Nissan Altima 2002–2006 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (L31)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20264,121 complaints, 3,301 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2002 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 88,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,047
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2002
- Engine and its cooling system594 reports · median 87,000 mi
- Body structure128 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Engine92 reports · median 124,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline — storage · Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2003 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 85,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 883
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2003
- Engine and its cooling system450 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Body structure126 reports · median 109,000 mi
- Engine117 reports · median 122,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline — storage · Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 73,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 276
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2004
- Engine and its cooling system109 reports · median 67,000 mi
- Body structure42 reports · median 114,000 mi
- Electrical system32 reports
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,091
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2005
- Body structure351 reports · median 103,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system259 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Engine141 reports · median 97,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 90,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 824
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2006
- Body structure221 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system189 reports · median 55,000 mi
- Engine166 reports · median 110,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling · Suspension — rear
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2006; earliest: the 2004, and the 2004 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2002–2006 Nissan Altima reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 86,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 147,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 3,301
- Recalls
- 8
Most reported
- Engine and its cooling system38.8% of complaints · median 79,000 mi
- Body structure21.1% of complaints · median 102,000 mi
- Engine13.2% of complaints · median 109,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine (2.5L QR25DE)2002–2006
- Engine (2.5L QR25DE)2002–2004
- Engine Management2002–2006
Owners filed 4,121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002–2006 Nissan Altima; the engine and its cooling system leads with 38.8% of them, and half of the 3,301 that record an odometer reading came by 86,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 56,000 to 115,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2002–2006 Nissan Altima last?
On the 2002–2006 Nissan Altima, half of the 3,301 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 86,000 miles and 90% by 147,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
296 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 68 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Altima reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Altima 2002–2006 · 3,301 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 176 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 68 complaints (2.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 22,000
- 25%
- 56,000
- Median
- 86,000
- 75%
- 115,000
- 90%
- 147,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 165 | 5.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 50 | 1.5% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 51 | 1.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 47 | 1.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 39 | 1.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 35 | 1.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 74 | 2.2% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 57 | 1.7% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 73 | 2.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 92 | 2.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 116 | 3.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 107 | 3.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 124 | 3.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 128 | 3.9% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 140 | 4.2% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 143 | 4.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 151 | 4.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 176 | 5.3% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 164 | 5.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 150 | 4.5% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 155 | 4.7% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 103 | 3.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 115 | 3.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 95 | 2.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 101 | 3.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 80 | 2.4% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 94 | 2.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 65 | 2.0% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 59 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 56 | 1.7% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 64 | 1.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 26 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 23 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 27 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 25 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 17 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 17 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 10 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 9 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 10 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 68 | 2.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Altima problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Altima 2002–2006
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Transmission and driveline284 reportsmedian 63,000middle half 32,000–102,000
- Electrical system367 reportsmedian 68,000middle half 40,000–112,000
- Engine and its cooling system1,601 reportsmedian 79,000middle half 55,000–100,000
- Airbag system163 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 50,000–119,000
- Body structure868 reportsmedian 102,000middle half 82,000–130,000
- Engine546 reportsmedian 109,000middle half 81,000–146,000
- Problems owners could not categorise181 reportsmedian 109,000middle half 81,000–140,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and its cooling system | 1,601 | 38.8% | 79,000 | 55,000–100,000 |
| Body structure | 868 | 21.1% | 102,000 | 82,000–130,000 |
| Engine | 546 | 13.2% | 109,000 | 81,000–146,000 |
| Electrical system | 367 | 8.9% | 68,000 | 40,000–112,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 284 | 6.9% | 63,000 | 32,000–102,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 181 | 4.4% | 109,000 | 81,000–140,000 |
| Airbag system | 163 | 4.0% | 80,000 | 50,000–119,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 136 | 3.3% | 74,000 | 40,000–109,000 |
| Fuel system | 90 | 2.2% | 57,000 | 30,000–87,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 87 | 2.1% | 36,000 | 16,000–81,000 |
Known problems with the 2002–2006 Altima
Engine (2.5L QR25DE) 2002–2006
Pre-catalyst substrate breaks down and ceramic particles are drawn back into the cylinders through the exhaust valves, scoring bores and causing runaway oil consumption and eventual engine failure. Nissan extended emissions warranty coverage on affected cars.
Engine (2.5L QR25DE) 2002–2004
Head gasket failure, often after the pre-cat/oil-consumption sequence above.
Engine Management 2002–2006
Crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor failures causing stall-while-driving; a large NHTSA complaint cluster.
Before you buy a 2002–2006 Altima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 3,301 mileage-tagged complaints, 8 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine (2.5L QR25DE) on 2002–2006 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine (2.5L QR25DE) on 2002–2004 cars.
- Check engine management on 2002–2006 cars.
- Years differ here: from 276 to 1,091 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Altima problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi27% below | At 90k mi54% below | At 120k mi77% below | At 150k mi91% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and its cooling system | 55,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 82,000–130,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 81,000–146,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 40,000–112,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 32,000–102,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 81,000–140,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 50,000–119,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Altima 2002–2006 · 3,301 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 27% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 54% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 77% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2002–2006 Nissan Altima recalls (8)
NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the engine and its cooling system (5), the suspension (1), the fuel system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Nov 2007 · 2002, 2005–2006 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the interruption in the signal from the crankshaft position sensor is so brief that the electronic control…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, the crankshaft position sensor can overheat causing a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
What can happen. If the interruption in the signal from the crankshaft position sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ecm) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop…
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ecm free of charge. Certain my 2006 altimas which have been previously remedied under recall campaign 06v223 (Nissan r0606) are not included in this recall since the…
Jul 2006 · 2003–2004 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ecm) logic…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ecm) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning…
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ecm free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Jun 2006 · 2006 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the oil is not maintained at least at the minimum level, engine damage can occur and in extreme cases…
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines may experience excessive engine oil consumption as a result of improper performance of the piston rings.
What can happen. If the oil is not maintained at least at the minimum level, engine damage can occur and in extreme cases result in an engine fire.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module (ecm or engine computer). Your vehicle will also be inspected to determine if it has been consuming engine oil at a higher than normal rate. In a…
Feb 2006 · 2006 · SuspensionIf the bracket is cracked, the stability of the vehicle may be affected under severe driving conditions.
The defect. On certain vehicles, the rear subframe may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could result in a crack in a bracket which holds part of the rear suspension.
What can happen. If the bracket is cracked, the stability of the vehicle may be affected under severe driving conditions. This could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear subframe to determine if it was manufactured incorrectly and replace it, if necessary. The recall began on february 27, 2006. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Nov 2003 · 2002–2003 · Engine and Engine CoolingThis could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
What can happen. This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are…
Jul 2003 · 2002–2003 · Fuel System, GasolineThis can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.
The free fix. 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…
Mar 2003 · 2002–2003 · Engine and Engine CoolingEither of these two conditions could result in a fire.
The defect. On certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 Liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. Also on 2002 Altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause…
What can happen. Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance that…
Feb 2003 · 2002 · Air BagsThe driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The defect. On certain vehicles, the electrical connector for the driver air bag may come loose. If the connector comes loose, the supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
What can happen. The driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The free fix. Dealers will install a retaining clip on the clock spring electrical connector. Owner notification began april 21, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 4,121 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 175 (4.2%)
- Fires
- 76
- Injury reports
- 132
- Fatality reports
- 2
Altima problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,091, most of them about body structure, and the 2004 the fewest, 276. A typical year drew about 883.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,047 | 800 | 88,000 | Engine and its cooling system (594) | 5 |
| 2003 | 883 | 725 | 85,000 | Engine and its cooling system (450) | 4 |
| 2004 | 276 | 225 | 73,000 | Engine and its cooling system (109) | 1 |
| 2005 | 1,091 | 904 | 86,000 | Body structure (351) | 1 |
| 2006 | 824 | 647 | 90,000 | Body structure (221) | 3 |
What Altima owners reported
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the brakes, brake pads, or brake rotors were replaced every year to a year and a half. The contact became aware of the failure while depressing the brake pedal with an abnormal, grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no…
2006 · 10,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and whining sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was…
2005 · 120,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled…
2005 · 210,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, the vehicle began emitting white smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool off and added oil to the engine and the smoke subsided. The…
2006 · 105,000 miles · Engine
Built from 3,301 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Altima generations
- Altima 1998–2001 242 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Altima 2007–2012 3,145 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Altima 2013–2018 3,510 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Altima 2019–2025 147 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system