Used 2002 Nissan Altima Consumer Reviews
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DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!! Looks good but repairs are needed every couple of months
chelsey_payne, 10/19/2011
2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this car my sophomore year of college with 109K on it. As soon as I brought it back to school I started seeing problems immediately. It made this rattling noise when the AC was on at idle and so I took it to the dealership and they said it was the belt. Got that fixed for close to $400 and it still to this day rattles when the AC is on at idle. Had to get the crankshaft pos sensor fixed a few months ago. Every time I get it fixed the check engine light is back on about 2 months later. Now it is losing tons of oil and coolant and I am just being told it needs a cat converter and I don't have the money for it. Only has 123K on it. I am def looking for new car. This car is JUNK!
All good at first
acuralegend95, 07/26/2011
2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
The first few years were great, it was fast, clean, and a great car all around. Then around 100k the air bag light turned on and the bose 6 disk changer stopped working and taking cds, took it to the dealer and they checked and said everything was and about to charge me 200+ for a new radio, only fm radio for me. around the same time they said my 02 sensor was bad, it was replaced. No problems for about 20k and then it started to need oil like it was disappearing about a quart every two week. After that started it rattled like crazy. Changed all the spark plugs 3 times and about 5 pairs of brakes. now at 160k i replaced radiator and now sits in the yard in need of a thermostat, and heads...
Worst Engine by Nissans Ever
Chris, 06/04/2009
2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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
Money Pit
Valerie, 05/03/2010
2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful car. Has needed a lot of work biggest complaint: it Burns oil a lot of oil I put oil in it every other day! Oil oil oil! This car should be recalled for the oil problem.
Defective Altima
John, 08/17/2010
2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The 2002 Altima has defective catalytic converters. The media comes apart and gets sucked into the engine and destroys the rings. That is why so many folks complain about high oil usage. Nissan has abandoned owners and refused to do a recall. Buyer beware when dealing the this car company. My daughter purchased this junker and now can't afford the $4000 to fix it. Google "Altima engine failures" before you buy a Nissan. Who knows what other Nissan's might have wrong with them after 70,000 miles. Owners beware.
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