# 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
> NHTSA complaint `540594` · 2005-06-21 · Nissan North America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** NISSAN
- **Model:** ALTIMA
- **Year:** 1998
- **Manufacturer:** Nissan North America, Inc.
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
- **Miles at failure:** 67,200
## Narrative
AFTER ARRIVING HOME SAFELY FROM A LONG HIGHWAY DRIVE (7 HRS), OUR CAR SAT FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS.  WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I SMELLED SMOKE AND HEARD A UNUSUAL RUBBING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.  AFTER POPPING THE HOOD, I SAW SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR.  I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WENT INSIDE TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.  THE FIRE WAS STILL BURNING, BUT SEEMED TO BE INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR.  I EXTINGUISHED IT AND HOPEFULLY SAVED SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE.  THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND IS AWAITING SERVICE NOW.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*