ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A TIME CHAIN AND OTHER ENGINE PARTS BEING DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 91,000 MILES. *TR
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
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.
What owners actually said
1,047 reportsSIMPLE ENGINE HEAT APPEARS TO DISINTEGRATE THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER PART ON A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L ENGINE. THE ENGINE SUCKS IN THE BROKEN PARTS, WHICH THEN DAMAGE THE ENGINE, REQUIRING THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. *TR
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING UP AND PIECES DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS STARTED BURNING OIL WITH LOUD NOISES. WAS TOLD CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BY DEALER WITH NO EXPLANATION ON WHY. CAR HAS ONLY 97, 000 MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS…
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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING UP AND PIECES DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS STARTED BURNING OIL WITH LOUD NOISES. WAS TOLD CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BY DEALER WITH NO EXPLANATION ON WHY. CAR HAS ONLY 97, 000 MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD TO SEND ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS. AFTER THEY REVIEWED ALL MY RECORDS I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. AFTER CONFRONTING THEM WITH THE FACT IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THAT MODEL CAR THEY STILL INSISTED THEY CANNOT HELP US. IF ENGINE SEIZES WHILE DRIVING IT WILL MOSTLY LIKE CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY NISSAN TO RESOLVE THIS DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF. *TR
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH VARIOUS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING UP AND PIECES DESTROY ENGINE. ONGOING BATTLE NEVER RESOLVED CAN'T GET HELP STILL OWE 3700 ON VEHICLE WITHOUT VEHICLE NOW. ENGINE WON'T CRANK HAVE TO PUMP GAS PEDAL EVEN THEN LIKE NOT GETTING GAS BUT MECHANICS ALL SAY THE SAME YOU GOT A BAD CAR,…
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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH VARIOUS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING UP AND PIECES DESTROY ENGINE. ONGOING BATTLE NEVER RESOLVED CAN'T GET HELP STILL OWE 3700 ON VEHICLE WITHOUT VEHICLE NOW. ENGINE WON'T CRANK HAVE TO PUMP GAS PEDAL EVEN THEN LIKE NOT GETTING GAS BUT MECHANICS ALL SAY THE SAME YOU GOT A BAD CAR, DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. PLUS NISSAN REFUSES TO DO RECALLS NEVER EVEN DONE THAT WERE ECM RELATED AND REAR SUSPENSION. ALL ONGOING SINCE APRIL 2006. HAVE RECORDS/EVIDENCE. *TR
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L S. HAS STARTED CONSUMING OIL DESPITE REGULAR MAINTENANCE ANDU SE IG HOIGH QUALITY MOBILE 1 5W30 OIL. IN SEARCHING INTERNET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THIS MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE. NISSAN KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERS NO RELIEF. TIME FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I HAVE NOT HAD A C…
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2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L S. HAS STARTED CONSUMING OIL DESPITE REGULAR MAINTENANCE ANDU SE IG HOIGH QUALITY MOBILE 1 5W30 OIL. IN SEARCHING INTERNET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THIS MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE. NISSAN KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERS NO RELIEF. TIME FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I HAVE NOT HAD A CAR BURN OIL AND HAVE DRIVEN EVERY ONE OF MY CARS OVER 200,000 AND SOLD THEM. *TR
MY CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL ISSUE IN 3/09 BY THE MANUFACTURER. IN AUGUST OF 09, MY CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE WHEN STARTING, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER AND HESITATION DURING OPERATION, SOON AFTERWARDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FINALLY THE CAR FAILED TO START. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND THEY DIAGNOSED T…
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MY CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL ISSUE IN 3/09 BY THE MANUFACTURER. IN AUGUST OF 09, MY CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE WHEN STARTING, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER AND HESITATION DURING OPERATION, SOON AFTERWARDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FINALLY THE CAR FAILED TO START. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICING WHEN I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I OPENED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF THE RECALL WORK, BUT NISSAN IS SAYING THAT THE PARTS THAT I HAD INSTALLED HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR
MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUE FOR 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS. ONE WAS RECALL #69520 ON APRIL 17, 2002, FOR WHICH NISSAN DID SEND ME A RECALL NOTICE. THE OTHER WAS RECALL #44046 ON FEBRUARY 27, 2003, FOR WHICH I WAS NOT NOTI…
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MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUE FOR 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS. ONE WAS RECALL #69520 ON APRIL 17, 2002, FOR WHICH NISSAN DID SEND ME A RECALL NOTICE. THE OTHER WAS RECALL #44046 ON FEBRUARY 27, 2003, FOR WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY NISSAN. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2009, THEY STUDIED MY CASE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 AND ADVISED ME THAT RECALL #44046 DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN AND THAT I WAS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS, IN EXCESS OF $2,000. GIVEN THAT MY DAUGHTER WILL SOON BE DRIVING THE CAR, I FEEL I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR, AT MY OWN COST. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS SUSPICIOUS TO ME THAT THE RECALL #44046 DESCRIBES MY AIRBAG PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT COVER MY SPECIFIC VIN. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2005. THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE VEHICLE INCLUDING, JERKING, STALLING ON HIGHWAY, OVER HEATING AND SMOKING. I HAVE A THE OC SENSORS REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS, CADILLAC CONVERTS, COILS...THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT ALWAYS COMING O…
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I BOUGHT A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2005. THE LAST TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE VEHICLE INCLUDING, JERKING, STALLING ON HIGHWAY, OVER HEATING AND SMOKING. I HAVE A THE OC SENSORS REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS, CADILLAC CONVERTS, COILS...THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT ALWAYS COMING ON AND THE NEED TO ALWAYS REFILL THE OIL BUT I COULD NOT SEE WHERE IT WAS LEAKING FROM. THE SAME PROBLEM WAS WITH THE COOLANT---I KEPT POURING IT IN THE PLACE FOR COOLANT AND IN 2 DAYS IT WOULD BE GONE.AT THE END OF AUGUST MY INFANT AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN JERKING AND CUT OFF RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED TO PICK UP THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING IT LOOKS AS IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH SEVERAL NISSAN ALTIMA'S. I JUST WANT MY ENGINE AND CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED THE NISSAN CORP TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL, I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. INSTANTLY I NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOOT UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I PARKED MY CAR AND JUST FIGURED THAT IT HAD OVERHEATED. I ADDED MORE WATER TO THE RADIATOR AND KEPT DRIVING. 2 MINUTES LATER IT WAS ALL THE WAY HOT AGAIN. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME AT W…
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AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL, I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. INSTANTLY I NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOOT UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I PARKED MY CAR AND JUST FIGURED THAT IT HAD OVERHEATED. I ADDED MORE WATER TO THE RADIATOR AND KEPT DRIVING. 2 MINUTES LATER IT WAS ALL THE WAY HOT AGAIN. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME AT WHICH POINT I INSPECTED THE RADIATOR AND DISCOVERED A 4 INCH HORIZONTAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HEAD OF THE RADIATOR DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE HOSE MOUNT. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT PLASTIC COULD CRACK LIKE THIS. I HAVE SEEN CRACKS IN PLASTIC ALONG SEAMS, BUT THERE WAS NO SEAM HERE. I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS CRACK COULD HAPPEN THIS WAY. THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF A DEFECT BECAUSE THIS WAS UNBELIEVABLE. I WENT ON TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIATOR PLUS HOSES AND ANTIFREEZE FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE FOR A TOTAL OF $250, PLUS I WILL NOW HAVE TO TAKE 3 HOURS OUT OF MY DAY TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. I DO ALL MY OWN WORK ON THE CAR AND TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. I FIX ANY SMALL PROBLEMS RIGHT AWAY TO PREVENT LARGER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THIS ONE, FROM HAPPENING. *TR
DESIGN FLAW WITH ENGINE CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE BURNING OIL THEN MAKES THE CONVERTER START TO FALL APART AND BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. THIS MADE THE ENGINE STALL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS FLAW THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET. CONTACTED NISSAN I THEY SAID TO BAD. DEALER STRONGLY SUGGESTED…
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DESIGN FLAW WITH ENGINE CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE BURNING OIL THEN MAKES THE CONVERTER START TO FALL APART AND BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. THIS MADE THE ENGINE STALL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS FLAW THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET. CONTACTED NISSAN I THEY SAID TO BAD. DEALER STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT I SELL THE CAR SINCE IT WOULD ONLY GET WORSE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
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.
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