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 2004 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The crankshaft position sensor (cps) was not responsive when the repair shop was testing the vehicle because of the "service engine soon" light came on. After a short search online they 1.) Had no signal to the cps from the pcm 2.) That there was also a voluntary recall by nissan for this issue covering this make an model. I called nissan and told me that the recall wasn't for that car but the vehicle was in fact built in the years covered and also had the exact issues the recall covered
Car was stalling 2 days ago shut it off and drove away just fine not even 4 hours later my fiance was driving the car home he came up around a hill /bend on a city street the car locked up on him along with the oiil brake and battery light the breaks wouldn't do anything car wouldn't stop he ended up going head on into a tree in the neighbors yard. Car is completely totalled. There was a malfunction in the car somewhere and I believe the security of the car or the ECM is what locked it up on him there was no steering in the car as well. No recalls pop up with my VIN # but I am suspected to believe there was something wrong internally. It was at 240,700 miles.he was expectidly only going 30 miles an hour but with the pictures im attaching it seems like the computer toom over the speed control
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to operate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module burned too much fuel to the catalytic converter and need to be replaced. The catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure recurred two months later. The vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic where the diagnostic was the same. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after two months. The vehicle was taken to fort worth Nissan (3451 w loop 820 s, fort worth, tx 76116) where it was diagnosed that the ignition and exhaust failed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 214,000.
The vehicle kept showing codes p1148, p1278 and p1279. Took it to Nissan dealer several times and they changed maf sensor, all oxygen sensors, fuel system cleaning but the code kept showing up. The vehicle finally shut off on the parkway without warning and we were rear ended. Luckily we were only two in the front of the vehicle and had to be taken to the hospital. We both have suffered serious injuries from this accident. The Nissan Altima is a death trap. Nissans is a bad company....beware!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds and while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle stalled without warning. Several independent mechanics were made aware of the failure and replaced the manifold, oxygen sensor, and a computer chip; however, the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturers were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 1,361.
Nissan Altima just died on the highway without warning. The vehicle was rear ended and we had to be taken to the hospital. We both sustained multiple surgeries and was admitted for about a week. Called nissanusa to inform them, but they don't care. There were suppose to get back to us and nobody did. Very disappointed in Nissan. They are crap cars!!!
My 04 Nissan Altima v6 one day began to buck while on the highway. I made it home, then when I went to start it wouldn't. Basically ever since that day it's been an on going problem w/ not starting, shutting off unexpectedly while driving and completely locking up making it very difficult to pull over and dangerous. At one point it would not accelerate. I am the mother of an infant so until I find a resolution I need to borrow cars to travel with him. I have replaced the camshaft sensor and the throttle position sensor which were the codes that came up and still I cannot drive my car. I then researched my make/model/year and found I was not alone. Many others have encountered the same issues and have yet to reach a resolution and apparently Nissan is not declaring a recall on 2004's but have on "02" and "03" which had the same exact issues. …
When slowing down for a light I noticed the lights dim in the reflection of the car in front of me. I also saw a red light on the dash which I haven't seen before near the top above the gear indicator. Then when I approached the ramp to the highway I noticed the lights dim again as my RPM's dropped below 1000. All was fine on the highway and I got off at an exit near my house when slowing to make a left on my road the car just completely shut off without warning. Completely dead all the lights went off no radio no heat nothing! I shifted it out of gear into neutral and it wouldn't even turn over tried to turn my hazard lights on and they did not work either. I could not shift it out of n/d with my foot on the brake. This was an awful experience as I was almost rear ended and pissed off a number of people as I was in a dark intersection for almost 5 minutes in a black car. …
I was driving down the interstate going 60-65 MPH, with my girlfriend and my newborn daughter. The check engine light came on, the car shut off and the engine stalled with a river of traffic surrounding around me. After about 10 minutes the car finally started back up & ran fine. A few days later the car became harder to start and the engine shut off on the interstate once again. I got the engine code, checked out and it was p0340 (cam shaft position sensor). Upon further research I noticed that this is a very common nationwide problem. Not only does the engine stall while driving, it completely causes the motor to shut off! The motor in a vehicle shutting off while going down a jammed interstate or going across railroad tracks is extremely unsafe and it is unacceptable to not get recognized. …
We purchased a 2004 Nissan Altima from crate lake Mazda, medford, or jan 31,2009. Two weeks after we had the vehicle it started to buck and act like it wanted die when you stopped at a light. We went back to the dealer and the sales person that sold us the car and were told there was no warranty we had to pay. We took it ta a mechanic and then went back to dealer and he didn't seem interested in helping we were made to feel it was our fault. I then called Nissan and found out that were 2 recalls out on this car. The one was for a power valve failure which is exactly what was wrong with our vehicle. This ended up costing us $785.00. We had not even made the first payment on this car. We thought we had purchased a good car and were very disappointed with this whole mess. We are seniors and on a limited income this repair was rather devastating to us. …
Electrical complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Nissan Altima, 12% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Altima electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2004 Nissan Altima, though it has 1 recall 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 2004 Nissan Altima electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 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.