VehicleVerdict

2004 Nissan Altima engine problems

The 2004 Nissan Altima has 142 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 43% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

142

Engine complaints

43%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Altima engine complaints by model year752 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 30 complaints1996: 10 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 14 complaints1999: 8 complaints2000: 55 complaints2001: 68 complaints2002: 752 complaints2003: 591 complaints2004: 142 complaints2005: 407 complaints2006: 358 complaints2007: 76 complaints2008: 75 complaints2009: 118 complaints2010: 54 complaints2011: 42 complaints2012: 72 complaints2013: 165 complaints2014: 80 complaints2015: 66 complaints2016: 86 complaints2017: 40 complaints2018: 13 complaints2019: 52 complaints2020: 38 complaints2021: 7 complaints2022: 7 complaints2023: 5 complaints2024: 5 complaints
Altima engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA has 142 complaints about the 2004 Nissan Altima engine — 43% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Nissan Altima engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 06V242000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.