9.3
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$3,450.00
Average Mileage:
102,979 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace engine (6 reports)
- not sure (5 reports)
- replace gasket (3 reports)
engine problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Nissan Altima blown head gasket
2009Sep 01
Altima ES 4.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 108,000 miles
What a saga I thought I would never have, concerning a vehicle I trusted. First thing to happen was that dreaded " check engine light" came on for the first time, found it was plugs (or something ) misfiring, had that fixed, one more time - misfiring, fixed that. Light on again in March, 2009, went back to independent repair shop and was told it looked like there was a serious engine problem , would need to pull heads, which would cost 2,000 and then if that was the problem, it would cost me addition money for a motor. Took it to Nissan to make sure this was the problem, No, it was a busted radiator, Cost: $500 (reconditioned, not new!) NO other problems, whew, was I releved !! Come August, guess what - the light is back on.
Take it to the Dealership, the Engine has to be replaced........ OMG! The guy at the first place I took it to was right, he knew more than the Nissan dealership! Sensors gone, everything screwed up $6500.00 to replace/repair! NO THANK YOU, service cost= $150.00 for the info. Why didn't you see this coming back in March when you said it was only a busted radiator (go figure, why would I have a busted radiator in the first place?) The lights were not on so we could not check - Not what you said then, said "we checked it all out and didn't see anything."....... Now, I call Nissan North America, Inc, e-mail Nissan, get a call back from someone that will not give her last name, just Amanda "P"! Are they afraid to give their name, hey, it's a Corporation- how professional. Their response was, as you might guess, sorry but we can't do anything for you since it was pre-owned and we do not have the service records from the dealership. What could I have possibly done to cause all of these problems, I had it serviced, but not at Nissan- which would have cost 2X-3X more than what I had my oil, filter, etc.etc. serviced for. It is not a new car under warranty. To add insult to injury, she says, "you may take your vehicle and have it repaired at the Dealership", at MY Cost of course !!!!!! Thanks Nissan !!!! Anyway, I have surfed the web and the same problems show up over and over and over- but it's not Nissan's fault, right?!
Now I am forced to rent a car until I can get another, how would I ever get anything out of it now to sell or trade? Can't even trade it as a Clunker !! The service manager said , the mileage was too good to be considered a clunker. In other words, I'm screwed! The best thing I can hope for is Nissan Corporation will bite the dust - PLEASE PEOPLE, DON'T buy a NISSAN !
2009Jul 31
Altima LS
- Automatic transmission
- 86,225 miles
2002 altima blown head gasket and now they tell me I need to replace the engine, I've done some reasearch and found out that aluminum was used in the engine and they can't stand the heat and therefore major problems. Just bought the car last year and now my son has a big headache. HELP
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 09
Altima S 2.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 114,000 miles
I am glad that I found this site, for a while I blamed myself for what I have been experiencing with my 2002 Altima 2.5. At first it started with the check engine light coming on and the engine running a little rough, like it had a bad plug or ignition coil that went bad, had it checked by the dealer and that's what the test came back as, a random misfire, so I had the car tuned up. It worked for a little while, then a new problem, I heard funning bubbling noises behind my dash board and coolant smell, added to that my coolant level was always low, so low at one point that I was running on nothing but straight water. Shortly after all this, then the oil loss begin, at first I could not figure out what was going on or where the oil was going, because there where no signs of any leaking from the engine. Then it got even worse, not even counting all the oil I purchased, the engine started randomly starting, leaving me stranded many days. I took it back to the dealer and got many of the same responses posted on this site. It was a blessing to find this site before I spent any money to have it repaired, seemingly for no reason but to end with the same problems I had in the beginning. I see that there has been a class action suite file against the Nissan Corporation, can anyone give me any feedback on what stage it is in? My e-mail address is: dingle0862@yahoo.com. Something needs to be done so the consumer can get some type of restoration for a problem that had to have been known about by the manufacturer of this vehicle. I had always heard good things about Nissan, but after this experience, they could not give me one.
2009May 09
Altima
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
It sounds like I have the same problem as the others in this category. My only regret is that I didn't know about this site before I bought a 2002 Altima this past August (2008). The car gave out while I was out of state so I had to travel back home in a rental. Now I'm told the gasket is going to cost $1100 and Nissan won't have anything to do with it. Even worse I will have extra expenses and need time off work to travel back to pick up the car, or make some type of arrangement repaired or not. After tomorrow the mechanic charges storage fees...It sounds like my headache is just beginning.
2007Sep 11
Altima 2.5s
- Manual transmission
- 114,915 miles
this is more than 4 times the car has been in in 2 months.As a tear down is done for head gasket there was an inspection of the cylinder head. no explanation of the what the cylinder head look like (good- bad-fair-need replacing)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Feb 05
Altima SL
- Automatic transmission
- 143,000 miles
I have the 2002 Nissan Altima as well. I just took it to dealership for third time because check engine soon light was on (for the sixth time!!) they finally came clean and said that I have a blown head gasket, and that they will most likely have to replace the whole engine once they get started working on head gasket!!!! That is after they charged me for bringing it in on three separate occasions for a new engine belt, oxygen sensors, spark plugs and diagnostic! I am so upset that I have already spent almost $1000 right there for them replacing parts that didn't even need to be replaced!! I HATE YOU, NISSAN!!!!!!!!
That said, I also have a 2006 Nissan Altima and I am currently in a lawsuit with Nissan over it being a lemon as well.
2008Dec 23
Altima 2.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 91,000 miles
nissan, 2002 on with 2.5 engines have serious problems i hope the attorneys can get a class action going here. before the head gasket blew the engine was consuming insane amounts of oil with no external leaks and no blue smoke whatsoever i had numerous check engine lights never buy a nissan they are not admitting that there is a problem
2008Jul 02
Altima GSL 2.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 85,120 miles
The more detail you provide, the better
head gasket problems
2008Sep 19
Altima SE V6
- Manual transmission
- 104,000 miles
My 2002 Nissan Altima is a piece of junk. Every since the day I drove it off the lot, I have had nothing but problems. I am so tired of fixing this car and paying for it at the same! As soon as you fix one thing.....here comes another problem. So far I have had to replace the catalytic converter, the thermostat, and the clutch. Now the head gasket has blown. I also have to add oil at least twice a month. My temperature hand is constantly moving up and down. There is never water in the radiator overflow (where is it going??????)I agree with others....this is the first Nissan I have ever bought and it will most definitely be the last...........
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Aug 06
Altima 2.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 101,000 miles
I purchased my 2002 Altima brand new along with an extended warranty up to 100,000 miles. As you may know, my problem started at 101,000 miles. Call Nissan who claimed to know nothing and would not fix my car..they told me to call my Nissan dealership in Conyers, GA, however, the manager NEVER returned my call.
I can't afford a new engine right now and am driving the car..it consumes oil and I have the white smoke..sometimes it won't start but when it does, I just ride it..it's my only means of transportation. Paid car off last month..so I am car note free..car still looks good..but as they say what looks good on the outside isn't always good on the inside..blown engine!
Getting another engine is in my plans..but I'm thinking the next one could have the same problem. I'll never purchase another Nissan because they're not being responsible and stepping up to the plate.
2008Jul 30
Altima
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
Sign the petition to make Nissan fix their shoddy Nissan Altima engines!
http://start-a-petition.com/showPetition.asp?p=MakeNissanTakeResponsibility
2008Jun 18
Altima 2.5 S 2.5L 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 93,450 miles
I have a 2002 Nissan Altima and my SES light came on yesterday
I took it to a local mechanic and was told
1) this was due to error code P0300
2) there was a strange smell from the engine and he suspects that its coolant
3) cylinder 2 and 4 had moisture on them
4) he thinks the gasket has been breached and needs to be replaced
5) it will cost me close to 2.5K for the repair work!
I'm trying to see what options I have at this time as I have already pumped in 3.5K last year to replace the transmission and radiator
2007Jul 08
(reported on)Altima SL 2.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
I also own a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5. It is a hunk of junk! The car idles rough when it first starts, there is a water rushing sound under the dash, and my check engine light has been on since 70,000 miles. I have 75,000 miles on the car and it has already blown a head gasket. My private mechanic, who is a family friend, notified me of the problem and he also stated that the catalytic converter was also bad. I did not want to pay for the repairs after reading so many negative comments of the common problems with this crappy car. I reported the problem to Nissan Consumer Affairs. Mark Worley a specialist told me to take the car to a Nissan Dealership to have it diagnosed. Now the dealership wants to charge me $95.00 just for looking at my car and telling me I have a blown head gasket, but supposedly nothing is wrong with my catalytic converter. Which I think is crap because in CA by law o2 sensors and catalytic converters are covered up to 100,000 miles. Thanks a lot Nissan for stepping up to the plate. Oh yeah, it's been 3 weeks and my car is still at the Nissan Dealership, and I haven't heard a thing from Mark Worley regarding my car. Nissan has horrible customer service and sold me a Lemon. I will never buy one of their cars again.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Sep 05
Altima 2.5L
I'm sooo upset with Nissan they r so happy 2 sell u a car but when something goes wrong .they give u the run arounds i had ths car only a year and there telling me the head gasket is blown r u 4 real ! they should really put there customer first not only when there buying a car . but after they take it home. i will never n life buy another Nissan car
Victoria W.
Hempstead, NY, USA
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