2002 Nissan Altima Engine Damage post Recall

I have a significant problem. My son purchased a 2002 Nissan Altima with 98,000 miles from a Nissan Dealer off e-Bay in February 2009. Even though the car was sold to us "AS-IS", the dealer was sure to tell us what a great car it was and the only reason they were selling it on e-Bay was because they could not obtain financing for a 2002 vehicle with so many miles. Okay, I accept that. We test drove the car and it was in superior condition. The performance was excellent in every way and we bought the car for $5,250 cash (my son is 17 and had been saving for this car since he was 12).

We drove the car home and immediately changed the oil. The honeymoon was over after two weeks when my son took his car into the local mechanic to rotate tires. A routine check of the oil showed it was 2 quarts low. Naturally, we thought the quick-lube place screwed up and we simply topped it off with more oil. After two more weeks, we checked the oil again... it was another 2 quarts low. There was no visual evidence of burning (smoke) and the car passed through NJ emissions inspection without incident... So what the heck??!!??

Our mechanic told us that this problem could be significant, but that there was no way to tell unless the unit was put through an expensive wet-dry compression test. Anyway, we just kept putting oil in the car and assumed that would be the standard (I did it with my Rambler for years)... But the problem got worse. Smoke was beginning to billow from the exhaust. The day before the engine blew out, I took the car to a local Nissan dealer to run a full computer diagnostic evaluation... That's when I got the news that both the engine and catalytic converter needed replacement. Even though the CAT was replaced/serviced under recall from Nissan a few years ago. The cost to me would be over $7,000.00

Here is the problem (and a simple Google of 2002 Altima Engine Problems will turn up hundreds, if not thousands of similar stories). Nissan issued a recall for a faulty sensor within the Altima's catalytic converter. Our Altima was taken by the previous owner in for service under recall shortly after it was issued. This sensor allowed for damage to the catalytic converter, which in turn damaged the piston rings in the engines causing excessive oil burning and ultimately complete engine failure. In cases where Nissan "reprogrammed" the sensor, nothing was done to address the CAT damage and what it was doing to the engine. In other cases, they replaced the CAT, but the engines were already burining oil and headed for doom. The damaged engines, in turn, damaged the new CAT... This is the situation I find myself in now after putting only 4,000 miles on the car since February. Bad CAT, shot engine and Nissan Consumer Affairs telling me "Sorry, it's out of warranty and there is nothing we can do"... The recall should have been for both CAT and engine replacement, but who in their right mind would assume Nissan to do this for tens of thousands of cars. All they did was put a quick patch on a festering wound and waited to address individual complaints as they arose, which is infinately cheaper than doing the right thing in the first place.

My sons dream was crushed and Nissan says "tough luck, kid". The car sits dead in our driveway providing a daily reminder of what scum car manufacturers like Nissan can be.

Is there a case here?

Thanks for your help!

Jim

Jim Chapman:

Is there a case here?

I don't think so.

The car was 7 years old with 98,000 miles on it.

I understand that... But the recalled part caused residual damage that Nissan will not address. This is not an isolated case. The vehicle engines and CATs were doomed from the day they were built. Nissan acknowledges this through the recall, but their "fix" was only intended to get the cars past the standard warranty life.

By the way, Jack... Thanks for your reply, but I read your profile and I'm looking for someone with legal experience and qualifications here. Thanks again.

Jim Chapman:

I understand that... But the recalled part caused residual damage that Nissan will not address. This is not an isolated case. The vehicle engines and CATs were doomed from the day they were built. Nissan acknowledges this through the recall, but their "fix" was only intended to get the cars past the standard warranty life.

And I understand that, too.

What do you want me to say - Great case, go sue the car manufacturer?

Sorry, can't say that because I know it's not going to happen.

Jim Chapman:

I'm looking for someone with legal experience and qualifications here.

To get that you have to walk into a lawyer's office and write a check.

Around here we have lawyers and non-lawyers who contribute a lot of time making helpful comments about peoples' problems. And sometimes the unfortunate answer is that they are stuck with a problem that has no solution.

I might be going out on a limb here but I'm certain that none of our lawyer contributors have ever sued an automobile manufacture for damage done by a recalled part.

Consequently, my legal experience and qualifications may be no better or worse than anybody else's, yet you assume that I have none. No need to apologize. I'm not upset about it, just amused.

Jack: No offense, but I wasn't apologizing or asking "What do I want you to say?". Also, there is nothing amusing about a 17 year old boy who lost his entire personal savings on a vehicle. Granted, it's a shame and buyer beware... But you clearly have not researched this particular problem. Also, you are not a lawyer yet you are telling me that your advise could be no better or worse than lawyers who have practiced law for a living. If what you say is true, there really isn't any reason for this site to exist. I don't think advise like "it will never happen" should come from an insurance salesman/landlord. Your profile is right though, you know little about a lot. But right now I need advise from someone who actually practices law and knows a LOT about legitimate cause of action. Thanks anyway, and if I ever need insurance or an apartment, I'll let you know.

OK, Boss, rather than spend time responding to all that, I'll be happy to read the comments from someone who actually practices law and knows a LOT about legitimate cause of action.

Vadgue.1026:

Your son purchased the car 'As-Is" and you know what that means. It's a very hard lesson to learn but had you or your son done some homework on the vehicle before you purchased it you would have found about the engine issues.

Thanks for your input. Once again, I understand that I have little or no recourse individually and that extensive research prior to purchase might have compelled us to spend the extra $300+ for a wet-dry compression test and ultimately go elsewhere. This has nothing to do with my individual purchase or why I posted the question in this section. This is a class action question about an acknowledged design flaw that caused thousands of engines to ultimately fail around 100,000 miles (well below the expected life), regardless of when the car was purchased new or used. Nissan's initial response to the pre-cat sensor location design flaw was to simply recall and "reprogram" the sensor in the and say the problem was fixed, when in fact, it wasn't. It was a cunning way to get all of these vehicles to survive past the manufacturer's warranty before catastrophic failure. I am not alone and I am not looking for a quick fix. Again, this question is NOT about my individual purchase. But if you dig deep and research the issue, you will find a common theme of deception by Nissan about this vehicle. What car manufacturer, knowing the ultimate ramifications of a design flaw, would voluntarily replace tens of thousand of engines if they could devise a way to get through it on the cheap? Think of the comparison cost to Nissan and percentages of those willing to fight!! That's why I want opinions from qualified class action attorneys, if there are any that actually visit this site and can understand my real question.

My son is getting another car (anything but a Nissan) and has learned a valuable lesson. But this whole thing stinks of corporate deception, and there are tens of thousands out there who, like me, think the same way.

This site might be futile for those with questions about complex issues so I've also approached class action specialists privately. None have asked me to write a check to research and answer my simple question as to whether or not there is a possible class action case. If they feel there is a cause of action, I'm sure they won't initiate it for nothing. I wasn't born yesterday.

Jim,

My story concerning my 2002 Nissan Altima is almost exactly the same as yours.  Fortunately,  my son's Altima is still running at this time.  I have been in contact with Nissan for two months.  A senior executive said there was nothing Nissan could do because of the mileage and I didn't have service records from the previous owner.  I have asked a lawyer friend to send a letter to Nissan saying we plan to sue.  This is both a safety and a consumer protection issue.  The recall clearly states that if the problem is not corrected it could result in a fire.  I would like to know if there are any grounds for a suit.  Let me know if you have any luck. 

Vann K

jim- this JUST happened to my husbands 2002 nissan altima. we purchased it new. the exact same story as yourself, but we owned the vehicle from the get-go. the 2 1/2 quarts of low oil, yet no signs of oil leaks on the ground...no sign prior to engine blowing...no check engine light, no low oil, nothing...the night before we took it in my husband noticed black smoke from the exhaust. the next day we brought it in and the one shop said they didn't know what was wrong and gave us the recall info and sent us to nissan. nissan charged us $200, said it'd cost $5000 to rebuild the engine but can't tell us what is wrong with it. they said the catalytic converter was not showing on the computer as defected, however, we were told if we wanted to pay $500 to take the engine apart, to look at catalytic converter, we cld do this, as they said that yes, it could be the catalytic converter without it coming up the the computer diagnosis. the catalytic converter is under warranty til 80k, however, we don't know if we should pay $500 (already spent $400 to find out the demise) to see if it is the catalytic converter or not.  i told my husband we need to start a class action suite...or look into it. so i started 'googling' and have found TONS of the same scenario with the 2002 nissan altima.  my husband has 74,000 miles on his car and it is immaculate. he had done the oil changes religiously, and other maintenance. it's not fair at all!!! i have NEVER heard of an engine blowing like this...with such low miles. i.e. 11k/yr

please email me back if you've gotten any results or have any addtl insight since your post.

Hi Jim,

I just bought a 2002 Nissan Altima S this past week, like yourself and from what I'm reading  like many others I was convinced it was a good car from the start. Well after driving it for about 7 hundred miles to go help my family put on a new roof and a nieces birthday party I have consumed about 2 1/2 quarts of oil. As you can imagine after realizing I'm going to burn as much oil as I am gas and reading hundreds of post by other consumers my concerns are now a reality. Have you or any other people made any ground talking to Nissan? Looking for some advise, please respond.

Thank You,

James Jesperson

We also bought our son a 2002 Nissan from an individual in May of 2010 with 94,000 miles on it.  It was an awesome looking car, however we also discovered it was burning oil - badly.  I took it to a shop here in my hometown and they are telling me it needs a whole new engine - costing over $3500!!!  We only paid $6000 for the car!  It is heartbreaking.  My son, too, was very excited about his first car and it has turned out to be a nightmare.  I wish there was some recourse here - seems like way too many people are having issues with these cars!!! If any of you have any luck - let me know! 

I too, have the exact same horrible experience going on now with my '02 Altima.  Nissan headquarters only offered me $350 toward the purchase of a new vehicle.  I told them that was an insult to a loyal customer who  had their car serviced by their dealership ONLY, and no one else, for the past 8 years.  I bought it new from D'darrio Nissan in Shelton CT.   I'm livid about this entire slap in the face from Nissan.

I would love to participate in a class action suit to hit Nissan right where it hurts.....bad publicity and MONEY.

Please contact me if anyone is taking action against Nissan b/c I would love to help.

Good luck to us all !!

kthymcc:

I would love to participate in a class action suit to hit Nissan right where it hurts.....bad publicity and MONEY.

If you want to start a class action, hire a lawyer.

By now, everbody in the world knows that 8 year old Nissans go bad and that car dealers are liars.

Note to everybody, when you buy an old car it's "buyer beware." Get online and research it. It's all on the internet. Then have a mechanic check out the car before you buy it.

The only person to blame for getting stung is the person in the mirror.