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 and engine cooling
450 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, May 8, 2008
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 DIED UNEXPECTED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND NOT WARRANTED. REPEATED PROBLEM FOR NISSAN AND NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR'S ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A LIGHT OR SHUTTING OFF ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING MY ENGINE. I CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NISSAN DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER RETURNED MY CALL/EMAIL AND NISSAN BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, THAT THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR AND THEN FROM THERE, THEY WOULD REPROGRAM THE ECM. AFTER BEING TOLD THEY NEEDED TO RUN A 100+ DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, I WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $200+, WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE, SO WITH THE HELP OF A MECHANIC FRIEND, RESEARCHED THE CORRECT SENSOR, HAD HIM REPLACE IT AND THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO REPROGRAM. AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD THEY NEEDED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY TOLD THEM IT JUST NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. I WAS INFORMED THAT IF THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED, THAT SERVICE WOULD BE ABSORBED INTO THE $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY CAM SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR FOR THE ECM TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND THAT WOULD COST ME $300+. I ASKED THEM WHY THERE WAS A DISCREPANCY WITH THE INFORMATION BEING RELAYED TO ME AND I WAS INFORMED THAT EACH DEALERSHIP OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY, SO THEY CAN'T BE LIABLE FOR ANOTHER DEALERSHIPS ASSESSMENT. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED WITHOUT FEELING AS THOUGH I AM PURCHASING PARTS THAT AREN'T COMPLETELY NECESSARY TO FIX MY PROBLEM, THOUGH MY IDEAL SITUATION WOULD BE THAT THEY SEND ME A RECALL NOTICE SO THAT I CAN GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY ANY MORE MONEY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 3, 2008
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA - FAILURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT 96K MILES. RESULTING FAILURE HAS CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND WILL RESULT IN COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS THANKFULLY NOT ON THE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. NISSAN IS CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY AT THIS POINT - REPAIR WILL COST $4500. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 29, 2008
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE WENT DEAD IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY IN CITY TRAFFIC AS WELL AS INTERSTATE DRIVING. CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALER, DEALER SCANNED SYSTEM AND FOUND CRANK CAM SENSOR BAD, REPLACED SENSORS AT A COST OF $401.94 WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM WAS RECALL, STATED OUR MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. CONTACTED NISSAN AMERICA, STATED RECALL WAS FOR 2002 MODELS AND IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. REFUSED TO INCLUDE AND REIMBURSE US FOR CHARGES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE STATION BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR AND THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS AGO, AN OXYGEN SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO STALL WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO REMAIN ON. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT AND ENGINE SPEED SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO, AN OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER WOULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,880 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,780.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 10, 2008
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN CONNECTION WITH RECALL NUMBER 06V242000 I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA S. LATELY MY CAR HAS BEEN DYING ON ME AT STOP LIGHTS. THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE DAYS AGO. IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW I HAD A RECALL ON MY YEAR CAR FOR THE SENSOR. I TRIED CALLING THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE THAT RECALL. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND TO TAKE IT IN AND GET IT CHECKED OUT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO PAY MONEY FOR A RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2008
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L S, SUBJECT TO NHTSA RECALL # 06V242000 REGARDING OVERHEATING OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. I HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE STATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING STALLING OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES AND LIGHTING OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER ON 10/26/07 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT (FREE OF CHARGE), WHICH WAS DONE BY REPROGRAMMING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THIS SEEMED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, UP UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING DURING ACCELERATION ON OCCASION LATELY, BUT HAS NOT STALLED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A CRANK SENSOR PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SAME PART THAT IS AFFECTED BY NHTSA RECALL # 06V242000 (ABOVE). THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED (AT A COST OF $190, IN ADDITION TO THE $53 I SPENT FOR DIAGNOSIS TODAY). THEY CLAIM THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL, WHICH I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BELIEVING SINCE THE RECALL NOTICE STATES THIS PART IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ENGINE TEMPERATURES DUE TO POOR LOCATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HER VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT IF SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THEM AND THEY FIND A FAILURE WITH THE ECM, THEY WOULD REOPEN THE RECALL. SHE HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,991 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2008
THE CAR WOULD QUIT RUNNING AND WAS HARD TO START BACK. IT ALSO IDLED VERY LOW. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CODES READ THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM FROM NHTSA RECALL 03V455000, BUT IT DOES NOT COVER 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2008
MY CAR QUIT FIRST TIME IN A PARKING LOT WHEN MY 93 YR. OLD GRANDMOTHER WAS WITH ME AFTER THAT IT HAS QUIT ON ME TWICE IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC. THE CAR JUST QUITS WHICH COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED PERMANENTLY TO GET THEM OFF THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS WILL NOT FIX REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGING. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS DEFAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS CAR. REPLACING SENSOR WILL ONLY WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN IT GOES BAD. IT IS A MAJOR DEFAULT IN MANUFACTURING OF THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2008
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMING ON IN THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT IN TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND HE COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. JUST RECENTLY, WE ALSO STARTED HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE CAR TO START. WE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. LAST WEEK, WE WERE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED IN THE ATM LANE AT THE BANK AND THE CAR JUST QUIT. ALSO, WE STOPPED TO GET GAS AND COULDN'T GET IT STARTED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, THIS HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL FOR MANY OF THE 2003 2.5L ATLIMAS, BUT I WAS TOLD MINE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ARTICLES WHERE OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE IN THE SAME BOAT AS I AM - THEY ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE, BUT ARE BEING TOLD IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE INCIDENT DATE I LISTED BELOW IS THE DATE THAT THE CAR STALLED TWICE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2008
VEHICLE DEVELOPED DRIVE-ABILITY ISSUES, ROUGH IDLE, STALLING AND ODD SMELL FROM EXHAUST. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A MISS-FIRE CODE. DEC 06, SERVICE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND VEHICLE IS RUNNING ROUGH, STALLING AND HARD STARTING. SCANNED SYSTEM AND CODE P0507 (IDLE SPEED) WAS PULLED. WAS ADVISED TO TAKE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A RELEARN PERFORMED ON THE COMPUTER. DEC 14, 2006, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA NISSAN, PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED AND SENSORS WERE-CALIBRATED. RECOMMENDED A THROTTLE BODY BE REPLACED (COST $800). VEHICLE RUNNING ROUGH, SERVICE LIGHT ON AND STALLING ARE OCCURRING AGAIN. SCANNED SYSTEM, CODE P0302 MISS-FIRE CODE ON CYLINDER #2, CODE P0420 CATALYST EFFICIENCY LOW BANK 1. REPLACED THROTTLEBODY PER NISSAN RECOMMENDATION. NOV 02, 2007 ENGINE LIGHT ON, VEHICLE RUNNING POORLY, HARD STARTING AND STALLING. WAS INFORMED BY REPAIR SHOP ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALL ISSUES RELATING TO VEHICLE. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AFTER READING ABOUT RECALL FOR 2002, 2004-2005 VEHICLES SIMILAR TO MINE WITH SAME PROBLEMS (REFERENCE #5962832 & 6071239). TALKED TO REP ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE ISSUES WITH MY 2003 ALTMAN 2.5L AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ANOTHER SCAN DONE. FEB 9, 2008 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA NISSAN TO RUN A SYSTEM SCAN. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING POORLY, HARD STARTS, STALLING, ROUGH IDLE. DEALERSHIP PULLED FOUR CODES, P0420 CATALYST BANK 1, AND P0335CKP SENSOR, P0302 CYLINDER 2 MISS-FIRES AND P0725 ENGINE SPEED SENSOR. WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYST IS BAD AND COULD NOT ONLY BE CAUSING THE MISS-FIRE CODE BUT MAY ALSO RUIN MY ENGINE. ALSO THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS BAD. APPROX COST OF REPAIR, $1000. I CONTACTED MATTHEW AGAIN ABOUT THE RESULTS AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO NOT HAVING THE VEHICLE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT A 'NISSAN' DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO TRACK A MAINTENANCE RECORD AND THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 25, 2008
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MY CAR WOULD NOT START THE FIRST TIME I TURNED THE IGNITION. ON 3/21/08 MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO MY MECHANIC AS I HAVE A 60 MILE RIDE EACH DAY. WHAT HE FOUND AFTER TESTING WAS THAT MY ENGINE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS FAILING. HE CALLED AND ADVISED ME TO BRING THE CAR , A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA , TO MY DEALER RIGHT AWAY AS THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE GOOD NEWS WAS THE SENSOR WAS PART OF A 2006 RECALL CAMPAIGN #R0606 AND THAT MY VIN FELL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THE VIN'S LISTED ON THE REPORT HE HAD OBTAINED ON ALLDATAPRO.COM. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER HE AGREED THAT THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP KELLY NISSAN, LYNNFIELD MA. WHEN THEY LOOKED MY INFORMATION UP ON THE COMPUTER IT DID NOT INDICATE THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF THE RECALL. I SAID I WOULD TAKE THIS UP WITH NISSAN N. AMERICA AND TO PLEASE GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE WITH THE REPAIR. THE COST TO ME WAS $180.96. ON 3/24/08 I SPOKE WITH TWO INDIVIDUALS AT NISSAN N. AMERICA REGARDING MY BELIEF THAT I SHOULD BE RE-IMBURSED. THE SENSOR WAS PART OF A SAFETY RECALL, MY CAR FELL WITHIN THE RANGE OF VIN;S LISTED ON THE RECALL REPORT AND THE PART HAD FAILED. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A REASONABLE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE. I WAS SUPPOSED TO HEAR BACK FROM SOMEONE FROM NISSAN WITHIN 24 HOURS, THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED AND I'M NOW TURNING TO YOU FOR INTERVENTION ON MY BEHALF. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO AT NISSAN N. AMERICA WAS A SHANNON MCQUIRE EXT. 41643, MY FILE # IS:6092073. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 17, 2008
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR REPROGRAMMED, BUT NISSAN WILL NOT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FALL IN THEIR LIST OF AFFECTED VIN #'S. MY QUESTION WOULD BE, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET INCLUDED? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? OR GET SERIOUSLY INJURED? IT APPARENTLY IS NOT JUST THOSE VIN # SPECIFIC AS IT AFFECTS MINE VEHICLE NOW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF AN HOUR, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) TO INCLUDE HER VEHICLE AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,457 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,132. UPDATED 07/07/08.*LJ UPDATED 07/03/08.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 27, 2008, crash
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS AND IT HAS RESULTED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR I WAS TOLD THAT ALL NISSAN WAS PREPARED TO DO WAS RESET THE ECM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT RESETING THE ECM WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON 2002, 2005 AND 2006 CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. THAT IF MY NISSAN WAS A 2002 IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE OPEN RECALL WHICH WAS EXPANDED ON NOV. 21, 2007. HOWEVER, SINCE THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER 2003 ALTIMAS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2008
I OWN A 2.5S 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH JUST OVER 90,000 MILES. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WENT ON, I LEARNED I NEED TO REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH, I LEARNED SEVERAL OWNERS OF A 2002 AND 2003 2.5S ALTIMA HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO REMEMBERED A RECALL I HAD DONE WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW INVOLVING THE PRE-CATALYST. IT SEEMS NISSAN HAS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THIS CAR AND THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE OCCURRING SHORTLY AFTER THE 80,000 MILE COVERAGE HAS ELAPSED ON THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. IN CALLING NISSAN ON THIS I WAS TOLD SORRY YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK. I EXPECT SOME LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM A CAR MANUFACTURER WHEN THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OWNERS AT THE SAME MILEAGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS 5 YEARS AGO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 21, 2008
STARTING IN DECEMBER 2007, MY 2003 ALTIMA (MANUFACTURED IN NOV 2002) BEGAN TO FREQUENTLY STALL AND STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR ON STOP. INITIALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MOMENTARILY TURNED ON WITH EACH EPISODE AND TURNED OFF AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, BUT AFTER ONE OF THE EPISODES IT PERMANENTLY REMAINED ON. THE PROBLEM WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE ENGINE POWER WITH DIMINISHED ACCELERATION. THE OBD 2 SCANNER READ THE PROBLEM AS "CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR". THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP BOTH REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CHARGED ME FOR THE AMOUNT OF 270 DOLLARS. THE CAR DOES NOT STOP ANYMORE BUT THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE HAS NOTICEABLY DIMINISHED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 6, 2008
WHILE ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THIS COULD OF CAUSED SERIOUS HARM TO ME AND MY CHILDREN. REVIEWED RECENT RECALLS AND THERE ARE OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. CONCERN FOR MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS A PRIORITY AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE FIRST TIME I HAD A $300.00 PLUS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND BELOW, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER TEN MINUTES AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY AFTER THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN 2003, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND THE RADIATOR AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE THE TIME HAD EXPIRED. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,435. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THEN SHOOTS FORWARD. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2008
VEHICLE CRANK SENSOR DEFECTIVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WHEN STOPPING FOR A LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER CRANKSHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,136 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,136.