FYI....for owners
WASHINGTON (AP)--Nissan North America Inc. (NSANY) said Thursday it was
recalling 97,000 Altima and Sentra vehicles after reports of excessive oil
consumption and engine fires led the auto maker to stop selling the vehicles.
Nissan said some 2006 sedans with 2.5-liter engines could quickly consume oil,
potentially damaging the engine and leading to engine fires.
The automaker has received 274 reports of excessive oil consumption and 24
engine fires. Spokesman Fred Standish said there has been one report of a "very
minor injury."
Nissan ordered dealers to stop selling the vehicles in early June after
receiving the reports of excessive oil consumption and fires. The auto maker is
still trying to determine the root cause of the problem, Standish said.
The company said 85,000 of the recalled vehicles were in the United States,
with others found in Canada, Mexico and the Middle East. The recalled vehicles
were built from January to May this year.
Altima and Sentra vehicles built after May 22 "have been tested rigorously and
have shown no signs of excessive oil consumption," Standish said. Vehicles
built after that date are currently available for sale.
Nissan sent notices to owners and dealers about the problem and has
recommended that owners check their oil every 700 miles, or about every two
times they completely refill their gas tanks.
Standish said if the engine's oil level is kept at a proper level, it
shouldn't suffer any damage.
A date for the recall hasn't been announced. Owners can call Nissan at (800)
647-7261.