IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE ROTTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
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
720–25K
7425–50K
12150–75K
23575–100K
239100–150K
60150K+
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
Structure complaints
128 reportsMY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK HALF MY DRIVERS FLOOR WAS ON THE FLOOR SO I GO CHECK MY PASSENGER SIDE AND IT IS ALSO COMPLETELY RUSTED BUT DIDN'T FALL YET. *TR
I HAVE NOTICED THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUST AT THE FLOORBOARD AT THE DRIVERS SEAT. THAT IS VERY LOCALIZED AND APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT RETAINS WATER THERE. I ALSO FEEL THIS COULD BE A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM.
AFTER NOTICING EXCESSIVE RUST ON BOTH FRONT FLOOR PANELS OF MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, I GOOGLED "NISSAN RUST" AND READ THE MANY ARTICLES AND NEWS SHOWS ON THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. I LIVE I ST LOUIS, SO NOT A EASTERN STATE WITH EXCESSIVE COLD AND SNOW. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS DEFECT, AND WOULD HOPE NISSAN WOULD BE FORCED TO OFF…
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AFTER NOTICING EXCESSIVE RUST ON BOTH FRONT FLOOR PANELS OF MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, I GOOGLED "NISSAN RUST" AND READ THE MANY ARTICLES AND NEWS SHOWS ON THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. I LIVE I ST LOUIS, SO NOT A EASTERN STATE WITH EXCESSIVE COLD AND SNOW. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS DEFECT, AND WOULD HOPE NISSAN WOULD BE FORCED TO OFFER A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT.
THERE IS A RUST HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PAN ABOUT 5X10 INCHES THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AND GOING TO BE A VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD.
PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL WAS NOTED TO BE RUSTED THROUGH UPON INSPECTION AFTER SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED FROM INSIDE THE PANEL OUT AS THE BULGING OF THE RUSTED PANEL DOWNWARD TOWARD THE GROUND SUGGESTS. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS INSPECTED BUT FROM WHAT HAS BEEN SHARED THUS FAR, …
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PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL WAS NOTED TO BE RUSTED THROUGH UPON INSPECTION AFTER SMELLING EXHAUST FUMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED FROM INSIDE THE PANEL OUT AS THE BULGING OF THE RUSTED PANEL DOWNWARD TOWARD THE GROUND SUGGESTS. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS INSPECTED BUT FROM WHAT HAS BEEN SHARED THUS FAR, NISSAN HAS NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY (YET) FOR REPAIRS. I AM HOPING NISSAN WILL VOLUNTARILY INSPECT THIS MODEL TO DETERMINE A SUITABLE REMEDY, OTHERWISE THIS WILL BE THE LAST NISSAN I CHOOSE TO OWN.
STRUCTURE: BOTH FRONT FLOOR PANELS HAVE RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE LARGE HOLES AND SAGGING OF THE FLOOR THAT HAVE WEAKENED THE OVERALL FLOOR STRUCTURE AND CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION. IT APPEARS THAT A DRAIN HOLE IN EACH FLOOR PANEL NEVER HAD A RUBBER PLUG INSERTED. OVER THE YEARS, WATER SPLASHED UP THROUGH THE HOLES AND WAS ABSORBED…
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STRUCTURE: BOTH FRONT FLOOR PANELS HAVE RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE LARGE HOLES AND SAGGING OF THE FLOOR THAT HAVE WEAKENED THE OVERALL FLOOR STRUCTURE AND CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION. IT APPEARS THAT A DRAIN HOLE IN EACH FLOOR PANEL NEVER HAD A RUBBER PLUG INSERTED. OVER THE YEARS, WATER SPLASHED UP THROUGH THE HOLES AND WAS ABSORBED AND TRAPPED BY THE INSULATION MATERIAL BETWEEN THE CARPET AND FLOOR.THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IF THE DRAIN HOLES HAD BEEN PLUGGED, THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED!
THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS OF MY 2002 ALTIMA ARE RUSTING AND ROTTING AWAY. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS NOT ONLY THE OBVIOUS FLOOR ROTTING FROM BENEATH ME, BUT ALSO THE EXHAUST VAPORS THAT ARE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS CAUSED THE FLOORS TO RUST AND ROT ON VEHICLES IN THE NORTH EAST. BECAUSE TH…
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THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS OF MY 2002 ALTIMA ARE RUSTING AND ROTTING AWAY. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS NOT ONLY THE OBVIOUS FLOOR ROTTING FROM BENEATH ME, BUT ALSO THE EXHAUST VAPORS THAT ARE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS CAUSED THE FLOORS TO RUST AND ROT ON VEHICLES IN THE NORTH EAST. BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL, THE DEALER CANNOT HELP ME. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SPECIFIC TO THE NORTH EAST AND NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RECTIFY THE FAULTY SPRAYING OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE WHICH WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO COMBAT A NORMAL NORTH EAST WINTER. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND IT HAS LOW MILES. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE INSIDE AND OUT. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PASS THIS CAR ON TO MY 16 YEAR OLD SON AS A RELIABLE FIRST CAR. I CANNOT DO THAT IN GOOD FAITH KNOWING THE SAFETY ISSUE ALTIMA AND THE NHTSA HAS ALLOWED. MASSACHUSETTS IS A DIFFICULT STATE FOR SAFETY STANDARDS ON OWNERS OF VEHICLES AND I AM FEARFUL THAT IF I HAVE GALVANIZED SHEET METAL WELDED TO MY UNDERCARRIAGE, IT COULD POSSIBLY BE CONSIDERED NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE STATE'S STANDARDS AND CAUSE ME MORE FINANCIAL BURDEN. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ALTIMA RECTIFY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO THERE REALLY NEED TO BE IN ORDER FOR THE NHTSA TO HELP? AS OF 4/23/15 I HAVE COUNTED ALMOST 500 COMPLAINTS SPECIFIC TO THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE 2002 ALTIMA. ADD THOSE TO THE COMPLAINTS TO THE 2003, 2004, 2005, ETC. OF FLOOR BOARDS ROTTING IN THE NORTH EAST AND YOU CAN SEE THESE COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. I WILL ALSO FILE COMPLAINTS WITH MY LOCAL ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE. SAFETY STANDARDS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY OF CAR MAKERS AS WELL AS CAR OWNERS. *TR
FLOOR BOARD RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ...APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE RUNNING INTO ... THE HOLE IS ABOUT 20" IN DIAMETER AND THE CARPET IS FALLING THRU THE BOTTOM AT THIS POINT ... THERE HAS BEEN A SEGMENT ON NBC NEWS ABOUT THE ISSUE. *TR
MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS VERY BADLY RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM STARTED BACK IN APPROXIMATELY 2010. I WAS WALKING AWAY FROM THE CAR AN LOOKED BACK AND SAW SOMETHING HANGING BELOW THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT APPEARED TO BE A SURFACE SHEET OF METAL SO I WASN'T TOO WORRIED …
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MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS VERY BADLY RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM STARTED BACK IN APPROXIMATELY 2010. I WAS WALKING AWAY FROM THE CAR AN LOOKED BACK AND SAW SOMETHING HANGING BELOW THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT APPEARED TO BE A SURFACE SHEET OF METAL SO I WASN'T TOO WORRIED ABOUT IT AND FIGURED I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAPPENED TO GET A BAD CAR. BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE. THERE ARE LARGE HOLES THAT GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. I HEARD ABOUT THE NEWS STORY ON NBC AND WANTED TO BE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW MANY PEOPLE CARS ARE AFFECTED. I WOULD APPRECIATE BEING UPDATED IF THERE IS ANY NEWS ON THIS APPARENTLY COMMON PROBLEM OR HOW I CAN RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *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.