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Model Year Problem Record

Nissan Altima 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Nissan Altima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

1,047Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
84Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine752 complaints

752 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 03V084000, 03V455000, 07V527000.

Vehicle Structure130 complaints

130 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System79 complaints

79 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System57 complaints

57 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V251000.

Lighting42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train41 complaints

41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags35 complaints

35 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V061000.

Brakes34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V061000Reported February 27, 2003 - 64,562 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 27, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 64,562 vehicles across all affected models.

03V084000Reported March 11, 2003 - 338,000 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on March 11, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 338,000 vehicles across all affected models.

03V251000Reported July 14, 2003 - 377,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 14, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 377,000 vehicles across all affected models.

03V455000Reported November 17, 2003 - 630,000 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on November 17, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 630,000 vehicles across all affected models.

07V527000Reported November 14, 2007 - 653,910 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on November 14, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 653,910 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE02078Opened October 18, 2002 - Closed March 25, 2003

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 03V084000.

PE02078Opened October 18, 2002 - Closed March 25, 2003

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 03V084000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20011
200237
200364
200484
200567
200672
200795
2008144
2009105
201077
201174
201253
201338
201430
201554
201612
201721
20184
20197
20201
20212
20222
20241
20251
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.