NHTSA Complaint #10818638 — 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA

I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE I WAS SMELLING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST IN THE CAR CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED. THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED A RUST HOLE IN MY EXHAUST JUST PAST THE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BUT MORE TROUBLING WAS TWO HUGE HOLES IN THE FLOOR BOARDS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. EACH RUST HOLE IS APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES LONG X 4 INCHES WIDE AND THE PADDING AN CARPET CAN CLEARLY BE SEEN FROM UNDERNEATH. EVEN AFTER EXHAUST IS FIXED I AM STILL AT GREAT RISK OF ROAD DEBRIS AND MOISTURE ENTERING THE CABIN FROM BENEATH THE CAR. THIS CAR IS JUST 10 YEARS OLD AND THE REST OF THE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH LITTLE TO NO RUST. I LIVE IN A SALT BELT STATE BUT OTHER CARS OF THE SAME AGE DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE LEARNED THROUGH MEDIA AND WEB THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 - 2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS. I CONSIDER THESE HOLES TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN AND MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN.