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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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9,400 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH RECALL SERVICE WORK NOT CORRECTING THE MALFUNCTION THE RECALL IS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT. SPECIFICALLY OF CONCERN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS : 03V455000 & 03V084000 & 03V251000. NOT RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES BY MANUFACTURER OR BEING INFORMED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED NISSAN CORP CONSUMER …

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MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH RECALL SERVICE WORK NOT CORRECTING THE MALFUNCTION THE RECALL IS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT. SPECIFICALLY OF CONCERN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS : 03V455000 & 03V084000 & 03V251000. NOT RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES BY MANUFACTURER OR BEING INFORMED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED NISSAN CORP CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT RECEIVED NO RESOLUTION OR SUGGESTIONS. PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PERFORMANCE, EXCESSIVE EXHAUST, AND STRONG BURNING SMELL ARE STILL PRESENT ALONG WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINING ON. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 6 VISITS IN LAST 5 MONTHS - VEHICLE IS STILL AT SERVICE DEPT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE OVER THESE PAST MONTHS WHILE THESE PROBLEMS PERSISTED. I ASKED FOR A LOANER VEHICLE OR TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS DECLINED ANY HELP - EVEN THOUGH ID # 03V084000 NISSAN RECALL NOTICE STATES IT SHOULD BE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE IF CUSTOMER MAKES THIS REQUEST. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AND AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. MY LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE DEPT (PINE BELT NISSAN AUTOMOTIVE) AND NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS NOT ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS AND HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED FOR MONTHS. VEHICLE HAS HAD REDUCED POWER, HESITATION, PULLING AND VIBRATION, EXCESSIVE EXHAUST AND AN INCREASINGLY STRONG BURNING SMELL FROM ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10064144

31,000 miles · Mar 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WELL, I FILED A COMPLAINT ON MARCH 12, 2003 REGARDING MY ENGINE ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WELL, I'VE NOTED SINCE 2002-2004, MY CAR HAS HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. WELL, HERE IT IS 2004, I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING AND THE AIR BAG HAD A DEFAULT. IT WAS TOWED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND ONCE AGAIN, I …

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WELL, I FILED A COMPLAINT ON MARCH 12, 2003 REGARDING MY ENGINE ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WELL, I'VE NOTED SINCE 2002-2004, MY CAR HAS HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. WELL, HERE IT IS 2004, I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING AND THE AIR BAG HAD A DEFAULT. IT WAS TOWED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND ONCE AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CENSOR FOR THE COMPUTER AND THE STARTER WENT OUT AS WELL. I'VE HAD IT AND I'M ABOUT TO SEEK A LAWYER. ALSO, EVERYTIME MY CAR DOESN'T START, IT'S ALWAYS BECAUSE OF A RECALL. EACH TIME I ASK WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS RECALLS, THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER CLAIMS NISSAN DOESN'T SEND OUT LETTERS. WELL, I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO BELIEVE. NOW I'M RIDING AROUND IN A 4 DOOR NISSAN SENTRA THAT IS LOANED TO ME BY THE DEALER. I WANT TO KNOW, DOES NISSAN SEND OUT RECALL LETTERS OR IS IT UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL DEALERS? I'M JUST FED UP WITH NISSAN AND I'M GOING TO GIVE THEIR MAIN OFFICE A CALL ABOUT THIS. PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND THIS. THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062070

47,514 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

REPAIRS REQUIRED FOR 3 RECALLS, REPLACEMENT OR RADIATOR AND MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER IS WILLING TO PAY REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR, BUT WON'T PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. *LA *MR

NHTSA ODI #10061025

20,000 miles · Feb 23, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER T RECALL 03V08400 REPAIRS WERE DONE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10059578

60,000 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE THE OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10053367

54,548 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

REF. INVESTIGATION PE 02-078 THE 'CHECK OIL' LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA ON 1-16-2004. I STOPPED TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND FOUND THE DIPSTICK TO BE BONE DRY. I FILLED THE OIL RESERVOIR ON THIS DATE AND HAVE CHECKED THE OIL DAILY SINCE. THE OIL LEVEL HAS STEADILY DROPPED. IT APPEARS THAT THE DESC…

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REF. INVESTIGATION PE 02-078 THE 'CHECK OIL' LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA ON 1-16-2004. I STOPPED TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND FOUND THE DIPSTICK TO BE BONE DRY. I FILLED THE OIL RESERVOIR ON THIS DATE AND HAVE CHECKED THE OIL DAILY SINCE. THE OIL LEVEL HAS STEADILY DROPPED. IT APPEARS THAT THE DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE DESCRIBED IN ODI RESUME FOR INVESTIGATION PE 02-078 (I.E. SCORING OF THE CYLINDER WALLS) HAS OCCURRED AND NOW MY ENGINE IS CONSUMING MOTOR OIL AT A RAPID PACE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10054772

61,308 miles · Jan 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED NEARLY CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. CAR RESTARTED AND SMAE THING HAPPENED. I HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR AS PART OF A RECLAA (R3022). *AK

NHTSA ODI #10054546

12,521 miles · Jan 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, TWICE I LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND MIRACULOUSLY AVOIDED A CRASH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED THE SECOND TIME HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE PLACING MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRA…

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MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, TWICE I LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND MIRACULOUSLY AVOIDED A CRASH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED THE SECOND TIME HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE PLACING MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP, I'M SURPRISED THE GOVERNMENT (LEMON LAW) REQUIRES A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES SAME OCCURRENCE,REPORT AFTER THE THIRD TIME, THEN THE DEALERSHIP HAS ANOTHER SHOT OF REPAIR #4, ONLY THEN, THEY WILL CONSIDER REPLACEMENT OR BUY BACK , AFTER 5TH TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE. THIS TO ME IS RUSSIAN ROULETTE, THE WORSE PART IS , I'M PAYING FOR IT (CAR PYMT.)WHO IS IT THAT ACTUALLY CHOSE THE CRITERIIA FOR THE LEMON LAWS? AND WHOSE FAVOR ARE THEY IN ? THE CONSUMER AND THEIR FAMILIES AT RISK, OR THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR A YEAR CAR MANUFACTURERS? I WANT A SAFE CAR!!!! AND I WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN MATTER AND WE'RE NOT JUST ANOTHER NUMBER. WOULD MR. GHOSN (NISSAN CEO), DRIVE HIS CHILDREN IN A CAR THAT HAS TOTAL POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL?? DO I PAINT BIG LEMONS ON THE SIDE OF MY CAR,WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION, A DEATH??? FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME KIMFLINK@YAHOO.COM *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052352

15,000 miles · Nov 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WAS DRIVING 40-MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER HAD MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALERSHIP HAD REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR TWICE. DRIVER DON'T FEEL SAFE ANY MORE TO DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10048399

18,000 miles · Nov 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. TWICE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, I WAS STRANDED WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER TURNING IT OFF. BOTH TIMES THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT SOME MINOR ADJUSTMENTS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME MY VEHICLE FAILED WAS THIS WEEK, AND…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. TWICE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, I WAS STRANDED WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER TURNING IT OFF. BOTH TIMES THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT SOME MINOR ADJUSTMENTS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME MY VEHICLE FAILED WAS THIS WEEK, AND IT PUT MY BABY DAUGHTER AND I IN A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. AS WE TRAVELED DOWN I-10 AT THE RATE OF 70 MPH MY CAR STALLED. I LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. COME TO FIND OUT, NISSAN KNOWS OF A FAULTY SENSOR THAT EXISTS IN SOME OF THEIR LATER MODEL VEHICLES, AND IS WAITING UNTIL DECEMBER TO LAUNCH A RECALL CAMPAIGN. I FIND THIS TO BE HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IN THE MEANTIME DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE AT GREAT RISK. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047257

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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