2004 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2004 Nissan Altima sits mid-pack among Altima years: 334 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 321, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 43% of all reports (142 of 334), far ahead of body & structure at 42.

334

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Nissan Altima problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	142	43%	▼ down
Body & Structure	42	13%	▼ down
Electrical System	36	11%	▼ down
Transmission	19	6%	▼ down
Brakes	13	4%	— flat
Airbags	11	3%	▼ down
Other	11	3%	▼ down
Steering	11	3%	— flat
Suspension	10	3%	▼ down
Fuel System	9	3%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	8	2%	▼ down
Lighting	6	2%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	5	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	3	1%	▼ down
Speed Control	3	1%	▼ down
Seats	2	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	0%	▼ down
Child Seat	1	0%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	0%	▼ down

Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E074000LightingSeptember 14, 2007 · 11,300 units

Defect

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

07E063000LightingAugust 21, 2007 · 130 units

Defect

CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND INFLUENCED THE AIMING POSITION. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ANZO AT 909-628-1440.

07E054000LightingJuly 25, 2007 · 9,145 units

Defect

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 315-1145L-AS AND 315-1145R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP REFLECTOR SHAPE DEFORMED CHANGING THE SHAPE OF THE OPTIC SURFACE. THIS WILL CHANGE THE OPPOSITE POSITION OF LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM OPTICSAND CHANGE THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND ILLUMATED LOCATION WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

06V242000EngineJuly 7, 2006 · 294,166 units

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 FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence

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 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“NISSAN ALTIMA JUST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WE BOTH SUSTAINED MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND WAS ADMITTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. CALLED NISSANUSA TO INFORM THEM, BUT THEY DON'T CARE. THERE WERE SUPPOSE TO GET BACK TO US AND NOBODY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2012 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ACCELERATING OFF FROM A COMPLETED STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RUST WAS FALLING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 30, 2015

“NISSAN ALTIMA JUST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WE BOTH SUSTAINED MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND WAS ADMITTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. CALLED NISSANUSA TO INFORM THEM, BUT THEY DON'T CARE. THERE WERE SUPPOSE TO GET BACK TO US AND NOBODY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2012 · crash

“MODEL: 2004 ALTIMA-4 CYLINDER-AUTO PROBLEM: PROBLEM: ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAR WON'T DRIVE FORWARD, PRESSING GAS PEDAL DO NOTHING. THE CAR IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED ON TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING IN A BUSY ROAD, ACCIDENT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 10, 2005

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD SCREECH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE BRAKE SENSORS, WHICH…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 23, 2008 · crash

2004 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2004 Nissan Altima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Altima: 334 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (142 complaints), body & structure (42 complaints), electrical system (36 complaints).

Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2004 compare to other Altima years?

What are the most common 2004 Nissan Altima problems?

Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2004 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2004 Nissan Altima reliable?

What are the most common 2004 Altima problems?

Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

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