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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

Electrical System complaints

77 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD BLINK AND SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE CLUSTER ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044633

43,331 miles · Sep 19, 2003
Electrical System

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED. NISSAN MECHANIC AT LOCAL DEALERSHIIP WITNESSED THE CAR STALLING. NISSAN ENGINEERS STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE, CANNOT ACTIVELY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE CAR. THIS CAR IS AN UNCALCULATING RISK NOT ONLY TO PASSENGERS, BUT TO ANYONE ON THE HIG…

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VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED. NISSAN MECHANIC AT LOCAL DEALERSHIIP WITNESSED THE CAR STALLING. NISSAN ENGINEERS STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE, CANNOT ACTIVELY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE CAR. THIS CAR IS AN UNCALCULATING RISK NOT ONLY TO PASSENGERS, BUT TO ANYONE ON THE HIGHWAY. NISSAN SHOULD TAKE POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE TO CONDUCT FURTHER TESTING AND REPLACE THIS VEHICLE FOR HIGHWAY USE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10039159

25,000 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Electrical System

NO START - CAR TOWED FOR THIRD TIME - DEC. 30, 2002 ; FEB. 19, 2003 AND JUNE 9, 2003 - EACH TIME GIVEN A DIFFERENT REASON--RENTED CAR2 TIMES-REIMBURSED ONCE. ON 12/30-TOLD PROBLEM DUE TO COLD DAMP WEATHER;2/19 CHARGED $113. BY LEGEND NISSAN--SAID NO START MY FAULT BECAUSE I MOVED CAR FOR PLOW AND DID NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH BEFORE T…

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NO START - CAR TOWED FOR THIRD TIME - DEC. 30, 2002 ; FEB. 19, 2003 AND JUNE 9, 2003 - EACH TIME GIVEN A DIFFERENT REASON--RENTED CAR2 TIMES-REIMBURSED ONCE. ON 12/30-TOLD PROBLEM DUE TO COLD DAMP WEATHER;2/19 CHARGED $113. BY LEGEND NISSAN--SAID NO START MY FAULT BECAUSE I MOVED CAR FOR PLOW AND DID NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH BEFORE TURNING OFF; 6/9-RETURNED FROM 4 DAY VACATION-AGAIN NO START. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032868

34,500 miles · Aug 12, 2003
Electrical System

ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, 08/07/03 BEING THE LATEST, MY CAR HAS STALLED, OR SHOWN POOR ACCELLERATION WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH, SOON AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, AND A SMALL TIME PERIOD AFTER DRIVING IT. ON ONE OCCASION I EXITED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC …

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ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, 08/07/03 BEING THE LATEST, MY CAR HAS STALLED, OR SHOWN POOR ACCELLERATION WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH, SOON AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, AND A SMALL TIME PERIOD AFTER DRIVING IT. ON ONE OCCASION I EXITED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ROAD, TO CROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE AND IT STALLED WHILE THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY RELUCTANT THAT THE TRAFFIC SPEED WASN'T HIGH, FOR THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE TIME TO SLOW DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES TO MY DEALER, AND OTHER CAR MAINTENANCE SHOPS, AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, AND IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY MUST DUPLICATE IT. BUT THE PROBLEM THAT COMES FROM THAT IS, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ON A RECURRING BASIS. IT CAN HAPPEN HOURS APART TO 2 MONTHS APART. IT GIVES NO WARNING, AND IT GOES BACK TO RUNNING NORMAL AS IF NOTHING HAS EVER HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AFTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032684

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2003
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION 03 V 084 000. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10032488

10,220 miles · Jun 25, 2003
Electrical System

MY 2002 4 CYLINDER NISSAN ALTIMA HAS SUFFERED TWO COMPLETE STARTER MOTOR FAILURES. ONCE AT APPROX. 2000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 10,000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON BOTH OCCASIONS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023778

10,000 miles · May 27, 2003
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO HAD NO SOLUTION. THEY USED A COLD START AND TOLD ME NOT TO LET THE GAS GO BELOW 1/4 TANK AND NOT TO PARK ON AN INCLINE. TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2002. IN APRIL 2003, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AFTER SITTING ONE DAY AND NIGHT. I T…

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CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO HAD NO SOLUTION. THEY USED A COLD START AND TOLD ME NOT TO LET THE GAS GO BELOW 1/4 TANK AND NOT TO PARK ON AN INCLINE. TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2002. IN APRIL 2003, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AFTER SITTING ONE DAY AND NIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER NISSAN DEALER WHO GAVE ME THE SAME ANSWER. ANYONE WITH A SIMILIAR PROBLEM? *TT

NHTSA ODI #10020567

31,000 miles · May 9, 2003
Electrical System

THE TIC-TOC SOUND FROM THE BLINKER IS MUTED, THEN COMES BACK DAYS LATER. FIXED ONCE BEFORE, PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018442

7,500 miles · Feb 15, 2003
Electrical System

I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH THEN THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDDLE SEEMED STIFF LIKE SOMETHING WAS PREVENTING FROM GOING DOWN. PH

NHTSA ODI #10007562

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS...*AK

NHTSA ODI #10004603

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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