Is the 2004 Nissan Altima a bad year?
276 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 125, 3× a quiet Altima year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2004 Nissan Altima were filed between 53k and 91k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Altima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 123 (45%) | 53k–91k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 42 (15%) | 85k–137k miles · ahead | — |
| Electrical system | 32 (12%) | 30k–91k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 17 (6%) | 38k–100k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Exhaust | 16 (6%) | 70k–115k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 11 (4%) | 45k–128k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 11 (4%) | 51k–117k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 10 (4%) | 24k–91k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Suspension | 10 (4%) | 20k–122k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 9 (3%) | 52k–121k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | 50k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | 10k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (2%) | 46k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 276 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Sep 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Just as dozens others have already filed as complaints I have had several issues with the camshaft/crank shaft position sensor.
This is the second time the diagnostic test has reported the crankshaft sensor is bad. This causes the car to hesitate, quit going down the road & not to start.
Nissan Altima 2004. Has around 91,000 miles. Transmission jerk a little, like it was jumping into gear. Car shut off with no warning while going down a hill.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Nissan Altima: 5
Certain eagle eyes headlamp assemblies, p/nos. DS517-B001L and DS517-B001R, sold for use as replacement equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. 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…
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." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 36
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Nissan Altima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Voluntary service campaign QR25DE power valve
Nissan; fuel tank is extremely difficult to fill
The Service Procedure provided in this bulletin is for the installation of Repair Plates on vehicles that have rust in the floor pan area
Neighbouring years
2003 Altima: 883 complaints, consider selling · 2005 Altima: 1,090 complaints, consider selling.
Every Nissan Altima year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Nissan Altima a bad year?
276 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 125, 3× a quiet Altima year. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2004 Nissan Altima were filed between 53k and 91k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Altima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (123), body structure (42), electrical system (32), transmission and drivetrain (17), exhaust (16). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 53k–91k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E074000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E063000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E054000), Engine (NHTSA 06V-242) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.