Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 run diagnostics but nothing can be found.. I can't afford to junk the car my income budget is tight and doesn't allow much wiggle room to purchase a new ride a friend told me about the NHTSA website so we went exploring entering my VIN number comes back no recalls but looking over the recalls for saying make and model and year of my vehicle there's 12 to 15 recalls on it from headlights which I'm is an issue to engine stalls to catalyst issues but yet I'm told that no because we're done on my vehicle I know I'm not …
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 for more than 15 minutes and it would shut off...AND NOT START AGAIN! It would crank, but not start, I would have to wait 30 minutes or more and then it would start right up! This is dangerous due to the immediate- no- warning shut off, whenever and wherever! I've almost caused multi car pile up! Not to mention my kids in the back seat and on the interstate! We could have been slammed into, and pushed down the interstate and over into other lanes! There's a recall on 2002 Nissan Altimas for THIS VERY ISSUE!!! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated without manual force and a fire emerged from the harness of the vehicle. The fire was put out by the contact. A police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 12/12/13
The first issue I have are the oxygen senor are bad no speed when getting pass 35 feel like your driving in 25. The major issue and it is very unsafe. I was driving down the street with my under age children in the car and when the gears was in drive it stop and went backwards then I put it all the way in park and it stop and took off and speed went to 60 then back down to it normal speed. Just the other day on 2/16/15 it was placed in drive it automatic went into reverse instead of drive but the gear was in drive.
I have recently discovered that there was a recall on my Nissan Altima 2002 model. I have tried to contact the dealer locally but no results. I also contacted the manufacturer and they gave me run around saying that they needed the software which they will make it available and soon as it's available they will contact me. I have contacted them several times but I get the same run around. It's been over a year and half since I had contacted them. But it hasn't been fixed.
Oil consumption very high , engine seized without any warning or dashboard warning light.on highway engine stalled and burned some ruber hoses etc..car inoperabble.Nissan stated it was my problem due to miles on car were high..I paid $7,000.00 in canadian money for repair that seems to be a defect..I am angry at Nissan for saying it was my problem...with no warning lights or other warning , I do not feel this is normal...
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving up a ramp at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate and jerk. The rpms increased from 35 to 4,000. The speedometer started to fail and the vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. This was a recurring failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 165,000.
While driving 30 MPH vehicle caught on fire. As result, consumer almost lost control. No injuries reported. The consumer received two recall notices related to problems which could result in a fire (recall 03v-455 and 04v-251). It is unclear if the consumer had theses recall done and if the consumer received these notices before of after the failure. The consumer has retained a lawyer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
While traveling 70mph on highway and without prior warning engine check light appeared on dashboard, indicating that vehicle caught on fire. The dealership was aware of the problem. There was a sudden loss of power, there was also a clicking sound as if it were coming from the fuel injection system, the oil light, and the light had illuminated.
Electrical complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Nissan Altima, 7% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Altima electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Nissan Altima, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Altima electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 9 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.