2004 Nissan Altima: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Oct 21, 2012 · Body · 171,300 miles · OH

While taking my car in for service (@ dealer) due to address a check engine light (catalytic converter), the service advisor took me out to my car to point out 2 large rust areas - 1 each on the driver/passenger floor boards. The entire rest of the car undercarriage has practically zero rust. The car was dealer maintained for the first 5 years and off and on for the last four years, but always with regular maintenance (oil changes, coolant/transmission flushes, etc.) at least once a year, I used the complimentary vehicle inspection - which does not specifically call out rust, but it had to be obvious. Rust like that does not just appear over night. I cannot believe that I was not advised of this sooner - in fact it was not pointed out at a dealer inspection just 3 months earlier. Since I do not perform the car maintenance I would have no other way of noticing, unless I specifically requested some kind of rust inspection -- or asked to go look at my vehicle every time it was in for an oil change or other maintenance. Reading through the complaints on this board and the internet in general, I've come to find out this is a common problem -- seemingly attributed to a faulty design related to a drain plug. When there is practically zero rust elsewhere, you cannot claim this to be the fault of the owner. I was not planning on getting rid of this car for at least another year or two, but now am forced to start looking. The repair cost is not worth the value of the car (based on mileage). While I would have once purchased a new nissan with no hesitation (based on my altima's reliability), I now am forced to reconsider.

Filed Sep 19, 2012 · Engine · 53,416 miles · NC

I was driving at 35 MPH and the engine shut off, the brake light came on, although the hand brake was not activated. The car would not steer or the foot brake would not work without a lot of pressure. Once I got stopped and put the car in park it started right up. I have noticed hesitation at times like it was going to shut off. The car has 3/4 tank of gas and has been serviced regularly. This is the third time it has shut off at low speed.

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan altima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the transmission began slipping gears with hesitation and jerking intermittently. The failure progressed whenever the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the failure was related to the transmission and recommended the vehicle be diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a transmission flush. The failure continued and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a second time, where they stated the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2011 · Engine · NC

2004 nissan altima. Consumer requests reimbursement for expenses incurred for recall repairs *tgw the consumer was told her vehicle identification number was not a part of the recall. The consumer stated the vehicle was stalling and hesitating at random.

Filed Aug 22, 2008 · Engine · 53,000 miles · TN

This is the second time the diagnostic test has reported the crankshaft sensor is bad. This causes the car to hesitate, quit going down the road & not to start. We replaced the sensor & within 2 days the ses light was back on. The car ran fine for about 6 months then back to the same thing!

Filed Apr 11, 2007 · Acceleration · 61,947 miles · MS

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 nissan altima. The contact stated that a safety recall repair was performed on the vehicle prior to receiving the safety recall notice. The manufacturer will not reimburse the contact. Before the repairs were made the cruise control would automatically deactivate. The contact stated that the engine hesitated and stalled when driving 70 MPH. The engine indicator light illuminated intermittently. The contact would attempt to reset the failure, but after 10-15 minutes it would duplicate. The contact waited three to four days to bring the vehicle to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 61,947.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 70 miles · IL

I rented vehicle for the weekend and used it for 1 day. I drove it down state to champaign 250 miles and made a stop. When I got back in the car and started it up, it hesitated to change gears but did, so I turned and drove the car home to chicago. The weather temperature was very fridget outside . When I got to chicago the vehicle stopped I could start it up but it would go into gear. The engine sounded very fine there was nothing else noticeable, no loud noises in the car. I called enterprise aaa towed the car to the enterprise rental place. I rented a smoke color vehicle. My insurance company said that he is charging me $5,000.00 for a brand new transmission for a 2005 nissan and for a serpentine belt and a oil change . The vehicle has already been repaired. I have not been given any information on anything or its whereabouts.