Nissan North America, Inc. (“Nissan”) has recalled approximately 140,582 of its 2007 Altima sedans because the air filter can catch fire if it comes in contact with a hot object, such as a cigarette ash, the company said. The Japanese automaker told the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration four fires were reported between February and March of 2007 on Altima cars with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine.

The recall affects Nissan Altimas built from Sept. 25, 2006 through May 11, 2007 at its plant in Smyrna, Tennessee and those produced from Oct. 30, 2006 through May 11, 2007 at its Canton, Mississippi factory. The vehicles are under warranty. Copies of the relevant recall documents and letters from Nissan are available for viewing on the U.S. National Highway Safety Transportation Administration website and also provided here as a courtesy to owners of the specified vehicle.

If you own a 2006 or 2007 Nissan Altima and have experienced a Nissan Altima fire, please contact us for a free consultation regarding your legal rights.

NHTSA RECALL INFORMATION (2007 NISSAN ALTIMA)
Make: Nissan
Model: Altima
Year: 2007
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 07V267000
NHTSA Action number: PE07026
Manufacturer’s Report Date: June 20, 2006
Component: Engine and Engine Cooling
Date Investigation Opened: 05-22-2007
Date Investigation Closed: 06-27-2007

Summary: NISSAN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY ON JUNE 18, 2007 THAT IT WILL RECALL (RECALL # 07V267) ALL MY 2007 ALTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE BUILT AT THE SMYRNA, TENNESSEE PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007 AND AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT FROM OCTOBER 30, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007. NISSAN DETERMINED THAT IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT (FOR EXAMPLE, A CIGARETTE ASH OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE) ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE. IF THE AIR FILTER IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR. VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THESE DATES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DIFFERENT AIR FILTER. NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL AIR FILTER AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT WITH IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS. ODI IS AWARE OF 26 REPORTS OF FIRE (OF WHICH THREE WERE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO BOTH ODI AND NISSAN) AND NO INJURIES. THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

NHTSA RECALL INFORMATION (2006 NISSAN ALTIMA)
Make: Nissan
Model: Altima
Year: 2006
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 06V223000
Manufacturer’s Report Date: June 20, 2006
Component: Engine and Engine Cooling
Potential Number of Units Affected: 85,000

Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.

Consequence: IF THE OIL IS NOT MAINTAINED AT LEAST AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, ENGINE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND IN EXTREME CASES RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM OR ENGINE COMPUTER). YOUR VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS BEEN CONSUMING ENGINE OIL AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RATE. IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES, ENGINE REPLACEMENT WILL BE NEEDED. ON JUNE 9, 2006, NISSAN NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE OIL AT A PROPER LEVEL. FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO OWNERS ADVISING THEM OF THE STATUS OF THE RECALL WAS SENT DURING AUGUST 2006. FOLLOWUP LETTER TO OWNERS WAS SENT ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.