2002 Nissan Altima: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 2, 2017 · Engine · 225,440 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving 55 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise and the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder lane and caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,440.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NY

If you google 2002 nissan altima problems you will see hundreds if not thousands of people complaining from about 60k to 100k about a design flaw of having the pre catalytic converter too close to the exhaust valves. The pre-cat was found to be a problem of breaking down the metals inside and causing them to be sucked into the engine and ruining the piston rings and ultimately blowing the engine. Nissan had said my car was not part of that recall but low and behold I experience the same symptoms. 2 quarts a week oil consumption, smoke coming out of the tail pipe, no heat until about 4k RPM. Many calls and complaints went upon deaf ears. Why is it so hard for them to see that they missed some on this recall. Many with this engine like sentra's with the 2.5 engine have the same problem. Some have replaced the pre-cat just to have it fail again and ruin the engine after repairs.

Filed Jul 15, 2012 · Engine · 110,963 miles · CO

Engine was consuming oil at an accelerated rate (1+ qt per 2,000+ miles). Dealership conducted an oil consumption test beginning december 2011. It appears that when the catalytic converter goes out, it sucks in pieces of the converter substrate during the negative cycle. The small pieces of the converter then score the cylinder walls. After several months of the dealership monitoring the oil consumption, I was told that I would need a new engine. I took the car in to an independent mechanic for a second opinion. The cylinder compression test indicated the first cylinder was at about 82 psi and the other three cylinders ranged from 111 to 118 psi. Back at the nissan dealership, the mechanic stated that the first cylinder is the one that is initially damaged by the pre-catalyst overheating. Nissan consumer affairs has told me they would not provide financial assistance in getting a new engine because I did not get a warranty when I bought the car used, and also because the mechanic who replaced the catalytic converter at 90,000 miles was not the nissan dealership (nissan case # 8897586). The car is suffering the effects identified on the federal safety agency campaign id 03v084000. There is the possibility the engine could catch on fire as identified in the campaign. I have meticulously recorded all of the repairs and oil changes to the car, only to have nissan tell me that they will not provide me with any assistance with this issue. It appears to be a design flaw with the pre-catalyst overheating and subsequently casing grave damage to the engine. Thank you.

Filed Mar 4, 2012 · Engine · 101,000 miles · PA

Our first problem came when the altima had several holes blown into the engine when the catalytic converter failed to hold up because of a defective design in the engine. I did take the car in for the recall, but what they did not fix the issue, and my mechanic told me I was fortunate that the entire car did not set on fire or that it didn't happen when I was on a highway. I fought hard and spoke to person after person and finally found the president of customer relations number(4 weeks into calling), they told me that because I had kept such great records of our service history that they would replace my engine. Now I have a new defect in this car. The metal floor pan has a defect and there has been no recall! There are actually huge holes in the floor of my car that could prove deadly and make my car not road worthy. They are asking $2,000 to $3,000 to fix this!!! Fraud. I am so livid. This car has been one nightmare after another. I want to feel as if my family is safe in the car I am driving. Who worries that the floor might fall out from underneath them when they are driving??? Or heaven forbid, something hit the bottom and come right into the car! I'm so angry about this car. Please tell me that I am not helpless.

Filed Nov 8, 2011 · Engine · GA · fire

I was driving on the freeway and my engine caught fire which resulted in my car being totaled.

Filed Jul 26, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · OH · fire

2002 nissan altima. Unit #1 was westbound on ir80 in the right lane when the engine compartment caught fire. Unit #1 pulled to the right berm and extinguished the flames. *ln according to the police report, the burnt wires were traced to the fuel injection. (ohio traffic crash report #10-0425-90)

Filed Jun 24, 2011 · Engine · GA

My family has owned my 2002 nissan altima since it was originally driven off the lot. We have maintained the vehicle and have completed all recalls. In july 2005 recall 03v084000 was "supposedly" corrected, but I have been informed that my catalytic converter and engine needs to be replaced due to particles from the converter being inhaled by my engine. I have 143,582 miles on my vehicle. Due to this design defect I fear that driving the vehicle is a hazard, due to the chance that it will catch on fire. I contacted nissan consumer concerning this issue, but was told that the issue have been resolved. Through my research I've learned that thousands of 02 nissan altima owners are experiencing this issue. Please help nissan customers get justice, when nissan is obviously aware that the corrective action does not stop the potential hazard of fire.

Filed Apr 1, 2011 · Engine · 144,000 miles · TX

At 85,000 miles, the car began to shudder and had difficulty accelerating; the diagnosis was a blown head gasket. At around 130,000 miles the car started feeling rough and making rattling sounds. The dealer replaced the right and back engine mounts, leaking valve cover gaskets, front lower control arms, and left front hub and bearing but the sound still exists. At 141000 miles the "check engine light" came on and the dealer replaced the catalytic converter. At 144,000 miles, the car suddenly would not go more than 10 MPH. After turning the car off, the engine initially would not turn over; after a few minutes, the car started again but still could not go more than 10 MPH. The second stop seemed to temporarily revive the car because it could be driven at normal speeds (at least long enough to make the 1 mile drive home) but it emitted a strong burning smell. At this point the diagnosis is irrelevant - it's time for a new, more reliable car.

Filed Nov 16, 2010 · Engine · 68,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. While driving approximately 45 MPH he began to see smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the pistons and catalyst needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified informed him that his vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v084000, engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. He also noted that the vehicle would burn oil quicker than usual. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 68,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 8, 2010 · Engine · 35,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle over heated continuously and she smelled fuel. She also stated that it was difficult to start the vehicle after it had been parked; she had to pump the accelerator pedal several times in order for the vehicle to start. On one occasion, the contact noticed a burning smell from the engine once the engine was warm. The dealer advised the contact that there was a recall for the catalytic converter for her model but her VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The current mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2009 · Engine · 111,000 miles · AL

I purchased a 02 altima 2.5 (automatic) on thursday, july 16, 2009. On friday, july 17, I had to take it to the mechanic because it was making a terrible sound coming from the engine. Upon arrival, it was found that the oil tank was bone dry. After adding 3 quarts of oil, the noise was gone. Throughout that day when driving I smelt something like exhaust or burning oil or something. I just thought oil was spilled on the engine and it was simply burning off. I put approx 30 miles on the car that day. On saturday, july 18, I put approx 20 miles on the car (same smell). On sunday, I noticed smoke coming out of my muffler when I would hit the gas. It would go away when I was at a steady pace but if I put gas in it, the smoke would come out. I took the car to a friend of mine and had him check the oil. To my surprise, there was not a lick of oil left in the tank... Where did it go????????? There was no sign of leaks underneath the car and no spot on my driveway. We went and purchased 3 more quarts of oil and added it to the car. When we checked the dip stick, the oil was pitch black. The car was also blowing black smoke. I am a single 27 year old mom, working and going to school. A nissan is what everyone told me to get.. Why??? I have just forked out every dime I had (7800.00) in savings to purchase this car so what was I to do now? On monday, july 20, I took it back to the mechanic which then told me the engine needed to be replaced. I then took it to another mechanic which verified the same thing. After 2 weeks a 05 model engine was put in the car and I picked it up on august 7. Shortly after being on the road, the check engine light came on and it was making a loud squeaky sound. After taking it back on august 18, they said it now needed a catalytic converter and they replaced a belt. On august 23, the car started going dead with no warning while driving; once I was on the interstate and thought I was going to die! It also acts as if it doesn't want to crank now.

Filed Aug 9, 2009 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

2002 nissan altima - engine defect. The engine nearly caught on fire because the oil was burning so much that there was no oil in the engine after a few miles! First there was a problem with the heating/cooling, check engine light came on, white smoke from the engine. Had each problem addressed at mechanic but problem was never fixed because the source was in the engine itself - a nissan defect. Now I "need a new engine" because the source of the problem is the head gasket. My mechanic has seen 2 other 2002 nissan altimas with the same problem. It was a defect in the original engine and it is dangerous if you do not catch it and replace the engine, due to such fast oil loss and an overheated engine! Scary! The car only has 100k miles!! The car is not drivable now and I am seeing hundreds of other complaints of the exact same nature online with some fires already started. Yikes!