Check a VIN

2004 Nissan Altima problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Nissan Altima is engine and cooling, typically around 70,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Altima model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
83/100
Owner complaints
276
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
92
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
20-23mpg
Typical repair
$273

The worst 2004 Nissan Altima problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Nissan Altima

Stalling 74Check engine light 44Won't start 13Loss of power 9Jerking 8Hesitation 7Door locks 6No deployment 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2004 Nissan Altima mention

P0725 2P2135 2

Recalls 1

Engine and engine coolingReported July 7, 2006 · 294,166 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions, these variations in temperature can be large enough to cause a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
Risk
If the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 06V242000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2004 Nissan Altima

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Nissan Altima 92

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 92 bulletins for the 2004 Nissan Altima

2004 Nissan Altima fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cylFWD2027-2823
3.5L 6‑cylFWD17-182420-21

What 2004 Nissan Altima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 7, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · LA

The car has a fuel problem and crankshaft position sensor issue causing the car to die and also not start up normal idling. When I do get it to start up it idles very groggy.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MO

The crankshaft position sensor (cps) was not responsive when the repair shop was testing the vehicle because of the "service engine soon" light came on. After a short search online they 1.) Had no signal to the cps from the pcm 2.) That there was also a voluntary recall by nissan for this issue covering this make an model. I called nissan and told me that the recall wasn't for that car but the vehicle was in fact built in the years covered and also had the exact issues the recall covered

Filed Jan 2, 2023 · Suspension, Wheels · CA

This is the second time that I had to replace the transmission on this car then the axle twice and the brakes then etc

Filed Aug 13, 2019 · Body · 136,200 miles · MO

The frame of the vehicle is rusting away. There is a hole in the floor board on passenger side, from underneath the vehicle from rust. You can feel around the frame of the car and chunks of metal fall off . This was noticed during maintenance on the vehicle . Car was stationary , I had noticed that I was getting an extreme amount of dust inside the vehicle.

Filed Jun 4, 2018 · Airbags · 120,000 miles · NJ · crash

My vehicle was in a front collision at 35mph. The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The passenger airbag deployed there was no one sitting in that seat. The driver airbag did not deploy.

Filed Apr 17, 2018 · IA

The sound packaging was peeling ; yet truly the floor boards on driverside and front pasenger have completely rusted off!! So dangerous! And I have horrible allergies and the carpet is full of dust and mildew.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Electrical · 240,600 miles · MN · crash · 1 injury

Car was stalling 2 days ago shut it off and drove away just fine not even 4 hours later my fiance was driving the car home he came up around a hill /bend on a city street the car locked up on him along with the oiil brake and battery light the breaks wouldn't do anything car wouldn't stop he ended up going head on into a tree in the neighbors yard. Car is completely totalled. There was a malfunction in the car somewhere and I believe the security of the car or the ECM is what locked it up on him there was no steering in the car as well. No recalls pop up with my VIN # but I am suspected to believe there was something wrong internally. It was at 240,700 miles.he was expectidly only going 30 miles an hour but with the pictures im attaching it seems like the computer toom over the speed control

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Engine · 200,000 miles · NJ

Engine stalls during driving. This happens almost everyday. Cam shaft sensor replaced several times.

Filed Sep 11, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 214,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to operate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module burned too much fuel to the catalytic converter and need to be replaced. The catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure recurred two months later. The vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic where the diagnostic was the same. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after two months. The vehicle was taken to fort worth nissan (3451 w loop 820 s, fort worth, tx 76116) where it was diagnosed that the ignition and exhaust failed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 214,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2017 · Engine · 192,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, the extended crank failed to spark the crank sensor. While the gear shifter was placed in drive, the vehicle began to shake and the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact called middletown nissan at 860‑632‑6550 (located at 1153 newfield st, middletown, ct 06457) and was informed that there was no recall associated with the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2004 Nissan Altima before you buy

Compare the 2004 Nissan Altima

Altima vs Honda AccordAltima vs Ford FusionAltima vs Chevrolet MalibuAltima vs Toyota CamryAltima vs Hyundai SonataAltima vs Volkswagen PassatAltima vs Kia OptimaAltima vs Subaru Legacy

Other model years

1993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2004 Nissan Altima

Is the 2004 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners have filed 276 complaints about the 2004 Nissan Altima, fewer than a typical Altima model year.

What is the 2004 Nissan Altima year score?

The 2004 Nissan Altima scores 83 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Altima: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Nissan Altima?

Engine and cooling, with 138 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is body (42).

How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?

1 recall, covering engine and engine cooling.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Nissan Altima engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 06V242000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Altima have bad engine?

The Nissan Altima model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (682 complaints), 2003 (559 complaints) and 2005 (395 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Altima get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Nissan Altima range from 20 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 27-28 highway.

Share your experience with the 2004 Nissan Altima

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2004 Nissan Altima?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN