What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation (2002–2006) Altima?

Front 3/4 view of a Nissan Altima

Altima owners have made 1,566 complaints about the 2002–2006 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it second to last in overall reliaibility, with significant engine and body concerns.

Compare With Other Altima Generations

Common 2002-2006 Nissan Altima Problems

Some of the worst issues 3rd generation Altima owners have to deal with.

  1. Altima Rusted Floorboards

    Altima owners have a dangerous problem lurking beneath their feet. The 3rd generation (2002-06) sedan has floorboards that seem particularly susceptible to corrosion. The result? Widespread rust that’s often concealed by the interior carpet…

    Continue reading article "Altima Rusted Floorboards" I see London, I see ... OMG is that the road?

  2. Sunroof Rattles and Explodes

    Heads up, Nissan owners! That giant piece of glass above your head may soon be on its way down in a thousand little pieces. Lawsuits accuse Nissan of using a faulty tempering process for their sunroofs since 2008.

    Continue reading article "Sunroof Rattles and Explodes" Nissan sunroof with giant shards of glass missing

  3. Inaccurate Fuel Gauge

    That's because a wide swath of Nissan vehicles have gas gauges that never read full even after filling up, stop working below 1/4 of a tank, or show a low fuel warning even when there's plenty of miles to go. In other words, they're complet…

    Continue reading article "Inaccurate Fuel Gauge" Fuel gauge with the arrow on empty

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

3rd Generation (2002–2006) Altima Key Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 1,566 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 53rd in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 3rd Generation Altima Owners

  • Settlement

    Duncan, et al., v. Nissan North American, Inc., et al.

    1. Settlement

      A Nissan timing chain lawsuit has been preliminarily settled after vehicle owners accused Nissan of selling six models with defective primary timing chain tensioners, timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and tensioner shoes.

    2. Case Filed

      A Nissan timing chain class-action lawsuit is working its way through the court system as the automaker succeeded in getting some claims dismissed while the judge allowed other allegations to continue.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2006 Altima
    • 2005-2010 Frontier
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2005-2010 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2010 Xterra
    Location
    Massachusetts
  • Settlement

    Vincent Chiarelli, et al. vs. Nissan North America Inc. and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    1. Settlement

      Nissan timing chain lawsuits have been consolidated and preliminarily settled after vehicle owners accused Nissan of selling six models with defective primary timing chain tensioners, timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and tensioner shoes.

    2. Case Filed

      A Nissan timing chain lawsuit accuses Nissan of manufacturing some of its most popular models with defective timing chain tensioning systems.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2006 Altima (with 2 VQ35 engine)
    • 2005-2010 Frontier (with VQ40 engine)
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2005-2010 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2010 Xterra
    Class Members
    Residents of New York or Florida or Maryland or New Jersey
    Location
    New York
  • Partially dismissed

    Laura Frances Hays, et. al., v. Nissan North America, Inc, et. al.

    1. Partially dismissed

      A Nissan Altima and Maxima floorboard rust lawsuit has been partly dismissed after the automaker filed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

    2. Case Filed

      The class-action lawsuit includes Missouri owners of 2002-2006 Altima cars with floor pans that don't drain water properly, which causes rust to completely destroy the floorboards, causing severe safety hazards to drivers and their passengers.

  • Motion to dismiss

    Marie DeMaria v. Nissan North America, Nissan Motor Company, LTD.

    1. Motion to dismiss

      The automaker claims the majority of rusted floorboard complaints started occurring 8 to 12 years after the cars were built. Attorneys for Nissan claim all accusations of fraud are false because the plaintiffs can't show Nissan knew the floorboards would rust years after the cars rolled off the assembly lines.

    2. Case Filed

      The proposed class-action lawsuit that alleges rust and corrosion can cause the floorboards to rust so severely the occupants can see the road. Additionally, the holes are deceptively dangerous because the interior carpet can hide the rust and corrosion from Altima owners.

Recent 3rd Generation (2002–2006) Altima News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.