The problem
On certain passenger vehicles, one of the diodes used in the alternator May have been damaged when built. This can eventually result in failure of the diode and an electrical short which could melt the plastic housing.
The risk
If the combustible gas emitted by the melting plastic does not disperse due to air flow through the engine compartment, it could ignite and in turn ignite the fan guide in the alternator.
The fix
Dealers will replace the alternator. Owner notification began July 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 02V-171 (02V171000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| Component | Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator |
| Report date | June 24, 2002 |
| Owners notified | July 29, 2002 |
| Vehicles affected | 161,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the electrical system
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 02V-171 repair free?
Yes. Infiniti dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the alternator. Owner notification began July 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 161,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.