NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
89 reportsClear category filter101,000 miles · Jul 3, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE HAD MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 SINCE MAY OF THAT YEAR. STARTING A YEAR AGO I BEGAN TO NOTICE SIGNALS ON MY DASH INDICATING CHECK ENGINE. I THEN WAS PULLED OVER FOR A NON WORKING TAIL LIGHT. I HAD IT FIXED AND A DAY LATER THE BULB BLEW LATER. I CHANGED THE BULB THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON THAT WIRE. SOON THERE AF…
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I HAVE HAD MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 SINCE MAY OF THAT YEAR. STARTING A YEAR AGO I BEGAN TO NOTICE SIGNALS ON MY DASH INDICATING CHECK ENGINE. I THEN WAS PULLED OVER FOR A NON WORKING TAIL LIGHT. I HAD IT FIXED AND A DAY LATER THE BULB BLEW LATER. I CHANGED THE BULB THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON THAT WIRE. SOON THERE AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN NOW THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE SITTING AT THE LIGHT. I THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ON THE COMPUTER CHIP WHICH CAUSES A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE STARTER. I TOOK THAT IN TO GET FIXED. A MONTH LATER THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS MOVING. I TOOK IT BACK INTO NISSAN, THEY EXCLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. AFTER THE SAME OCCURENCE CONTINUED I THEN TOOK IT TO OTHER MECHANICS WHO WOULD SEE THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I PAID ABOUT $1,800 IN REPAIRS AND STILL THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I BECAME SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE SEVERITY. I THEN CALLED CUSTOMER CARE FOR NISSAN WHICH EXCLAIMS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THEM , PAY $80.00 AGAIN TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG. THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA, PERTAINING TO THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO RUN. THEY DENY THIS AND I AM LEFT PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, BUT I HAVE MET OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233141
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT WHEN DRIVING WILL CUT OFF. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS UNDER RECALLED. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A DIAGNOSTIC SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CODES MATCHED THE RECALLED PART. NISSAN DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 2207 WAKE FOREST ROAD, REFUSE TO MAKE TH…
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT WHEN DRIVING WILL CUT OFF. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS UNDER RECALLED. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A DIAGNOSTIC SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CODES MATCHED THE RECALLED PART. NISSAN DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 2207 WAKE FOREST ROAD, REFUSE TO MAKE THE REPAIR TO THE RECALLED PART. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST STATED THAT THE CAR WAS CUTTING OFF BECAUSE OF THE RECALLED PART AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIR CLAIMING THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FIRST AND THEN THEY WOULD MAKE THE REPAIR JUST IN CASE OTHER CODES ARE FOUND AND IF OTHER CODES ARE FOUND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM RESET BEFORE THEY WOULD FIX THE RECALLED REPAIR. I HAVE A DAUGHTER ( 3 YEARS OF AGE) AND I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL GET HIT CAUSING BOTH OF US INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #10232482
56,767 miles · Mar 5, 2008
Electrical SystemCrashInjury
ON OR ABOUT JAN. 20, 2006 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLES' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. WE TOOK IT TOOK IT TO FONTANA NISSAN FOR REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US ON JAN. 28, 2006. MAYBE 2 - 3 HRS. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE, WE WERE DRIVING TO L.A. AREA AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN…
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ON OR ABOUT JAN. 20, 2006 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLES' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. WE TOOK IT TOOK IT TO FONTANA NISSAN FOR REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US ON JAN. 28, 2006. MAYBE 2 - 3 HRS. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE, WE WERE DRIVING TO L.A. AREA AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE CALLED THE SERVICE MGR. AT FONTANA NISSAN AND HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT ON THE FOLLOWING MON. WELL, WE NEVER MADE IT BACK BECAUSE WHILE WE WERE IN ROUTE HOME (FONTANA) I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS SHUTTING OFF ON THE 91 FWY. TO THE 605 INTERCHANGE. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE EXTERNAL DAMAGES (BODY WORK) BUT THE INTERNAL WAS NOT FIXED. THEN IN JUNE 2006 WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE CAR CUT OFF AGAIN. FONTANA NISSAN SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. SO WE PURCHASED A BATTERY. I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT THE NEXT TIME WE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. IN JAN. 2007 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WE HAD AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE CRASH. WE WERE BEING REPRESENTED BY A LAW FIRM BUT AS TIME PASSED OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHICH I HAVE NOT DRIVEN SINCE 2006. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE SOMEONE'S HELP IN THIS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220195
39,742 miles · Jan 20, 2008
Electrical System
THE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS TIMING STARTED TO FAIL. THE ENGINE WOULD STOP FOR A SECOND, AND THEN START AGAIN. THE DEALER DETERMINED VIA A DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUT THAT THE MODULE WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FAIL. WHEN I ASKED HOW THE FAILURE MIGHT IMPACT ON SAFETY, HE SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COULD STOP DEAD WHI…
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THE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS TIMING STARTED TO FAIL. THE ENGINE WOULD STOP FOR A SECOND, AND THEN START AGAIN. THE DEALER DETERMINED VIA A DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUT THAT THE MODULE WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FAIL. WHEN I ASKED HOW THE FAILURE MIGHT IMPACT ON SAFETY, HE SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COULD STOP DEAD WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215485
50,500 miles · Dec 12, 2007
Electrical System
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WITH NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211533
74,280 miles · Nov 30, 2007
Electrical System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CODE WAS CRANK SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR STOPS RUNNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210365
74,767 miles · Nov 26, 2007
Electrical System
IN JANUARY 2006 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING STALLING EPISODES WITH MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD WITHOUT WARNING STALL. THIS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND TWICE HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO WORK ON I95. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE UNTIL FEB 2007 (IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE THIS UNSAFE CAR). IN FEB 2006 A SENSO…
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IN JANUARY 2006 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING STALLING EPISODES WITH MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD WITHOUT WARNING STALL. THIS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND TWICE HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO WORK ON I95. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE UNTIL FEB 2007 (IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE THIS UNSAFE CAR). IN FEB 2006 A SENSOR WAS REPLACED THAT HAD BEEN CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I PAID CLOSE TO $2,000 IN UNNECESSARY REPAIRS AND WAS CHARGED FOR A RENTAL CAR. I FOUND TODAY THAT NISSAN IS OFFICIALLY REPORTING MY 2006 ISSUE AS A RECALL. WHILE I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED OR HAD A CAR CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ANYONE ELSE BEING HURT BY THE UNIDENTIFIED RECALL AT THE TIME OF MY EXPERIENCE I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THE FUNDS THAT I PAID AND I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU PLACE A PRICE TAG ON THE CAR STALLING SEVERAL TIMES AND 2 OF THOSE TIMES BEING ON 195. I HAVE RECEIVED TO DATE AFTER MONTHS OF WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NISSAN AND PRIOR TO TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT FINALLY THAT NISSAN IS RECOGNIZING MY ISSUE AS A RECALL AND HOPEFULLY SAVING SEVERAL FUTURE ACCIDENTS AND/OR FATALITIES A SMALL CHECK FOR $550.11. WHICH COMES NOWHERE NEAR COVERING THE MONETARY LOSE I SUFFERED FORGET THE MENTAL ANGUISH OF THE CAR STALLING WITH NO WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209958
62 miles · Oct 18, 2007
Electrical System
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL ECM RE PROGRAM , AFTER THAT DOWN HILL , DEALER TOLD ME THE CODE ALSO CALLED FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER , THE CAR STALLED 15 TIMES, ONE TIME I HAD TO STAY OVER NIGHT ON A FAST FOOD PLACE. NEXT DAY A MECHANIC CHANGED THE CRANK POS SENSOR , THEN CALLED FOR ANOTHER SENSOR SIMILAR ON…
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2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL ECM RE PROGRAM , AFTER THAT DOWN HILL , DEALER TOLD ME THE CODE ALSO CALLED FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER , THE CAR STALLED 15 TIMES, ONE TIME I HAD TO STAY OVER NIGHT ON A FAST FOOD PLACE. NEXT DAY A MECHANIC CHANGED THE CRANK POS SENSOR , THEN CALLED FOR ANOTHER SENSOR SIMILAR ON SHAPE , THEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME THE CAR ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON , THEY TRY TO CHARGE ME FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC(FOR CATALYTIC AGING) THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (AND I HAVE THAT IN WRITING) THAT I NEED A THROTTLE ? CHAMBER 959+ TAX. FINALLY I THINK I MAKE A MISTAKE GOING IN ON THE FIRST PLACE OR THE SAME ISSUES THE 2002 ALTIMA HAD IS REPEATING ON THE 2003 AND NISSAN IS WAITING FOR SOMETHING REAL BAD TO HAPPEN, BY THE WAY , I CALL THEM ABOUT 6 TIMES AND NO REAL SOLUTION JUST PASSING THE BUCK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10206263
42,000 miles · Oct 4, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS IN HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK, AND THE DRIVER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS IN HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK, AND THE DRIVER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS REPAIRED IN JANUARY OF 2007. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD NO ELECTRICAL FAILURES BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10204830
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2007
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS ON HER VEHICLE ARE GETTING JAMMED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MUST PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND QUICKLY ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS ON HER VEHICLE ARE GETTING JAMMED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MUST PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND QUICKLY ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE NISSAN DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE HER $400 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE HER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 08/07/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10196678
Official recalls
4Jul 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE 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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗