2002 Nissan Altima recalls & problems

11 recalls 1,047 complaints 1 investigation

11recalls
1,047owner complaints
29crashes reported
28fires reported
48 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2002 Nissan Altima and 1,047 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is engine and engine cooling (660 reports), followed by structure (130). NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2002 Nissan Altima recalls

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

Problem: Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 07V527000 · Nov 14, 2007

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, the crankshaft position sensor can overheat causing a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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…

653,910 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 07E074000 · Sep 14, 2007

Problem: Certain eagle eyes headlamp assemblies, p/nos. Ds517-b001l and ds517-b001r, sold for use as replacement equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. The opticel surface of the reflector is corroded inhibiting the performance of the upper and lower beams which fails to conform to the photometric requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

11,300 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 07E063000 · Aug 21, 2007

Problem: Certain anzo aftermarket headlights, p/n 02-az-na02-b-a, sold for use on 2002-2004 nissan altima vehicles. During production the lamp housing shape deformed distorting the assembly angle of the reflector and influenced the aiming position. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

130 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 07E054000 · Jul 25, 2007

Problem: Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 315-1145L-as and 315-1145R-as, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. During production the lamp reflector shape deformed changing the shape of the optic surface. This will change the opposite position of low beam and high beam opticsand change the angle of incidence and illumated location which fails to conform to the…

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

9,145 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E064000 · Jul 17, 2006

Problem: Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

4,029 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E023000 · Mar 13, 2006

Problem: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

292,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 03V455000 · Nov 17, 2003

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.…

630,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 03V251000 · Jul 14, 2003

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. At extremely cold temperatures, moisture in the fuel tank…

Risk: This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

377,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 03V084000 · Mar 11, 2003

Problem: On certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate.

Risk: Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.

Fix: 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.…

338,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Air Bags · NHTSA 03V061000 · Feb 27, 2003

Problem: On certain vehicles, the electrical connector for the driver air bag may come loose. If the connector comes loose, the supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.

Risk: The driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: 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…

64,562 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2002 Nissan Altima problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling 660
52113
Structure 130
012
Engine 92
331
Electrical System 79
295
Exterior Lighting 41
011
Power Train 41
111
Fuel System, Gasoline 39
131
Air Bags 35
16212
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 30
111
Unknown or Other 23
303
Equipment 22
103
Vehicle Speed Control 20
000
Suspension 16
000
Steering 16
100
Fuel/Propulsion System 15
101
Tires 14
100
Visibility 11
010
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 8
202
Seat Belts 6
101
Latches/Locks/Linkages 5
000
Wheels 4
000
Service Brakes 3
100
Seats 3
101
Fuel System, Other 3
000
Visibility/Wiper 2
000
Service Brakes, Air 1
000
Traction Control System 1
000
Interior Lighting 1
000

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 20, 2026 · CA

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 because the contact did not reside in the States listed in…

Unknown or Other · Jul 26, 2025 · KY

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 pressure sensor or old oil. I had the sensor and oil replaced,…

Power Train · Apr 3, 2024 · VA

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 having. I have a couple ppl look over the car under hood and…

Engine · Apr 3, 2024 · VA

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 having. I have a couple ppl look over the car under hood and…

Electrical System · Apr 3, 2024 · VA

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 having. I have a couple ppl look over the car under hood and…

Engine · Aug 2, 2022 · VA

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 not drive at or above 45mph or it would shut down, or drive…

Electrical System · Aug 2, 2022 · VA

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 not drive at or above 45mph or it would shut down, or drive…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2, 2022 · VA

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 not drive at or above 45mph or it would shut down, or drive…

Engine and Engine Cooling · Jun 17, 2022 · 133,000 miles · CA

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: 03V455000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 19, 2021 · AZ

Took my car to emissions and they printed this paper out of a recall on my car.

Unknown or Other · Feb 8, 2021 · 134,500 miles · IA

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.

Power Train · Feb 8, 2021 · 134,500 miles · IA

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.

Other Nissan Altima years

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Nissan Altima have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls covering the 2002 Nissan Altima, the most recent one (09E012000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Altima?

Based on 1,047 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are engine and engine cooling (660), structure (130), engine (92).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2002 Nissan Altima?

Owners reported 29 crashes, 28 fires, 48 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2002 Nissan Altima?

NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently PE02078: Engine compartment fires.