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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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65,200 miles · Jun 14, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

1. ON JUNE, 8 2008, AT 65,200 MILES 2. RANDOMLY MISFIRE CODE THAT CAUSE BY VERY SMALL LEAK CYLINDER HEAD GASKET THAT CANNOT BE DETECTED EASILY. (NO OVERHEAT, NO SMOKES FROM THE MUFFLER, JUST SLOW LOWERING COOLANT FLUID LEVEL) 3. CHANGE THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET, AND WARPED CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231012

112,000 miles · Jun 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I TOOK MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN FOR REPAIR. WHEN I WAS TOLD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD ALSO DESTROYING MY ENGINE. I SEARCHED YOUR WEB SITE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND ONE DEALING WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN I BROUGHT IT UP TO MY DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS DONE IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, IF IT WAS ALREADY DONE WHY WOULD IT HAP…

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I TOOK MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN FOR REPAIR. WHEN I WAS TOLD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD ALSO DESTROYING MY ENGINE. I SEARCHED YOUR WEB SITE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND ONE DEALING WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN I BROUGHT IT UP TO MY DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS DONE IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, IF IT WAS ALREADY DONE WHY WOULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND SHOULDN'T THEY REPLACE THE ENGINE?WELL I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULDN;T HONOR THE RECALL ! SO I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND HOPE THAT YOU CAN PRESSURE NISSAN TO UPDATE THEIR SERVICE TO COVER THE SECOND TIME THIS SAME DEFECT HAPPENS TO OVER 250,000 CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230753

100,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DOES NOT START. WHEN THE ENGINE DOES START, THE VEHICLE SHUTTERS AND THEN SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE ENGINE IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229359

177,150 miles · May 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA PRE-CAT PROBLEM. PRE-CAT COMES APART, A BACKFLOW OF DEBRIS ENTERS ENGINE VIA THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CAUSES ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS CONDITION IS THE RESULT OF A DESIGN FLAW INVOLVING THE PRE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE ON THEIR PART AS THIS IS AN ISOLATED IN…

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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA PRE-CAT PROBLEM. PRE-CAT COMES APART, A BACKFLOW OF DEBRIS ENTERS ENGINE VIA THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CAUSES ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS CONDITION IS THE RESULT OF A DESIGN FLAW INVOLVING THE PRE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE ON THEIR PART AS THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE PRE-CAT ON THESE ENGINES WHICH ONLY SERVED IN MOST CASES TO PUT OFF THE PRE-CAT BLOW UP PAST ENGINE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229241

121,232 miles · May 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN I START MY CAR IN THE MORNING IT ALWAYS TAKES TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THE CAR TO START. I FIGURED MAYBE MY ENGINE WAS JUST COLD. BUT THEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE A RED LIGHT WAS COMING UP AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF!! I WAS SO SCARED BECAUSE MY I ALMOST HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. I FIGURED THAT SOMET…

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WHEN I START MY CAR IN THE MORNING IT ALWAYS TAKES TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THE CAR TO START. I FIGURED MAYBE MY ENGINE WAS JUST COLD. BUT THEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE A RED LIGHT WAS COMING UP AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF!! I WAS SO SCARED BECAUSE MY I ALMOST HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. I FIGURED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG SO I BETTER TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON. THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL?? I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT BEFORE I WENT, I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE REGARDING THE REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE WHOLE TIME MY CAR WAS BEHAVING THIS WAY THE SERVICE LIGHT NEVER APPEARED. WHEN THE I GOT TO THE CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY EXPLAINED THAT YES THERE IS A RECALL BUT THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDED "A NEW CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BECAUSE MY SENOR WAS NO LONGER GOOD." I SAID THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS KNOWN TO OVERHEAT WHICH CAUSED MY CRANKSHAFT SENOR TO NOW BE REPLACED. SO, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MY CRANKSHAFT SENOR UNDER THIS RECALL. THEY INSISTED NO AND IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS I NEED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229148

100,260 miles · May 27, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S,MY CAR BURN OIL LIKE CRAZY, COULD MAKE A FIRE IF I DIDN'T KEEP CHECKING ON THE OIL LEVEL, I SPENT 5 QUART JUST FROM IOWA TO MINNEAPOLIS AND FOR THE LOCAL DRIVE I NEED TO REFILL 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 5-6 DAYS (BETWEEN OFFICE AND HOME WHICH IS JUST 4 MINUTES DRIVING). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229023

83,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. 1)REAR PADS + ROTORS WORN AT 35,000 MILES: REPLACED AT OWNERS COST. NOW 83000 MILES(MAY '08): DEALER HAS TOLD ROTORS AND PAD NEED REPLACEMENT AND POSSIBLY CALIPERS NEED TO BE EVALUATED. AT 75000 MILE CHECK EVERYTHING WAS OK. (PER THE SERVICE RECORD). IN JAN'08 I HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE BREAKS TO BE …

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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. 1)REAR PADS + ROTORS WORN AT 35,000 MILES: REPLACED AT OWNERS COST. NOW 83000 MILES(MAY '08): DEALER HAS TOLD ROTORS AND PAD NEED REPLACEMENT AND POSSIBLY CALIPERS NEED TO BE EVALUATED. AT 75000 MILE CHECK EVERYTHING WAS OK. (PER THE SERVICE RECORD). IN JAN'08 I HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE BREAKS TO BE INSPECTED. TOLD OK. NOW SUDDENLY THE ROTORS ARE SHOT. OTHER THAN A SQUEAL SOUND FOR 2 DAYS NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. CONCERNED ABOUT HOW BRAKES GO FROM FINE TO SHOT IN 3 MONTHS. I THINK IT IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN IF THE TIME IT TAKES BREAKS TO DISINTEGRATE IS LESS THAN A 3 MONTH PERIOD. 2) ENGINE NOT STARTING AFTER PARKED IN THE COLD. HAPPENED TWICE ONCE AT 48000 MILES. (LOWER BILL. ) 2ND TIME AT 78000 MILES. (HUGE BILL ~$1000). MULTIPLE PARTS REPLACED AND SERVICED. HIGHLIGHTED AS PROBLEM ON VARIOUS FORUMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR NISSAN MODEL. EVALUATE POSSIBILITY RELATED TO ECM TIMINGS ETC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228972

90,000 miles · May 21, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

LOSING OIL AND COOLANT WHICH LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IN MARCH 2006. REPLACED ENGINE AND 50K MILES LATER LOSING COOLANT AND MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3. SUSPECT HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228547

65,000 miles · May 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IGNITION DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNOVER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION HESITATES REGULARLY IN ALL TEMPERATURES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHAN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IGNITION DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNOVER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION HESITATES REGULARLY IN ALL TEMPERATURES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND THE COOLING LEVEL WAS LOW. THERE WAS MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED ON THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING INTERNALLY AND ADVISED THAT IT BE REPLACED. THE HEATER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THE VEHICLE. THE HEAD GASKET HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,783.

NHTSA ODI #10228334

114,000 miles · May 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND TAKE 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WORSENED OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE TWO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS (03V455000 AND 07V5270…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND TAKE 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE FAILURE WORSENED OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE TWO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS (03V455000 AND 07V527000), BOTH FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10228193

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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