Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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
For the 2nd time car running very rough and stalling. Had it serviced seems the spark plugs were destroyed and not functioning. Paid over $500 for mechanic to put in new plugs now it happened again. Seems there is a voluntary service campaign qr25de power valve. Campaign id p5202. A bolt from manifold is falling into cylinder and blowing out spark plug and causing internal engine damage, my mechanic put camera in cylinder. Car is running but it has already happened to cylinder 1 and 4. Next time my 22 year old daughter May not be so lucky on her highway commute. Hopefully the local Nissan dealer can rectify problem before the problem becomes more serious. The engine light came on that says to service engine soon, it is still on...from what I have found online sounds like power valve screws are coming out and creating engine damage.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, the extended crank failed to spark the crank sensor. While the gear shifter was placed in drive, the vehicle began to shake and the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact called middletown Nissan at [phone] (located at 1153 newfield st, middletown, ct 06457) and was informed that there was no recall associated with the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.
While I was pulling out from a parking lot, my car just cut off. I have not had the money to even take it to see what was wrong with it until recently and was told that both of my catalytic converters were going bad and that it would cost $1100 to get it fixed. So I checked online to see it was any recalls on it and it was several but was told it did not include my car. Since the first time that it cut off it has done it at least 6 more times. Once I was in the middle of the street and was almost rear ended by the car behind me. I don't understand how the recalls say my make and model and mileage of my Altima but it doesn't include my car.
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!!!
The car has a fuel problem and crankshaft position sensor issue causing the car to die and also not start up normal idling. When I do get it to start up it idles very groggy.
On 10/9/2007 I took the vehicle into sheehy Nissan to have it repaired for the known recalls. On 10/11/2007 I retrieved my vehicle for sheehy Nissan and was told by alan shurkin the issue with the ECM reprogramming had been corrected. About 20 mins after leaving sheehy Nissan lot my car again stalled and stopped running. On 10/14/2007 I called alan shurkin @ sheehy Nissan and told him that my vehicle was having the same problem and I thought that it was due to the recall I was told by alan that it would be a service charge to repair it again. I have been driving this vehicle for about three weeks now with the consist stop and go routine. I was advised by a friend to call Nissan north America back letting them know what my problem was. On 11/6/2007 I placed a call to Nissan north America. …
While driving my 2004 2.5 litre Nissan Altima on highway about 60 MPH I felt an abrupt jerk like noise in the transmission, almost even like a misfire of some sort. All I know is that it was odd and did not seem right. Immediately following, my "service engine soon" light illuminated and has stayed on. While my car did not stall or immediately shut down, it was hard to crank after shutting down. I had difficulty climbing hills as the car lacked the power and difficulty shifting down. In troubleshooting this problem, I immediately checked the gas cap. This did not solve my problem. I took it into the mechanic. He has had my car for two days. He found the problem to be the crankshaft sensor and he said it was difficult to get to for repair as well as having problems removing it. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions, these variations in temperature can be large enough to cause a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on August 21, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 138 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Nissan Altima, 50% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is engine (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Altima engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-242 (engine and engine cooling, Jul 7, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Altima engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.