NHTSA Complaint #10245229 — 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER

THE CAR LOST POWER AND THEN THERE WAS HIGH HEAT FROM UNDER THE CAR FOLLOWED BY A SMALL EXPLOSION WHEN TWO CATALYTIC CONVERTS BURST SIDE SEAMS AND BEGAN TO LEAK. BENNETT NISSAN IN WILTON CONNECTICUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEY CLAIM THAT THESE ARE RESONATORS AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE EIGHT YEAR OR 80,000 WARRANTY. THEY ALSO CLAIM THAT IF THERE IS NO "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" THAT THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE EPA SYSTEM. THEY OFFER A "FIX" THAT SEALS THE DEFECT OF THIS EQUIPMENT AND CHARGE ABOUT $250. REPLACEMENT WITH NEW PARTS COSTS ABOUT $1500. I THINK: 1) THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE EPA SYSTEM; 2) THERE IS DANGER FROM FIRE OR EXCESSIVE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAR. THE DEALER AND NISSAN ARE OBVIOUSLY WORKING TO CONCERT TO AVOID THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AND PUSHING THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE CONSUMER AFTER THEY HAVE NO THEY BEYOND THE 8/80000 MILE COVERAGE. THIS IS WRONG. THIS ISSUE IS ON A 2003 PATHFINDER LE THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE IT WAS NEW. *TR