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Nissan Altima Engine Failures

496 messages,  Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 7:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Engine, Sedan


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#199 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [southerncomf] by pure_hp
Feb 11, 2008 (8:20 pm)
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Replying to: southerncomf (Jan 31, 2008 6:08 am)

I'm thinking of buying an '08 2.5 S but from what I'm reading with these engine and electrical issues, maybe I should reconsider. We buy cars for several different reasons but we all would want one that is reliable. What is everyone's take on the overall reliability (engine/electrical or otherwise) on the Altima 2.5 S?
#200 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [pure_hp] by ken75
Feb 12, 2008 (6:51 am)
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Replying to: pure_hp (Feb 11, 2008 8:20 pm)

My wife and I just purchased a 2008 2.5 LS back in November and I have just put on 1K miles. Not a lot but we are retired and taking it easy. I really enjoy driving the car and having all the amenities of that model available. Most (70%) of my driving is around town and I am averaging about 23.9 mpg. On the highway I fully expect to see 30+ but we have not taken any extended trips yet and that number may be wishful thinking.
I also am somewhat anxious about some of the posts written here but of the millions of Nissans on the road, I think it is worth the gamble to buy the vehicle. We are reading about such a small cross section of Nissan owners that the number may well be well under .01%. The car drives great, fuel economy promises to be very good, the seven year warranty we purchased should pick up most of the problems, and you will look good in the car. Check out all the threads involving the Altima and then go look at them at the dealers with any questions you have. Also check out the reviews on the 2008 Altima just to the right on this page. Lots of info there.
Hope this helps and good luck in whatever you purchase.
#201 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [pure_hp] by jd10013
Feb 12, 2008 (2:15 pm)
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Replying to: pure_hp (Feb 11, 2008 8:20 pm)

the altima was redesigned in 2007. the problems your reading about here mostly involve the 2002 model year, though people have had problems with models through 2006. I haven't heard of any problems with the new redesigned altima.
#202 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [ken75] by pure_hp
Feb 12, 2008 (5:14 pm)
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Replying to: ken75 (Feb 12, 2008 6:51 am)

Thank you for your information, much appreciated. I took the S out on a test drive, very nice. Smooth acceleration, the seats hold you in turns and the new fuel economy estimates combined with a 20 gallon gas tank can give you plenty of miles in between fill ups. I'll know by the end of the week what car to buy.
#203 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [jd10013] by pure_hp
Feb 12, 2008 (5:15 pm)
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Replying to: jd10013 (Feb 12, 2008 2:15 pm)

Thanks jd!!! Glad to hear that it's not on the '07 and up models. That's a relief.....if I'm able to get the deal that I may be getting, looks like I'll be in an '08 Altima! Right now all in the numbers. Thank you all again for your input!!!!!!
#204 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [pure_hp] by electricdesign
Feb 12, 2008 (8:17 pm)
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Replying to: pure_hp (Feb 11, 2008 8:20 pm)

The problems that we have been mostly addressing here refer mostly to vehicles with high mileage on them, usually 80,000 miles or more. The problem oil burning does not to occur in all Atimas, but seems to be more prevelant in the 2002 model.
The Altimas themselves are lovely cars and are fun to drive. My daughters 2002 is a dream to drive, she really loves it. I think almost everyone who drives them loves them. It's just the people who have problems with them get disgusted with them, but who can blame them? Since I fixed the engine in my daughters 2002 Altima, it is again a dream to drive. It was a really nice test drive after I put the engine together, I spared it no mercy, slammed it through the gears, blasted to over a 100 mph pretty quick for just a little 2.5L engine! It drives great and handles great. They are great cars, its just a shame that some have these problems.
I have been researching the problems with the engine, trying to figure out what the problem is or was, and this research has been ongoing, even until now. I started researching and thinking about this since September 2007, when the cat clogged up on the 2002, and I unplugged the cat. Then I went on to therorize how the oil consumption problem was related to the cat converter failure problem, and they definitely are related. Then I had to tear down my daughters 2002 in Dec 2007 due to head gasket leakage, to replace the head gasket and repair the head. I think that the head gasket problem had to do with the engine overheating more than anything else. But in the process of repairing the engine, I made sure the cats were all unplugged, and they have not been a problem since then. It seems that the oil burning is greatly reduced (I will be able to confirm this in a few months). My daughter is driving it every day, and says it's running great. My thoughts at this time is that the real problem was not in the engine, but in the defective cat, which then causes the problems in the engine. In taking the engine apart and putting it together, I was quite impressed with the design of the engine, and it seems to be built to be quite reliable.
I have also continued my research looking at other make and models of engines, and found that the other makes also use the same type of layout and design of the exhaust and cats, and are not having these problems, which further leads me to believe the oil consumption problem in the Altimas was due to bad cats, cats deteriorating, and NOT from bad design. So it seems to me that if the cat is good and does not break down, the engine should last a long time, a normal lifetime. So hopefully Nissan took note of the problem and is putting better cats in the newer cars. The only thing is, the problem will not show up until much later, if it shows up at all. Time will tell.
In summary, I think if you buy a new Altima and drive it for a few years, and then trade it in, you should be fine. I think the main concern should be for those used car buyers who are in the market buying 5 or 6 year old cars out of warrenty with about 80,000 or more miles on them. They may not be aware of the problem and buy the car, and then have the engine go out shortly thereafter, a very unfortunate disaster for a young hopeful buyer.
Good luck and happy driving,
E.D. in Sunny Florida
#205 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [electricdesign] by pure_hp
Feb 13, 2008 (10:13 am)
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Replying to: electricdesign (Feb 12, 2008 8:17 pm)

Thank you for that infomation E.D.!!! That certainly puts to rest some of the fears I had, not to mention, casts some doubt into what the salesman at Toyota was saying since he used to sell Nissan cars. I took what he said with a grain of salt because we all know the game they have to play. Either I'll like the car and buy it or I won't, the "gamesmanship" isn't necessary. So, I'm glad I came here to get some very insightful information. Just waiting to hear on the pending completed offers. Thank you all again! Maybe my next vehicle will be all electric!!!!!
#206 of 496
Re: 2002 Alitima (electricdesign) [pure_hp] by jd10013
Feb 13, 2008 (3:00 pm)
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Replying to: pure_hp (Feb 12, 2008 5:15 pm)

Your welcome. I' ve owned my altima a little over a year now (2007) and can honestly say its been nearly perfect. there were two recalls, 1 for the Ikey and another for the air filter that I had to have taken care of. But those were just typical glitches in a newly designed car, and nothing serious. They also were corrected for the 2008 model year. Aside from that though, the car has been perfect. rides great, handles great, is powerful (especially for a 4 cylinder), and has a ton of options standard.
 
different people have different opinions and experiences when it comes to reliablitly, but this is my third nissan product. the first one, a sentra, lasted 220k miles with no major repairs, and was traded in still running. My second, a 1998 200sx, has 151k miles, I still own, is still running, and I drive it to and from work (about 50 miles per day) four days a week. in the 10 years I've owned it I've had to put 2 sets of front brakes on it. Thats it. brakes twice in 10yrs and 151,000 miles.
 
those two nissan vehicles are the reason I bought my altima over a camry, accord, or other mid size.
#207 of 496
2002 altima 3.5 bogging??!! by altimavq35
Feb 14, 2008 (12:19 pm)
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let me start off by saying i'm new to this forum....i have a 2002 altima 3.5(auto) with 62000 miles...recently i have had problems accelerating when getting on the freeway or just playing around...it seems to be bogging around 3500rpm to about 4700rpm and then open back up to redline..its very annoying and i'm worried..i do have a couple upgrades like a cold air intake, exhaust and no resonators..i have heard that it can be either the mass air flow meter or tranny problems...has anyone had this problem and what do i do??
#208 of 496
Re: 2002 altima 3.5 bogging??!! [altimavq35] by aguarino
Feb 14, 2008 (3:55 pm)
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Replying to: altimavq35 (Feb 14, 2008 12:19 pm)

This is the way my 2002 Altima started with it's issues. Then the car left me stranded. Then the catalytic convertor went, then it began using 3 quarts of oil for 500 miles. I suggest you have the catalytic convertor, there are 2- a pre cat convertor near the engine and the one on the muffler pipes. Good luck.

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