2002 Nissan Altima Consumer Reviews

Would not reccomment another Nissan

Written by: Prof on 10/25/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought the Nissan altima 02 new and had planned o drive for at least 10 yrs. In the beginning it had recalls every other 3 mths. Every thing was ok since I made sure I took it in for every service the manufacturer recommended. This was until it go to 95,000 miles. It could not start in the mornings and the dealer said I had to replace the head gasket ($1500). This is after they replaced the body throttle 2 weeks before ($600). 3 mths later it just loses power while driving on the highway. I took it to the Nissan dealer 3 times ad they could not figure the problem out. I drove it to 3 mechanics who could not fix the problem. I had to buy another car. I do not recommend Nissan car to anyone. That engine?

Favorite Features

The sound system.

Suggested Improvements

The engine. Failing the start regularly for unknown reasons on a new car. At least they have to listen to their customers complaints. They are all e same, so fix them.

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Stay Away!!!

Written by: Muhammad Akhtar on 10/21/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought my Altima 7 months ago, and I finally got rid of it. I feel sorry for the person who bought it. I am a college student and cannot afford huge maintenance cost on this lemon. I have noticed most of the complaints are with S, and SL trims. The only major flaw with this car is the excessive oil consumption, and this model burns oil like crazy it does not even leak. It surely is a lemon, I didn't spend a lot on it except had keep up with oil replacement twice a month, which sounds really awful for a car that was rewarded as car of the year back in 2002. Nissan got bad reputation because of this car. Now I am looking forward to buy MAXIMA 6th GEN. They are a lot powerful and reliable.

Favorite Features

Bose Stereo System, Leather Seats, Big Trunk, Lots Of Room, Smooth Steering.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability, Quality and Ergonomics.

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200k and very pleased

Written by: Dayton Brown on 09/29/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Purchased from a friend with approx 175000 in '06. She did a lot of interstate driving so the miles where high but the car was in great shape. The only major issue has been leaking valve cover gaskets, but nothing else of importance for the past 6 years (time we've owned it and previous owner) the car has an amazing amount of cabin space is very comfortable for me even in the back seats (I'm 6'2") we average 27 to 29 mpg depending on how much in- town or highway driver.

Favorite Features

leather seats,cabin space, look, power

Suggested Improvements

heated seats, ours rides a bit rough but may just need new struts

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Aging quickly

Written by: Prashant on 08/28/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I loved the new car. My first car ever. Had a lot of fun with it but getting pretty tired of it. I had a recall issue with the engine crankshaft when it was 2 yrs old .. spoiled my vacation. The car has failed to start on half a dozen occasions. Lately I've been getting a cylinder misfire. The car also started knocking about 3 months ago so I went back to 87 octane fuel. I've also noticed a lack of power recently. Or maybe its because I am hesitant to push it now because of all the reliability issues. I have 85k on it and hope to get it to 6 digits before letting it go.

Favorite Features

Looks. Initial power. Handling/Suspension.

Suggested Improvements

Improve reliability.

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Beware when you go over 100K miles

Written by: Bill on 08/21/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The car was great until 100K miles. Since then replaced cat converter, O2 sensors, fuel door and driver side door handle and now the head gasket blows. Went on other forums and it's a typical problem that was known by Nissan. Won't buy another Nissan. Don't buy a used 2002 Altima.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Nice car but engine problems

Written by: km on 08/01/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've owned this car since 2002. Only owner and I took it back the dealership each time for a decent oil change service. For some reason unknown to us, our engine had to be replaced after about 50k miles. At first the dealership wanted to make us pay for it, but arguing with Corporate Nissan helped us get it for free (after warranty ran out.) Some other minor repairs but overall not a bad car except for the engine issue.

Favorite Features

Lots of room in the back and a big trunk. Turns out this is a nice bonus for hauling a lot of stuff I never knew I had.

Suggested Improvements

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Manufactuing defect.

Written by: Carl Carlson on 07/18/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

My wife and I really enjoyed our Altima, we had 92000 on it and planed on another 100000. But to our dismay we found that the passenger floor board had nearly completely rusted out, shades of the 50s. It was so bad that when you put your hand on it it felt like a sponge. The dealer and the company did not care about this and would do noting that had to be a manufacturing defect. We will never buy another car from that dealer or company. We have bought a 2009 Mazda6 and love it.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Stand behind their manufacturing defects.

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Nissan Delivers Again

Written by: Joseph on 06/24/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This car is great,I bought it the same year it got the new body in 2002.I always trusted nissan,my first was a 1985 maxima,then a 1990 maxima,a 2001 quest and of course the 2002 altima.This car only has 49000 miles on it to this day it is always in mint condition.

Favorite Features

Bose,Leather,Sunroof

Suggested Improvements

The gas peddle is way too light.

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Worst Engine by Nissans Ever

Written by: Chris on 06/04/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Only consider purchasing a 3.5L engine do not buy a 2.5L 4 cyl lemon!!! These engines have problems with pre-cat manifold, bolts from intake manifold can potentially enter the cylinders, crank/cam position sensors go bad, heating/AC problems. Other then that the car is great, really liked brakes and suspension, and gas mileage which varied from 21 to 27mpg. I bought the car around 75k-80k miles and it was already loosing oil since I fortunately noticed it right away after I bought it. Car had pre-cat replaced under warranty right before I bought it but the damage to engine from intake bolts or pre-cat was already done. The car mysteriously was losing 1qt of oil every week, after full

Favorite Features

brakes and suspension, and gas mileage

Suggested Improvements

diagnostics from Nissan which showed the engine running at 100% with no error codes and compression being good in all 4 cylinders, oil still disappeared at rate of 1-2 quarts per week. Finally traded it back to Nissan at around 90k miles and of course I didn’t mention about the oil. Good luck.......

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love my new car

Written by: pamandralphbartow on 05/05/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

We just bought this use car and I have fallen in love with it! It has so much get up and go. It is sharp looking. I drive a lot for work and am so glad I bought this car!

Favorite Features

The get up and go!

Suggested Improvements

haven't found anything yet

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