Massive Nissan Recall Covers More Than 700,000 Cars

TOKYO — Nissan is expanding a recall of Altima and Sentra sedans to correct a faulty crankshaft sensor that could cause the engine to shut down. The recall now covers nearly 714,000 cars sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Nissan said the models affected are equipped with 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines and were made in 2002 and 2005-’06.

The crankshaft sensor on some engines is susceptible to overheating, which in some cases can cause the engine to quit working.

Most of the cars — more than 650,000 — were sold in the U.S.