NHTSA Complaint #10522599 — 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING PURCHASED IT IN 2008. ONE OF THE REASONS WE PURCHASED THE CAR WAS ITS REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY AND FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS IT HAS LIVED UP TO ITS REPUTATION. RECENTLY, I NOTICED SOMETHING "HANGING FROM UNDERNEATH" THE CAR AND UPON EXAMINATION (AND TO MY UTTER AMAZEMENT) FOUND THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH! WHAT I REALLY FIND INCREDULOUS IS THAT, AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS APPARENTLY AS PREDICTABLE AS THE SUN-RISE!! ADDITIONALLY, ALTHOUGH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, NISSAN CONTINUES TO DISAVOW ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A PROBLEM NOR ANY CULPABILITY. I FIND IT DISCONCERTING THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE ANY VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF AGE, WOULD SHOW THIS EXTENT OF RUSTING. THOUGH NOT A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, I WOULD HAVE TO DEDUCE THAT THIS DEFECT WOULD COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES SEEING HOW BOTH THE FRONT SEATS AND SEAT BELTS ARE SECURED TO THE CAR IN THIS AREA. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THIS CAR AT THIS POINT. SHOULD I SELL IT TO SOME UNSUSPECTING PERSON? HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS ARE BEING DRIVEN BY AN OWNER WITH NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED INTO OBLIVION IF EVER IN ANY TYPE OF A CRASH. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN AND THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! *TR