2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FRONT FLOORPANS ROTTING THROUGH. I FOUND OUT TODAY AND WAS SHOCKED! THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, BUT THE INSPECTION GARAGE POINTED OUT THE RUST. HE SAID HE SEES IT A LOT ON ALTIMAS AT AUCTION! I SEE ONLINE IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM,THAT NISSAN WONT ADMIT TO BEING AT BLAME. IT SEEM THAT A FLOOR PLUG WAS NEVER SEAL…
Read full complaint
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FRONT FLOORPANS ROTTING THROUGH. I FOUND OUT TODAY AND WAS SHOCKED! THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, BUT THE INSPECTION GARAGE POINTED OUT THE RUST. HE SAID HE SEES IT A LOT ON ALTIMAS AT AUCTION! I SEE ONLINE IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM,THAT NISSAN WONT ADMIT TO BEING AT BLAME. IT SEEM THAT A FLOOR PLUG WAS NEVER SEALED AT THE FACTORY AND THE RUST STARTS AT THAT POINT AND JUST SPREADS! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH HOLES IN YOUR FLOORS PREMATURELY! THE REST OF THE UNDERSIDE IS SOLID, SO IT ISN'T DUE TO ROAD SALT, OR THE WHOLE FLOOR WOULD BE ROTTED. ITS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT CAUSES THE PROBLEMS ON THOUSANDS OF CARS! *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414049
166,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORBOARD WAS RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED BUT WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
NHTSA ODI #10407774
101,000 miles · Mar 17, 2011
Structure
FLOORBOARDS RUSTED THROUGH ON MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA PUTTING MY CHILD IN DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10390530
105,000 miles · Mar 4, 2011
Structure
FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED OUT, LARGE HOLES IN FLOOR BOARDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386460
124,000 miles · Feb 17, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS KNOW HAD TO HAVE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. MOTOR MOUNTS SEEM TO BE DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383178
95,465 miles · Feb 8, 2011
Structure
I HAVE AN 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA S 2.5 LITER WITH 95K ON IT. THERE IS HEAVY RUST UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR. IT HAS ONLY TAKEN A LITTLE SHORT OF A YEAR TO GO FROM NOTHING TO SOME MAJOR ROT. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DETAILER AND AUTOBODY TECH AND THE CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY WELL MAINTAINED. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN. I NOT…
Read full complaint
I HAVE AN 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA S 2.5 LITER WITH 95K ON IT. THERE IS HEAVY RUST UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR. IT HAS ONLY TAKEN A LITTLE SHORT OF A YEAR TO GO FROM NOTHING TO SOME MAJOR ROT. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DETAILER AND AUTOBODY TECH AND THE CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY WELL MAINTAINED. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN. I NOTICED IT TODAY WHEN I WAS CHANGING MY OIL AND INSPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381198
128,000 miles · Jan 17, 2011
Structure
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH SIDES! I CAN SEE THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARPETING! I HAVE SEEN THIS IN 2 OF 2 CARS THAT I HAVE CHECKED YET THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT! THEN I WENT INTO THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID ITS VERY COMMON! I THINK SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS COACHED TO …
Read full complaint
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH SIDES! I CAN SEE THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARPETING! I HAVE SEEN THIS IN 2 OF 2 CARS THAT I HAVE CHECKED YET THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT! THEN I WENT INTO THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID ITS VERY COMMON! I THINK SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS COACHED TO SAY THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM! THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR MANY REASONS! FIRST OF ALL SOMETHING THAT WAS RUN OVER COULD COME INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT! THE CAR IS NOT AS STRONG WHEN THE CHASSIS OF THE CAR IS COMPROMISED! I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING OVER 50% OF THESE VEHICLES! THE DEALER IS ACTING LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS NO HELP AVAILABLE! I HAVE ALSO HAD TO PUT AN ENGINE IN THIS CAR BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DEFECT! THEY DID A RECALL TO PUT A SHIELD IN BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THE ENGINE HAS A HOLE IN THE SIDE RIGHT WHERE THEY ALL HAVE A PROBLEM! THESE CARS ARE JUNK AND NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED! INSTEAD THEY ACT LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376965
90,000 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Structure
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOORBOARD RUST THROUGH. 90,000 MILES, DISCOVERED LARGE HOLE FROM RUST THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOORBOARD. CAR IS WASHED ON NORMAL BASIS AND WAS PARKED IN UNHEATED GARAGE DURING WINTER MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363824
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2010
Structure
WHILE GETTING NEW TIRES PUT ON MY CAR THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HE MENTIONED THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST CASE ON THIS MODEL OF CAR HE HAD SEEN. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION IT BECAME CLEAR THAT SOMEONE HAD PLACED TAPE AND SOME TIN TO MASK THE PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR …
Read full complaint
WHILE GETTING NEW TIRES PUT ON MY CAR THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LARGE HOLE IN MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. I OWN A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HE MENTIONED THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST CASE ON THIS MODEL OF CAR HE HAD SEEN. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION IT BECAME CLEAR THAT SOMEONE HAD PLACED TAPE AND SOME TIN TO MASK THE PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM MY GRANDMA WHO HAD NO IDEA OF SUCH AN ISSUE. SHE HAD BOUGHT IN WHEN IT WAS A YEAR OLD. CLEARLY A CAR THAT AGE SHOULD HAVE NO REASON TO RUST AND HAVE A HOLE IN IT, SINCE I MUST ASSUME THE ORIGINAL OWNERS PLACED THE TIN. EVEN A CAR AT 8 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE THE RUST THAT IS FOUND UNDER ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AND A HOLE THE SIZE OF A DINNER PLATE. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363620
100,000 miles · Oct 29, 2010
Structure
UNDERBODY RUST. AUTO BODY SHOP STATED THIS WAS A VERY UNUSUAL CONDITION FOR A VEHICLE THIS AGE . *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Illustration