Battery problems of the 2002 Nissan Altima

2002 Nissan Altima. There is severe rust and corrosion in specific locations directly under both the driver and front passengers seats and floors. The corrosion appears to be related to two factory holes in the floor, one on each side of the vehicle. The corrosion on the passenger side of our car is less severe: a large area of rust but a relatively small hole (tennis ball size) through the sheet metal. The drivers side of the car has a large hole (soccer ball size) in the floor. This is the only major corrosion on the car (the "rear subframe" assembly was replaced in 2006 due to corrosion under a Nissan warranty program). The fuel filler neck is also rusty and does not seal properly, which can cause an engine alert when the fuel vapor seal leak reaches the point where the alert is triggered. There is little or no corrosion in the wheel wells or fenders. Based on two bids from auto body shops in this area, the cost to repair the rust damage will be between $2500 and $3200. I have taken photographs of approximately forty Altimas in this area. All but five have corrosion in this specific area to varying degrees. It is clearly not limited to only the car we own. Nissan has a warranty program which covers rust perforation for a period of five years from the date of manufacture. I have spoken to a number of people at a dealer in this area regarding this problem. They claim that Nissan is aware of this problem on 2001 through 2005 Altimas, but has chosen not to warrant it due to the expense, preferring instead to refuse to be responsible. Nissan will apparently take the cars in trade and sell them to wholesale auto operations where they are sold to customers who may or may not be aware of the problem. Updated ivoq 11/05/10 the battery was replaced. Updated 12/22/10.

My 2002 Nissan Altima stalled in the middle of a residential area for no apparent reason. The engine line, battery light and all other lights including headlamps, and hazard lights were blinking erratically or stopped working altogether. I called for a tow and asked the tower to check the battery and see if a "jump" would fix it. The car started again after the jump. I head off towards home. The car started losing power. Luckily, I made it home as the car stalled while in motion. If that would have happened on the freeway, my fiancee and I would have probably suffered an accident. There was somewhat of an unusual smell like burning plastic. Upon closer inspection, the low beam headlamp was burned through, but the source of the burning smell was coming from under the vehicle. There appeared to be a small fire, judging by the amount of smoke coming off from under the car, that may have stopped shortly after the car stalled.

Scheduled recall work on car on Friday, was notified that there was actually three recalls on my car (which I have owned for about a year, purchased used) thet needed to be done and that I need my 30,000 mile service done. $476 and later that afternoon, igot my car back. I noticed that the braked seem a little tight, but figured that was part of the service. The next day, Saturday, while merging from one freeway to another at about 65 miles per hour, car sounded like it caught a piece of thin metal under front right quadrant of car, after about 15 seconds noise stopped and nothing in road behind me. I notice my brake light came on. When I tried to change lanes, I realize I had lost the power steering function, the brakes lad loosened up (but functioning) and the air conditioning was now blowing hot air. I realize I had no idea where the hazzard lights switch was and niether I nor my passange could find it. After 2 more minutes passes going up a slow incline, the car started jerking at round 55 mph. At this point the battery light came on, as well as, the "service engine soon". Well no kidding, service engine soon! pulled into the emergancy lane and dropped my speed to below 25 miles per hour and the car stopped jerking. Fortunantly, I was just one mile from home at this point. Limped home and call dealership. The car had been towed to crown Nissan in birmingham. I was annoyed that the service man that took my call showed no empathy when I told him what happened on the fastest freeway in town . Additionally, I was angered by the receptionist when she came back to me from being on hold and knowing my perdictment, laughing and asking who I was on hold for.

Battery blew up while the consumer was driving, causing some damage to the hood and engine. There was 600 dollars in engine damage. Contacted dealer who was not willing to do anything. Jlg.