CarModelProblems.com

2004 Nissan Altima Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling — runs 3.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
276Complaints
5Recalls
14Crashes
3Fires
11Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling (26.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling72 · 26.1%RecalledRecall 06V242000
Structure:body35 · 12.7%No official action
Engine30 · 10.9%RecalledRecall 06V242000
Electrical System26 · 9.4%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine22 · 8%RecalledRecall 06V242000
Power Train:automatic Transmission10 · 3.6%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY35 · 12.7%
ENGINE30 · 10.9%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION10 · 3.6%
STEERING10 · 3.6%
Unspecified / other9 · 3.3%
AIR BAGS7 · 2.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)7 · 2.5%

Percentages are the share of the 276 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 07E054000 · 2007 · reported 07/25/2007

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 06V242000 · 2006 · reported 07/07/2006

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 07E063000 · 2007 · reported 08/21/2007

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 07E074000 · 2007 · reported 09/14/2007

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I OWN A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON SEPTEMBER 2007, WHILE DRIVING ALONG A BUSY HIGHWAY IN ARIZONA OUR VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CAR WAS SERVICED…”NHTSA complaint 10261800 — filed 03/14/2009 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. ON APRIL 20, 2008, THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10253403 — filed 12/31/2008 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC…”NHTSA complaint 10252112 — filed 12/17/2008 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1320064043200828292010222220122022201420142016952018172023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Altima?

Engine and engine cooling issues are the most-reported category, cited in 72 of 276 NHTSA complaints (26.1%), followed by structure:body (35), engine (30), electrical system (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?

276 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E023000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Nissan Altima's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.