2002 Nissan Altima Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

Crash Test Rating

Source NHTSA

MPG (up to)

19 -23 City / 26 -29 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

175 -240

Seats

Positive Owner Reviews

Amy B

My Nissan Altima the stereo system is what I like the best.

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima. It originally belonged to my grandmother before she passed away. She left it to my father who eventually gave it to me. . Its gold in color. 4 doors. All black interior. Plenty of legroom in front and back. Power windows and locks. Driver and passenger airbags. Huge trunk space. It has a Bose stereo system. CD player with am, FM radio. The speakers are loud. It has volume control also. Automatic drive. Security system works great. The driver seat can seat can adjust for s very tall person or even for the shortest of us. They adjust up, down, and even has heated seats for those cold winter days. Rear defrost is a plus also when it's freezing cold. Heating and air conditioning work great also. I love my Nissan Altima.

Natesha W

It is very good on gas. Has just the right space for my family.

I like the way I feel when driving. I like the color and makes me feel comfortable.

Angel J

It is very comfortable to drive.

I like how it is reliable and can get me from point a to point b. Also how the car runs and how it feels when I'm driving it.

Teresa L

Sleek looking Nissan with a beautiful ride!

I believe my Nissan Altima is the best car on the market. It is very comfortable to drive and very reliable. These things make a big difference while driving. I have up to date safety features as well. Lighting is great. Test drive an Altima, and you too will see what I mean.

Rick P

It's a 2002 still running like it's brand new

My car works good. Had to put a new alternator on it recently but it's running fine now. It's a good highway car to get to your destination. I love it. I put a new radio system in my car and it's perfect. The speakers were good. It was rides smooth. Doesn't burn a lot of gas. Can drive 6 hours with a full tank before getting to empty.

Ashley C

My personal review of a Nissan

Love the car. Mine has very low miles runs smooth and ac blow ice cold very reliable. I've had my car 4 years and it has been very dependable the maintenance to keep up very reasonable price. I would recommend this car to anyone if you want a car to last

Lynn C

It is well kept has low mileage and runs well. Could not ask for more with a 2002 model.

Low mileage since my drive is a short distance. It's the perfect size. Large trunk space. Very reliable.

Alex B

It gets great gas mileage and does really well on the interstate.

My vehicle gets great gas mileage. It is very reliable. I understand how to do maintenance and it is easy to maintain the car.

Negative Owner Reviews

Jessica M

Why I hate my 2002 Nissan Altima.

It honestly has been a nightmare. As soon as I fix whatever is wrong then something else goes wrong and needs to be fixed. I feel like it's always something it needs and I don't feel it's reliable at all and super problematic. I hate this car. And wish I had never got it nor put so much money and time in it.

Dixie C

It is a small sedan and pretty color. But has many problems.

Too small for the daily. It is constantly breaking down. Too expensive to maintain.

Kiah J

It shakes when driven, and a lot of the electric features don't work.

Check engine light is always on, my trunk can only open with a key, gas tank door has to be pried open, antifreeze leaks, car shakes when I put on brakes. My car can break down a any moment.

Savannah E

Easy to drive. Great car. If more space, I'd keep it longer.

As far as performance goes on my Nissan Altima, I have never had a problem with it running or anything of that nature. The only real issues I have with this vehicle, is its not very family friendly. I have a 1 year old that requires a car seat. I would prefer her car seat to be placed in the middle seat in the back seat, but the middle seat in my 2002 Nissan Altima is slightly higher than the left and the right back seat seats, meaning I have to put her on the opposite side of the driver's seat so I am able to see her. If my family and I are on a road trip, I am usually sitting in the passenger seat, and there is not much room for leaning my seat back or for me to stretch my legs. We have 2 dogs, my toddler and my husband and I, and if the vehicle was just a tad bit extended, I feel like we would feel so smooshed in. I also wish I had an aux. Cord plug in built in.

Natasha S

It rides good, and it take 93 gas.

You have to put your foot on the gas when starting, It's kind of old, the pant is chipping off on the back bumper, the air conditioner don't work. The radio works but it does not have Bluetooth or nowhere for a AUX cord.

Abbey K

It is not anything special.

It is an older car, but decently reliable. It has almost 200, 000 miles and is still going. I do not like the body style all that much compared to my previous cars but it gets me to and from where I need to go. It seems to go through brakes fairly quickly and the tires are hard to find due to the odd size that they are. All in all I would buy a newer model of this car in the future. It is very comfortable inside and I like the automatic features. I am having an issue with the doors always thinking they are open and the automatic windows are a little wonky.

Danielle B

2002 Nissan Altima review

They are good cars door handles breaking is a issue. They have great space and gas mileage, mine is very roomie and got a big truck space for all groceries and things you may need to store. The window monitors are sometimes bad but overall it's a very nice car.

Rafael R

Nissan Altima 2002 is a great car to depend on to get to school/work.

There are no problems, the vehicle is very reliable you just have to comply to its needs. Great performance takes me to and from internship with no obstacles. The vehicle is extremely comfortable and the fabric used is durable and long lasting, there are currently no damages to the interior of our car. Since the car is 16 years old the paint job looks horrible(the top coat) though that is the only concern with the exterior of the vehicle.

Nissan Altima Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

Base

175 HP 26-26 MPG 5 Seats

240 HP 23-23 MPG 5 Seats

Photos may not match model

2002 Nissan Altima Owner Reviews

4.07

92 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

41%

4 stars

32%

3 stars

22%

2 stars

1 star

Sabrina H on March 11, 2021

Nissan is a very reliable car!

Nissan overall is a great make of car to have! They are very reliable if maintained throughout the course of having the vehicle! It is a 2002 and we are currently in 2018 so it has it major issues like transmission slipping, power steering issues, battery always dying, and issues that I am not sure exactly what it is wrong! But it does get from point A to point B!

Mark D on February 28, 2021

What I love about my car is that how the inside looks the color is amazing.

It's a really good car just have to use it everyday or else it'll stop working properly. Overall it's a really good car for traveling and going to store.

View All Reviews (92)

Ranks #4 Midsize Cars by Owners

The 2002 Nissan Altima has an average owner rating of 4.17 out of 5 which ranks it #4 of 15 other Midsize Cars.

Tie

2002 Honda Accord

4.26

Tie

2002 Toyota Camry

4.26

Tie

2002 Nissan Altima

4.08

Ranks #3 Midsize Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2002 Nissan Altima has a combined MPG of 29 which ranks it #3 of 15 other Midsize Cars.

2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

32 MPG

2002 Honda Accord

30 MPG

Tie

2002 Nissan Altima

29 MPG

Is The 2002 Nissan Altima A Good Car?

It's an excellent car! It's a reliable car with low mileage and low maintenance! It drives well and it has only had 3 major repairs since I've had it.

A S.

I feel as if the 2002 Altima, at least in my experience since owning this vehicle is very problematic. It always seems like when I'm done repairs for one thing something else goes wrong and needs to... Read More

Michelle G.

My Nissan Altima has gave me so many complications. It has a lot of wire problems. I have no other choice, but to keep it .

Barbara G.

How Reliable Is The 2002 Nissan Altima?

It is very reliable with low maintenance. Now that it's an older vehicle it does require an oil change prior to 3000 miles. I've only had 3 major repairs to the vehicle since I've had it.

Angie R.

Most of the repairs though have been normal wear and tear and not so much only problematic. It has held up but again so many things have had to be replaced that it feels like so much

Denise T.

Is The 2002 Nissan Altima A Good Value?

At this point the value has depreciated significantly. It may be worth $3000 only because of the low mileage. It would be well worth purchasing this vehicle. You can always count on it going the... Read More

James T.

Right now you can purchase it for cheap. Ultimately Nissan Altimas are not ever too expensive either way.

Kelly R.

I bought this Nissan Altima from someone else .. It was use, and that cost me 2500. At this point I just want to sell it for a 1000$

Aidan M.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2002 Nissan Altima transmission fluid type?

Answer: The 2002 Nissan Altima transmission fluid type is ATF-TYPE III. The transmission is one of the most important parts of the vehicle. You will come into problems at some point. Hard shifts may arise and that is...

What's the 2002 Nissan Altima code p1574?

Answer: The P1574Code on a 2002 Nissan Altima indicates an issue with the ASCD vehicle speed sensor. This code appears when the ECM detects a difference between two vehicle speed signals is out of the specified range....

What's the 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 L head bolt torque?

Answer: The 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 l head bolt torque iS72 ft. Lbs. When You are adding or removing the lug nuts from a car then You will want to be careful not to damage them. If You overtighten them then You run the...

What type of antifreeze does my 2002 Nissan Altima use?

Answer: The recommended type of antifreeze for a 2002 Nissan Altima is ZerexBlue colored 50/50 pre-diluted. This fluid can be found at any automotive sales location, at many major retail stores, and from trusted online...

What is the 2002 Nissan Altima purge valve location?

Answer: The evap canister, otherwise known as the purge valve, on the 2002 Nissan Altima is located above the rear of the muffler. The canister purge solenoid is the component in the EVAP system that is responsible for...

See all Frequently Asked Questions

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front