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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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72,105 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO NISSAN APRIL 6, 2010, DUE TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT, I HAD TO PAY $630.00 FOR A NEW CLUSTER, AFTER 4HRS OF DIAGNOSIS TESTING NISSAN HAD TO ARRANGE FOR ME A RIDE HOME TWO DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT LIT AGAIN I RETURNED THE CAR BACK TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD I NEED A CATALYTIC CON…

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I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO NISSAN APRIL 6, 2010, DUE TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT, I HAD TO PAY $630.00 FOR A NEW CLUSTER, AFTER 4HRS OF DIAGNOSIS TESTING NISSAN HAD TO ARRANGE FOR ME A RIDE HOME TWO DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT LIT AGAIN I RETURNED THE CAR BACK TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD I NEED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SENSORS $1668.00, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM , BUT I DO NOT THINK NISSAN FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328174

134,455 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 L ENGINE FAILURES, I'VE DECIDED TO WRITE. CAR BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. MECHANIC SAID AN OXYGEN SENSOR WAS OUT, BUT WAS PROBABLY THE CAT. CONVERTER. PAID FOR BOTH, AND CAR IS STILL RUNNING ROUGH AND USING 2 QUARTS/OIL PER WEEK. MECHANIC SAID WHEN THE CAT CON WE…

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AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 L ENGINE FAILURES, I'VE DECIDED TO WRITE. CAR BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. MECHANIC SAID AN OXYGEN SENSOR WAS OUT, BUT WAS PROBABLY THE CAT. CONVERTER. PAID FOR BOTH, AND CAR IS STILL RUNNING ROUGH AND USING 2 QUARTS/OIL PER WEEK. MECHANIC SAID WHEN THE CAT CON WENT, IT BLEW REFUSE INTO THE ENGINE, REQUIRING A NEW ONE. I'VE JOINED THE RANKS OF THE 1000'S WHO ARE GETTING NO HELP FROM NISSAN CORP. IN RECTIFYING THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328171

80,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPAIRS FOR RECALL 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) HAD BEEN PARTIALLY PERFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED, WAS NOT AND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPAIRS FOR RECALL 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) HAD BEEN PARTIALLY PERFORMED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED, WAS NOT AND WAS NOT MALFUNCTIONING; THE CONVERTER FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION WHICH ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL HAD NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY PERFORMED, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10327917

81,000 miles · Apr 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OF A RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OF A RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY WHO ADVISED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILES WERE 81000.

NHTSA ODI #10327159

90,000 miles · Apr 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN RESPONSE TO NISSAN RECALL R3007 WHICH COVERS HEAVY OIL CONSUMPTION WHICH LEADS TO LOW OIL LEVEL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE, ENGINE DAMAGE AND EVENTUALLY AN ENGINE FIRE. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR SOMETIME WHERE I NEED TO ADD OIL ON A BIWEEKLY BASIS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SOME TIME. I'…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN RESPONSE TO NISSAN RECALL R3007 WHICH COVERS HEAVY OIL CONSUMPTION WHICH LEADS TO LOW OIL LEVEL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE, ENGINE DAMAGE AND EVENTUALLY AN ENGINE FIRE. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR SOMETIME WHERE I NEED TO ADD OIL ON A BIWEEKLY BASIS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SOME TIME. I'VE HAD TWO DIAGNOSTIC TESTS PERFORMED AND SHOWED CODE P0420 - CAT. EFFICIENT LOW, NEEDS EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYTIC CONVERTER/GASKETS REPLACED. BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH (TYPE: NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 - HEAVY OIL CONSUMPTION OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER) I FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH NISSAN CORPORATION. NISSAN REFUSED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT RECOURSE I CAN TAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325907

85,000 miles · Apr 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY ENGINE BLEW UP. I CALLED MY NEAREST NISSAN DEALER WHO FORWARDED ME TO NISSAN CORP, WHO SENT ME TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND AFTER TELLING THEM MY STORY 3 TIMES, THEY ADVISED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE IT AS NOT YET A RECALL. I LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND WERE TRYING TO GET THIS TO BE A RECALL. I…

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MY ENGINE BLEW UP. I CALLED MY NEAREST NISSAN DEALER WHO FORWARDED ME TO NISSAN CORP, WHO SENT ME TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND AFTER TELLING THEM MY STORY 3 TIMES, THEY ADVISED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE IT AS NOT YET A RECALL. I LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND WERE TRYING TO GET THIS TO BE A RECALL. I HAD JUST MOVED TO THAT AREA, I HAD NO JOB, NO MONEY AND WAS ATTENDING SCHOOL. MY CAR SAT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE FOR 6 MONTHS WHILE I PAID $430 A MONTH ON MY NOTE. WHEN I FINALLY HAD THE MONEY TO FIX IT, I EXPLAINED TO THEM I HAD JUST GOTTEN A NEW ENGINE AND ONLY NEEDED THEM TO RESTART THE COMPUTER. THEY ADVISED ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT, I ASKED FOR WHAT AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN. THEY THEN SAID THEY COULD NOT RESTART MY COMPUTER OR DO THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD A CODE THAT NEEDED TO GET FIXED. I SAID FINE, AND PAID FOR THEM TO FIX IT AND THE RECALL. LATER THAT DAY MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THEY HAD ME COME BACK IN A WEEK LATER AND ADVISED ME A NEW CODE CAME ON. I ASKED WHY THEY DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT IT WHEN I WAS THERE AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE IT THEN. I DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE CODES THEY FOUND WERE PART OF THE RECALL, AND THAT WAS THE REASON MY ENGINE BLEW UP. BUT THEY WOULD NOT FIX OR PAY FOR IT. I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH ON THIS AND FINALLY I FOUND A NUMBER TO CALL REGARDING NISSAN RECALLS. THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE AT NO COST SINCE IT WAS A RECALL AND IT WAS ALL CONNECTED. (HAD THAT RECALL OR PROBLEM BEEN FIXED MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE NEVER BLOWN UP! RECALL OR NO RECALL, THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE! THEY NEVER EVEN CONTACTED ME ABOUT THAT RECALL! I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN!) SHE FILED A CLAIM FOR ME AND SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME. IT HAS BEEN A WEEK AND NO CALL FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA YET. I CALL THEM EVERYDAY AND EVERYDAY THEY SAY SOMEONE WILL CALL ME. AT LEAST TOYOTA IS TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS! *TR UPDATED IVOQ 08/20/10 UPDATED 10/27/10

NHTSA ODI #10325901

35,000 miles · Apr 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED CONTINUOUSLY AND SHE SMELLED FUEL. SHE ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED; SHE HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT NOTI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED CONTINUOUSLY AND SHE SMELLED FUEL. SHE ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED; SHE HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FROM THE ENGINE ONCE THE ENGINE WAS WARM. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR HER MODEL BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10324535

93,338 miles · Apr 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,338. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. UPDATED 07/02/10 *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10323542

76,890 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE DAY BEFORE, ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED ON A FIVE LANE HWY IN CENTER LANE DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AT SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH. MY SON AND I WERE STRANDED HELPLESS IN THE MIDST OF CARS HEADING RIGHT TOWARDS US. AN HOUR LATER GEICO SENT A TOW TO TAKE US TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR. THE STALL W…

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE DAY BEFORE, ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED ON A FIVE LANE HWY IN CENTER LANE DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AT SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH. MY SON AND I WERE STRANDED HELPLESS IN THE MIDST OF CARS HEADING RIGHT TOWARDS US. AN HOUR LATER GEICO SENT A TOW TO TAKE US TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR. THE STALL WAS DUE TO A RECALL ON THE ENGINE SENSOR ISSUED IN 2006. DEALER HAD DENIED RECALL MULTIPLE TIMES PRIOR BUT HAD FINALLY RECOGNIZED IT. LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT TO HAVE ECN REPROGRAMMED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED DIAGNOSTIC FOR $192.14. I STATED I WANTED TO TAKE IT ELSEWHERE AND WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING TO COME PICK UP MY CAR. GOT THERE CAR WAS RUNNING, ASKED IF THERE HAD EVER BEEN ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND TOLD NO. GOT 1/2 OF MILE AND LOUD NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING AND LOST STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE IN TRAFFIC. TO AVOID GOING INTO NEXT LANE ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I SWERVED OTHER WAY INTO TELEPHONE POLL. ENGINE COMPLETELY DEAD SINCE THEN AND HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED AS TOTALED DUE TO LOCKED ENGINE. ENGINE QR25DE WAS TAKEN OFF SALES FLOOR IN 2006 AND I RECEIVED NO INFORMATION AT ALL. DEALER TOLD ME HE NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. ON RECEIPT FROM DEALER IT STATES CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT DEALER NEVER GAVE ME RECEIPT TO SIGN AND NEVER EVEN ELUDED TO CAR DOING SAME THING IT HAD DONE LESS THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR. SAID HE PUT OIL IN CAR AND IT STARTED UP AND WAS READY FOR ME TO PICK UP. I HAD JUST HAD OIL CHANGE AND HAD NO OIL LEAKS WHATSOEVER. MY SON IS TRAUMATIZED AND CAN'T SLEEP NIGHTS FROM FIRST INCIDENT AND I HAVE NO VEHICLE AND CAN'T GET TO DOCTOR FOR MY BACK, LEG, AND KNEE INJURY I SUFFERED IN THE CRASH. NISSAN SAYS 6 WEEKS UNTIL THEY SEND AN INSPECTOR TO SEE CAR AND I'M PAYING FOR EACH DAY IT SITS ON THE LOT OF MECHANIC. STILL HAVE NOT EVEN DISPATCHED ORDERS AND IT IS NOW 9 DAYS LATER. MY LIFE AND MY SON'S WERE KNOWINGLY PUT IN DANGER TWICE DUE TO CORP & DEALER NEGLIGENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10322204

76,800 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 69 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WARNING BLINKERS WERE ACTIVATED AND WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE FROM THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE FOOT APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PUS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 69 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WARNING BLINKERS WERE ACTIVATED AND WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE FROM THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE FOOT APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE TO THE MEDIAN WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE RECALL REPAIRED WAS PERFORMED UNDER CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECU), BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY OFF THE LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL FAILURE, AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET FOR A RECALL ASSOCIATED REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE." THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ONE MILE FROM THE DEALER. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NON-RESPONSIVE WITH EXTREME BODILY FORCE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH AS "DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE." THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,800.

NHTSA ODI #10322193

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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