NHTSA Complaint #10322193 — 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 69 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WARNING BLINKERS WERE ACTIVATED AND WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE FROM THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE FOOT APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE TO THE MEDIAN WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE RECALL REPAIRED WAS PERFORMED UNDER CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECU), BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY OFF THE LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL FAILURE, AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET FOR A RECALL ASSOCIATED REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE." THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ONE MILE FROM THE DEALER. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NON-RESPONSIVE WITH EXTREME BODILY FORCE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH AS "DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE." THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,800.