperature is at. Nissan themselves is very uncooperative in any capacity when attempting to rectify this situation. This is very disheartening as me and my wife are both working full time students and cannot afford to continue to chase this with time or money. My wife is a nanny part time and has had the car stop and need to be towed while she is out in the middle of the city with her 2 toddlers she watches. I am doing my best to avoid missing work as a result of having only one vehicle. We have a 2004 volvo that has had no problems but this altima is going to drag us down.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Engine · 80,023 miles · CA

2002 altima service engine light appeared and vehicle stalled. *ts the vehicle's had been serviced several time by the dealer because the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle lacked power, jerked and would stall. It was later determined that the vehicle developed a cracked block which caused coolant to leak in the engine. The engine was replaced. The vehicle had been maintained regularly.

Filed Mar 1, 2006 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NC

Dt*: the contact stated the engine shuts off while driving at 60 MPH. Originally the check engine light was illuminated; the vehicle was cutting off, stalling and lurching. The RPM hand was moving erratically. The dealer determined there was a internal failure and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The catalytic converter was replaced by an independent mechanic. After having a second catalytic converter replaced, the vehicle is still having the same problems.