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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

What owners actually said

1,047 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

MY BRAKES ARE GOING OUT FAST. MY HEATER TAKES FOREVER TO HEAT UP. MY FUSES KEEP BURNING OUT,CAR LIGHTER DON'T WORK. IT RUNS ROUGH. I THINK IT HAS A SHORT ON SOME WIRES.

NHTSA ODI #11053704

18 miles · Nov 6, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion SystemCrashInjury

NISSAN ALTIMA 4 DOOR. MY DAUGHTER [XXX]. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH, OIL, COOLING, COIL PACK CAUSE A MAJOR CRASH, TOTALING A COMPLETE WRECKAGE. [XXX] SUSTAINED, SERIOUS MEDICAL ATTENTION, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. I STARTED A SERIES OF COMPLAINTS WHICH NISSAN FAILED TO COMMENT OR INVESTIGATE. INFORM…

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NISSAN ALTIMA 4 DOOR. MY DAUGHTER [XXX]. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH, OIL, COOLING, COIL PACK CAUSE A MAJOR CRASH, TOTALING A COMPLETE WRECKAGE. [XXX] SUSTAINED, SERIOUS MEDICAL ATTENTION, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. I STARTED A SERIES OF COMPLAINTS WHICH NISSAN FAILED TO COMMENT OR INVESTIGATE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11043748

100,000 miles · Nov 1, 2017
Engine

TOOK OUR 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN TO NISSAN FOR A RECALL REPAIR (2003 RECALL FOR EXHAUST / CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES) - RECALL STATES IF ENGINE IS DAMAGED, THAT IT WILL BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS BEEN DESTROYED DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL AND DAMAGE AND INDICATED THE ENGINE WOULD BE REPLAC…

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TOOK OUR 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN TO NISSAN FOR A RECALL REPAIR (2003 RECALL FOR EXHAUST / CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES) - RECALL STATES IF ENGINE IS DAMAGED, THAT IT WILL BE REPLACED. ENGINE HAS BEEN DESTROYED DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL AND DAMAGE AND INDICATED THE ENGINE WOULD BE REPLACED. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED LAT YEAR BY MY DAUGHTER, WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL INCREASING OIL CONSUMPTION BECAME EXTREME. I CONTACTED STEVEN'S CREEK NISSAN AND THEY CONFIRMED THE RECALL REPAIRS HAD NEVER BEEN COMPLETED. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR THE REPAIRS. I WAS VERY EXPLICIT IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION AS WELL AS METALLIC RESIDUE ON COMPONENTS - (I HAD REPLACED THE CAM / CRANK POSITION SENSORS WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH - THEY BOTH HAD A GREY PASTE RESIDUE ON THEM). NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE ENGINE WAS INDEED DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR NEARLY 2 MONTHS, I RECEIVED A CALL ADVISING THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS ANYMORE AND WOULD NEED TO USE AFTERMARKET PARTS. THEY GAVE ME A PHONE NUMBER TO THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, WHO AUTHORIZED THE AFTERMARKET PARTS. MULTIPLE TIMES, NISSAN CALLED TO SAY THEY HAD THE PARTS AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF THE NEXT WEEK. THIS NEVER HAPPENED. AFTER ANOTHER MONTH PASSED, NISSAN CALLED TO SAY THEY DIDNT HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I WENT TO NISSAN AND OBSERVED THE CAR HAD NOT MOVED OR HAD ANY WORK DONE AT ALL SINCE IT WAS DROPPED OFF IN JUNE. NISSAN HAS CALLED BACK AGAIN AND ADVISED THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO THE REPAIR AND THAT I SHOULD COME PICK THE CAR UP AS IS AND TRY SOME OTHER DEALERSHIP. NISSAN HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 06/09/17. NISSAN HAS HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND HAS NOT BEGUN THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11042041

133,000 miles · Oct 16, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND BUCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE LATER EX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND BUCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE LATER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE LOCAL DEALER (SUMERIAN NISSAN IN FORT MYERS FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V4855000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ODI #11033816

183,605 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (ANKER NISSAN IN NORTH SMIETFIELD, RHODE ISLAND) WHERE IT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (ANKER NISSAN IN NORTH SMIETFIELD, RHODE ISLAND) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,605.

NHTSA ODI #11025425

167,850 miles · Aug 25, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE A 2002 ALTIMA BUT I ONLY PURCHASED IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. SOMEWHERE AROUND 2 MONTHS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID IT WAS A CRANK SENSOR CODE, SO I HAD IT REPLACED. DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM FOR LONG. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THROWING THE SAME CODE. WELL THEN A WEEK LATER MY CAR COMPLET…

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I HAVE A 2002 ALTIMA BUT I ONLY PURCHASED IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. SOMEWHERE AROUND 2 MONTHS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID IT WAS A CRANK SENSOR CODE, SO I HAD IT REPLACED. DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM FOR LONG. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THROWING THE SAME CODE. WELL THEN A WEEK LATER MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN I BEGIN TO RESTART IT, NOTHING. IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WILL START. SINCE THAT INCIDENT I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT I OR MY CHILDREN WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!

NHTSA ODI #11019514

70,000 miles · Aug 24, 2017
Structure

THE FLOORBOARDS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAVE ROTTED THROUGH AND YOU CAN SEE THE ROADWAY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT IS COSTING $1000. TO FIX THE PASSENGER SIDE. I JUST DISCOVERED THE DRIVERS SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11019287

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed ControlVisibility/wiper

OUR CAR HAS SHUT OFF AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ON.

NHTSA ODI #11001957

140,000 miles · Jun 25, 2017
Structure

THE FLOORBOARDS UNDER WHERE THE PASSENGER'S FEET ARE PLACED RUSTED OUT AND A FOOTBALL SIZED CHUNK OF METAL FLEW OFF FROM UNDER THE CAR WHILE ON THE FREEWAY TODAY. IT WAS A DEFINITE HAZARD TO THE PEOPLE WHO WERE DRIVING BEHIND ME AND THEY HAD TO QUICKLY SWITCH LANES SO AS TO AVOID IT. NO THERE IS NOTHING BUT INTERIOR CARPET BETWE…

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THE FLOORBOARDS UNDER WHERE THE PASSENGER'S FEET ARE PLACED RUSTED OUT AND A FOOTBALL SIZED CHUNK OF METAL FLEW OFF FROM UNDER THE CAR WHILE ON THE FREEWAY TODAY. IT WAS A DEFINITE HAZARD TO THE PEOPLE WHO WERE DRIVING BEHIND ME AND THEY HAD TO QUICKLY SWITCH LANES SO AS TO AVOID IT. NO THERE IS NOTHING BUT INTERIOR CARPET BETWEEN THE PASSENGER'S FEET AND THE ROAD BELOW THEM. IT APPEARS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A HOLE RUSTED OUT RIGHT THERE. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED ON A DRIVEWAY AND WASHED AFTER EVERY SNOW/SALTING OF THE ROADS. THERE IS VERY MINIMAL RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE CAR, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THERE WAS SOME SORT OF DEFECT IN THAT LOCATION.

NHTSA ODI #11001251

132,000 miles · Jun 15, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 MODEL. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE DEALER LOCALLY BUT NO RESULTS. I ALSO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY GAVE ME RUN AROUND SAYING THAT THEY NEEDED THE SOFTWARE WHICH THEY WILL MAKE IT AVAILABLE AND SOON AS IT'S AVAILABLE THEY WILL CONTACT ME. I HAVE…

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I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 MODEL. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE DEALER LOCALLY BUT NO RESULTS. I ALSO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY GAVE ME RUN AROUND SAYING THAT THEY NEEDED THE SOFTWARE WHICH THEY WILL MAKE IT AVAILABLE AND SOON AS IT'S AVAILABLE THEY WILL CONTACT ME. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT I GET THE SAME RUN AROUND. IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND HALF SINCE I HAD CONTACTED THEM. BUT IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10995431

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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