Model year guide

2004 Nissan Altima

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Nissan Altima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 114 on record.

2004 Nissan Altima — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Nissan Altima at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints276
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$2,416

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Nissan Altima recalls 5

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 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 VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #07E054000 · 25/07/2007

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. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP REFLECTOR SHAPE DEFORMED CHANGING THE SHAPE OF THE OPTIC SURFACE. THIS WILL CHANGE THE OPPOSITE POSITION OF LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM OPTICSAND CHANGE THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND ILLUMATED LOCATION WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE…

Fix: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #06V242000 · 07/07/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #07E063000 · 21/08/2007

CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND INFLUENCED THE AIMING POSITION. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ANZO AT 909-628-1440.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #07E074000 · 14/09/2007

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Nissan Altima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 276 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2004 Nissan Altima MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,838

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Nissan Altima worth?

Low
$1,000
Typical price
$2,416
High
$4,100

From 113 comparable 2004 Nissan Altima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Nissan Altima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,190
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,250
Total$15,440
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,416) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,190), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Nissan Altima trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5 · 3.5 SE · 2.5 S
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl

2004 Nissan Altima vehicles on record

2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D54C157794 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D64C117661 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL11D24C136325 2004 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL11D44C135841 2004 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL11D44C166703 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11DX4C120255 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL11D44C103620 2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL11EX4C149229 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D94C134664 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL11D34C195139 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D54C156161 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D14C164774 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D44C157320 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D74C118740 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D24C149653 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11DX4C145916 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11DX4C197854 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D94C194914 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D54C189841 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D44C147855 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D94C181256 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D54C101760 2004 Nissan Altima 2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL11E34C114371 2004 Nissan Altima 2.51N4AL11D94C187252

Other Nissan Altima model years

2025 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

2004 Nissan Altima — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Nissan Altima have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2004 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Altima?

Based on 276 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Altima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Altima at about 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2004 Nissan Altima worth?

Comparable 2004 Nissan Altima listings run roughly $1,000–$4,100, typically around $2,416 (from 113 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.