2004 Nissan Altima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Nissan Altima: 1 recall, 276 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
.jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #06V242000 · 2006 · 294,166 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on August 21, 2006.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E023000 · 2006 · 292,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #07E054000 · 2007 · 9,145 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on July 16, 2007.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #07E063000 · 2007 · 130 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #07E074000 · 2007 · 11,300 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Eagle eyes will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on December 11, 2007.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (109): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (65), warning light on (37).
- Body & structure (42): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (37), door / lock issues (5).
- Electrical (32): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (17), warning light on (7), electrical failure (5).
- Engine (30): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (21), warning light on (10).
The 2004 Nissan Altima has 276 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 34 Altima model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 455). Complaints peaked in 2008 (38 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 73,480 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (883 complaints, 4 recalls), 2005 (1091 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Nissan Altima.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2004 Nissan Altima, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners have filed 276 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (109), body & structure (42), electrical (32).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Altima get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Nissan Altima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.