Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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!!! …
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V251000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted for recall completion and informed the contact that the recall was not applicable to the vehicle because the contact did not reside in the States listed in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle registration could not be renewed due to the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Nissan Altima 4 door. My daughter [redacted]. While driving the vehicle ignition switch, oil, cooling, coil pack cause a major crash, totaling a complete wreckage. [redacted] sustained, serious medical attention, taken to the hospital by ambulance. I started a series of complaints which Nissan failed to comment or investigate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 03V251000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the service engine warning lamp remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the oil was constantly low and had to be refilled. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the 02 sensor, but the failure recurred. While traveling, the vehicle hesitated and the contact had to apply the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal to keep the vehicle from stalling. The contact was not able to get the vehicle to restart after exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer who diagnosed that the pre-catalyst overheated, which caused the catalyst substrate particles to flow into the engine. …
I was driving my car to work while I was driving to the I 95 highway by pembroke rd there was a big metal stuff on the lane I was I couldn't go nowhere because the highway was busy didn't want to get into an accident therefore I drove into that metal stuff and hit under my car now my car don't start I don't have now way to go to work and didn't know what to do I called towing to towning my car I did not know I should police on the first place that's real suck they should have people to clean the highway I have a picture of the thing and I took it on the highway.
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.
My 2002 Nissan Altima started to have problems with the car engine shutting off without any warning. Just 98000 miles on it dealer charged me $900 for set of sensor and labor. Car would stall in traffic on the highway, no warning, we would lose all power. Went to Nissan and they said no one else had this problem.
My car is burning 3 quarts of oil evry 2 weeks..I tryd replacing parts..using different oil..nothing works..I looked online to get some ideas of what the problem might be..but most people with the same model have the same problem and still haven't found a answer.
While driving on the highway I proceeded to try and reach the speed limit but the car lost power to merge into traffic almost causing an accident. Vehicle cannot go past 55 MPH, it loses power during acceleration.
I had been smelling gas fumes inside the car and outside for 2 months. I brought my car to the Nissan dealer I bought it from and they fixed the problem for $160.00. On my service receipt it said they found gross EVAP leak: fuel tank seal not sealing: replaced fuel sender seal. I questioned why would a 3 year old car start leaking gas from the top of the gas tank and they said "it's just normal wear and tear." I can understand wear and tear on tires and brakes but give me a break, the only thing I do to a gas tank is fill it with gas! My car is only 3 years old with 46,000 miles and they said that the work was not covered under warranty. I even spent $900.00 for an extended warranty. My fiance is a smoker and I was worried for his safety in the car so I told him not to smoke in the car for fears of something happening if the fumes would ignite somehow. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah,…
Remedy: Dealers will install a screen at the suction opening of the fuel pump to prevent ice crystals from blocking the opening. Owner notification began on August 18, 2003. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-333-0829.
Fuel System complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Nissan Altima, 5% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Altima fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-251 (tank assembly, Jul 14, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Altima fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.