2004 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2004 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2004 Nissan Altima has 13 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are 2.5L Pre-Catalyst Breakdown Causing Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Damage ($900-$4,500 repair), Rear Lower Control Arm Corrosion and Separation Risk ($0-$1,200 repair), Rusting Front Floorboards and Underbody Corrosion Near the Firewall/Subframe Area ($500-$3,000 repair), 2.5L QR25DE Head Gasket Failure Causing Coolant Loss and Overheating ($1,200-$2,500 repair), Engine Control Module Relay / ECM Power Interruption Causing Stall or No-Start ($0-$250 repair) and VQ35DE V6 Timing Chain Rattle from Worn Secondary Chain Guides and Tensioners ($1,200-$2,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $60 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
TIRES
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
TIRES
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2004 Nissan Altima has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2.5L Pre-Catalyst Breakdown Causing Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Damage, Rear Lower Control Arm Corrosion and Separation Risk, Rusting Front Floorboards and Underbody Corrosion Near the Firewall/Subframe Area. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2004 Nissan Altima has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 6 issues are rated critical: 2.5L Pre-Catalyst Breakdown Causing Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Damage and Rear Lower Control Arm Corrosion and Separation Risk and Rusting Front Floorboards and Underbody Corrosion Near the Firewall/Subframe Area and 2.5L QR25DE Head Gasket Failure Causing Coolant Loss and Overheating and Engine Control Module Relay / ECM Power Interruption Causing Stall or No-Start and VQ35DE V6 Timing Chain Rattle from Worn Secondary Chain Guides and Tensioners. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Nissan Altima issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 2.5L Pre-Catalyst Breakdown Causing Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Damage, typically costs $900-$4,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
On many 2.5L QR25DE Altimas, the pre-catalytic converter material can deteriorate and be drawn back into the engine during valve overlap, scoring cylinder walls and accelerating oil consumption. Owners report needing to add oil frequently, loss of compression, rough running, and… Repairs typically run $900-$4,500. Severity: high.
In salt-belt states, 2002-2006 Altimas have a documented corrosion problem affecting the rear lower control arms. Severe rust can perforate the arm and eventually lead to cracking or separation, which alters rear wheel alignment and can affect vehicle control. Nissan issued a rec… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.
Older Altimas in rust-belt climates are known for severe floorboard and underbody corrosion, especially around the front floor pan, firewall seams, and nearby structural mounting areas. Owners report soft floors, water intrusion, failed inspections, and concerns about structural… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: high.
The first-generation-era 2.5L QR25DE (2002-2006) is well known for head gasket failure. Because the QR25 uses an open-deck block, the combustion ring of the gasket commonly fails into the combustion chamber, so owners often see disappearing coolant, overheating, and white exhaust… Repairs typically run $1,200-$2,500. Severity: high.
A well-documented problem on 2002-2006 Altima involves failure of the engine control module (ECM) relay, which can interrupt power to the ECM while driving or prevent the car from starting. Owners report sudden stalling, intermittent crank-no-start, or an engine that dies and res… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: high.
On the 3.5L VQ35DE V6 the plastic secondary timing chain guides/tensioner shoes become brittle and break, and the secondary (cam) chain tensioners lose tension. This produces a loud rattle or whine from the front of the engine, most pronounced for the first few seconds of a cold… Repairs typically run $1,200-$2,500. Severity: high.
Hydraulic power steering Altimas commonly develop leaks from the steering rack seals or high-pressure hose assemblies. Owners report groaning noises, fluid on the subframe, a burning smell from fluid contacting hot components, and progressively heavier steering effort. On higher-… Repairs typically run $250-$1,400. Severity: medium.
Altimas in this period frequently suffer from failing crankshaft position sensors and camshaft position sensors, especially on the 2.5L and 3.5L engines. Owners report intermittent stalling at stops or while driving, extended cranking, sudden no-start conditions, and check-engine… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
A recurring higher-mileage Altima problem is front wheel bearing wear, often first noticed as a humming or growling noise that increases with road speed. As the bearing deteriorates, owners may feel vibration, looseness, or see ABS warnings if the integrated wheel speed signal be… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.
RepairPal documents front struts wearing prematurely on the Altima and producing a knocking/clunking noise from the front end, especially over bumps and uneven roads. The noise often comes from worn strut internals or a failing upper strut mount/bearing. Beyond noise and a bouncy… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.
The exhaust manifold on the Altima is prone to developing cracks from repeated heat cycling, producing a ticking/tapping noise from the front of the engine that is loudest on cold start (and often quiets as the metal expands and the crack closes), along with an exhaust smell and… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The 2.5L QR25DE four-cylinder is widely documented for repeated coil-on-plug ignition coil failures, with cylinders 1 and 4 (the end cylinders) failing most often. A failing coil triggers a single-cylinder misfire, rough idle, hesitation, and a flashing check engine light. Failur… Repairs typically run $60-$400. Severity: medium.
P0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold) is one of the most common check-engine codes on the 2.5L Altima. The integrated exhaust-manifold/catalyst on these cars loses efficiency as the substrate degrades, the downstream oxygen sensor begins tracking the upstream sensor,… Repairs typically run $300-$1,850. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
