Engine Oil Leaking problems of the 2002 Nissan Altima

After one of my regularly scheduled oil changes I noticed that my oil light flickered. Checked the dip and noticed I was extremely low in oil. It had been about 400miles since the last oil change. A quart every 100 miles. No smoke from the exhaust, no leak when parked so I bring it to a mechanic. Notified me that its possibly my catalytic converter which will cost $2k since this model has 2 or it could be the engine running a total of $3k to $6k for the engine and install plus the $2k for the converters making the grand total of $5k to $8k. Did some research and it is looking like these cars are notorious for the converters and ultimately the demise to the engine. Any suggestions would be helpful. College and broke.

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine and there were no signs of an engine leak. The mechanic was unable to determine where the oil was escaping to. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 80,000. Updated 12/22/lj.

Internal oil leak in 2002 Nissan Altima.

Vehicle continuously looses oil 1 1/2 qts per 500 miles regardless of how often I change the oil. I have had my vehicle in the dealership for several recall replacements{catalytic converter, crank sensor, cam sensor after vehicle shut off while driving, headlight ground, air bag sensor as well as others]. Vehicle has rough start every time vehicle is started. I also have complaint regarding the heater blowing cold air when I come to a stop. After reading hundreds of complaints and reports I fear my vehicle is soon to follow in regards to the engine failure so many have reported. Why should I have to spend my time constantly checking the oil to make it is proper when there are no oil leaks and vehicle has less than 80,000 miles and is extremely well maintained? due to the immense amount of reports and claims shouldn't Nissan motor corp. Issue a recall for engines that have already ingested the catalytic converter material despite being replaced? hasn't the damage already been done?.

One month ago oil light went on, checked oil and low. Mechanic said the oil was not leaking, yet we were losing oil every 100 miles. Went to Nissan for diagnostic check and they said the 2002 Nissan Altima 2. 5s, 80,000 miles needs catalytic converter and engine. . Read more...

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima with 105,000 miles. I have no oil leaks, smoke coming out when I drive but my car is consuming a quart or more a week. I have 2 small children and I have contacted Nissan and they said they haven't heard anything. But on car complaints there are several. I am afraid my engine would blow when I am driving.

Bought used 2002 Nissan Altima 3/07 took car to dave solon Nissan, pueblo CO 12/07. I commuted every other week to colorado springs on those weeks I was putting 3 quarts of oil. There was no oil leak oil was gone. Nissan couldn't tell me where oil was going they contacted warrant & they decided on a refurbished engine. Got my car back end of December. Jan, Feb & March only drove car every other week to springs. Noticed at end of Feb I was putting about 8 quarts oil a week. Took it back to Nissan in beginning of March they told me I needed to find receipts for oil changes, told them I wasn't sure I could find them. But questioned that it oil would need to be changed when there was no oil in the car after a two days. A week later husband started back to work he took Nissan to colo springs for work on his way home it just died out good thing for us on our not so busy street and only a couple of houses from ours. So there it stood for a couple of months not having money to get it towed or even looked at. In may we found a mechanic a mile from our home who would come and tow it to his shop. He looked at it and found we needed a catalytic converter paid $800 for it. When he went to put it in he found where our oil was going. He said 3 of our 4 cylinders were covered in oil which made the catalytic converter explode. He told use to call Nissan which I did they said they would not look at the car unless we give them receipts for oil changes again why tried again to find them of course could not locate I think we did 2 in the time frame. Argued with them for a long time they basically told me it was our problem not there's. Went online and researched found many many people with same problem as myself. Need something done about this we are paying for a car that is not working. I would understand if it was our fault but how can a 2002 car with about 89,000 miles on it need another engine. Nissan needs to take the blame and compensate Nissan owners.

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. She had several mechanics inspect the vehicle, and they all identified the failure as electrical. The following day, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The dealer stated that water leaked into the engine and caused it to lock. The contact stated that she had been taking her vehicle in for routine maintenance every 3,000 miles to have the oil changed, and had not experienced any engine failure. She was informed that a new engine would cost between $6,000-$7,000 and a used engine would cost between $3,000-$4,000. The failure and current mileages were 85,000.

I purchased a used 2002 Nissan Altima in 2006. 3 months after I bought it, I began having problems with it leaking oil. Then a month after that I began having mechanical/electrical problems, such as the car would shut off on its own when I was driving on the surface street as well as the freeway. The car will now not go over 25 mph. I spoke to Nissan regarding a recall that I found on your website and they stated to me that the previous owner had already brought the car in for these same problems and it was repaired already and that they are not obligated to repair it again. I have recently found hundreds of recent complaints on this matter. This is a horrible accident waiting to happen. I do not have thousands of dollars to repair a manufacturer (Nissan) failure to resolve an issue with me and thousands of other consumers. For my car to shut off at a speed of 65-70 mph on the freeway is heart stopping. My granddaughter who is now 3, was with me. Cars were swerving around me. We were all lucky to be alive. If this problem had been addressed properly and correctly, these problems would not be recurring . I have taken my car to 2 different mechanics and they say that I have to go to Nissan because this car will not run without Nissan parts. Nissan says give me $6,000+ dollars and we can give you a new engine. But we have no problem with our Nissan Altima's. I don't know what to do. My car is sitting inoperable in my driveway as I make monthly payments. This is the worst car I have ever owned.

Oil is consumed at a rate of approx. 1 quart every 200 miles, mechanic has informed me there are no noticable leaks. Around the 80,000 mile mark oil began to run low but the problem has been increasing.

2002 Nissan Altima customer states that in October she noticed oil leak and has taken car in and notice has been found but continues to have the same problem* the consumer was told she qualified for a new engine. However when she returned to the dealer, she was told she didn't qualify for a new engine or even having the existing engine fixed. The consumer was told that the manufacturer's standards that a vehicle consuming 3/4 quart of oil was acceptable. The consumer stated the engine light stays on constantly, before it just flickered.

This is written notice of a complaint I have regarding my new 2002 Nissan Altima. At the time of purchase, I was sold a defective engine, which is leaking oil at the rate of 2 quarts every 1,300 miles. The NHTSA has a recall for this as 03v084000 under the 'notes' section as I believe this is what my problem is. The car only has 7,000 miles but I have had to top the oil since I purchased the 2002 2. 5 Altima.