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, Dec 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER'S REPAIR WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD "SKIP" INTERMITTENTLY AND LOSE POWER BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT AS BAD WHEN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RELEVANT RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 7, 2008
THE HEATER/DEFROSTER DOES NOT BLOW HOT AIR WHILE CAR IS AT A STAND STILL. ONCE HE PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND BEGIN TO SPEED UP THE HOT THEN RETURNS. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS. WITH THIS THE WINDOWS FOG UP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHEN YOU ARE STUCK AT A STANDSTILL ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR BECOMES UNBEARABLY COLD AN IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE WINTER. THE DEALER WANTS OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX A PROBLEM OF THEIR DESIGN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2008
ON NOVEMBER 18TH WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA MY CAR STALLED THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS BAD. I THEN CALLED NISSAN USA WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL WAS NOT RECALLED. HOWEVER, WHEN I RESEARCHED ONLINE, I FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 15, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 ALTIMA. THE CARS ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD $850 FOR CAT CONVERTER. I THEN TOWED IT TO MY GARAGE WHEN THE NISSAN CORP. WOULD NOT HELP PAY. MY MECHANIC AFTER HE TOOK IT APART SAID ALL THE INSIDES OF THE CAT CAME OUT AND MORE THAN LIKELY HAD GOTTEN IN THE ENGINE. HE SAID HE KNEW IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. HE PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER WITHOUT REPLACING THE CAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CAR WOULD RUN NOW BECAUSE THE CAT CONVERTER GUTS WAS OUT. WE TOPPED IT OFF WITH OIL SO I COULD DRIVE IT HOME AND BY THE TIME I GOT HOME 15 MILES LATER AND ALOT OF SMOKE THE OIL WAS EMPTY. I'VE READ ON SEVERAL SITES THAT THOUSAND ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT HELPING. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 2002/2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND THE CORPORATION IS DOING NOTHING. HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/1106267/NISSAN/2002-NISSAN-ALTIMA-OIL-DROPPING-AT-108,000MILES-I-W/PAGE10.HTML THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW ENGINE AT 124,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 12, 2008
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA2.5,CRANK POSITION SENSOR,STALLING ALL THE TIME,TROUBLE STARTING, ALSO CAR USING ALOT OF OIL ,ALOT OF RUN AROUND BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS NEVER HAS BEEN SOLVED OR FIXED. VERY UPSETTING THAT NISSAN HAS OVER LOOKED ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT THEY HAVE HAD SINCE 2002. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 10, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S 4 CYL. WHILE DRIVING , THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON .I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, THE CODE IS PO335. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AS WELL. WILL NOT START. MY SES LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND MY CAR WOULD DIE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY 2003 MODEL; SO I PAID $224 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ON 2003 ALTIMA,HAD IT REPAIRED AT LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP,WASN'T UNDER RECALL FOR 2003, DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHO I CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH TO GET MY MONEY BACK?SEEMS LIKE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ALTIMAS THAT THE COMPANY NEEDS TO DEAL WITH..*TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 9, 2008
CAR WAS BEEN DRIVEN AND SHUT OFF ON HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART . CAR WAS TOWED TO AUTO MAX IN APPLE VALLEY AND DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF DEBRIS FROM THE CONVERTER BEEN SUCKED IN THE ENGINE. TOTAL COST OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS $4226.62. UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT IN CANADA , THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ORDER NISSAN TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BASED UPON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. IF YOU GO ON LINE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE IN THE SAME BOAT AS ME AND NISSAN TRIES TO PLAY IGNORANT. I HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH A DEALER IN ST. CLOUD , MN WHERE THE SERVICE MANGER GOT A FEW ENGINES REPLACED FOR CUSTOMERS AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 3, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE ENGINE IS DYING. I HAVE TALKED AND RESEARCHED OTHERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IS NHTSA AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 24, 2008
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A CYCLE AND THEN GO OF. THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, OR WHEN FIRST START AND PUT IN TO GEAR. ALSO THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AS IT SHOULD WHEN THIS OCCURS. HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK. WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 17, 2008
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH ABOUT 95,000 MILES. ON 9/19, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH AND HAD A SLIGHT RATTLE, AND MY OIL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ON OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER FLUSHED AND REPLACED THE OIL, AND ALSO REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND TWO OXYGEN SENSORS, AT A TOTAL COST OF $1700. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 9/23. I WAS AWAY 9/26-9/29 AND DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR. ON WEEKDAYS, I TYPICALLY DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES TO AND FROM WORK EACH WAY. THE NEXT WEEKEND I DROVE THE CAR APPROX. 150 MILES, AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE RATTLE HAD NOT SUBSIDED AND THAT MY OIL LIGHT HAD STARTED TO BLINK ON AGAIN, ESPECIALLY AS I DROVE UPHILL. I ADDED 2 QUARTS TO THE ENGINE ON 10/4 AND TOOK THE CAR TO A JIFFY LUBE ON 10/8. THE JL TECH THAT REPLACED THE OIL TOLD ME THAT MY OIL WAS VERY LOW, SO I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER ON 10/13. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE RATTLE AS "INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE" AND RECOMMENDED A NEW ENGINE FOR $5000. MY CONVERSATION WITH THE DEALER MECHANIC LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WAS BURNING OIL DUE TO A LEAKY CYLINDER, MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE PRE-CATALYST. THE PRE-CATALYST OR 'PRE-CAT' FILTERS EXHAUST BEFORE IT GETS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE PRE-CAT IS CLOSER TO THE ENGINE THAN THE CAT CONVERTER, SO IT TENDS TO GET OVERHEATED. WHEN IT DOES, IT CAN BREAK DOWN, AND LITTLE PIECES OF IT CAN GET SUCKED BACK UP THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THE WRONG WAY, BACK INTO THE CYLINDERS, WHICH DAMAGES THE CYLINDERS & ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, I WAS UNKNOWINGLY DRIVING WITHOUT ENOUGH OIL, AND PERMANENTLY DAMAGED THE ENGINE. I PARK MY CAR IN MY GARAGE & HAVE NEVER NOTICED AN OIL LEAK OR SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. I HAVE NEVER GONE MORE THAN 5,500 MILES WITHOUT AN OIL CHANGE, AND I HAVE A RECEIPT FROM EVERY OIL CHANGE I'VE EVER HAD. THE CAR HAS NO OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED. LATER THAT WEEK, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE (ECM) NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM FOR THE THIRD TIME DUE TO CONSISTENT STALLING. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE STALLING RECURRED. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS SATISFIED AND THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHICH REVEALED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE REPROGRAMMING THE ECM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 10-30-08 *BF UPDATED 11/03/08. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 6, 2008
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON 1-95 AND WAS GOING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008. SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING, MY CAR STOPPED MOVING. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS NOT HIT AS A RESULT OF THIS. MY MECHANIC CLAIMS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE MOTOR. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE DEALERS LOT WITH NO RESOLUTION SINCE SEPTEMBER 30TH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 30, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES AND REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,570 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 222,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 19, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S MODEL WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL OUT FOR THE 2002,2005,2006 MODELS REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO RECALL IS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2003 MODEL. IF THE 2003 MODEL IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002,2005,2006 WHY NO RECALL WAS PUT OUT FOR THE 2003 MODELS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL THE SAME MAKE AND MODELS SHOULD BE RECALLED IF THE PROBLEMS ARE THE SAME. JUST BECAUSE THE YEARS ARE DIFFERENT DO NOT MEAN THE PROBLEMS ARE DIFFERENT. IT IS CLEAR THAT YOUR AIM IS TO PROTECT BIG BUSINESS. NOT THE CONSUMER WHO SPENT$ 15,000 ON A PRODUCT THAT IS DEFECTED. I AM SURE THAT IF YOU SPENT $15,000 ON A PRODUCT YOU WOULD WHAT IT TO WORK CORRECTLY. LETS BE FAIR! THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COST 20 BUCKS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 19, 2008
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. CURRENTLY EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CODE P0422 - REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PRE-CAT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND LOST TOTAL POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY SOMETIMES, BUT CAN TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO RESTART AT OTHER TIMES. ONCE IT RESTARTS, THE VEHICLE RUNS NORMALLY FOR THE NEXT DAY OR NEXT 30 DAYS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE INTERNET STATES THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MODULE IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILED. RECENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/03/12*LJ UPDATED 01/05/12
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. IT CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON ONE OCCASION DUE TO THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL STATES THAT THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FOR FREE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THEY WILL DO MORE. SHE IS ABLE TO FAX OR SEND THE NOTICE SHE RECEIVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2008
THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES THE ENGINE STOPPED ON RED LIGHT. THE LAST TIME WAS TODAY 09/11/2008. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM. IN SOME WAY 2003 OWNERS WILL BENEFIT FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR RECALL? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002, 2005, AND 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S, BUT NONE PERTAINING TO THE 2003 MODEL. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURES, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 2003 MODEL; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Sep 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THE SENSORS TO MAKE THE LIGHT DIM. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE BRAKE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS HESITANT TO TOUCH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RUST AND FEARED THAT SOMETHING WOULD FAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Sep 6, 2008
THE CAR SEEMS TO NOT START ONCE IT RAN FOR A SHORT TIME. EXAMPLE I DRIVE TO THE SUPERMARKET TURNS ON FINE, ONCE I LEAVE IT IS HARD TO START. ALMOST SEEM TO BE FLOODED. IT USE TO DO IT ONCE A WEEK KNOW ITS DOING IT EVERYDAY. JUST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING AND IT TURNED OFF ON ME. FROM THE NISSAN BLOGS IT LOOKS LIKE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN GIVING PROBLEMS. ANOTHER COMPLAIN IS THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS THEY ARE FADED OR STAIN FROM INSIDE, THIS COULD CAUSE A VISIBILITY ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2008
TLA*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NIACIN ALTON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE IS BURNING INEFFICIENTLY. SHE MUST CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 500 MILES. BEFORE THE OIL IS CHANGED, IT RESEMBLES BLACK SLUDGE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, LOST POWER, AND WOULD NOT RESTART QUICKLY. THE DEALER REBUILT THE ENGINE AT THE COST OF $2,500, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR 30 DAYS AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,432 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Sep 4, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 ALTIMA (ALMOST 55,000 MILES). THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALL THE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE WAS AND IS UP TO DATE. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS OFTEN A SLIGHT PULL/STALL LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. IT WAS CHECKED NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. SERVICE ENGINE LIKE CAME ON. HAD THE DIAGNOSTICS DONE IT SHOWED SOMETHING WRONG WITH STARTER. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH STARTER, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS STARTING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL 2003 ALTIMAS ARE COMING UP WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS WHEN THEY ARE FAIRLY NEW, SHUTTING OFF WITH OUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. NISSAN DOESN'T APPEAR TO NO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ERRORS WITH THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT THERE FOR THE REASON THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HOWEVER, REPLACING THIS HAS NOT PROVED TO BE THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR