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2002 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

801 reports with mileage · 246 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 594 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports28 fire reports23 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

594 reports
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100,000 miles · Nov 6, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2.5 ENGINE THE SAME AS ALL THE OTHERS, THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED BY NISSAN. IF NISSAN WOULD HAVE RECALLED THEM BEFORE THE DAMAGE WAS DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364239

102,000 miles · Oct 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED MY NISSAN ALTIMA IN AUGUST 2003, I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR FOR 7 YEARS AT 111,000 MILES MY ENGINE WENT ON MY CAR. I WAS GOING THROUGH 3 QUARTS OF OIL IN A WEEK, I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING LEAKING. I HAVE MY SENSORS CHANGE TWICE IN PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS. MY SPARKS PLUG KEPT GOING BAD AFTER SIX…

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I PURCHASED MY NISSAN ALTIMA IN AUGUST 2003, I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR FOR 7 YEARS AT 111,000 MILES MY ENGINE WENT ON MY CAR. I WAS GOING THROUGH 3 QUARTS OF OIL IN A WEEK, I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING LEAKING. I HAVE MY SENSORS CHANGE TWICE IN PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS. MY SPARKS PLUG KEPT GOING BAD AFTER SIX MONTHS. I WOULD STARTED IT UP AND WOULD GET A RATTLING NOISE, THEN I WOULD HEAR WATER COMING FROM MY FRONT DASH. MY CAR WAS BEING MAINTAINED VERY WELL. UNTIL IT STARTED TO PUT OIL EVERY WEEK, I HAD IT LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD NEEDED MY OIL FLUSHED, THEN MY I HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS. I DID EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO DO BUT THE ISSUE WAS STILL HAPPENING. MY ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, 2 CYLINDER MISFIRE, 02 SENSOR, CAT CONVERTER. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND REPLACED THE CENSOR ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF CAME BACK ON 1 WEEK LATER HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN. I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND WOULD JERK PUT IN NEUTRAL AND STOPS, GET HOME CHECK MY OIL BONE DRY. I HAD AN MECHANIC LOOK AT SO MANY TIMES THAT I WAS THROWING MONEY AWAY ENDURING THIS FOR ONE WHOLE YEAR AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIND THE SOLUTION. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP OIL IN MY CAR. THIS WAS JUST UNACCEPTABLE. ON AUGUST 27TH 2010 I WENT TO LEAVE FROM WORK AND SAW A CLOUD OF SMOKE TOOK IT THE MECHANIC ONLY TO BE TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE I WAS APPALLED. BECAUSE MY ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT THIS SOON. WELL I REVIEWED COMPLAINTS ON THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AND WHAT I COME TO FOUND OUT MANY CONSUMER ALL OVER THE U.S.A. HAD THE SAME ISSUES I EXPERIENCED. THIS VERY UPSETTING. I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE PRODUCTS. I HAVE WENT TO MANY WEBSITE AND FOUND MANY CONSUMERS HAVE MADE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THERE ENGINE REPLACE AND TO NO SATISFACTION NISSAN HAS TURNED THE OTHER EAR. THIS IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT OUT $4800 DOLLARS WHEN IT VERY CLEAR THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMAS MADE IN 2002. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362140

60,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR RECALL, BUT THE REPAIR DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. ON OCTOBER 19, 2010 WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE CRANK SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR RECALL, BUT THE REPAIR DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. ON OCTOBER 19, 2010 WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE CRANK SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE CAUSED BY THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPORT 69622767 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY PAY FOR NHTSA RECALL 03V455000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING REPAIR ONE TIME. THE CONTACT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10361267

112,254 miles · Oct 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. FAILURE WAS RECOGNIZED BY CEL P0420. CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE REPLACED. NOW ENGINE HAS LOST POWER AND IS EMITTING SMOKE. COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL ARE DROPPING AT INCREASING RATES REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENTION BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN …

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THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. FAILURE WAS RECOGNIZED BY CEL P0420. CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE REPLACED. NOW ENGINE HAS LOST POWER AND IS EMITTING SMOKE. COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL ARE DROPPING AT INCREASING RATES REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENTION BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO BE "DRY." NOW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH MANY OTHER CLAIMS WHICH NISSAN DENIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361043

125,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAD A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 125,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE QUART OF OIL IN THE ENGINE AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY ADDED OIL AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AFTER ONLY 2 WEEKS. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND WA…

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I HAD A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 125,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE QUART OF OIL IN THE ENGINE AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY ADDED OIL AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AFTER ONLY 2 WEEKS. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY THING I CAN DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH ALTIMAS. I REALLY THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10360499

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD KICK AND THEN GAINED THE ACCELERATION BACK. AFTER 20 MILES OF DRIVING STARTED LOOSING ACCELERATION AGAIN AND SHUT OFF ON A UNDER CONSTRUCTION INTERSTATE W/ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC. NO SERVICE LIGHTS AT FIRST AND AFTER CRANKING AND DRIVING ANOTHER 10-15 OR SO IT STALLED AGAIN AN…

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THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD KICK AND THEN GAINED THE ACCELERATION BACK. AFTER 20 MILES OF DRIVING STARTED LOOSING ACCELERATION AGAIN AND SHUT OFF ON A UNDER CONSTRUCTION INTERSTATE W/ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC. NO SERVICE LIGHTS AT FIRST AND AFTER CRANKING AND DRIVING ANOTHER 10-15 OR SO IT STALLED AGAIN AND THE CHECK-ENGINE, OIL, AND BRAKE INDICATOR'S LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON. CHECKED FOR RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEMS. CONTACTING DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR IF ITS A RECALL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359949

112,176 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH NO LEAK AND PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING. DEALER STATES HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN. DID NOT LOOK AT CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALTHOUGH I ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AS IT MIRRORED ISSUES CAR WAS RECALLED FOR. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER AS A CONSEQUENCE OF MILEAGE 112,000. MANY…

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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH NO LEAK AND PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING. DEALER STATES HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN. DID NOT LOOK AT CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALTHOUGH I ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AS IT MIRRORED ISSUES CAR WAS RECALLED FOR. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER AS A CONSEQUENCE OF MILEAGE 112,000. MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FOR THE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHO NEED YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358364

140,000 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED FRO SOME TIME AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO THE CATALY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED FRO SOME TIME AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILING. IN ADDITION, THE THIRD CYLINDER WAS BLOWN AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ UPDATED 04/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10357793

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER STATES PREMATURE BREAKDOWN OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER *TGW THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING A QUART OF OIL EVERY FEW DAYS, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS DETERIORATING AND ITS PARTICLES WERE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE DESTROYING ITS ABILITY TO ADMINISTER POWER TO THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE VEHICLE …

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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER STATES PREMATURE BREAKDOWN OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER *TGW THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING A QUART OF OIL EVERY FEW DAYS, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS DETERIORATING AND ITS PARTICLES WERE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE DESTROYING ITS ABILITY TO ADMINISTER POWER TO THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB UPDATED 01/21/11

NHTSA ODI #10357531

95,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I MADE A COMPLAINT BY PHONE REGARDING MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK OR GET A COPY AS PROMISED OF MY COMPLAINT. DUE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS, CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS YEAR ,MAKE AND MODEL ,YOU WOULD THINK NISSAN WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONCERNED AND WANTING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST TO AVOI…

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I MADE A COMPLAINT BY PHONE REGARDING MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK OR GET A COPY AS PROMISED OF MY COMPLAINT. DUE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS, CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS YEAR ,MAKE AND MODEL ,YOU WOULD THINK NISSAN WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONCERNED AND WANTING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST TO AVOID LEGAL ACTION FOR IGNORING A POTENTLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD BE DEADLY . ALL THOUGH I HAVE NOT BEEN HURT PHYSICALLY ,MENTALLY I AM BESIDE MYSELF THINKING IF YOU CANT GET NISSAN TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE THEN WHO CAN???? I HAD A ENGINE REPLACED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND IT DID NOT LAST 20,000 MILES BEFORE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FELL APART AND GOT SUCKED UP IN THE ENGINE.. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL???? ITS TIME TO DO SOMETHING AS YOU HAVE PAGES AND PAGES OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS EXACT THING AND IT IS OBVIOUS NISSAN WILL DO NOTHING BECAUSE THEY GET AWAY WITH IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN..THEY ARE WORSE THAN TOYOTA, AT LEAST TOYOTA ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM...PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT AND WHEN YOU INTEND ON DOING SOMETHING TO GET NISSAN TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT?/? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352894

Official recalls

5

07V527000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 14, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 17, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

03V251000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. AT EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE IN THE FUEL TANK COULD FREEZE AND FORM ICE CRYSTALS. THESE ICE CRYSTALS MAY OBSTRUCT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.

03V084000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Mar 11, 2003

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.

03V061000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 27, 2003

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE02078 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 18, 2002 · Closed Mar 25, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON OCTOBER 18, 2002 BASED ON THREE REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.ONE NON-BURN RELATED INJURY WAS REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLAINANT EXITING THE VEHICLE IN HASTE AFTER IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.NISSAN DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE HANGER PINS WHICH HOLDS EXHAUST PIPE IN PLACE MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD.IF THE DEBRIS WERE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST, A FIRE COULD RESULT.THIS CONDITION IS ALSO PRESENT IN MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES BUILT THRU FEBRUARY 18, 2003.NISSAN ALSO STATED IN ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT THAT ON MY 2002 ALTIMAS AND SENTRAS (EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5-LITER ENGINE) THAT CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT, WHICH WOULD CAUSE CATALYST SUBSTRATE PARTICLES TO FLOW INTO THE ENGINE.THESE PARTICLES CAN SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS WHICH RESULTS IN INCREASE OIL CONSUMPTION.IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS LOW, ENGINE NOISE AND DAMAGE CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.THE RECALL INCLUDES 268,000 MY 2002-2003 ALTIMAS AND 2002 SENTRAS EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5-LITER ENGINE.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIN ON THE ALTIMAS.NISSAN IS DEVELOPING A CORRECTIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE PRE-CATALYST.IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, NISSAN WILL INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND THE SURROUNDING EXHAUST TUBING.NISSAN WILL BEGIN OWNER NOTIFICATION IN MAY OF 2003.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON OCTOBER 18, 2002 BASED ON THREE REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.ONE NON-BURN RELATED INJURY WAS REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLAINANT EXITING THE VEHICLE IN HASTE AFTER IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.NISSAN DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE HANGER PINS WHICH HOLDS EXHAUST PIPE IN PLACE MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD.IF THE DEBRIS WERE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST, A FIRE COULD RESULT.THIS CONDITION IS ALSO PRESENT IN MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES BUILT THRU FEBRUARY 18, 2003.NISSAN ALSO STATED IN ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT THAT ON MY 2002 ALTIMAS AND SENTRAS (EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5-LITER ENGINE) THAT CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT, WHICH WOULD CAUSE CATALYST SUBSTRATE PARTICLES TO FLOW INTO THE ENGINE.THESE PARTICLES CAN SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS WHICH RESULTS IN INCREASE OIL CONSUMPTION.IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS LOW, ENGINE NOISE AND DAMAGE CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.THE RECALL INCLUDES 268,000 MY 2002-2003 ALTIMAS AND 2002 SENTRAS EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5-LITER ENGINE.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIN ON THE ALTIMAS.NISSAN IS DEVELOPING A CORRECTIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE PRE-CATALYST.IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, NISSAN WILL INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND THE SURROUNDING EXHAUST TUBING.NISSAN WILL BEGIN OWNER NOTIFICATION IN MAY OF 2003.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON OCTOBER 18, 2002 BASED ON THREE REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.ONE NON-BURN RELATED INJURY WAS REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLAINANT EXITING THE VEHICLE IN HASTE AFTER IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.NISSAN DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE HANGER PINS WHICH HOLDS EXHAUST PIPE IN PLACE MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD.IF THE DEBRIS WERE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST, A FIRE COULD RESULT.THIS CONDITION IS ALSO PRESENT IN MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES BUILT THRU FEBRUARY 18, 2003.NISSAN ALSO STATED IN ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT THAT ON MY 2002 ALTIMAS AND SENTRAS (EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5-LITER ENGINE) THAT CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT, WHICH WOULD CAUSE CATALYST SUBSTRATE PARTICLES TO FLOW INTO THE ENGINE.THESE PARTICLES CAN SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS WHICH RESULTS IN INCREASE OIL CONSUMPTION.IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS LOW, ENGINE NOISE AND DAMAGE CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.THE RECALL INCLUDES 268,000 MY 2002-2003 ALTIMAS AND 2002 SENTRAS EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5-LITER ENGINE.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIN ON THE ALTIMAS.NISSAN IS DEVELOPING A CORRECTIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE PRE-CATALYST.IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, NISSAN WILL INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND THE SURROUNDING EXHAUST TUBING.NISSAN WILL BEGIN OWNER NOTIFICATION IN MAY OF 2003.

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