2001 Nissan Almera

The 2001 Nissan Almera is a compact sedan that was offered with a variety of engine and transmission options. It was praised for its affordability, reliability, and fuel efficiency, but it also had some common problems that owners reported.

The Almera was available with three engine options: a 1.5-liter inline-four, a 1.8-liter inline-four, and a 2.0-liter inline-four. The 1.5-liter engine produced 90 horsepower and 96 lb-ft of torque, the 1.8-liter engine produced 115 horsepower and 122 lb-ft of torque, and the 2.0-liter engine produced 145 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The 1.5-liter and 1.8-liter engines were available with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.0-liter engine was only available with a five-speed manual transmission.

Engine

• 1.5-liter inline-four
  • Intake manifold gasket failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The intake manifold gasket can fail, causing a vacuum leak that can lead to decreased engine performance and fuel economy.
    • Solution: Replace the intake manifold gasket.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $300
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Timing chain tensioner failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The timing chain tensioner can fail, causing the timing chain to become loose and skip teeth, which can lead to engine damage.
    • Solution: Replace the timing chain tensioner.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $800
    • Recalls: None Found
• 1.8-liter inline-four
  • No Issues Found
• 2.0-liter inline-four
  • No Issues Found

Transmission

• Five-speed manual transmission
  • No Issues Found
• Four-speed automatic transmission
  • Transmission slipping
    • Description/Symptoms: The transmission may slip when shifting gears, causing a loss of power and acceleration.
    • Solution: Rebuild or replace the transmission.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Front strut mounts
  • Description/Symptoms: The front strut mounts can fail, causing the struts to become loose and the vehicle to handle poorly.
  • Solution: Replace the front strut mounts.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $300
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery drain
  • Description/Symptoms: The battery may drain prematurely, leaving the vehicle unable to start.
  • Solution: Test the battery and charging system to find the source of the drain.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300
  • Recalls: None Found
• Alternator failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The alternator may fail, preventing the battery from charging properly.
  • Solution: Replace the alternator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Door lock actuators
  • Description/Symptoms: The door lock actuators may fail, causing the doors to become difficult or impossible to open.
  • Solution: Replace the door lock actuators.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200 per door
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Heater core failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The heater core may fail, causing the heater to stop working.
  • Solution: Replace the heater core.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $800
  • Recalls: None Found
• Dashboard cracking
  • Description/Symptoms: The dashboard may crack, especially in hot climates.
  • Solution: Replace the dashboard.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $800
  • Recalls: None Found

Overall Summary

The 2001 Nissan Almera is a generally reliable and affordable vehicle, but it does have some common problems that owners should be aware of. The most severe and expensive issues include transmission slipping, alternator failure, and heater core failure. However, most of the other issues are relatively minor and can be fixed for a reasonable cost.