NHTSA Complaint #10551496 — 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID

THE VEHICLE SET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT A STOP LIGHT. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO BE TOLD THAT DUE TO THE ENGINE IN THE HYBRID VEHICLE STARTING AND STOPPING A LOT IT BUILDS UP CARBON IN THE CYLINDER. (A HYBRID VEHICLE STARTS AND STOPS BY DESIGN WHEN SWITCHING FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS AND VICE VERSA) I JUST GOT IT IN UNDER THE WARRANTY OF 60,000 MILES. MY ENGINE DID NOT SEIZE IN THIS INSTANCE HOWEVER THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FAILURE AND NOT A USAGE FAILURE. IF THE HYBRID VEHICLE IS MARKETED AS A FUEL SAVER AND COST SAVINGS OVER IT'S USEFUL LIFE A $5,000 TO $10,000 BILL FOR ENGINE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT NEGATES ALL POSSIBLE SAVINGS. I WONDER IF THE DESIGN FLAW CREATES MORE CARBON EMISSIONS THAT NEGATES THE SPECIFICATION. *TR