2003 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 883 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 41 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 14, 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
Campaign 07E074000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 21, 2007
CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND INFLUENCED THE AIMING POSITION. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ANZO AT 909-628-1440.
Campaign 07E063000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsJul 25, 2007
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 315-1145L-AS AND 315-1145R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP REFLECTOR SHAPE DEFORMED CHANGING THE SHAPE OF THE OPTIC SURFACE. THIS WILL CHANGE THE OPPOSITE POSITION OF LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM OPTICSAND CHANGE THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND ILLUMATED LOCATION WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Campaign 07E054000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJul 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 06V242000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingNov 17, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 03V455000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyJul 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. AT EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE IN THE FUEL TANK COULD FREEZE AND FORM ICE CRYSTALS. THESE ICE CRYSTALS MAY OBSTRUCT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP.
THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.
Campaign 03V251000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeMar 11, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.
EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. 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. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Campaign 03V084000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
559 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Jun 29, 2014
IN MAY 2014 I STARTED TO RUN MY AC UNIT AND WAS GETTING A VERY BAD SMELL FROM THE AC UNIT- THE AC UNIT WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE AC UNIT LAST YEAR AND HE FOUND DEAD MICE UP IN THE AC UNIT SO HE REPLACED THE AC FILTER AND SPRAYED OUT THE CAR GOOD. MY HUSBAND WENT UNDERNEATH THE CAR YESTERDAY TO FIND THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE ROTTED AND THEY ARE TWO LARGE HOLES. WE LOOKED ONLINE AT 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS A CAR DEFECTIVE AND WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I PLAN ON CONTACTING NISSAN TOMORROW TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS WELL. THERE IS A 99.9% THAT NISSAN'S FLOOR BOARDS ROT OUT OVER TIME FOR IT IS MANUFACTURERS FLAW. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL NISSAN'S AND REPLACE ALL THEIR FLOOR BOARDS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, May 28, 2014
I DROVE MY CAR FROM MS TO GA. WHEN I REACHED MY HOTEL AND TURNED MY CAR OFF AND TRIED TO LEAVE AGAIN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE LIGHT CHECKED THE NEXT THE AND IT CAME BACK READING THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. WHEN I MADE IT BACK TO MS I GOT THE PART REPLACED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF. 8 MONTHS LATER MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OFF AT RED LIGHTS AND NOT STARTING AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS READING FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AGAIN. ONCE I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I JUST HAD THAT FIXED HE FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. REPLACED MY BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. CARS STILL SHUTS OFF AND WONT CRANK. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN THEY SAID MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR STALLS ON ME DAILY AND SHUTS OFF AT RED LIGHTS. *TR
Engine, May 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 137,095.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 8, 2014
WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR UNKNOWINGLY STOPPED! I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW UNTIL THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTERTED THE CAR WITH NO ISSUE. A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE STARTED A SLIGHT SHAKE AND EACH DAY THE SHAKE BECAME MORE INTENSE AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE & WHILE MY FEET IS ON THE BREAK THE METER WOULD JUMP FROM 0 TO 2 AND SHUT OFF WEN IT HIT 0. ALSO WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S STUCK THEN IT'LL SHOOT OFF. *TR
Engine, Apr 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES. ON ONE VISIT, THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER WAS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BOTH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V4550000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Engine, Mar 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Engine, Mar 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Engine, Mar 3, 2014
WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN, MY NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED ALL OF A SUDDEN. MY STEERING AND BRAKES GOT LOCKED. I COULD NOT START IT IMMEDIATELY.. BEHIND ME WAS A CARGO TRUCK HOWEVER AT A MORE GAP DISTANCE SO THAT HE COULD BRING HIS TRUCK TO A HALT BEFORE REAR BUMPING ME. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF IT WAS ON A HIGHWAY OR IF THE SPEEDS WERE HIGHER. THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME STARTING PROBLEMS. NISSAN TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED IN ANY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SO I HAD GET THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR & CRANK POSITION SENSOR REPLACED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC. AFTER THAT I STILL FACE STALLING PROBLEMS, ENGINE STARTING PROBLEMS. MY BATTERY HEALTH IS GOOD AND THE ENGINE CRANKS, BUT DOES NOT FIRE. PISSED OFF WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Engine, Feb 11, 2014
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND MOTOR STOPPED IN FAST LINE OF HWY 60 IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND ALMOST GOT REARENDED BY ON COMING TRAFFIC, THANK GOD THEY STOPPED . HAD CAR TOWED IN AND CAME TO FIND OUT IT BLEW A ROD, HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A NUMBER OF MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM MOTOR AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO DUE TO ALL PROBLEMS THESE MOTORS HAVE CAUSED PEOPLE. YOU CANT GET A REPLACEMENT MOTOR ANYWHERE ONLY FOUND ONE AND THEY WANT 2000.00 I FEEL NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Dec 20, 2013
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NOT ON RECALL YET 1000'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Dec 2, 2013
I AM A COLLAGE STUDENT AND I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA I ALWAYS LIKE THIS CAR BUT I GOT A SHOCK IN MY LIFE THE FIRST WEEK TO SCHOOL I SAW THE ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING WHEN I CHECK THERE IS NO OIL I ODD 3 QUART AND IT FILL TO THE H LEVEL THE NEXT WEEK IT WENT TO BELOW LOW LEVEL I ONLY GOT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS ONLY AND I ALMOST USED ONE GAL OIL CAN ANY ONE DO ANY THING ABOUT THE PROBLEM THE CAR DO NOT SMOKE IT JUST BURN THE OIL. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 15, 2013
I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I WENT TO GO AND MY CAR STALLED OUT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT'S DUE TO CAM AND CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. DROVE THE CAR TO WORK TODAY THE CAR STALLED OUT AGAIN COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF OFF. ONCE AGAIN HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE RODE THE BEST I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND THANKFULLY IT TURNED BACK ON. CALLED NISSAN TODAY SPOKE WITH A CONSUMER AFFAIRS SUPERVISOR NAMED [XXX] AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CLAIM ON CRANKSHAFT SENSORS AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FORWARD MY INFORMATION TO A REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SEE IF THEY CAN GET THEM TO PAY FOR THE PARTS BUT IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE TO GET A DIAGNOSTICS REPORT DONE ON THE CAR AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS REPORT AND THEY WILL NOT WAIVE IT FOR ME AND IN ORDER TO GET APPROVAL FOR THE PARTS I HAVE TO GET THE DIAGNOSTICS REPORT. SO THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO A DEALERSHIP IN ALBANY NY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT SPOKE WITH A GUY NAMED ED HE SAID THEY WOULD NEED MY CAR FOR 24-48 HOURS AND CAN NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A RENTAL, CAN NOT WAIVE THE DIAGNOSTICS FEE AND THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR IN UNTIL AWEEK FROM NOW. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO END UP BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THIS MALFUNCTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Nov 12, 2013
WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN MISSING AND STARTED TO SMOKE. AT THE SAME TIME THE HEATER QUIT PRODUCING HEAT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED CYLINDER # 4 MISFIRE. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED BY FAILED CATALYST IN THE PRE- CATALYST. OIL HAD FOULED THE MISSING CYLINDER'S SPARK PLUG. THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL WAS FULL AND THERE HAD NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF OIL CONSUMPTION, BUT THE OIL WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN COOLANT. THESE CARS ARE POPULAR FOR PARENTS TO PURCHASE FOR TEENAGERS AND APPEAR TO BE HAZARDOUS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 INDICATED THAT THIS PRE-CATALYST ISSUE WAS A FIRE HAZARD BACK IN 2003. IT APPEARS WHATEVER WAS DONE IN THIS RECALL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 11, 2013
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STARTED IT BACK UP. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND CUT THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO CUT IT BACK ON IT WOULD NOT START. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2013
CRANK CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING. ALWAYS NEED MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START. I AM AFRAID VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTOFF IN TRAFFIC SINCE I COMMUTE SO MUCH ON HIGHWAYS. THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT. NISSAN REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER ON RECALL LIST. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Nov 3, 2013
THIS PROBLEM STARTED GRADUALLY IT WOULD JUST TURN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING.IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IT WAS SCARY. THANK GOD IT WOULD TURN BACK ON RIGHT AWAY. I DECIDED TO SEE IF DOING A OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS AND AIR FILTER WOULD HELP IT DIDN'T . ONE SATURDAY ON SEPTEMBER 21 OF THIS YEAR ON LUNCH BREAK I NEED TO COME HOME REALLY QUICK IT STOPPED BEFORE I MADE IT HOME IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON AT ALL! I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TURN BACK ON. I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY SAID MY BATTERY WAS BAD SO I BOUGHT A NEW ONE. IT CONTINUED TO STOP ON ME. IT WOULD RUN FOR A FEW DAYS WITHOUT STOPPING AT ALL UNTIL JUST A FEW DAYS AGO IT DIDN'T WANT TO START AT ALL THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. NOW THAT HAS BEEN CHECKED OFF THE LIST. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS THEN TURNED ON AND THE CODES THAT IS BEING READ OUT IS FOR A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 22 OF 2003 R 3022 / INFINITI WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Engine, Sep 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,655.
Engine, Aug 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CONSUMING OIL EXCESSIVELY BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,931.
Engine, Aug 23, 2013
MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD CAMSHAFT SENSOR...THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IT WORKS FOR A WHILE THEN THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, THEN AGAIN ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER AND AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. IN ONE CASE I ONLY NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. NOW 4 YEARS LATER WE HAVE REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR 6 TIMES AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC DID RESEARCH AND FOUND VEHICLE OF MY SAME MAKE AND MODEL WERE PART OF A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM RECALL 01V357 AND FOLLOW UP RECALL 33411. NISSAN KEEPS TELLING ME MY CAR ISN'T AFFECTED. I SERIOUSLY FEEL IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING. DESPITE REPEATED CALLS TO NISSAN THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT MY CAR WITHOUT CHARGING ME OR CONSIDER ADDING IT TO THE RECALL. MY CAR IS NO LONGER OPERABLE BECAUSE IT STALLS SO VIOLENTLY, I AM AFRAID I WILL CRASH AND PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 21, 2013
WHEN I WAS CAME HOME FROM SHOPPING I STOP CAR AND SWITCH OFF AND GO HOME AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN GOING TO SOME WHERE BUT CAR TAKE TIME TO START AFTER FEW SECOND CAR START. TRY 3 TIMES SAME. NEXT DAY GOING TO WORK AND SAME STARTING PROBLEM START CAR AND GOING ABOUT 1 MILE DRIVE POWER CUT OFF AND LUCKILY NO ONE BEHIND ME ABLE TO GO ON SIDE BECAUSE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING NO BRAKE NO GAS GOD HELP ME AFTER ONE MINT START CAR AND RICH WORK ABOUT 2 MILE . AT WORK WE HAVE MECHANIC HE HAS SOFTWARE FOR CAR DIAGNOSIS HE CHECK AND TOLD ME CODE P0340 FOR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WE CHANGE ONE BOUGHT FROM DEALER AFTER 2 HR GOING HOME SAME PROBLEM STARTING. MECHANIC RESET AND GO HOME NEXT DAY GOING TO WORK SAME THING HAPPENED POWER SHUTOFF ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 ABLE TO PARK ONSIDE AND START AGAIN AND DROP TO REPAIR SHOP. HE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME YOU HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER CAMSHAFT SENSOR AFTER WOK FINE FOR UP TO NOW. BUT THEY RECALL SOME CAR BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM IF I WAS IN HIGHWAY THEN WHAT HAPPENED DO YOU THINK I WILL ABLE TO WRITE NOW OR DIE. CAN YOU CHECK ON THIS AND DO SOMETHING OTHERWISE SOME ONE DIE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Aug 10, 2013
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAULTY. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR BUT NOT FOR MY VIN #. THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO FLAG THAT THERE ARE OTHER NISSAN'S WITH FAULTY CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. *TR
Engine, Jul 29, 2013
CAR STALLS AT RED LIGHT TWICE. LATER, STALLS BUT DOESN'T GO DEAD. GAS WON'T WORK. MONTH LATER CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, TRANSMISSION OIL, FLUID AND SCREEN WAS REPLACED, BUT WHEN DRIVEN AFTERWARDS IT STALLED AGAIN. *TR
Engine, Jul 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Engine, Jul 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.