While driving vehicle engine lost power and vehicle slowed. When an attempt was made to determine the cause of the power loss heavy black smoke and flames were observed from the engine compartment. Vehicle became fully involved within 3 minutes. Local fire department responded to extingush fire. Cause undertermined. Fires point of origin was in the area of the ECM/brake master cylinder. Well maintained vehicle, no fluid leaks, mechanical issues or warning lights prior to incident.

- Sedley, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated on the instrument panel and gasoline fumes were emitted on the inside of the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the catalytic converter was defective and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 91,000.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

While driving to Florida from DC for vacation, the engine started making a rattling noise. Since we were on a trip, I figured I would top off the engine oil just in case. The engine was bone dry. The noise seemed to go away after adding oil at first, but then the noise became louder, and the engine light came on. We took the car to the nearest dealer we could find. When they lifted the hood at the dealer, the oil had exploded and was everywhere. We were told there was catastrophic engine failure in my 2008 Sentra, but they could not determine the exact cause. Since I did not have my maintenance records with me (I was on vacation), they refused to even contact Nissan warranty without proof of all oil changes. They claimed the engine failed due to lack of oil changes. I could not afford a factory engine, so the purchase of a used 2008 Sentra engine voided my extended warranty. At the time of failure, the car had a little over 35K miles. Further research online indicates a possible oil consumption issue, which the dealership denies.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

Engine knock, my car has a piston slapping around in the engine. I was told by dealer "sims Nissan in Warren, Ohio" to drive my car with the bad engine until they get a new engine which would be around 3-5 days to receive. They would then get me a rental car while they put the engine in. I informed the owner ken sims that this vehicle is unsafe to drive and he told me nothing would happen if I did not run the engine at high RPM's that would then cause the piston to go threw the engine. I once again told him this is unsafe and if he was so confident that nothing was going to happen to put it in writing. I was then told that he would have a huge lawsuit on his hands if something happened and now knowing if I run it at high rpms and the engine blows then I am responsible. I told him again the car was unsafe and he told me that I would be fine. Tired or arguing, I drove the car home from dealer going 20mph with 4 ways so I would not run the engine at high RPM's. the car is setting in my driveway, afraid to drive since dealer refused to give me another loaner or pay for a rental. So, I am out. Dealer has terrible customer service, and I feel as I am not being treated fairly, was degraded like I did not know what I was talking about, had to drive an unsafe vehicle on the road where the engine could have gone out of control and harmed me and others on the road. And to think they want me to continue to drive this until a new engine comes in. I have more common sense and will not put myself or others at risk driving this vehicle. The vehicle also has a recall for the master cylinder having a crack. Dealer has not even talked about fixing that, and I have not received a recall notice on this yet either, it was posed in July. This is now October.

- North Bloomfield, OH, USA

At 700 miles, car wouldn't start. Had towed to dealership-car started-couldn't find a problem. At 1700 miles, car wouldn't start-had towed--couldn't find any problem. 9/15/08 (2480 miles) car stalled in traffic, wouldn't start. Police pushed me to a safe area--had car towed to dealership-no response yet. I feel very unsafe, not knowing when I'm going to be randomly left on some street corner waiting for a tow truck. Am planning a trip out of state--do I dare? I don't think so.

- Tampa, FL, USA