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This concerns me so I was just wondering if the Alt owners here at Edmunds think these are just a few isolated cases, or if Nissan uses inferior parts and manufacturing methods? Do you think the last group of 03's and the 04's will be better choices?
Example: If you check out SafetyAlerts.com you'll find recalls on both the 2003 Accord and Altima, but this does not mean either car is bad overall.
I've had my Altima since 2002 and not had even one problem and I'm sure there are plenty of Accord owners who've also not had any problems.
Once again... Go test-drive, negotiate, etc. an Altima, Accord, Camry, Mazda 6, Passat, etc. That will better help you make your decision.
(:-D
Also anyone no where I could find a good deal on a AC compressor for 97 altima? used is ok.
In California, if you have to take it back for the same reason 3 times (I think), I believe they have to swap the car.
Check into it and post the outcome...
Starts and run beautifully. Plenty of get up and go. Even with the four, it's a great highway car. You get it up to 90 and it just wants to keep running.
I haven't had any mechanical problems and I haven't experienced the vibration problem that whampa has.
I haven't realized the gas mileage some others have ubt unfortunatley I only average aobut 15 mph driving mostly in Queens, NY. Under these conditions, I only get about 15 mpg. When I've gotten out of the city, the mileage climbs toward the expected numbers (20/29 I believe). Besides that, I have one interior panel that shows some flex. I'll have them look at it when I bring it in for the 1st oil change.
FYI... I've had my Altima since March 2002 -- not one problem... zero, zilch, nada!!!
(:-D
Purchased the car in Feb 03 and have had 10,000 trouble free miles. Besides the sub par plastic, I love this car.
I wish it was that easy - it's not. The manufacturer will readily violate the law (they do it every day) and hold off dealing with you until they're sued, in all but the worst cases.
You can have failures in many areas, although not repeated in one area, and still have a lemon law or breach of warranty case.
There's no stipulation that a problem make the car undrivable at all. It merely requires a substantial impairment of use, safety or value (one, not all). Bad paint on a new car is a substantial impairment of value, although you'd only need one service visit to confirm the problem. That type of situation easily qualifies for a lemon law repurchase - I see it every day.
A faulty a/c system, especially in a hot climate like Florida (or South Texas, where I'm from) is definitely a substantial issue that affects use (who could drive a car with no air, especially a new car you bought WITH air, in 100 degree heat - especially older folks, people with health issues, etc?). The value is impaired because of the cost to repair, plus the vehicle now has a history of a/c failures - it would be passed over at auction or by a disclosed consumer, in favor of cars without a history of a/c problems.
Safety is a critcal factor with a/c systems in hot climates, for the same reasons as listed above.
Claireberg
In November 2002, my "service engine soon" light came on. I took it to a dealer, and the computer "could not find" anything.
It happened on a road trip three weeks ago. Same thing, the dealer cleared the computer because the codes showed no problems.
A couple of days ago, it came on again. I took it in today, and FINALLY, they tell me my catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Thank God for extended warranty <smile>!
I just hate that in less than 2 years, this happens.
My other issue, and I've made a formal complaint to Nissan, is the tires are hard to find. I've gone to Sears, NTB, COSTCO and no one has the tires for that car. The dealer I go to gave me the number to a wholesale tire place here locally and THEY had to search for the tires!
I went online to tirerack.com and found the tires for very cheap -- $44 a piece. I don't like the fact that I have to special order my tires. Nissan could have at least used common size tires!
Other than that, I love my Altima!
I will be driving along at varying speeds and the speedometer, tach, and engine temp gauges will either freeze or just go limp.. The digital mileage reading displays either nothing or funky characters. The effect happens for a few minutes and the unit will "snap" back to where it should be, like with the mileage tally picking up with it left off.
I mentioned it to the dealership and they said it's a Speedo issue... which I can buy, but I don't quite get how that would effect the engine temp gauge and tach.
If anyone has any information, please let me know.
Thanks!
The Background:
I got my 2000 Altima about a year ago, with about 24K on it. I got the car from my girlfriends brother who bought it for me at auction. His mechanic checked it out everything seemed pretty good. I keep up the scheduled maintenance (oil changes, filters, etc).
The Problem:
In May, the serpentine belt broke while driving home one night. Had the car towed to a local garage. They ordered a new belt from a Nissan dealer, and had it installed. Paid for it and I thought everything was fine. However, I never needed to use the A/C. When I went to use the A/C in June, all it did was pump out a lot of hot air.
A separate issue, in April, my front windows started to stick on the way up(down worked fine), both passenger and driver. Eventually, the passenger side stopped completely. So, I finally decided to take the car in to get these items fixed.
I get a call the following day saying that I need these items fixed:
1. To get a 30,000 mile tune-up. Cost $299.00, he said probably less as I wouldn't need everything done to it. I said sure at this point.
2. To get the windows working I need a new power window main switch. Cost $119.95.
3. After doing a diagnostic on my A/C (cost $175.00) I need a new compressor as mine has frozen. Cost $850.00.
4. Need the pads replaced on my front brakes ($90 + labor)
Well, I said ok to the tune up, I thought it would be ok, I needed an oil change, rotate the tires, etc and if I am having these problems now with the A/C and windows, lets get it all fixed so I am ok with the windows, brakes and tune-up. I come in on Saturday to pick it up. Total cost $1100.00. I almost choked, I was expecting $600-700, unfortunately, nothing they quoted included labor. That's a new one to me.
Ok so I am about to leave, I check the windows. Guess what, the passenger side doesn't work. They now claim that I had a bad main switch and a bad motor so that they couldn't diagnose the motor. I say bullsh*t they didn't even check. They say if I don't change the motor, the one main switch in the drivers door will short and fail again. They also need to replace the switch on the drivers side. They need an additional $550.00 to fix this after a rebate of $75.00 because of not fixing it before. I have already spent $230.00 on this (120 labor+111 part(main switch)
2. They say the compressor is frozen. The manager dances around what would cause it. I ask about the serpentine belt being replaced earlier as it worked until that point. He says that some wires may have been disconnected which would cause the compressor to stay on at all times having it freeze. I ask if he will put this in writing as I would then like to go back to the other shop who replaced my serpentine belt to see if they will pay for it. However he will not put it in writing.
3. the 30,000 mile service only covers labor. I get charged for 8 units of oil and 2 oil filters. I say no. He says yes. Additionally, I feel nickel and dimed over all of these $5 and $10 charges for trans. fluid, antifreeze, totaling $135.19(includes the 2 oil filters, and 8 quarts of oil)
4. Additionally, I now feel that I didn't need to get my brakes fixed as I don't trust them with anything else they did. Do I really need the brakes to be replaced after 30,000 miles, with labor being $168 and pads $90.
What should I do. They have my car as I wanted the windows repaired but I do not want to pay an extra $500 bills to get it done. Advise?
(sorry about the length)
Additionally, never do services on a 30-60K that aren't listed in the owner's manual. Many dealerships pad their 30-60K services for additional profit.
Question - if they told you the a/c compressor was going to cost $850, how could you expect only a $600-700 bill?
Yes, you could easily need brake at 30,000 miles, but why let the dealer do it? Go back to the original shop or two another private mechanic. In fact, there's no warranty issues, so why not go to a private import shop - the kind that deals with Nissan/Honda/Toyota? They have more at stake than a dealer when doing business and usually don't try to fluff their bills.
I guess my real question is. How do I go from here. At this point all I want is my windows fixed. I don't trust the dealer so I'd prefer to go somewhere else. However, if I go somewhere else I'll probably have to start over. My main question is with the windows. My belief is that it was mis-diagnosed. If the motor needs to be replaced, then replace it. However, I should not have to pay for a switch that I didn't need and the labor that goes along with it.
Is this thinking wrong? I've already fought with them about the over billing and I've gotten nowhere.
I am told it would it cost another $500 to have completely cleaned out. Anyone have any suggestions?
I've bought it used (116 K mi) 5 month ago, and it was running perfect all this time. 3 days ago I've got "emission control check" light on, and at the same time the car became using much more gas as it was before, became accelerating badly and so on. Today I went to mechanic, and he found several troubles: first, the catalytic convertor was absent!! (thanks to dealers), and the O2 sensors died (code P0136). Second, engine timing chain makes noise.
Well, I can put the convertor and sensors on, but I'm not sure it'll solve the problems with reliability and gas usage.
What to do with timing chain? How it's linked to the problems I've got? I would not say I want to change it for $1800, plus to pay $700 for convertor, if all the car cost me $4300..
Please advise me!!! Thanks
Most owners at altima.net have come to the conclusion that, because of the expense to have the chain replaced, they will continue to run them until they break and then swap a lower mileage engine in their vehicles.
My sons has 187K miles and also has this noise. Others have beyond 250K miles on the original chain. It's the luck of the draw, it could break tomorrow or last for another 100K. Good luck with yours.
BTW, can a dealer sell a used car without cat convertors (emission equip) legally?
As I know, to sell the car without convertor is illegal, at least in my case: the dealer gave me papers that the car had passed smog check which is not possible without the convertor..
Could you estimate how much gas your son's car uses (miles per gal)? If it possible to overcome high gas usage somehow?
She went to work yesterday and as she was getting out of the car, her hand ran along side the inner door armrest area and cut her thumb. I looked at it last night and it seems to me to be VERY sharp ridge of plastic along the inner door. Where two pieces of molded plastic come together to make the inner door armrest.
It's on both front doors that I checked. Seem like they should be sanded smooth
Has anyone run across or know about this problem?
Did Nissan have a TBS on this, for a fix?
Any input would be a great help
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsear- ch.cfm
If still nothing, then you can submit a consumer complaint.
We've had our 02 2.5S since Nov 01 and have not had any problems until last week. After errands, wife parked car on driveway around 2 pm. It wouldn't start at 6 pm. When I came home from work, I tried it. It cranked and cranked. It started once but died within few seconds. Gas gauge showed 1/8 tank. I added 2 gallons. It cranked and cranked. Tried again in the morning. No start. AAA put 2 more gallons in. No start. Had it towed to dealer. Almost two days later (another story), we were informed of some spring problem in the ignition coil. Dealer replaced spring. Still won't work. Dealer then replaced the coil. That took two more days because parts were not available.
Other than the my issues with the dealer, I really love my Altima
PS I have never taken my nissan to dealer to do work, the problems are very easy to fix!!! Do research on altimas.net
Are Altima's made that cheap where if you lift the hood in the rain it won't start or is my starter dying already? Also if anyone knows how to fix the window thing let me know as I'd rather do it myself then go to the hell that is Nissan Auto Service.