NHTSA Complaint #10227469 — 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

2002 NISSAN ALTIMA CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURES THAT ARE INCREASING ACCORDING TO REPORTS WIDELY PUBLICIZED ON THE INTERNET. THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT IN US. IN SPEAKING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE REASON FOR THE RECALL BEING RECOGNIZED IN CANADA BUT NOT IN THE U.S. IS DUE TO THE FACTORY IN WHICH VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED. SEEMS TO ME THIS REASON IS RIDICULOUS IF THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING IN THE U.S. TOO! SEE INFO BELOW: TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL NUMBER 2003060. UNITS AFFECTED: 30589. 2002-2003: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD WHICH COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. CORRECTION: DEALER WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. ALSO, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY MAY SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. CORRECTION: DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PRE-CATALYST OVERHEATING. IF THE CONVERSION EFFICIENCY OF THE PRE-CATALYST HAS DETERIORATED, THEN THE CATALYST WILL BE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL PRE-CATALYST WILL THEN BE INSPECTED FOR EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE TO THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL BE REPLACED. WHILE I HAVE BEEN OBSESSIVE ABOUT ENSURING MY VEHICLE IS SERVICED ROUTINELY, I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WILL RESULT IN HAVING TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. I DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCES TO JUST DROP $2000 ON A NEW ENGINE! MY CASE IS CURRENTLY IN THE HANDS OF A REGIONAL SPECIALIST (FILE # 6149122), BUT I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW TO DATE. I AM RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING REVIEW OF THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR