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Nissan Altima 2002–2006 problems by year and mileage

3rd generation (L31)

NHTSA data through 24 September 20264,121 complaints, 3,301 with mileageMethod

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

• 200288kmedian
• 200385kmedian
• 200473kmedian
• 200586kmedian
• 200690kmedian

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2006 reports latest and the 2004 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2004 has had 2 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.

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

1. Engine and its cooling system38.8% of complaints · median 79,000 mi
2. Body structure21.1% of complaints · median 102,000 mi
3. Engine13.2% of complaints · median 109,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

• Engine (2.5L QR25DE)2002–2006
• Engine (2.5L QR25DE)2002–2004
• Engine Management2002–2006

What each one is ↓

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. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 56,000 and 115,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2002–2006 Nissan Altima last?

Figure 1 · Nissan Altima 2002–2006 · 3,301 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 176 complaints.

17613288440

5.3% of all reports fall between 85,000 and 90,000 miles

25k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k

• Rest of the range
• Median
• 200,000+ — 68 complaints (2.1%), plotted separately

10%

21,900

25%

55,823

Median

85,500

75%

115,000

90%

147,000

Tallest bin: 176 complaints between 85,000 and 90,000 miles. Based on 3,301 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 5,000 miles.

Show the numbers

Complaints by mileage bin

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. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

Common Altima problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Nissan Altima 2002–2006

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

System0–12,000 mi factory-defect window12,000 mi and beyond wear and service lifeMedian

1. Transmission and driveline284 reports63,00032,000–102,000Transmission and driveline: 284 reports, median 63,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 102,000 miles.
2. Electrical system367 reports68,00040,000–112,000Electrical system: 367 reports, median 68,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 112,000 miles.
3. Engine and its cooling system1,601 reports79,00055,000–100,000Engine and its cooling system: 1,601 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 100,000 miles.
4. Airbag system163 reports80,00050,000–119,000Airbag system: 163 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 119,000 miles.
5. Body structure868 reports102,00082,000–130,000Body structure: 868 reports, median 102,000 miles, middle half 82,000 to 130,000 miles.
6. Engine546 reports109,00081,000–146,000Engine: 546 reports, median 109,000 miles, middle half 81,000 to 146,000 miles.
7. Problems owners could not categorise181 reports109,00081,000–140,000Problems owners could not categorise: 181 reports, median 109,000 miles, middle half 81,000 to 140,000 miles.

5001k2k5k10k20k50k100k200k

• Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table

Complaints by vehicle system

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

System by system, in words

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 86,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The engine and its cooling system accounts for 38.8% of complaints (1,601 reports, 1,343 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 100,000 miles.

A single system taking 38.8% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.

Body structure accounts for 21.1% of complaints (868 reports, 708 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 102,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 82,000 and 130,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 13.2% of complaints (546 reports, 455 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 109,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 81,000 and 146,000 miles.

The electrical system accounts for 8.9% of complaints (367 reports, 274 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 112,000 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.9% of complaints (284 reports, 231 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 102,000 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 4.4% of complaints (181 reports, 113 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 109,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 81,000 and 140,000 miles.

Known problems with the 2002–2006 Altima

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. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 56,000 and 115,000 miles, with a median of 86,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the engine and its cooling system and body structure are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine and its cooling system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 79,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Altima problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

Your odometer, milesGo

Figure 3 · Nissan Altima 2002–2006 · 3,301 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

100%75%50%25%0%

25k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k

• 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 staircase crosses the 50% line here
• Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 2.1% of reports (68) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

2002–2006 Nissan Altima recalls (8)

NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the engine and its cooling system (5), the suspension (1), the fuel system (1). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

1. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 07V-527 (2007-11-14).

2. 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.

   NHTSA campaign 06V-242 (2006-07-07).

3. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 06V-223 (2006-06-21).

4. 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.

   NHTSA campaign 06V-046 (2006-02-13).

5. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 03V-455 (2003-11-17).

6. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 03V-251 (2003-07-14).

7. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 03V-084 (2003-03-11).

8. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 03V-061 (2003-02-27).

Some of these 8 campaigns also cover Nissan Sentra 2000–2006 (5 of them): the same campaign number appears in NHTSA’s file against both, which means the same defect and the same free repair. 2 of the 8 are specific to this vehicle alone.

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 4,121 complaints against this generation:

Crashes

175 (4.2%)

Fires

76

Injury reports

132

Fatality reports

2

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

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.

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 2026-09-26 · 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 3,144 reports with mileage, most about the steering
• Altima 2013–2018 3,509 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
• Altima 2019–2025 147 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system

Other midsize cars from the same years

• Toyota Camry 2002–2006
• Honda Accord 2003–2007
• Hyundai Sonata 1999–2005
• Kia Optima 2001–2005