Nissan Motor Co. is recalling 140,582 of its 2007 Altima cars, the automaker's best-selling U.S. vehicle, because the air filter can catch fire if a hot object is drawn into it.

The recall of the automaker's best-selling car in the United States affects Altima cars with a 2.5-liter, four- cylinder engine. The present generation Altima sports improved with comfy accessories, and cutting-edge technology. The 2008 Altima coupe was released on May 25, 2007. It is designed to rival Honda Accord, Pontiac G6, and Toyota Camry Solara, The 2008 Altima Coupe, unveiled at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, is Nissan's first-ever two-door Altima. The 2008 Altima Coupe is available with two engines: the VQ35DE in the sedan, a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 or the QR25DE, a 175 hp 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder. The 4-cylinder version of the coupe has a base price of $20,490, while the 3.5-liter V6 will has a base price of $24,890. The hybrid version of Altima, Nissan's first hybrid car, features the QR25DE engine, CVT and electric motor.

The recall affects Altimas built from Sept. 25, 2006, through May 11 at its plant in Smyrna, Tenn., and from Oct. 30. 2006, through May 11 at its Canton, Miss., factory, Nissan told the agency. The vehicles are under warranty, the company said. Nissan expects to notify all owners by Oct. 1.