NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,047 reports95,978 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Power Train
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE. SOME TIME LAST YEAR, WHEN I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE, MY CLUTCH WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IT WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. I PUMPED IT A COUPLE TIMES AND IT WORKED. THEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY, IT JUST STAYED DOWN, I WAS FIGHTING WITH IT SO THAT I COULD CHANGE GEARS. THIS MORNING, WHEN I WAS LEAV…
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I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE. SOME TIME LAST YEAR, WHEN I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE, MY CLUTCH WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IT WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. I PUMPED IT A COUPLE TIMES AND IT WORKED. THEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY, IT JUST STAYED DOWN, I WAS FIGHTING WITH IT SO THAT I COULD CHANGE GEARS. THIS MORNING, WHEN I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK, IT STAYED DOWN AND WOULD NOT COME UP. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336430
93,505 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING ONE QUART OF ENGINE OIL PER WEEK. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING ONE QUART OF ENGINE OIL PER WEEK. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,505 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,908.
NHTSA ODI #10336237
134,000 miles · May 26, 2010
Structure
HAD OIL CHANGED ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE AND NOTICE LARGE RUST SPOTS ON THE FLOOR PANELS UNDER BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE RUST HAD CREATED A HOLE RIGHT THROUGH THE FLOOR PANEL - LIFTING THE CARPET, I COULD SEE THE ROAD BELOW. NISSAN DEALERS SAID THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY COULD DO …
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HAD OIL CHANGED ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE AND NOTICE LARGE RUST SPOTS ON THE FLOOR PANELS UNDER BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE RUST HAD CREATED A HOLE RIGHT THROUGH THE FLOOR PANEL - LIFTING THE CARPET, I COULD SEE THE ROAD BELOW. NISSAN DEALERS SAID THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY COULD DO NOTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332425
154,635 miles · May 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR SHUTS OF WHILE DRIVING. CAR WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF. VERY DANGEROUS ALMOST WRECKED. MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA DOESN'T FEEL SAFE. THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. ALL WHICH COULD CAUSE POTENTIALLY FATAL AND OR SEVERE ACCIDENTS. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW O…
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CAR SHUTS OF WHILE DRIVING. CAR WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF. VERY DANGEROUS ALMOST WRECKED. MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA DOESN'T FEEL SAFE. THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. ALL WHICH COULD CAUSE POTENTIALLY FATAL AND OR SEVERE ACCIDENTS. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MY 2002 2.5 S QR25 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND IT BLEW AGAIN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE HEAD HAD BEEN CRACKED AND THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF MARKS IN CYLINDER 1. ONE OF THE POWER VALVE SCREWS LOCATED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF THE ENGINE CAME LOOSE AND SHOT THROUGH THE ENGINE, RUINING ENGINE COMPRESSION (IN TURN DESTROYING THE ENGINE) AND IT ALSO DESTROYED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, O2 SENSOR AND POWER VALVE INTAKE AND POWER VALVE PLATES. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THIS IS OVER 6000. APPARENTLY ONE OF POWER VALVE SCREWS HAD GOTTEN LOOSE AND WAS BANGING AROUND THE ENGINE. APPARENTLY THIS CAN RUIN THESE ENGINES. I EXPERIENCE POWER LOSS BECAUSE OF THIS. MY CAR HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES NEARLY CAUSING A SEVERE ACCIDENT EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE STARTS RIGHT UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT STOPS. BESIDES THE COST TO REPAIR THESE ISSUES IT IS VERY CONCERNING DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. IT IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BE MASS PRODUCED IN MY OPINION . I BELIEVE MANY OTHERS WOULD AGREE. THE IS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON THE 04 AND 05 MODELS, BUT 02 AND 03 OWNERS HAVE THE EXACT SAME ENGINE AND ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS? IT'S RIDICULOUS AND SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED IF THESE ISSUES AREN'T ADDRESSED. NISSAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FIX THESE ISSUES. T HE RESULTS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO TOYOTAS RECENT PROBLEMS WHICH KILLED SEVERAL. APPARENTLY NISSAN IS TRYING TO USE SOME KIND OF LOOPHOLE BY VOLUNTEERING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN. BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332303
85,000 miles · May 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITHIN A FEW HOURS, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BURNED OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT SHE THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITHIN A FEW HOURS, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BURNED OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT SHE THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR HER VIN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10328603
98,000 miles · May 2, 2010
Structure
LUCKILY ANY INCIDENTS WERE OMITTED. MY MECHANIC DISCOVER THAT THE UNDERMOUNT IN MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA RUSTED SO BADLY THAT I HAVE TWO HOLES IN THE CAR. THE HOLES ARE IN THE UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT. THAT IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328410
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
Official recalls
5Nov 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗