2002 Nissan Altima Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Altima. Part of Generation 3 — 2002–2006.

20012003
Complaints
1,321
Crashes
41
Fires
43
Injuries
48
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0

Worst 2002 Nissan Altima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1229 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:84,108 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:7
#2164 complaints

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Avg mileage:91,289 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:7
#392 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:120,791 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:3
Considering a 2002 Nissan Altima?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Nissan Altima.

Engine & Cooling
229
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
7
Avg Miles
84,108
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
164
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
7
Avg Miles
91,289
Engine Problems
92
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Avg Miles
120,791
Body Structure
92
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,362
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
91
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,683
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
69
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,509
Electrical Faults
48
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
89,130
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
48
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
84,548
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,597
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,573
Airbags
20
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
1
Avg Miles
82,595
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,382
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
69,359
Other Equipment
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,461
Fuel System
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,324
Transmission / Drivetrain
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,853
Structural Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
96,475
Structure:Frame And Members
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,347
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,800
Electrical System:Ignition
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
29,174
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
53,447
Hydraulic Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
81,143
Tire Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,191
Gasoline Fuel System
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,433
Automatic Transmission
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,032
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,524
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,636
Electronic Stability Control
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,724
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,958

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Nissan Altima Years

199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

2002 Nissan Altima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2002 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2002 Nissan Altima has 1,321 NHTSA complaints, 41 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine & Cooling with 229 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Engine & Cooling (229 complaints, avg 84,108 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (164 complaints, avg 91,289 mi); Engine Problems (92 complaints, avg 120,791 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 90,682 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Nissan Altima include 41 crash-related reports, 43 fire reports, 48 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Nissan Altima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Nissan Altima?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine & cooling) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2002 Nissan Altima

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99