Nissan website : www.nissanusa.com/owning/recall_info/Altima/2002/index.html#result1 applies to 2003 Altima models in the following vehicle identification number range: 1N4al11**3C100003 - 311983 reason for recall there is a possibility that the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the catalytic converter and cause a fire. In addition, there is a possibility that certain engine operating conditions may cause damage to the pre-catalyst. Material from inside a damaged pre-catalyst could enter the engine and result in increased oil consumption. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis and drops below the low level, and the driver continues to operate the vehicle ignoring noticeable engine noise, engine damage may occur which could result in a fire. What Nissan will do in order to prevent these incidents from occurring, your Nissan dealer will shorten the exhaust pipe hanger pin. The dealer will also reprogram the electronic control module to prevent any future damage to the pre-catalyst. In addition, the dealer will install heat shields on certain components of the exhaust system on vehicles that do not already have them. This free service should take about three hours to complete, but your Nissan dealer may require your vehicle for a longer period of time based upon the dealer''s work schedule. The pre-catalyst will be tested to ensure it is working properly and replaced if necessary. If damage is found inside the pre-catalyst, it will be necessary to replace the engine. Nissan anticipates that few engines will need to be replaced. If the engine needs to be replaced, this also will be free of charge and will take several days. In this case, a car rental allowance is available from your Nissan dealer upon request.

- Ozone Park, NY, USA

: the contact stated the vehicle had problems turning the ignition on. This occurred on a regular basis. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The dealer checked the VIN # to see if it was covered under recall and stated that their system showed that vehicle part had been fixed on a previous recall. The contact stated that the vehicle was never brought in for any recall work in regards to this matter, nor did the contact receive a recall letter on this matter. The vehicle was currently at the dealer, no repairs were made.

- Passaic, NJ, USA

I bought a Nissan Altima sl new in 2002. The car has only 34,500 miles on it. I took it to elkins Nissan today because of a noise. I was told I need a new exhaust tube assembly at the cost of $400. I find it hard to believe that this part has already failed in a car with low mileage.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

: the contact stated upon inspection, it was noticed the vehicle was burning oil from the main catalyst. Although the dealership and manufacturer were alerted, no inspections have been made. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03V084000, regarding the electrical system. The VIN was not included in the recall.

- Evanston, IL, USA

1) on 4/15/06 my husband was driving my car and complained that it was not running right, and was missing. The check engine light came on. My husband drove the car directly to the Nissan dealer in corona, ca. 2) the dealer service department checked out the car and stated cylinder #1 misfire, butterfly bolt fell into #1 cylinder broke spark plug. 3)removed intake manifold to replace butterfly bolt. Removed catalytic converter for inspection, minor hairline crack no codes. Customer decided to have old cat reinstalled. Reinstalled intake manifold and replaced related gaskets. 4) service representative stated this was a common problem and knew what it was right away. They charged me $727 to repair and I still have a cracked catalytic converter. I have checked out messaging forums and found that this is a known problem for Nissan Altima's.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

Contact states while driving on the freeway vehicle stalled/ lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealership. They told the contact it was an alternator, and it was repaired. When she drove the vehicle home it started doing the same thing. She took vehicle back to the dealership, they said it was the intake manifold. There was a recall on this year, make and model of vehicle, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Also, the dealership told her that if she didn't have this fixed that it would blow the pistons.

- Hanford , CA, USA

I am very upset. Just all of a sudden, I started hearing a noise that sounded as if it was coming from the exhaust. I took it to a local service repair store for new tires and asked them to check out the noise. They informed me that this was a common problem with 2002 Nissan Altima's and that it was a very serious, dangerous problem. They indicated the problem was the 02 valve backed out of the catalitic converter and because the catalitic converter and the exhaust manifold were one piece, they all had to be replaced. They adivsed me that there was a service advisory out on this and it was very serious. It cost me $900 to get this fixed as I was in fear of my life to drive this any longer. I want to know why there was not recall on this and I am requesting my money be refunded. This is extremely frustrating for a 3 year old vehicle. If I do not receive some type of contact on this complaint, I plan to contact the BBB and possibly an attorney. If this problem warranted a service advisory, it certainly should have warranted a recall.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

Vehicle was recalled on May 17 2004 for the exhaust pipe hanger pin. The engine light came on while driving. The fire department was called due to the engine being engulfed in flames.

- Matawan, NJ, USA