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Last post on May 06, 2013 at 12:49 PM
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Nissan Altima Forum.
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Nissan Altima, Sedan
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#2385 of 2702 Never again will I buy a Nissan! My car's problems- a warning for others...
by shead_day
Feb 10, 2009 (9:08 pm)
I have a 2002 Altima 3.5 V6 that I bought used with 84k miles on it in Jan 2007. I was the 3rd owner and this car had everything I wanted so I was excited thinking I was buying a reliable brand...WRONG! I thought maybe the person that had it before me ran it too hard but I've been reading the reports and maybe that's not the case and I'm afraid what will happen next. At about 3 months after purchase the AC went out so I took it back where I bought it and after 2 separate visits it was fixed no cost. At about a year after purchase it started doing this thing where it won't stay started when you first start it up unless you give it gas so I thought it needed a tune up so I had that done to the tune of $800 and they told me there was a recall on the headlights so they replaced them no charge and they said there was an oil leak behind the engine, but I couldn't afford to have it fixed and have yet to have it fixed (can't afford it). It does take alot of oil so I figured there was one but there was never any oil on the ground. So after the tune up I hoped the starting problem would be fixed NOPE it still does it. So a few months later the windshield washer sprayers stopped working on the passenger side and now the driver side barely works. In December 08 I had the battery replaced and again hoped that would help my starting problem and still doesn't stay started and now the lights dim quickly when the car's engine kicks in harder, it's sluggish to power when it first is started up also, and now it's doing this thing where the car will be warmed up but the heater isn't blowing warm air unless I have my foot on the gas then it heats up, but if I'm stopped at a light it starts blowing cold until I go again and I've seen others with that particular problem and it really sucks in the winter. And the other thing is when you're in stop and go traffic and you're barely pushing the brake you can hear it click in the gear shift (automatic) it's very strange. It has almost 122k miles on it now and I'm afraid it'll start that stalling out on the freeway at 65 mph thing I've read so much about or I'll have to replace the crankshaft and the motor like all these other people I've been seeing. I can't afford to dump so much money into a car and I know that's true for almost everyone. So to anyone who's thinking about buying a Nissan and haven't DON'T they may look great on the outside but under the hood they're crap, I'd rather have my FORD back and I'm not a big fan of American made cars because they're usually the ones with the problems.
#2386 of 2702 Re: Never again will I buy a Nissan! My car's problems- a warning for other
by shead_day
Feb 11, 2009 (7:50 pm)
Also go along with my long list above I thought of 2 more things. The driver side door will never stay open I was told by a mechanic friend that it seemed as if the clip or whatever is in there (I know next to nothing about parts sorry) to hold it seems to be broken and the inside door marker lights like to fall out of the door and they're not noticed until the door is closed on the them and they break, I've had both sides replaced a time a piece already.
#2387 of 2702 Re: Never again will I buy a Nissan! My car's problems- a warning for others... [shead_day]
by quicksilva
Feb 11, 2009 (11:32 pm)
It is very expensive to buy new and, perhaps it's better to get rid of it or put a new engine in it.
#2388 of 2702 Re: Never again will I buy a Nissan! My car's problems- a warning for others... [shead_day]
by jd10013
Feb 13, 2009 (8:25 pm)
your car is a very reliable car. especially with the 3.5VQ engine in it. the most likely problem is, this car had three other owners, and 84k miles on it. buying a used car is risky enough, but one that three other people had owned and possibly abused?
and a bit of advice for the furture. people tend to sell higher milage cars becase they know there is something wrong.
#2389 of 2702 Re: 06 Altima "Rushing Water Noise - Passenger Side" [bear26]
by catluver
Feb 14, 2009 (1:00 pm)
I, too, am having the same problem with my 2003 Altima 3.5. I have taken it to the dealership and they said it is normal. However, it only started after having coolant flushed and they have purged the system twice to remove any air in there. I also had them check into whether the tube is clogged or not. They said the only way to stop this is to slow down the amount of water going into heater box with a filter. Unsure if this is the way to go but I'm going to call nissan and see what they have to say. I don't feel that this is normal.
#2390 of 2702 Re: 06 Altima "Rushing Water Noise - Passenger Side" [bear26]
by catluver
Feb 14, 2009 (1:07 pm)
Wondering if your rushing water noise has been resolved after you had your radiator bled or not. I have a 2003 altima 3.5 and it just started making this sound after having coolant flushed in dec 2008. the dealership has vacuum the air out twice and still the noise. just wanted to know if i should have radiator bled and refilled and noise will go away. Help?
#2391 of 2702 Re: 06 Altima "Rushing Water Noise - Passenger Side" [catluver]
by bear26
Feb 14, 2009 (2:55 pm)
Hi, the rushing water noise went away after they bled out the radiator. I would suggest trying this as it seemed to be a fairly common problem according to what I heard. Thanks
#2392 of 2702 Re: 06 Altima "Rushing Water Noise - Passenger Side" [bear26]
by elnino2783
Feb 15, 2009 (9:45 pm)
My 2005 Altima 3.5 SE had the same bubbling water noise. I read a little about the problem and found out it was probably air in the coolant. I just topped it off and I haven't heard the noise since. I'm currently at 47,000 miles and topped it off over 20,000 miles ago. Bought the car at 22,000 miles.
#2393 of 2702 Check your Altima's VIN #,at least for 2005
by elnino2783
Feb 15, 2009 (9:57 pm)
This review of the 2005 Altima mentions that at the time they started manufacturing it there were two plants making it, one being a mature plant with experienced workers, the second being a brand new plant that was experiencing growing pains and having quality issues, at least in the beginning.
Anyways the way to tell if your Altima was made in the good plant is if the 11th position in your VIN # is a C or an N.
N is for Canton, Mississippi which is the type of 04/05 Altima you probably don't want as they had problems when they first opened
.
C is for Smyrna (Nashville), Tennessee which represents an Altima that will most likely have very few quality problems. This plant had been in operation since 1992.
This is where I got my info, and I haven't looked any more into it, but it seemed reputable enough:
http://www.texas-cars-and-dealerships.com/nissanaltima2005.html
#2394 of 2702 Re: 2005 nissan altima maintenance/tune up [write2diaz]
by str8nutz
Feb 17, 2009 (10:08 pm)
THIS IS A REPLY TO WRITE2DIAZ remarks on his 05 altima
I have the same problem with the sound coming from the front wheels.i have 18 inch rims and new tires on all of them. I have an 05 altima v6.if you also have 18s then it solves both our problems.if not then im hoping its nothing major for the sake of both of us.
And In terms of the sound that you hear coming from the ac, i believe its a leaking hose.That what the nissan dealer told me.I have the same problem.dealer estimated $599 to repair. Damn stealerships!
And does any one know why when i put my car from park to drive it jerks? done a transmission flush but its still the same.Can it be the filter?