← New search

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

What owners actually said

1,047 reports
80,000 miles · Nov 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF AN ENGINE LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF AN ENGINE LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE OIL WAS ESCAPING TO. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000. UPDATED 12/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10436345

118,000 miles · Nov 17, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS SERVICED @ RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2003. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THE REMEDY WAS COMPLETED. HOWEVER MY CAR, OVERTIME, SHOWS THE SYMPTOMS OF A DAMAGED CATALYST SUBSTRATE FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE: NTB03-070D. ADDITIONALLY MY AUTOMOBI…

Read full complaint

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS SERVICED @ RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2003. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THE REMEDY WAS COMPLETED. HOWEVER MY CAR, OVERTIME, SHOWS THE SYMPTOMS OF A DAMAGED CATALYST SUBSTRATE FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE: NTB03-070D. ADDITIONALLY MY AUTOMOBILE HAS SOOT FROM BURNING OIL IN THE TAILPIPE AND HAS ALWAYS RUN HOT EVEN THOUGH THE DASHBOARD TEMPERATURE GAUGE, ALWAYS STAYED IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN HOT AND COLD. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND OTHER RECALL NOTICES, NOTHING WAS EVER SPOKEN OF ABOUT THIS ISSUE. STRANGE THAT AN ASE TECHNICIAN WOULDN'T SEE THESE SYMPTOMS, & REPORT A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. ONLY AFTER MY ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED DID I FIND THE DETAILS OF THIS PROBLEM; WHILE RESEARCHING MY REPAIR OPTIONS ONLINE. THE INSPECTION PROCESS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN MY CASE SEEMS TO HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY PERFORMED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK FOR THE DETAILED SERVICE RECORDS FOR MY ALTIMA FOR THAT CAMPAIGN. THE SERVICE REP. STATED THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. I ASKED THE SERVICE REP. TO PRODUCE THE INSPECTION DOCUMENTATION FOR MY VEHICLE'S CAT. SYSTEM. HE COULD NOT PRODUCE THAT DOCUMENTATION. I NEXT CALLED NISSAN OF NA TO FILE A NOTICE. I STATED MY ALTIMA MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE PROPER REMEDY TO ADDRESS THE RECALL, AND THAT DAMAGE WAS EVIDENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE CAT. SYSTEM AT MY OWN EXPENSE. AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION ARE NOTED, IF IT IS WARRANTED MY CASE WILL BE ESCALATED TO NISSAN FOR REVIEW. I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP WITH FURTHER DETAILS IF POSSIBLE. IF I CANNOT AMEND THIS COMPLAINT, I WILL DOCUMENT THE RESULTING FINDINGS IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT AND REFERENCE THIS NUMBER FOR CORRELATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436239

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER GOOGLING THE MAKE, YEAR AND PROBLEM OF OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR, IT IS OVERWHELMING WHAT YOU FIND. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF TROUBLED CONSUMERS WHO HAVE GONE TO NISSAN FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN PRODUCT TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND W…

Read full complaint

AFTER GOOGLING THE MAKE, YEAR AND PROBLEM OF OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR, IT IS OVERWHELMING WHAT YOU FIND. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF TROUBLED CONSUMERS WHO HAVE GONE TO NISSAN FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN PRODUCT TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER THAT THE FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MADE THAT YEAR ARE NOT COVERED AND WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF WHAT IT WOULD COST THEM. PLEASE HELP US..... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435062

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434884

72,000 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER THIRTY MINUTES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER THIRTY MINUTES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10433950

109,000 miles · Oct 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND AS A RESULT, BECAME CLOGGED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND AS A RESULT, BECAME CLOGGED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10433489

100,000 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,00…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10432940

99,000 miles · Oct 21, 2011
Structure

THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 HAS RUSTED THROUGH, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS WELL ON THE WAY. THE CAR UP TILL NOW HAS BEEN AN RELIABLE, EXCELLENT VEHICLE. BUT WITH ONLY 99,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS BASICALLY TRASHED. IT'S LIKE A SEEMINGLY HEALTHY, ACTIVE 50 YEAR OLD GOING TO THE DOCTOR FOR A YEARLY C…

Read full complaint

THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 HAS RUSTED THROUGH, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS WELL ON THE WAY. THE CAR UP TILL NOW HAS BEEN AN RELIABLE, EXCELLENT VEHICLE. BUT WITH ONLY 99,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS BASICALLY TRASHED. IT'S LIKE A SEEMINGLY HEALTHY, ACTIVE 50 YEAR OLD GOING TO THE DOCTOR FOR A YEARLY CHECKUP, AND BEING TOLD "YOU HAVE STAGE FOUR CANCER. IT'S OVER." NISSAN WON'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP OR COMPENSATE, STATING IT IS BEYOND THE PERFORATION WARRANTY. CARS BUILT IN 2002 AREN'T SUPPOSED TO RUST OUT. THERE'S NO VISIBLE BODY RUST ON THE CAR, BUT THE FLOOR IS RUSTED THROUGH. THIS SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT, AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY ALTIMAS. IT IS TRULY A CRIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432375

80,000 miles · Oct 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAD PURCHASED MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A PRIVATE PARTY AND HAD NOTICED IT WAS BURNING AN USUAL AMOUNT OF OIL WHEN I TOOK IT ON ITS FIRST LONG DISTANCE DRIVE A WEEK AFTER I HAD PURCHASED IT. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PARTY I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HELP RESEARCH THE ISSUE BUT COULD NOT REFUND M…

Read full complaint

I HAD PURCHASED MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A PRIVATE PARTY AND HAD NOTICED IT WAS BURNING AN USUAL AMOUNT OF OIL WHEN I TOOK IT ON ITS FIRST LONG DISTANCE DRIVE A WEEK AFTER I HAD PURCHASED IT. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PARTY I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HELP RESEARCH THE ISSUE BUT COULD NOT REFUND MY MONEY. WE FOUND THIS PARTICLE MODEL HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IF NOT REPAIRED IN TIME COULD AND WOULD DAMAGE THE ENGINE. WE THEN FOUND THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN FIXED AT THE 50,000 MILE RANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM THE PREVIOUS PARTY HAD PURCHASED THE CAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO PAY TO GET AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE TO ENSURE THAT IS WAS INDEED BURNING OIL. AFTER I PAID A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS DONE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ( AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE STILL HAD UNDER 90,000 MILES). SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACES ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER, VALVE COVER, AND NUMEROUS GALLONS OF OIL. MY LAST VISIT TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD I'M NOW BURN ANTIFREEZE AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429101

103,000 miles · Oct 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I GOT A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS MY ENGINE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER(BURNING OIL AND DEBRIS GOING INTO THE ENGINE) AND I NEEDED TO REBUILD IT. HE REBUILT IT AND AFTER ABOUT 7,000 THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED BURNING OIL CONSUMPTION. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BECAUSE HE SAID THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAV…

Read full complaint

I GOT A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS MY ENGINE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER(BURNING OIL AND DEBRIS GOING INTO THE ENGINE) AND I NEEDED TO REBUILD IT. HE REBUILT IT AND AFTER ABOUT 7,000 THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED BURNING OIL CONSUMPTION. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BECAUSE HE SAID THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE A FIX FOR THIS AND HE ISN'T FIXING THE PROBLEM EITHER. IT'S SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITHOUT A FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428711

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.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems