The defect
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.
The risk
EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | 2002, 2003 |
| Nissan Sentra | 2002 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | 2002 | 1,047 | 5 |
| Nissan Altima | 2003 | 883 | 4 |
| Nissan Sentra | 2002 | 304 | 10 |
Other engine and engine cooling recalls in 2003
19 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the engine and engine cooling; NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed 216 campaigns in all.
| 03V524000 15 Dec 2003 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING |
| 03V511000 10 Dec 2003 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 03V487000 26 Nov 2003 | MOTO GUZZI NORTH AMERICA |
| 03V455000 17 Nov 2003 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 03V387000 16 Oct 2003 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. |
| 03V324000 26 Aug 2003 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 03V306000 22 Aug 2003 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 03V261000 22 Jul 2003 | NEOPLAN USA CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003