Nissan Altima Complaints (2002)

1,047 consumer complaints on file.

#10409132June 27, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAD PURCHASED A NISSAN 2002 ALTIMA FROM A DEALER AS CERTIFIED VEHICLE. I HAVE BOUGHT TWO OTHER CARS FROM THE SAME DEALER AND IN ADDITION ALL THE CARS WERE ALWAYS SERVICED BY THE SAME DEALER. SINCE LAST TWO YEARS THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON AND ON ONE SUCH OCCASION I WAS INFORMED BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAT CONVERTER HAD FAILED AND THE SAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . RECENTLY THE CAR HAS FAILED MV INSPECTION WITH TWO CODES P0420 AND P1217. THERE IS A SIMILAR RECALL # PE02078 ON 268,000 CARS ON OCT. 2002 (I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2005, AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE IF THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF OR NOT.) THE MV INSPECTION REPORT CLEARLY INDICATES THE FAILURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REQUIRES REPAIRS AND MONITORS SET FOR RE-INSPECTION. THE INSPECTION ALSO NOTES A VOLUNTARY RECALLS NTB07-081 AND NTB03-070C FOR PRE-CATALYST. THE FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES EMISSIONS WARRANTIES (AS PER THE MV INSPECTION REPORT)FOR AT LEAST 80000 MILES AND I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS WAS CORRECTED ON MY VEHICLE ON NISSAN'S VOLUNTARY RECALL. I HAD NOT OPTED TO REPAIR THIS WHEN THE MECHANIC AT DEALER INFORMED THE REASON FOR "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AT 82080 MILES AS THE COST WAS EXORBITANT AND UNTIL I HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM (RECALL)WITH A FORD WINDSTAR VAN THRU" NHTSA AND WAS SOLVED BY THE DEALER. (I WAS ABOUT TO JUNK THAT CAR, THANKS TO NHTSA). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10408831June 24, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY FAMILY HAS OWNED MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE COMPLETED ALL RECALLS. IN JULY 2005 RECALL 03V084000 WAS "SUPPOSEDLY" CORRECTED, BUT I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PARTICLES FROM THE CONVERTER BEING INHALED BY MY ENGINE. I HAVE 143,582 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT I FEAR THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS A HAZARD, DUE TO THE CHANCE THAT IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. THROUGH MY RESEARCH I'VE LEARNED THAT THOUSANDS OF 02 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP NISSAN CUSTOMERS GET JUSTICE, WHEN NISSAN IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE THAT THE CORRECTIVE ACTION DOES NOT STOP THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407774June 21, 2011
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORBOARD WAS RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED BUT WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407020June 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SINCE WATER AND OIL WERE MIXING TOGETHER AND LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO OVER HEAT. THE ENGINE BLOCK ALSO NEEDED TO BE RESEALED. THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406751June 13, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS COMPLAINT IS A CONTINUATION OF YOUR INVESTIGATION PE02078. NISSAN ONLY ADDRESSED A PART OF THE PROBLEM BY RECALLING CAT CONVERTERS. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS THE ENGINES WERE DAMAGED CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE PROBLEM IS ALL CONNECTED BUT THEY DIDN'T REPLACED THE ENGINES WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN UPGRADED. HERE'S A LINK TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS EVEN AFTER THE RECALLED PARTS WERE REPLACED (KEEPING IN MIND THAT NOT EVERYONE MAKES A REPORT). HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2002/ENGINE/EXCESSIVE_OIL_CONSUMPTION.SHTML NISSAN KNEW THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS CONNECTED BUT THEY ONLY ADDRESSED A PART OF IT. AS YOU REVIEW THE COMPLAINTS, YOU WILL SEE THAT THEIR RECALL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SOME HAD THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM AS EARLY AS 20-40K MILES. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINES, ALONG WITH A NEW CONVERTER AND MANIFOLD. IF THE WHOLE THING IS NOT REPLACED THE PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO REPEAT ITSELF AS ONE PART WILL CAUSE THE OTHER TO FAIL. A NEW ENGINE FOR THIS CAR IS ROUGHLY $2900 + TAXES, MANIFOLD $500 INSTALLED, NOT SURE OF THE COST FOR THE CONVERTER. I AM NOT BASHING THE COMPANY, I HAVE OWNED A NISSAN FOR 16YRS WITH NO PROBLEMS OTHER THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. REPLACING THE ENGINE IS SOMETHING THEY KNOW THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE BUT ONLY CHOOSE TO ADDRESS A PART OF THE PROBLEM. I PLEAD THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THIS AS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE UPSET AND ANGRY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GET A FULL AND PROPER RESOLUTION FROM THE COMPANY. AGAIN THIS PROBLEM IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS ISSUE. THE DEBRIS FROM THE CAT GETS SUCKED UP INTO THE ENGINE AND DAMAGES THE CYLINDER WALL CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND EVENTUAL ENGINE FAILURE. I HAD TO REFILL (NOT ADD) MY CAR WITH OIL EVERY 200 MILES DRIVEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405331June 6, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS IDLE. THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,683.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404207June 2, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE ALSO BURNED OIL WEEKLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO ADD OIL EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $105. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403831May 31, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. HE WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART YET THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FIRST NEED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE WHO ONLY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,138 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000. UPDATED 07-06/11 *BF UPDATED 3/1/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401159May 16, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400573May 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA, BOUGHT NEW, AFTER 93,000 MILES IT BURNS EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, AND COOLANT. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, RECALLS, ETC. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS TO FIND OUT WHY MY CAR IS DOING THIS AND A RESOLUTION HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. NEVER HAVE I BEEN INFORMED BY NISSAN OF THE ISSUE AT HAND THOUGH IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE READ AND RESEARCHED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHER ONLINE MECHANICAL FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE RESULTS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE RESOLUTION FOR THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO A CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL/FAILURE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, CONTINUOUSLY ADD OIL AS NEEDED, SELL/TRADE THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A FORMAL INVESTIGATION THAT IS ONGOING OR HAS BEEN RESOLVED. IF RESOLVED, WHAT SOLUTION(S) HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO HOLD NISSAN RESPONSIBLE FOR LACK OF INFORMING CONSUMERS, NOT DOING MORE TO PREVENT FURTHER ENGINE FAILURE. WILL NISSAN PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND SUCH AS NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398562May 2, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THAT SHE SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,761.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397485April 26, 2011
STEERING
STEERING PROBLEM WITH NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 THE STEERING COUPLING IN THE STEERING COLUMN CORRODED MAKING THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. POWER ASSIST WAS NOT AVAILABLE AS FAULT WAS IN COLUMN. STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST WHILE DRIVING CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397174April 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NO REAL WARNING. ENGINE STARTING KNOCKING ONE DAY AND FOUND OUT IT WAS 2 QUARTS LOW AFTER CHANGING IT THE PREVIOUS WEEK. PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL MORE IN AND DROVE 300 MILES TO ONLY FIND THAT IT WAS LOW AGAIN. I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN AROUND EVERY 200 MILES NOW TO PREVENT MY ENGINE FROM MAKING LOUD NOISES. THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TOO SAID THE CAT CONVERTERS AND MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT AFFORD A REPLACEMENT ENGINE OR A NEW CAR SO AM STUCK DUMPING 2 QUARTS IN EVERY 200 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395740April 13, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST LISTING THE FAILURE WITHIN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR; BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD HEADER MUFFLER TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395167April 7, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY CAR IS 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 77,000 MILES ON IT. MY CAR HAS FAILED EMISSIONS AND THE REASON IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE RECALLS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NISSAN DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394312April 5, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SOME HESITATION AT SPEEDS OF OVER 40MP BUT WAS INTERMITTENT. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD STALL FREQUENTLY AT LOW SPEEDS. REGULAR MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM - NO ENGINE LIGHT. I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND FOUND TWO RECALLS FOR MY MAKE , YEAR AND MODEL. ONE RELATED TO ECM SENSOR - WHICH CAUSED THE STALLING. RECALL INDICATES THAT SENSOR WOULD BE REPROGRAMMED. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER - THEY REPROGRAMMED IT AND SENT ME OFF ON MY WAY. SAME DAY THE CAR WAS RUNNING WORSE THAN BEFORE - RPM RACING AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR OVER 40 - THEN IT WOULD RUN OK AND THEN START UP AGAIN. THE STALLING CONTINUED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE REPROGRAMMING WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND WOULD ACTUALLY CAUSE THE CAR TO RUN WORSE. I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS WHEN I WALKED OUT THE FIRST TIME. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME TO LOOK AT IT THEY NEED TO CHARGE ME $120 PLUS WHAT EVER IT COST TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394055April 2, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN WARM WEATHER FOR OVER 15 MINUTES, THE ENGINE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC OR REFUSE TO START AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF BRIEFLY (EX: AT THE GAS PUMP.) THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE RECALL FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND WE HAD ANOTHER PUT IN BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SINCE THEN. DIAGNOSTICS GAVE CONSULT CODE PO420 CATALYST SYS-B1. GAVE US AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE CATALYST. HEARD ABOUT A RECALL OF SOME NISSANS FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN FALL OF 2010, BUT I GUESS THIS CAR DID NOT FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY. WE ARE ALSO TOLD THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDS REPLACING, BUT DO NOT WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO A VEHICLE THAT HAS A STALLING PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393915April 1, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 85,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING; THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. AT AROUND 130,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED FEELING ROUGH AND MAKING RATTLING SOUNDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT AND BACK ENGINE MOUNTS, LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKETS, FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND LEFT FRONT HUB AND BEARING BUT THE SOUND STILL EXISTS. AT 141000 MILES THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AT 144,000 MILES, THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 10 MPH. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, THE ENGINE INITIALLY WOULD NOT TURN OVER; AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED AGAIN BUT STILL COULD NOT GO MORE THAN 10 MPH. THE SECOND STOP SEEMED TO TEMPORARILY REVIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT COULD BE DRIVEN AT NORMAL SPEEDS (AT LEAST LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THE 1 MILE DRIVE HOME) BUT IT EMITTED A STRONG BURNING SMELL. AT THIS POINT THE DIAGNOSIS IS IRRELEVANT - IT'S TIME FOR A NEW, MORE RELIABLE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393771March 30, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THIS IS A FORMAL REQUEST PETITIONING NHTSA TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION FOR AN INADEQUATE REMEDY OF RECALL 03V-084 (NISSAN # NTB03-070D) 3/8/11-MATERIAL FROM A DAMAGED PRE-CATALYST ENTER THE ENGINE CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE WHICH INCREASED THE OIL CONSUMPTION TO 1 QT OF OIL PER 100 MILES. 1/20/11-OIL CHANGE AT 74,243 MILES, IN PERFECT RUNNING CONDITION NOT CONSUMING ANY OIL. 3/8/11-875 MILES LATER, HEARD ENGINE NOISE AND SCHEDULED SERVICE INSPECTION. ENGINE NOISE DUE TO LOW OIL LEVEL. FILLED OIL AND THE ENGINE NOISE STOPPED. CAR SMOKES AT HIGHER RPM'S. MECHANIC ASKED IF RECALL NUMBER 03V-084 WAS PERFORMED. NISSAN CLAIMED THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL. LATER ADMITTED TO A RECALL BUT CLAIMED OUR CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED, AND THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR THE AGE AND MILEAGE. 8 YEAR/80,000 MILE EMISSIONS WARRANTY EXPIRED 10/5/10, 3/10/11-SENT EMAIL TO NHTSA. NHTSA SAID, FROM VIN LISTINGS, OUR CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED, AND SENT A REQUESTED FOR RECALL HISTORY TO NISSAN. 3/15/11-NHTSA SAID RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED 3/2008, AT 54,000 MILES. THE RECALL OWNER LETTER STATES, 'THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PRE-CATALYST. MATERIAL FROM INSIDE THE DAMAGE PRE-CATALYST COULD ENTER THE ENGINE AND RESULT IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION'..THE NISSAN DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE DAMAGE TO THE PRE-CATALYST.' THE RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED IN 3/2008 DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION AGAINST PREMATURE PRE-CATALYST FAILURE WHICH CAUSED ENOUGH DAMAGE TO REQUIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE AT 54,000 MILES SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED ME MORE THAN THE 21,118 MILES. THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE PRE-CATALYST SHOULD BE LONGER THAN 75,118 MILES, OR AT LEAST ADDRESSED UNDER THE RECALL INSPECTION AND CORRECTED WHILE UNDER THE ORIGINAL EMISSION WARRANTY PERIOD. IT IS FOR THESE REASONS I AM PETITIONING THE NHTSA TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION FOR AN INADEQUATE REMEDY OF THIS RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393588March 29, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER SIGNS OR ANY FAILURES OTHER THAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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