Originally manufactured by Nissan in 1992, the Altima is a popular choice for anyone in the market for a midsize car. It sits somewhere between the Nissan Sentra and Nissan Maxima, and it’s still in production today, with over 128,000 units sold across the U.S. in 2023.

While it’s generally considered a dependable vehicle – scoring an impressive 4 out of 5 for reliability on RepairPal – no car is absolutely perfect, and the Altima is notorious for a couple of key issues, namely catalytic converter failure and crankshaft sensor failure.

If you’re a Nissan Altima owner, it can be helpful to understand potential problems ahead of time so you can prepare both mentally and financially. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at crankshaft sensor failure in particular, including how it can affect your vehicle’s performance and how you can protect yourself from the cost of any resulting repair bills.

What Is a Crankshaft Sensor?

The ideal car engine is finely tuned, with components working in time with one another for optimum efficiency and maximum power output. In diesel and petrol combustion engines, a fully functioning crankshaft sensor (also known as a CKP sensor) is key to this precision timing. It monitors the position and rotational speed of the crankshaft so that the engine control unit (ECU) can adjust calculations for fuel injection, ignition system timings, and other engine parameters.

The crankshaft’s speed and positioning must be accurately monitored to synchronize and maintain a four-stroke engine. If it isn’t functioning properly, the engine may not even start. As a result, crankshaft sensor output is essential to a vehicle’s systems.

Nissan announced a mass recall for Altima vehicles manufactured between 2002 and 2007 due to failed crankshaft and/or camshaft sensors, with over 600,000 potential vehicles affected. Over on RepairPal, more than 1,300 drivers have reported the problem, which can happen as early as the 60,000-mile mark. Recall 07V-527 is titled, “Overheating of Crankshaft Position Sensor May Cause Vehicle to Shut Down,” which summarizes the problem as:

“If the interruption in the signal from the crankshaft position sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.”

4 Common Signs of Crankshaft Sensor Failure

A Nissan crankshaft sensor failure can have a number of effects on vehicle performance, ranging from inconvenient to downright dangerous. If yours is on its way out, you may notice the following symptoms:

1. The engine light shows on the dash.

If the crankshaft sensor isn’t sending information to the ECU or the ECU detects something unusual in what it’s being sent, your engine light will most likely turn on to let you know. Of course, this could come on for a number of other issues, so a diagnostic tool like an OBD-II scanner from AutoZone will help you decipher whether the crankshaft sensor is at fault. In Nissans, the code P0335 indicates a crankshaft position sensor problem.

2. The engine has trouble starting.

It’s the crankshaft sensor’s job to monitor the position and speed of the crankshaft when starting the engine, so if it can’t relay the necessary information to the ECU, the engine won’t be able to start. If the engine is running when problems initially occur, you may not notice anything at all, as more modern sensors use an algorithm to estimate where the crank has spun based on previous knowledge. In these cases, it’s only when you switch off the engine and attempt to reignite it that you’ll run into an issue.

3. The car runs in limp mode.

While a bad crankshaft sensor isn’t the only reason a vehicle might experience poor fuel consumption, it’s often one of the telltale signs. When a crankshaft sensor is faulty, the fuel injectors won’t function efficiently, reducing performance and resulting in worse fuel economy. Your car start may switch into limp mode as a failsafe.

4. Total loss of power at low speeds.

In the case of 2002-2006 Nissan Altimas affected by the 07V-527 recall, the sensor output could be interrupted while the vehicle is in motion, which can cause the engine to stall completely and put passengers in serious danger. While this error is apparently more likely to occur at lower speeds, a low-speed crash can still cause injury and property damage.

Ultimately, driving with a malfunctioning crank position sensor puts you at increased risk of a collision at worst and can damage your engine at best, so it’s imperative you have it inspected at the earliest signs. If tests confirm a fault, the whole sensor and the plug connector should be replaced. For a Nissan Altima, RepairPal puts the estimated cost of a crankshaft position sensor replacement somewhere between $119 and $212.

How an Extended Warranty Can Help with Crankshaft Sensor Repairs

An extended warranty, also known as a vehicle service contract or auto protection plan, is an ideal solution for Nissan Altima owners interested in protecting themselves from the cost of potential crank sensor repairs. While some providers might shy away from sensors in particular, find one that’s willing to cover them, and you can drive with confidence, knowing that you’ll be looked after should the worst happen.

The cost of car ownership is only ever on the rise, with the AAA at last count estimating that the total has passed $12,000 annually. With protection in place, however, you can save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars per year on the cost of car ownership. When a covered component breaks down, all you need to do is take your vehicle to the certified auto shop of your choice, and your provider will cover any charges.

Many aftermarket auto protection plans, including those from Endurance Warranty, cover crankshaft sensor replacements, from the basic Secure Plus plan all the way up to the fully comprehensive Supreme plan. That’s not to mention the myriad other components covered by vehicle protection plans, giving you added peace of mind whenever you’re out on the road.

Other Common Nissan Altima Problems: Catalytic Converter Failure and Recalls

Unfortunately,  for Nissan Altima owners, it isn’t just your crankshaft sensor that you need to worry about. RepairPal data shows that 600 Altima drivers have reported issues with their catalytic converter. More specifically, the catalytic converter closest to the cylinder head can fail, causing the check engine light to turn on.

It’s recommended that this problem is promptly repaired because the catalyst material can be sucked into the engine and cause internal damage. According to user reports, 16 model years are affected, with one instance happening as early as the 32,000-mile mark. Estimated catalytic converter replacement costs are an eye-watering $2,289 to $2,635 without a warranty in place.

As for recalls, there have been a number across the years, with two model years in particular (2002 and 2013) receiving as many as 12 recalls each. Taking a look at the 2013 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD model specifically, official recalls in the NHTSA database include:

• Loose steering and suspension bolts
• Occupant detection system may disable pass airbag
• Spare tire may be over- or under-inflated
• Airbag may not detect passenger in seat
• Secondary hood latch may bind and not latch
• Fuel sending unit may leak fuel
• Passenger airbag may not deploy due to OCS error
• Airbag may not deploy due to software issue
• Unintentional release of primary hood latch

Of course, a recall means that the automaker has publicly acknowledged an issue and will repair it free of charge. But if you can’t trust the quality of one component in your vehicle, can you really trust the others? Without a recall or extended warranty in place, the cost of any failed Nissan parts or systems will come directly from your pocket. So it’s highly recommended you invest in some form of automotive protection plan.

Why Choose Endurance to Protect Your Nissan Altima

America’s most trusted vehicle service contract provider, Endurance, is a Nissan Altima owner’s top choice for auto protection. For almost 20 years, we’ve helped thousands of drivers improve their driving confidence by defending them from the rising cost of car ownership.

Whether your Nissan Altima is brand new or used with high mileage, our wide range of plans is designed with almost everyone in mind. From casual commuters to rideshare drivers, you’ll find a program to suit your situation. And if the base plans aren’t quite right for your individual circumstances, an Endurance advisor will be more than happy to tailor a bespoke plan for you instead.

If top-quality coverage wasn’t enough, we also offer some of the best added benefits around. Every single Endurance plan comes with 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage as standard. Endurance customers also get a year’s access to Elite Benefits, adding on tire repairs or replacements, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection.*

Unlike traditional extended warranties, authorized repairs can be carried out at any certified mechanic, repair shop, or dealership. We’re also the direct administrator of all our plans, so you’ll be connected straight to a member of our award-winning customer service team should you ever need to make a claim. As the icing on the value cake, Endurance plans are also transferable to subsequent owners, giving you greater selling power if you eventually decide to put your Nissan Altima back on the market.

Protect Your Nissan Altima With Endurance Warranty

The Nissan Altima may be a popular (and reasonably reliable) car, but it certainly has its fair share of problems. Issues with crankshaft sensors and catalytic converters are enough to make any owner concerned, but a history littered with recalls means extended auto protection is almost a necessity.

To learn more about what Endurance can do to protect you and your Altima, call our plan advisors at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote. Alternatively, you can shop our eStore to see plan recommendations and pricing right now.

We also have plenty of other articles on unreliable vehicles to avoid, how to review warranty contracts, DIY tips, and more over on our extended warranty blog.