The Lemon Index2004 Nissan Altima.
The 2004 Nissan Altima is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 72 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 36, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 20 to 23 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 276 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Altima year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 52K to 101K miles on the car (225 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 52K–86K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 85K–137K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 27K–91K miles
Recalls 5
- lights 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.
- lights 2007
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- engine 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 91 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Alternator noise after engine shut off.*mr
- Engine cranks but hard/ no start after cold soak.*mr
- Buzzing/whining noise from timing chain area
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Car began stalling at idle and also sometimes on acceleration from a stop - I had cleaned the air filter and tried 2 tanks of premium gas but to no avail.
2004 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 10207893
More owner reports
Engine stalls while driving, engine hard to start, service light on with diagnostic test shows crankshaft position sensor and vehicle speed sensor bad.
NHTSA complaint 10211270
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. It was maneuvered off the road and restarted. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who could not duplicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10170769
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Nissan Altima reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2004 Nissan Altima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (56%), electrical (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Altima get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 52,000 and 101,100 miles. The middle report was at 73,500 miles, from 225 complaints.
Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Nissan Altima have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works