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Nissan Altima 2002

The 2002 Nissan Altima has a 2.5 L engine. It gets 23 MPG combined (20 city, 27 highway), per the EPA. 12 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Midsize Cars Front-wheel (FWD)
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Nissan Altima
Representative photo of the Altima. It may show a different year or version. Photo: LukaCali · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
2,500 cc
4
Cylinders4
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainFront-wheel (FWD)
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,860 × 1,790 × 1,470 mm (191.3 × 70.5 × 57.9 in)
Wheelbase2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Curb weight1,408 kg (3,104 lb)
Body styleMidsize Cars

Dimensions and weight: median of the 3 versions in Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC). Each version differs slightly.

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2002 Nissan Altima 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
20 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Emissions
240 g/km
COâ‚‚

Recalls

12 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E012000 · 2009-04-07 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 07V527000 · 2007-11-14 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION 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.

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS 07E074000 · 2007-09-14 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS 07E063000 · 2007-08-21 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ANZO AT 909-628-1440.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS 07E054000 · 2007-07-25 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 06E064000 · 2006-07-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS 06E023000 · 2006-03-13 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 03V455000 · 2003-11-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY 03V251000 · 2003-07-14 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE 03V084000 · 2003-03-11 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 03V061000 · 2003-02-27 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

AIR BAGS 02I001000 · 2002-04-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS EXPECTED.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261, CONCERNING THE PROBLEM.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2026-01-20 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V251000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted for recall completion and informed the contact that the recall was not applicable to the vehicle …

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2025-07-26 · NHTSA

I purchased a 2002 Nissan Altima from Stone’s Automotive in Somerset, Kentucky on [XXX]. I was told by the dealer that the oil pressure light sometimes comes on and he thinks it may have a weak oil pump. A couple of days later, I brought it to the mechanic they use, and at first, they thought it was just the oil press…

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 2024-04-03 · NHTSA

I've owned my 2002 Nissan for about 6 months now the previous owner informed me prior to purchase about issues she was having and the reason she was selling the car, explain to me that her friend who has worked on cars 20+ yrs felt if cause could be found it was repairable but seems luck she had is now the luck I'm ha…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2022-08-02 · NHTSA

first, I started to notice my car would loose power while driving, over a couple months, it started to stall and/or completely shut off while driving at low speeds or at red lights! When this first stared happening, the car would immediately fire back up when cranked, after about a month of this, I noticed, I could no…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2022-06-17 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle hesitated to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 0…

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2021-04-19 · NHTSA

TOOK MY CAR TO EMISSIONS AND THEY PRINTED THIS PAPER OUT OF A RECALL ON MY CAR.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2021-02-08 · NHTSA

DOORS ARE LOCKED SHUT ALL BUT ONE, CANNOT GET THEM TO UNLOCK AND WHEN I GET THEM UNLOCKED, THEY WON'T LATCH CLOSED. WILL NOT UNLOCK THEM EVEN WHEN I ATTEMPTED MANUALLY... I NEED A SOLUTION.

ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER 2020-01-27 · NHTSA

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 …

ENGINE 2019-10-12 · NHTSA

MY ENGINE IS DESTROYED BECAUSE A SCREW CAME LOOSE FROM THE THROTTLE BODY IN THE PLENUM, GOT SUCKED INTO AN ENGINE CYLINDER AND DESTROYED THAT CYLINDER. THIS WOULD COST SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $3K TO $5K TO REPAIR, MORE THAN THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WORTH. IN TALKING TO A NISSAN MECHANIC AND DOING ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS IS AP…

UNKNOWN OR OTHER Crash 2 injured 2019-10-10 · NHTSA

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA S WAS HIT ON DRIVERS SIDE (T-BONED) WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO THE HWY, DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER REAR DOOR IMPACT AT OVER 55 MPH. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *DT PHOTOS ATTACHED *JB

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2019-10-04 · NHTSA

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I PROCEEDED TO TRY AND REACH THE SPEED LIMIT BUT THE CAR LOST POWER TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE CANNOT GO PAST 55 MPH, IT LOSES POWER DURING ACCELERATION.

ENGINE 2019-09-27 · NHTSA

MY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5L 4 CYLINDER CONSUMES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. I HAVE HAD TO ADD ROUGHLY 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 200 MILES. ENGINE HAS NO EXTERNAL OIL LEAKS. NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS 500 MILES AGO, NEW SPARK PLUGS EVERY 10,000 MILES DUE TO OIL FOULING, NEW PCV VALVE 500 MILES AGO. THE CAR DOES MOSTLY C…

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2002 Nissan Altima have?
The 2002 Nissan Altima has a 2.5 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2002 Nissan Altima?
It gets 23 MPG combined (20 city, 27 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2002 Nissan Altima have recalls?
12 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Exterior Lighting (2009-04-07).
What are the common problems of the 2002 Nissan Altima?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Engine.

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