3 Star Reviews for 2004 Nissan Altima

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.54/5 Average
179 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

The Altima's winning formula continues with few changes. Smoke is a new exterior color choice, and four-cylinder models meet stricter federal emissions standards. Models with California emissions are now classified as Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV).

Pros:
  • Sports car power in a midsize sedan body, excellent handling, roomy and comfortable interior, high level of features, distinct styling.
Cons:
  • Low-grade interior materials, considerable road noise, overboosted steering, no stability control.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 179.00
  • Lemon!! - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    For the first year or so, this car was the best thing I had ever driven. It looks great inside & out, its very powerful for a 4-cylinder, and its pretty good on gas. Then the problems started happening... having to replace a steering joint, numerous brake work, engine cover coming undone, sensors out of whack, you name it. I am extremely meticulous when it comes to servicing my car, which is why I dont understand why all these problems kept coming up. And the car just turned 5 years old, with just about 100,000 kms only. This car has become a nuisance - I will never buy another Nissan, and Im now hoping I can sell it or that it gets stolen. Seriously.

  • DO NOT BUY!! - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    I have nothing but trouble since buying this car. I am only getting about 18 miles to the gallon. I drive only back and forth to school (15 min from home) and I go through $80.00 a week in gas. Nobody can figure out what is wrong with it. My alignment goes out a week after getting it fixed, it makes weird noises going over bumps. When I shut off my car after drving it smells like sulfur. The steering wheel shakes on a regular basis. This is a car that is just going to nickle and dime you to death. DO NOT BUY! It is a waste of moneyyy!!

  • improve interior - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    Car looks great however too much invested in exterior and the interior leaves alot to be desired. Car is too noisey in the inside and the seat was poor quality. I ended up selling car back to dealership as a result of the seat.

  • Wish I bought a Honda - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    This is the first car I have ever bought by myself and needless to say I am not impressed. I did buy it used, but the dealership insisted it was in great condition. There is a rattle in the door that after 3 trys from the dealership isnt fixed. Within 2 weeks of owning it my battery exploded. I have spent 1200 on the front and they then told me my engine mount was broke, the belts are all cracking, the radiator house is leaking etc. The finishing on the woodgrain has peeled. When my brake pads got low there was no warning went straight to grinding which resulted in more damage. Now Im without a car again because the fuel pump. Im a college student without money & now a unreliable vehicle.

  • 40,000 Lemon - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    This was a great car til it hit 40,000 miles. Now I have problems that the dealer cant fix. The car shakes and vibrates then kills. The check engine light comes on. The dealer checked the computer and changes sensors at $250 a pop and the car runs good for a day than the problems start over. This is my first and last Nissan!!!!!!

  • Disappointment compared to 1994 Altima - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    I purchased this car in new 2004, after driving a 1994 Altima into the ground and loving every mile. This car has cost me quite a bit in maintenance (religious about that) and repairs, and I have a clutch waiting to go (drove 250K miles on last clutch so dont blame the driver). The interior is chintzy, the cup holder broke just out of warranty and will cost a mint to fix, the glove compartment barely opens, the list goes on with inconveniences. I will keep this car until it dies because it is relatively fun to drive & somewhat reliable. Yet, compared to the 1994 Altima it is a disappointment... the pretty boy of Altimas. Nissan cheaped on value to deliver a good looking car.

  • Never again! - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    V6 engine is a +. Interior has a lot of space. Exterior looks very good to be called an Altima. The parts on and in the car is something else. Got my 2004 Altima in Dec. of 2003 and the o2 sensor wend bad @ 1200 miles after that was the left strut at 6000 miles. Then the right at 6800 miles. Over and over. Never ending. Total times struts were replaced is around 7 times for a 2004 Altima w/ 17800 miles. Now Nissan Service has me going in again for a window molding to be repaired for the 4 time now. Nissan Service, and the Altima. NEVER AGAIN! Tips for the ones thinking about the new Altimas. Dont do it. Check all websites w/ info on the Altimas. Wish me luck w/ my lemon.

  • Worthless! - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    Nobody can fix this car. Was told it was crank/cam sensors. No! Timing. No! New computer. No! The thing wont start. The dealer has no idea and neither do two reputable mechanics. Im a real estate agent with no (running) car in a market that makes it tough to buy a new car!

  • Ok First Car - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    This was my first car and I fell In love with it right away. I bought it from a buy here pay here 100k on the dot an had it for two yrs. The first yr of owning it It was a great car no problems. I loved the speed of the car an the way it drives real smooth. When I first bought it the sunroof quit working properly but it was an after market an was put in from a previous owner I never bothered with it after I just didnt touch it. But my second year of owning the car I started having problems first thing was my head lights went out an only way to change them is getting either a detailer or Nissan to get inside an change it which would of cost some money but luckily my father in law changed it an all I had to pay for was the bulb itself. Next the alternator went out and I decided to put a used one in by my grandfather. I had to replace the battery TWICE and my gpa couldnt figure out why it constantly needed a new battery. Then two sensors went out and cost me a little.. Then shortly after that my radiator had busted while I was driving and after 100$ of replacing that we figured out the head gasket blew. I was officially over the car an sold it 2015. Overall maintenance wise I wont even lie with this being my first car I didnt keep up with oil changes to good not sure if that had anything to play with anything that came from but this car is a much older car look for something at least 06 or 07 an up with less than 100000 miles. I wont talk bad about Nissan and I still love Altimas but maintaince is a big key to a great car the way you treat your car is how great it will be I believe. But I have read similarities on here so wouldnt recommend the year of this car

  • lemon - 2004 Nissan Altima
    By -

    I have had to have this car towed away twice for not starting. I have never been imformed of the recalls either with one being problem starting engine.I am now driving my car around with washable paint on it saying this car is a lemon and it has many recalls on it. Since they would not trade this car back for me I will continue driving it the way it is. It gets parked 5 days a week in Trump Taj Mahal parking garage where everyone can see it also plus the 45 minute drive to work everyone notices me. Until I get some satisfaction I will be driving around like this. Who would think having a brand new car and it not starting.

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