NHTSA Complaint #10475991 — 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGNAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE WITH A HESITATION. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE OIL AND THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL HAD BECOME EXTREMELY LOW. IN ADDITION, BLACK AND GRAY SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP TWICE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE ENGINE CYLINDER SEAL WERE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.