IllustrationWHILE DRIVING DURING COLD DAYS AT ANY SPEED ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN , AND FORCE CONSUMER TO PULL OF THE ROAD. THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY GAS MODULE SENSOR. CONSUMER MOST HAVE AT LEAST HALF TANK OF GAS TO AVOID FREEZING UP THE MODULE SENSOR.*AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
720–25K
7425–50K
12150–75K
23575–100K
239100–150K
60150K+
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 reportsHOT AIR BLOWING IN VENTS, BURNS 1/2 QT. OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES, NISSAN WANTS TO REPLACE ENGINE.*AK
WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR DIED. IT WAS A HOT DAY, THE AC WAS ON. I TURNED IT OFF, IT STARTED AFTER HESITATING TO TURN OVER. SAME EXACT SITUATION EXCEPT I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL THE NEXT DAY AND IT DIED, HOT/AC WAS ON. THAT TIME, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. I JUST GOT IT BACK TODA…
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WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR DIED. IT WAS A HOT DAY, THE AC WAS ON. I TURNED IT OFF, IT STARTED AFTER HESITATING TO TURN OVER. SAME EXACT SITUATION EXCEPT I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL THE NEXT DAY AND IT DIED, HOT/AC WAS ON. THAT TIME, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. I JUST GOT IT BACK TODAY AND ON THE WAY HOME (AGAIN, HOT DAY, AC ON), IT DIED AGAIN. THE SERVICE TICKET THAT I HAVE SAYS: JOB 1-PARTS ORDERED MANIFOLD EXHAUST,COVER-EXHAUST M,BEARING-SEAL E,GASKET-EXHAUST AND REPLACE CONVERTER AND HEAT SHIELD. JOB 2- PART WAS SPRING KIT, INSTALL NEW COIL REGISTER. I DID NOTICE DURING THIS TIME THAT MY OIL WAS RATHER ON THE LOW SIDE AND I ADDED 2 QTS. I HAVE NOT SINCE CHECKED THE OIL NOR WAS IT TIME TO CHANGE THE OIL. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK TOMORROW MORNING. *JB
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, THAT MY HUSBAND PURCHASE FOR MY 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, MAY 2002. IN OCT 2002, IT STARTED WITH LOSE BELTS THAT WASN'T REPAIRED UNTIL DEC 2002. WELL, IN MAR 2003, MY CAR WOULDN'T START. SO, THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING!! SO, WHEN THE TOW GUY ARRIVED TO TOW TO…
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I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, THAT MY HUSBAND PURCHASE FOR MY 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, MAY 2002. IN OCT 2002, IT STARTED WITH LOSE BELTS THAT WASN'T REPAIRED UNTIL DEC 2002. WELL, IN MAR 2003, MY CAR WOULDN'T START. SO, THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRY TO START IT, NOTHING!! SO, WHEN THE TOW GUY ARRIVED TO TOW TO DEALER, HE TRIED WITH NO SUCCESS. SO, MY CAR WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR 4 DAYS, THE SERVICE DEPT SAID IT STARTED FOR THEM. SO, WHILE I WAS CHECKING OUT AT THE CASHIER, THE SERVICE MANAGER SO HAPPEN TO BE STANDING BY AND OVER HEARD ME TALKING TO THE CASHIER. SO, HE AND I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND IT STARTED FOR HIM, BUT HE STATED THAT IT'S A DELAYED CRANKING AND THEY'VE GOTTEN A SERVICE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE ALTIMA'S NOT STARTING AND THEY BELIEVE IT'S HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL INJECTION, BUT BEFORE THEY CAN RECALL THE CAR, THEY MUST KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. SO, HE SAID WHENEVER IT DOES IT AGAIN, WHILE CRANKING THE CAR, PUSH DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND GIVE IT SOME GAS AND IT SHOULD START. WELL, IN APRIL, WHILE IN D.C., ON VACATION, COMING OUT TO START THE CAR, IT DIDN'T START. SO, I DID WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TO DO AND IT STARTED, BUT I HAD TO END MY VACATION, BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO CHANCE IT FAR FROM HOME. WELL, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET THE OIL CHANGE AND I DID LET THE SERVICE DEPT KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. WELL, HERE IT IS JUNE 2003, MY CAR STALLED AGAIN AND MY HUSBAND WAS VERY UPSET, BECAUSE HE HAD DRIVEN IT TO WORK AND HE MANAGED TO GET IT BACK TO WORK AND WHEN HE GOT READY TO LEAVE WORK, IT WOULDN'T START AND HE HAD TO PUSH DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND GIVE IT SOME GAS FOR IT TO START. WELL, I'M TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2003 AND WHO KNOWS WHAT EXCUSE THEY'LL HAVE. AND TO MAKE IT SOO BAD, I'M GOING TO A REUNION, IN FLORIDA AND I WANTED TO DRIVE MY CAR, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL, NOW. WELL, I HOPE THOSE OF YOU GET SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
THE CONSUMER NOTICED EVERY 1000 MILES THE ENGINE CONSUMED ONE QUART OF OIL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. *JB
THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL (EVERY 1500 MILES). *NLM
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE CONSUMED 1/2 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE. *NLM
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COILS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
CAR HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE 1ST OIL CHANGE AND DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
MAF SENSOR FAILURE..ANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON ALTIMA . ORG FORUM...WITH OR WITHOUT AFTER MARKET AIR INTAKES. *NLM
Official recalls
507V527000 · 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
1PE02078 · 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.