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2002 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Altima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2002 Nissan Altima is a passenger car that requires 4.2 qt of 5W‑30 API engine oil. It recorded 12 recalls and a total of 1,063 owner complaints, with engine and engine cooling being the most frequent issue area. Across the model’s complaint history from 1993 to 2025, the 2002 year’s total falls below the peak of 2,304 complaints in 2013 but above the low of 6 complaints in 2025. This places the 2002 Altima in a mid‑range position within the model’s overall reliability trajectory.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory battery is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-65TR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E alt 152089E01A
Engine air filter	165460Z000
Spark plug	224015M015 alt 224015M016
Battery	244109B900 discontinued
Front wiper blades	28890ZD80A alt 288903Z600
Serpentine belt	119508J100 alt 119208J110
Thermostat	212306N20A alt 21200EA000
Cabin air filter	27277VP01A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.3 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	110.2 in
Curb weight	3023 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.9–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.90 sec — 2002 3.5 SE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2002	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.90 sec	14.40 sec	240 hp	FWD
2002	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	6.28 sec	14.72 sec	240 hp	FWD
2002	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	6.30 sec	14.80 sec	240 hp	FWD
2002	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	240 hp	FWD
2003	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.90 sec	14.60 sec	240 hp	FWD
2003	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.95 sec	14.46 sec	240 hp	FWD
2003	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	7.10 sec	15.40 sec	240 hp	FWD
1999	GXE 2.4L I-4	9.80 sec	17.40 sec	150 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.4 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	32-41 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	76-83 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	29-32 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	21-24 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	24F

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	11.6-14.9 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression	181-154 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	185-142 PSI. Maximum variation 14 PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	53-72 ft-lbs / 23-30 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	73-86 ft-lbs / 28-38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0059 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0028 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.866 in / 0.315 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.865 in / 0.314 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Finger tight, Step 2

2 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

14 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

28-34 ft. lbs., 60

28–34 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees
5	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts completely.
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	75-80 degrees.	75–80 degrees
5	75-80 degrees.	75–80 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4-7 ft. lbs., step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., step 3: 20-23

4–7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

27–30 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Nissan Altima recorded 1,063 complaints, far exceeding the 174 complaints reported in 2001 and the 276 complaints in 2004, marking a pronounced spike within the model’s generation. Recalls also rose to 12 in 2002, compared with 2–5 recalls in the surrounding years, indicating an unusually high recall frequency for that model year. The majority of complaints clustered in the Engine & Engine Cooling category (516), followed by Structure (119) and Electrical System (38), while 30 crash‑related and 28 fire‑related complaints were logged. This concentration of issues appears in the middle of a decade‑long arc where complaint and recall counts peaked in odd‑numbered years (2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015) and remained elevated through the early 2010s. Consequently, the 2002 model is generally not recommended for a used purchase given its disproportionate complaint and recall record.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

144

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,063

Owner complaints

30 involved a crash · 28 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01’02’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,063 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling516

Structure119

Engine57

Electrical System38

Exterior Lighting32

Air Bags22

Power Train20

Service Brakes, Hydraulic20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

06E023000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 13/03/2006

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… Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 144 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 24F battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 165460Z000 Spark plug 224015M015 Battery 244109B900

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Altima take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.