NHTSA Complaint #10162511 — 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD SPARKS PLUGS CHANGED AS A MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED SERVICE. AFTER I PICKED THE CAR UP AND DROVE IT FOR SOME TIME I WOULD PERIODICALLY SMELL GAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. LATER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CEASED WORKING AND I AM TOLD THE CAR HAS TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE BY THE DEALER BEFORE THE 60,000 MILE MARK. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT MY CAR'S ENGINE WAS ALSO USING EXCESSIVE OIL AS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE MEDIA. I AM TOLD BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS PASSED, THERE IS NOTHING THAT NISSAN WILL DO. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY CLAIM THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE CAR. I HAVE READ IN THE NEWS REPORTS THAT NISSAN WILL RECALL ALL ALTIMA'S BACK TO THE 2003 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE THE 2002 MODEL WHICH WAS THE FIRST LINE PUT OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I AM WONDERING WHAT RIGHTS I HAVE. IF NISSAN DOES RECALL ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2002, HOW CAN MY CAR BE REPAIRED IF THE ENGINE HAS ALREADY FAILED? I WOULD LIKE TO SEND IN ALL OF MY DOCUMENTATION SO MY CASE CAN BE STUDIED AND I CAN KNOW WHERE I STAND. *JB