NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
883 reports33,174 miles · Feb 20, 2007
Electrical System
MY WIFE'S 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY 8 YEAR SON TRYING TO STEER THE CAR. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN I ARRIVED I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SINCE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGH…
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MY WIFE'S 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY 8 YEAR SON TRYING TO STEER THE CAR. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN I ARRIVED I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SINCE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ON. WHILE CROSSING THE INTERSECTION TO GET INTO THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT, THE CAR DIED ON ME. I HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO COAST THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND UP TO ENTRANCE TO THE PARKING LOT. THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE ADVISOR FOR THE DEALERSHIP CALLS ME AND TELLS ME THE CAR NEED 2 RECALLS ( ONE OF WHICH I KNEW ABOUT -HEADLIGHTS, THE OTHER WAS TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. THEY WOULD HAVE TO ALSO REPLACE THE CAM & CRANK SENSORS FOR $213 WHICH OF COURSE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 3.5 YEARS AND IT HAS 33,174 MILES ON IT. AFTER READING THAT THE RECALL INVOLVING THE ECM REPROGRAM WAS TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ECM - ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. IT STATED THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COULD COME ON, THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING AND THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING! I CALLED 1-800-NISSAN1 AND LOGGED MY COMPLAINT THAT MY WIFE (OR MYSELF) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THE VERY LEAST THAT NISSAN COULD DO WAS COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM SOME KIND OF ENGINEER TYPE GUY WHO GAVE ME THE 20 MINUTE TECHNICAL VERSION OF WHY NISSAN WAS SORRY BUT TOUGH CRAP ON US COVERING THIS. I DEMANDED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ELSE AND WAS GIVEN YOUR WEB ADDRESS. I STILL SAY NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD HAVE MADE A STRONGER ANNOUNCEMENT SOONER TO GET THIS CORRECTED. THEY SHOULD BE ON THE HOOK HERE NOT ME!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182993
40,000 miles · Feb 12, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S BOUGHT IN JANUARY OF 2003. CAR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START. NISSAN DEALERS HAVE PERFORMED ALL RECALLS INCLUDING ECM SOFTWARE REPLACEMENT AND ENGINE CRANK SENSOR REPLACEMENT BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182341
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2007
Electrical System
WELL I HAVEN'T NECESSARILY "CRASHED" YET. I TOOK MY CAR INTO TOWN NORTH NISSAN OFF 183 DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE THAT WAS SENT TO MY HOME. I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK, AS THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NEED IT FOR AT LEAST A DAY, 2 1/2 HOURS LATER. I NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IMMEDIATELY TH…
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WELL I HAVEN'T NECESSARILY "CRASHED" YET. I TOOK MY CAR INTO TOWN NORTH NISSAN OFF 183 DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE THAT WAS SENT TO MY HOME. I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK, AS THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NEED IT FOR AT LEAST A DAY, 2 1/2 HOURS LATER. I NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IMMEDIATELY THE FOLLOWING DAY. NOBODY WAS WILLING TO HELP ME. SO LATER THAT EVENING I TOOK MY CAR TO THE AUTO ZONE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS SCAN DONE ON IT. SURE ENOUGH THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. IT STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING WHICH WAS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE PROBLEM AS THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY TURNED ITSELF OFF ON MY WHILE DRIVE (HOWEVER THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION). *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181898
77,000 miles · Feb 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WOULD BE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT WOULD JUST STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THEN IT WOULDN'T START TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY FIXED THE RECALL BUT THE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THAT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL MONEY. DON'T QUITE KNOW WHY WHEN THE RECALL STATES THE EXACT PROBLE…
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I WOULD BE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT WOULD JUST STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THEN IT WOULDN'T START TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY FIXED THE RECALL BUT THE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THAT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL MONEY. DON'T QUITE KNOW WHY WHEN THE RECALL STATES THE EXACT PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10181801
37,000 miles · Feb 5, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY FIRST PROBLEM BEGAN AT ABOUT 37000 MILES. I WOULD TRY TO CRANK MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES. THERE HAS CURRENTLY BEEN NO RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. MY SECOND PROBLEM INVOLVES THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. I WAS MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND BUCK. …
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MY FIRST PROBLEM BEGAN AT ABOUT 37000 MILES. I WOULD TRY TO CRANK MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES. THERE HAS CURRENTLY BEEN NO RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. MY SECOND PROBLEM INVOLVES THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. I WAS MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND BUCK. THE CAR COMING UP FROM BEHIND ME CHANGED LANES AND PASSED, SO LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. MY THIRD PROBLEM IS WITH MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSOR. I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT BOTH OF THESE ARE OUT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181693
47,479 miles · Jan 26, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL ON 2002-2003 NISSANS. AFTER HE RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, AND HAS REMAINED LIT. WHILE DRIVING INTO TRAFFIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE WOULD JUST LOSE POWER. ON 01/24/2007 THE VEHICLE TURNED OF FOUR DIF…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL ON 2002-2003 NISSANS. AFTER HE RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, AND HAS REMAINED LIT. WHILE DRIVING INTO TRAFFIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE WOULD JUST LOSE POWER. ON 01/24/2007 THE VEHICLE TURNED OF FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE STALLING IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT LEAST 2 DOZEN TIMES. ONE INCIDENT CAUSED A SECOND VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10180823
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES UP ON MY DASHBOARD OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2003. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE A FEW RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THEY WILL FIX IT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING FROM THEIR LOCATION, THE LIGHT CAME UP AGAIN. THE CAR RUNS LIKE ITS BRAKES ARE ON. IT ONCE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC…
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SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES UP ON MY DASHBOARD OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2003. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE A FEW RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THEY WILL FIX IT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING FROM THEIR LOCATION, THE LIGHT CAME UP AGAIN. THE CAR RUNS LIKE ITS BRAKES ARE ON. IT ONCE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE IS A BIG CONCERN IF IT STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND CAUSES ACCIDENT. HOW CAN I GET NISSAN TO ADDRESS IT? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10180662
103,200 miles · Jan 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA CUSTOMER PAID FOR SERVICE AND NOW RECALL NOTICE AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS**CC THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THIS CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL CHARG…
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2003 NISSAN ALTIMA CUSTOMER PAID FOR SERVICE AND NOW RECALL NOTICE AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS**CC THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THIS CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL CHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10179577
86,625 miles · Jan 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD RECALL WORK DONE AND THE RESULT IS MY ENGINE NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA NOW CONSUMES 1.5 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 100 MILES. EAST CHARLOTTE NISSAN PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING RECALLS P5216 AND R0606 IN ADDITION TO THIS THEY REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR AT A COST OF $365.00. WITHIN TWO DAYS (300 MILES) OF GETTING THE…
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I HAD RECALL WORK DONE AND THE RESULT IS MY ENGINE NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA NOW CONSUMES 1.5 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 100 MILES. EAST CHARLOTTE NISSAN PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING RECALLS P5216 AND R0606 IN ADDITION TO THIS THEY REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR AT A COST OF $365.00. WITHIN TWO DAYS (300 MILES) OF GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND IT HAS NEEDED TO BE REFILLED EVERY 200 MILES SINCE THE ORIGINAL VISIT TO EAST CHARLOTTE NISSAN. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. NISSANS OWN RECALL STATES THAT FOR A NUMBER OF VEHICLES AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT WILL BE NECESSARY. THEY ARE NOT HONORING THEIR VERY OWN RECALL NOTICE. I HAVE DOCUMENTED REGULAR SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE THAT IS WELL WITHIN THE RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES. INCLUDING AN OIL CHANGE AT A REPUTABLE RETAILER AT INTERVALS OF 3-4000 MILES.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10178966
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5, IN NOV. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STALLING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO START BACK. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I PAID $175 TO HAVE IT SERVICED. ON JAN. 10, 2007 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTER…
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5, IN NOV. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STALLING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO START BACK. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I PAID $175 TO HAVE IT SERVICED. ON JAN. 10, 2007 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN THIS TIME WITH NO WARNINGS AT ALL, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO JUST AN OIL CHANGE PLACE TO HAVE THE CODE PULLED, SHOWING THE CODE FOR THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN APPT. TO HAVE MY CAR CHECK AGAIN HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 MONTHS, AND I HAVE READ SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM NISSAN OWNERS PLEASE SOMEONE HELP US WE NEED TO HAVE THIS ITEM ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLS. NISSAN HAS TO BE AWARE THAT THEY ARE LOSING SO MANY CUSTOMERS. I LOVE MY CAR, BUT I DON'T FEEL ITS FAIR FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE TO PAY OUT SO MUCH MONEY WHEN THE COMPANY IS AWARE THAT THERE IS SUCH A MASSIVE ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178402
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 ↗