NHTSA Complaint #10067967 — 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA

THIS INCIDENT INOVLVES MY NISSAN MAXIMA 2002 SE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING ON I-25 IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CAR STARTED TO BUCK AND ENGINE POWER WAS SEVERELY REDUCED. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO LESS THAN 45 MPH AND JUST MISSED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND BY THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. I WAS FORTUNATE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND WORK MY WAY OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN STOPPED THE CAR STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AT VERY REDUCED SPEED (<45 MPH). THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME OF A CURRENT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THE CAR AND THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (3 YR/36000 MILE) CURRENT MILEAGE 37500. I WOULD HAVE TO INCUR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE MASS/FLOW SENSOR ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN AND I WONDER WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL TYPE REPLACEMENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO BE HERE WITH SUCH A SEVERE PRODUCT DEFECT. ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS EASILY REPAIRED AND SHOULD BE INSTITUTED IN CARS CURRENTLY IN SERVICE BUT NOT YET REPAIRED. NISSAN'S RELUCTANCE TO INCUR THE COST OF MY REPAIR JUST BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY IS A BAD CUSTOMER RELATION MOVE ON THEIR PART, BUT BESIDES THAT I BELIEVE NOT RECALLING THIS PART PUTS OTHER MOTORISTS AT RISK. THANK YOU.