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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

What owners actually said

1,047 reports
120,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

BLOWN HEAD GASKET DETERMINED BY MECHANIC AFTER PROPER MAINTENANCE USED ON THE CAR FOR PAST 9 YEARS. CAUSES LOSS OF COOLANT, AND THUS CAR CAN OVERHEAT AND ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. CAR ALSO HESITATES WHEN STARTING AND IDLING. CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTION AND THUS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *T…

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BLOWN HEAD GASKET DETERMINED BY MECHANIC AFTER PROPER MAINTENANCE USED ON THE CAR FOR PAST 9 YEARS. CAUSES LOSS OF COOLANT, AND THUS CAR CAN OVERHEAT AND ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. CAR ALSO HESITATES WHEN STARTING AND IDLING. CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTION AND THUS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423898

60,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORBOARD ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422951

93,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Structure

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR RUST OUT. DISCOVERED AUGUST 23, 2011. NOTICED WET PASSENGER FOOTWELL AFTER DRIVING IN RAIN. LOOKED UNDERNEATH CAR AND FOUND REST OF CAR TO BE PRISTINE, ALMOST LIKE NEW. CAR AS A WHOLE IN GREAT SHAPE, EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE AREA. CLEAR DESIGN PROBLEM/FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421251

190,000 miles · Aug 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 ENGINE. AT 66,000 MILES I WAS TOLD THE CONVERTER WAS BAD. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE PRE-CONVERTER AND THE CONVERTER ON MY OWN DIME. AFTER SIX MONTHS THE NEW CONVERTER FAILED, IT WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER I AM IN THE SAME BOAT. I'M TOLD THAT THE CONVERTER IS …

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I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 ENGINE. AT 66,000 MILES I WAS TOLD THE CONVERTER WAS BAD. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE PRE-CONVERTER AND THE CONVERTER ON MY OWN DIME. AFTER SIX MONTHS THE NEW CONVERTER FAILED, IT WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER I AM IN THE SAME BOAT. I'M TOLD THAT THE CONVERTER IS BAD AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419286

62,100 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DISINTEGRATED AND THE DEBRIS CLOGGED THE SYSTEM, CAUSING BACK PRESSURE AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING ON A DANGEROUS 2 LANE ROAD; DRIFTED AS FAR TO THE RIGHT AS POSSIBLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK . CAR TOWED TO NEAREST MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE CONVERTER HAD FAILED AND CLOGGED THE SYSTEM AND THE B…

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THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DISINTEGRATED AND THE DEBRIS CLOGGED THE SYSTEM, CAUSING BACK PRESSURE AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING ON A DANGEROUS 2 LANE ROAD; DRIFTED AS FAR TO THE RIGHT AS POSSIBLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK . CAR TOWED TO NEAREST MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE CONVERTER HAD FAILED AND CLOGGED THE SYSTEM AND THE BACKPRESSURE PROBABLY DAMAGED THE ENGINE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IS NOW OBSERVED AFTER THE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. MECHANIC REPORTS THE DEBRIS COULD HAVE DAMAGED THE CYLINDER WALLS CAUSING THE OIL CONSUMPTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10417052

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. UNIT #1 WAS WESTBOUND ON IR80 IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. UNIT #1 PULLED TO THE RIGHT BERM AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. *LN ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BURNT WIRES WERE TRACED TO THE FUEL INJECTION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0425-90)

NHTSA ODI #10415950

71,287 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASE THE CAR ON 03/29/2011 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP,ON JUNE 27, 2011 WHILE ON VACATION THE CAR QUIT RUNNING CHECKED FLUIDS AND FOUND OIL RESERVOIR HAD NO OIL IN IT. HAD OIL CHANGE PERFORMED BEFORE I WENT ON VACATION. NEVER HAD AN OIL LEAK OR SIGN OF OIL BURNING.HAD CAR TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHOM TOLD ME THE CATALYT…

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I PURCHASE THE CAR ON 03/29/2011 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP,ON JUNE 27, 2011 WHILE ON VACATION THE CAR QUIT RUNNING CHECKED FLUIDS AND FOUND OIL RESERVOIR HAD NO OIL IN IT. HAD OIL CHANGE PERFORMED BEFORE I WENT ON VACATION. NEVER HAD AN OIL LEAK OR SIGN OF OIL BURNING.HAD CAR TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHOM TOLD ME THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED DUE TO HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION.DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE CAR AND FOUND IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTORS COMING APART AND SUCKING THE CARBON INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING CYLINDERS BEING SCORED AND CAUSING THE HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING THE SECONDARY CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BECOME CLOGGED AND IN TURN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW UP.I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM MY CATALYTIC CONVERTOR WAS CLOGGED WHICH CALLED MY ENIGNE TO BLOW UP AND THEY TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN CAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WHEN I PUSHED THE ISSUE THE HEAD SERVICE TECH SAID IT IS WHAT IT IS AND WALKED AWAY.I LEFT AND CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA,THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF ON 01/08/2004 AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD OPEN A CLAIM ON THIS VEHICLE,SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF IT WAS REPAIRED PROPERLY IN 2004 THE I WOULD STILL HAVE 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE CONVERTOR SINCE THEY PLACE A 8 YEAR 80,000 MILES ON THE CONVERTOR,SHE ADVISED ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT SINCE SHE OPENED A CLAIM.THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I RECIEVED A CALL STATING I HAVE TO CALL NISSAN GOOD FAITH PROGRAM NUMBER.I CALLED AND EXPRESSED MY FEELING ON HOW I THOUGHT NISSAN SHOULD COVER ALL DAMAGED PARTS SINCE IT WAS A PREVIOUSLY RECALLED PART THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM,THEY INFORMED ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK BY THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY WITH THEIR ANSWERS.I RECIEVED A CALL AND WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERING ANYTHING ON THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SAID THEIR WAS NEVER A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW 1 PERSON AT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA COULD SAY THEIR WAS A RECALL AND THEY OTHER SAY THERE WASN'T,RIDICULOUS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415243

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2011
Structure

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…

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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

120,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 721-1351 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 721-1351 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10411770

120,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING RECURRING ENGINE FAILURES IN WHICH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, AND OIL WAS BEING CONSUMED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON SEVERAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING RECURRING ENGINE FAILURES IN WHICH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, AND OIL WAS BEING CONSUMED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE NUMEROUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10410526

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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