10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,047 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Nissan Altima exhaust system problems

exhaust system problem

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2001 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #14

Feb 232005

Altima 4-cyl

  • 56,955 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2001 Nissan Altima had to have the intake manifold gasket at the #4 cylinder replaced when the vehicle had 56,955 miles on it in Feb 2005. The part was less than $10 but the repair was over $734.14 due to labor. I just had to replace the exact same part a couple of weeks ago. The vehicle has a little over 123,000 miles on it. Both times, the vehicle would start idling extremely rough when stopped at a light or stop sign. When you start to accelerate, at times, the car would act like it was going to die.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #13

May 292011

Altima 4-cyl

  • 123,225 miles
I just had to repair/replace the intake manifold gasket on the #4 cylinder for the 2nd time on my 2001 Nissan Altima. The first time was Feb 23, 2005 at just under 57,000 miles. Now, the mileage is 123,225. Luckily, my fiance works at a repair shop and they gave me a break on the labor rate! at a reduced labor rate, the repair was $287, all labor except $7.13. My car started to idle rough when stopped at lights or stop signs, almost like it wanted to die. Since it had happened once before, I knew what the problem was this time!!

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 202011

Altima 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
2001 Altima SE idle problem when on a stop. Similar idle problems I had in May 2005 in which the dealership replaced the intake manifold gasket which is leaking at #4 cyl. Paid nothing because its still under warranty. Same problem again in Mar 2007, with 60,802 miles, dealer replaced the same intake manifold gasket inwhich this time, I paid a lot of money to get it fix. Now, on the third time, with 120,000 miles, I'm having similar idle problem and probably I will have the dealer to work on it. This is really a big problem for this car and I taught that there is a recall on it. It's really unsafe and could cause serious accident if the driver doesn't know how to handle/operate when this problem occurs.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #11

Jan 102011

Altima 4-cyl

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2001 Nissan Altima. I bought the car with 50,000 miles on it, and got an extended warranty. At 52,000 miles, I had major shaking at idle, took it in, and they replaced the intake manifold gasket under warranty. Now, at 74,000 miles, only 22,000 miles more, the same thing is happening, and the check engine light came on. I took the car to autozone, and they ran a diagnostic check, which indicated the probability of a vacuum leak, possibly due to a faulty gasket, etc. This problem is apparently very common with this year Altima, and Nissan has never issued a recall. From what I can gather, there is excessive heat in the area near the manifold gasket (which is a $15 part), leading to premature breakdown of the gasket. Simple heat shielding would take care of this problem, but Nissan has done nothing. This is definitely a safety issue, as the car could die at idle at a stop light, and the driver could be rear ended. From what I have read, this is an incredibly expensive job, due to 5 or more hours of labor to get the gasket replaced.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #10

Sep 012010

Altima

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Altima. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle began to shake and then the engine completely stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure occurred at various speeds when the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technicians informed that the manifold gasket exhibited a leakage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Merrick, NY, USA

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problem #9

Jun 152010

Altima

  • 62,000 miles
The failure I am writing about is intake manifold gasket in the 2001 Nissan Altima in doing research it is evident this problem occurs in most of these cars in order to fix had to bring to mechanic and pay $900 for a part that cost no more then$20 there has been other complaints submitted to you about this very issue from others it is easy to see how wide spread this issue is with one quick internet search.

- Union Beach, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jan 152010

Altima

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car started to almost die and vibrate while stopped at red lights. I am paying $636 to have the manifold gasket replaced. The car only has 66000 miles on it and is garage kept and perfectly maintained. Based on the large number of identical complaints reported to NHTSA, I believe this a manufacturer's defect and should be reimbursed by Nissan. I also registered this complaint with the Nissan website today.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #7

Aug 142009

Altima

  • 107,475 miles
2001 Nissan Altima has a defective intake manifold gasket, causes rough idle and car to shut off when engine is on. This leads to loss of control of car and stalling in traffic. This is a common problem with a $10 part, which costs $600+ to repair. Nissan should be aware of this common problem and have it replaced on these cars.

- Earlysville, VA, USA

problem #6

May 192007

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
2001 Nissan Altima gxe 2.4 with 70,000 miles. On or about this day my wife and 8 month old daughter were driving on a expressway when a accident occurred in front of them. My wife was able to stop and avoid the accident. While waiting for the accident to clear the car stalled due to the #4 intake exhaust manifold gasket failure. While restarting the car to advance to a safer area. That is when a car hit them in the rear and pushed them into the car infront of them, causing almost $3000 damage to our car. My wife and I still have difficulty sleeping through the night, thinking of the harm that could have happened to our daughter. I still have been unable to afford to fix this defect on our car and continue to drive it most days while it tries to stall out on me. This defect is consistent with complaints #10167168,101451161,10100639 and#10163901.

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #5

Mar 112009

Altima

  • 144,000 miles
Nissan Altima 2001 I just want joint so many car owner with the same problem ;replacing the intake manifold gasket. Nissan charge $840 to fix it. Reference the existing complaints: #10167168 #10145161 #10100639 #10163901.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #4

Jun 132009

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rough idling that started about 6 months ago. The car has cut off about 3 times while I was sitting at a red light. I have changed spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel filter, oxygen sensor and nothing has helped. I have a mechanic who thinks it is possibly the fuel injector but I don't want to keep spending money for something that seems to be a problem that a lot of people are having with this make and model. There should be recall on this faulty part that is causing the problem for everyone.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #3

Jun 012006

Altima

  • 102,000 miles
Rough idling and vibrations in the engine started in 2006 at 102,000 miles. Service engine light turns on. Then, a few weeks later the engine light stayed on. Went to numerous mechanics who couldn't figure out the problem. Drove the car like this for the last 3 years trying to figure out the problem! engine now bucks and stalls out. The only way to sit at a stop sign or red light without your car stalling is to put your foot on the gas and brake at the same time! you hope and pray you don't run into the car in front of you! I've had this problem for almost 3 years! now, there is popping noises coming from the engine. You can push the gas pedal to the floor and the car won't move! after a while the car will take off! try getting onto the highway with this issue!! after replacing spark plugs, distributor caps, harnesses, fuel injectors, fuel filters, O-rings, etc. We finally figured out it was the intake manifold gasket! a cheap part to buy but extremely expensive to fix! over the last three years I have spent over $4,000 to actually fix my car! this is absolutely ridiculous! after searching the internet to see if anyone else was having a problem, I found 110 complaints about the same issue! every single person had the same problems with the 2000-2001 Nissan Altima!! please recall this item! I would hate to see someone become seriously injured or killed because of Nissan!! a simple recall to replace a $10 part to save a life...... or a lawsuit and a lost life! this should be a no brainer!! a recall or a class action lawsuit.....Nissan should hurry up and take their pick!!! I will not buy another Nissan!!

- Ephrata, PA, USA

problem #2

Apr 042008

Altima

  • 89,000 miles
At 89,000 miles my 2001 Nissan Altima gxe began experiencing extremely rough idling. Engine will stall. This has happened to hundreds of other Altima owners I am asking for a recall to correct this manufacturers defect.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #1

May 242008

Altima

  • 69,000 miles
Check engine light came on and upon diagnostics it says catalytic converter is defective however after replacing catalytic converter and sensor problem still persists.

- Seattle, WA, USA

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