NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
57 reportsClear category filter56,000 miles · Feb 16, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW ON MY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE THE CAR 3 YEARS NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP ADDRESSED THE ISSUE BY RESETTING THE ALARM AND TOPPING OFF THE BRAKE FLUID. NOW, THEY TELL ME THAT I NEED TO PAY $560 TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE AND IF I DON'T IT WILL FAIL AND I …
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MY BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW ON MY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE THE CAR 3 YEARS NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP ADDRESSED THE ISSUE BY RESETTING THE ALARM AND TOPPING OFF THE BRAKE FLUID. NOW, THEY TELL ME THAT I NEED TO PAY $560 TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE AND IF I DON'T IT WILL FAIL AND I COULD BE INVOLVED IN A FATAL CRASH DEPENDING ON WHERE I AM AT WHEN IT HAPPENS. OF COURSE MY CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND THE NISSAN SENTRA WAS RECALLED. WHY NOT THE NISSAN ALTIMA. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THEY ARE GAMBLING WITH OUR LIVES AND TAKING CARE OF THE SITUATION ONLY AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. TOYOTA APPARENTLY WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A BRAKE ISSUE!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383000
29,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH KEEPS TURNING ON WHEN I ACCELERATE AND MAKE SHARP TURNS. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SAW THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY 2007 ALTIMA THAT HAS REPORTED THIS ISSUE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS A…
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BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH KEEPS TURNING ON WHEN I ACCELERATE AND MAKE SHARP TURNS. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SAW THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY 2007 ALTIMA THAT HAS REPORTED THIS ISSUE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ALONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368268
55,000 miles · Oct 23, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY BRAKE LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AND THEN TURNS OFF. I WENT TO NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND WITH THE PART AND LABOR IT WAS ABOUT $450! MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT AS I DO MY RESEARCH ONLINE I FIND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER NISSAN …
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MY BRAKE LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AND THEN TURNS OFF. I WENT TO NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND WITH THE PART AND LABOR IT WAS ABOUT $450! MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT AS I DO MY RESEARCH ONLINE I FIND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER NISSAN OWNERS NOT ONLY 2007 ALTIMAS. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS FOR SENTRAS. WHY NOT FOR ALTIMAS? IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS A ISSUE AND THERE IS HISTORICAL DATA TO PROVE IT. WHY DO I HAVE PAY $450 OUT OF MY POCKET WHEN IT IS A KNOW ISSUE THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF? DO THEY WANT TO WAIT TILL THERE ARE A LOT OF ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? PLEASE INVESTIGATE ON OUR BEHALF SO THAT NISSAN WILL REMEDY THE SITUATION AND START A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361913
54,962 miles · Oct 22, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1. "BRAKE" LIGHT CAME ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. 2. LIGHT FIRST CAME ON ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO AND HAS GONE ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. BRAKES WILL SOMETIMES LURCH AND ALMOST FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO BRAKES. I HAVE HAD NO WRECKS YET BUT HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS SINCE IT FEELS LIKE I CANNOT STOP AT FIRST. 3. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT …
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1. "BRAKE" LIGHT CAME ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. 2. LIGHT FIRST CAME ON ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO AND HAS GONE ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. BRAKES WILL SOMETIMES LURCH AND ALMOST FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO BRAKES. I HAVE HAD NO WRECKS YET BUT HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS SINCE IT FEELS LIKE I CANNOT STOP AT FIRST. 3. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE MASTER SOLENOID OR MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ALMOST $500 AND THAT THIS HAS BEEN PRETTY COMMON ON ALTIMAS WITH VARIOUS MILEAGE. NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361799
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
"BRAKE" LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON AND GOES BACK OFF OCCASIONALLY. THROUGH RESEARCH OF OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ONLINE, FOUND A COMMON ISSUE OF A LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2.0L SENTRAS WITH A LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER, BUT NOTHING FOR THE 2007 ALTIMA, FOR A PROBLEM WHICH IS COMMON TO MANY PEOPLE, OFTEN AROUND OR AFTE…
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"BRAKE" LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON AND GOES BACK OFF OCCASIONALLY. THROUGH RESEARCH OF OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ONLINE, FOUND A COMMON ISSUE OF A LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2.0L SENTRAS WITH A LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER, BUT NOTHING FOR THE 2007 ALTIMA, FOR A PROBLEM WHICH IS COMMON TO MANY PEOPLE, OFTEN AROUND OR AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359012
39,000 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Air BagsService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE BOOS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,984. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF UPDATED 03/25/11
NHTSA ODI #10357832
24,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER STATES THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER WITH THE MANUFACTURER, HOWEVER, THE DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PART IS AVAILABLE AND CAN BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10307792
49,000 miles · Apr 24, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL SHE WOULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE HER FRONT BREAK CALIPERS AT AN EXPENSE OF $1000.00. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. SHE CONTACTED THE MAN…
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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL SHE WOULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE HER FRONT BREAK CALIPERS AT AN EXPENSE OF $1000.00. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #10266641
48,000 miles · Mar 1, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 50MPH APPROACHING A CURVE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. DRIVER NOTICED TRAFFIC SLOWING AND REACTED BY SHIFTING CAR TO NEUTRAL AND SLOWLY APPLYING PARKING BRAKE. DOING SUCH CAUSED CAR TO FISHTAIL AND SLIDE (AS ROADS WERE WET) AND CAUSED A COLLISION. DRIVER HAS COMPLAINED SINCE 2007 TO DE…
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WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 50MPH APPROACHING A CURVE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. DRIVER NOTICED TRAFFIC SLOWING AND REACTED BY SHIFTING CAR TO NEUTRAL AND SLOWLY APPLYING PARKING BRAKE. DOING SUCH CAUSED CAR TO FISHTAIL AND SLIDE (AS ROADS WERE WET) AND CAUSED A COLLISION. DRIVER HAS COMPLAINED SINCE 2007 TO DEALERSHIP REGARDING BRAKES AND TOLD EACH TIME (4 COMPLAINTS) THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH BRAKES. BRAKES WERE "REPLACED" 6 MONTHS AGO BY DEALERSHIP (CUSTOMER PAID) HOWEVER BRAKE ISSUES STILL REMAINED. SUCH NEGLIGENCE HAS RESULTED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THOUSANDS IN PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260386
7,000 miles · Aug 20, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES SQUEAKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238991
Official recalls
3Oct 7, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Air Bags
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Dec 28, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Jun 21, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS MAY 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
2PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.
PE07026 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened May 22, 2007 · Closed Jun 27, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
NISSAN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY ON JUNE 18, 2007 THAT IT WILL RECALL (RECALL # 07V267) ALL MY 2007 ALTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE BUILT AT THE SMYRNA, TENNESSEE PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007 AND AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT FROM OCTOBER 30, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT (FOR EXAMPLE, A CIGARETTE ASH OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE) ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.IF THE AIR FILTER IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THESE DATES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DIFFERENT AIR FILTER.NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL AIR FILTER AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT WITH IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS.ODI IS AWARE OF 26 REPORTS OF FIRE (OF WHICH THREE WERE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO BOTH ODI AND NISSAN) AND NO INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
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