IN MY NEW NISSAN ALTIMA 2003, THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE FOR DEVELOPING A CRACK. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, BUT THE DEALER REFUSES TO ADMIT THE RADIATOR IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THEY HAVE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
2003 Nissan Altima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Altima years
Owner complaints for the 2003 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
727 reports with mileage · 156 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 450 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
450 reportsCAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *LA
THE VEHICLE CRANKED UP BUT WOULD TURN OVER. THERE WAS A RECALL (03V4555000) FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WELD BUT THE VIN NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY SPEED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL, AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. DRIVER MADE CONTACT WITH DEALERSHIP ON SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK CONSUMER NOTED THAT SINCE PURCHASE THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AFTER A P…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY SPEED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL, AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. DRIVER MADE CONTACT WITH DEALERSHIP ON SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK CONSUMER NOTED THAT SINCE PURCHASE THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AFTER A PART IN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ON MORNING WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING NEXT TO THE CARPOOL LANE HOPING NO ONE WOULD HIT THE VEHICLE. *PH
I GOT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ON 9/1/03. ON THE 10/10/03 IT STARTED STALLING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A DAMAGED SPARK PLUG. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT BACK. A BUTTERFLY VALVE HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS LOST SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE. I WAS INFORMED OF TWO RECALLS, AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGIN…
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I GOT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ON 9/1/03. ON THE 10/10/03 IT STARTED STALLING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A DAMAGED SPARK PLUG. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT BACK. A BUTTERFLY VALVE HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS LOST SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE. I WAS INFORMED OF TWO RECALLS, AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NISSAN GAVE ME A RENTAL FOR 5 DAYS, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR ANYMORE. IT TOOK 7 DAYS TO DELIVER THE ENGINE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO RENT A CAR, SO I HAD TO BORROW MY SISTER'S CAR TO GET WORK. ONCE IT CAME ONE OF THE PARTS WAS WRONG. THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALOGS, AND THE PART WAS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO A RENTAL. I CALLED NISSAN MYSELF. AFTER WAITING FOR 24 HOURS WHILE THEY REVIEWED MY FILE I WAS DENIED A RENTAL BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW LONG I WOULD BE. THE LADY WAS VERY RUDE. I ASKED FOR A SUPERVISOR. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE 24-48 HOURS FOR THEM TO RETURN MY CALL. I WAITED A WEEK AND CALLED BACK. HE TOLD ME THAT THEY SHOULD BE CALLING ME THAT DAY OR THE NEXT. I HAVE STILL NEVER HEARD FROM THEM, AND IT IS DECEMBER 4 2003. I AM JUST GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM THE NISSAN COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM NISSAN TELLING ME THE PART WILL BE IN A CERTAIN WEEK, BUT STILL NO PART. ON NOVEMBER 19TH THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A CAR, AND THEN ON NOVEMBER 20TH THEY GOT NISSAN TO GIVE ME A RENTAL. SO BETWEEN OCTOBER 25TH UNTIL NOVEMBER 19TH I HAVE HAD TO BORROW A CAR FROM MY SISTER. BOTH OF US COMMUTE, HER TO SCHOOL, AND ME TO WORK. I WORK THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT, SO THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. I AM A NURSE AND AM ON CALL SOMEDAYS. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GET THERE IN A HURRY, WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO MISS OUT ON THE OVERTIME HOURS, NOT TO MENTION STAFF MEETINGS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED AS RUDELY BY A COMPANY AS NISSAN HAS TREATED ME. I HAVE BEEN GETTING NOTHING BUT FAKE PROMISES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN, NOR WILL ANYONE I KNOW! *NLM
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S AND @ 3900 MILES THE RADIATOR WENT BAD , NOW @ 4800 MILES THE RADIATOR IS BAD AGAIN. DEALER IS VERY UNHELPFUL OF SITUATION AND ACTS LIKE THEY DON,T WANT TO FIX.GERMAINE NISSAN IS 2 HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOME , ONLY BOUGHT FROM THEM BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE A RESPECTABLE DEALERSHIP.IT PUTS ALMOST…
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S AND @ 3900 MILES THE RADIATOR WENT BAD , NOW @ 4800 MILES THE RADIATOR IS BAD AGAIN. DEALER IS VERY UNHELPFUL OF SITUATION AND ACTS LIKE THEY DON,T WANT TO FIX.GERMAINE NISSAN IS 2 HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOME , ONLY BOUGHT FROM THEM BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE A RESPECTABLE DEALERSHIP.IT PUTS ALMOST 150 MILES ON MY CAR TO DRIVE IT UP THER AND BACK,AND THEY SAY I DON,T QUALIFY FOR A LOANER CAR.*AK
CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT RADIATOR LEAKS COMING FROM THE HOSE CLAMP AREA AND THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN INFORMED; HOWEVER, THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *AK
I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM BECAUSE IS MAKING A NOISE AND WHEN IT'S PARKED IT'S MAKING A NOISE EVEN MORE WORSE. OF COURSE AS ALWAYS THE PEOPLE I SPOKE TO SAID THAT IS NORMAL. THE NOISE THAT MY CAR MAKE IS LIKE IF THIS WAS A DIESEL CAR. *LA
DEFECT REPORT SUBMITTED 2002-2003 NISSAN ALTIMA EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD WHICH COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST.*MR *TS
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. DEALER KEPT VEHICLE OVER FOUR MONTHS AND COULD NO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Official recalls
406V242000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Jul 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE 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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. 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.
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
1RQ06001 · Engine Stall - Crank Position Sensor
Opened Feb 22, 2006 · Closed Jul 18, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.
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