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: power train
34 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 5, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS VEHICLE JUST DIES. CONSUMER HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS PROBLEM. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES INTERMITTENTLY. THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT. *NM UPDATE: CALLED THE LISTED NUMBER BUT WAS TOLD NO ONE LIVE THERE BY THAT NAME.
Power train, Jun 6, 2005
DT: THIS WEEKEND TRIED TO PARK TO ENTER STORE. ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FROM DRIVE TO PAR, BUT THIS GEAR BECAME STUCK IN NEUTRAL. CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK. LAST NIGHT WENT TO PARK AND WHEN STARTING TO LEAVE WOULD NOT MOVE FROM TO PARK TO DRIVE. AGAIN, CONSULTED OWNER,S MANUAL. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Feb 21, 2005, crash
I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. THIS MORNING I I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I TURNED RIGHT AND MY AXLE JUST SNAPPED IN HALF. WITHOUT WARNING.
Power train, Aug 25, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Jun 28, 2004
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A FRAME AROUND THE STICK SHIFT TO HOLD DOWN THE PIECE OF MATERIAL THAT KEEPS FROM EXPOSING INSIDE THE GEAR. THE FRAME CAME UNGLUED AND GOT STUCK INSIDE THE GEAR, CAUSING MY GEAR TO LOCK AND FORCING ME TO SUDDENLY STOP ON THE FREEWAY ON 65 MPH TRAFFIC. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR WAS AT 37,000, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000 MILES. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE PARTS DEPARTMENT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON ON NISSAN ALTIMAS, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ON AN EMPTY HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULL THE FRAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE GEAR. THE AMOUNT THAT I'M BEING CHARGED FOR THE PARTS & LABOR ARE NOT MY CONCERN AT THIS TIME AND ARE MINIMAL, HOWEVER THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS IS PRICELESS. I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IF WE CAN AVOID SERIOUS DAMAGES IN THE FUTURE IT'S VERY WELL WORTH A RECALL. *AK
Power train, May 17, 2004, crash
SHIFT LEVER EASILY SHIFTING THROUGH 1, 2, 3, N CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLIN TO A CANAL. *AK
Power train, Sep 23, 2003, crash
I HAD MY CAR IN PARK. I WENT TO CLOSE MY GARAGE DOOR AND HEARD A NOISE FROM THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED GOING IN REVERSE. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND GOT PINED UNDER AND THE CAR TOOK ME WITH IT ABOUT 15 FEET. I KNOW THE CARS GEARS SLIPED IT COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ANY OTHER WAY.
Power train, May 2, 2003
WE PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA S ON NOVEMBER 12, 2002. WE NOTICED A ROUGH VIBRATION WHEN WE ARE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN DRIVE AND WHEN WE HAVE IT IN PARK. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY TO BE CHECKED AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. WE WANTED TO EXCHANGE THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER ALTIMA OF SAME VALUE BECAUSE WE HAVE FRIENDS WITH 2002-2003 ALTIMAS AND THEY ARE NOT HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE TAKEN IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY STILL CONTINUE TO SAY IT IS NORMAL. ALSO, WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION ON THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU TAKE OFF IT HESITATES BEFORE IT PICKS UP SPEED AND THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SEEM TO BE CHANGING OUT SMOOTHLY. WE AREN'T HAVING ANY LUCK WITH THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED IT FROM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMERS AFTER THEY GET YOUR $20,000 + CHECK. I REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY FOR CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE QUALITY SERVICE FROM THESE DEALERSHIPS AFTER PURCHASE. WE FEEL LIKE WE PURCHASE A 2003 LEMON AND WE THINK THAT NISSAN CORP. SHOULD MAKE THESE DEALERSHIPS THAT ARE SELLING THEIR PRODUCTS SATISFY THE CUSTOMER BEFORE/AFTER THE SALE. *TT
Power train, Jan 29, 2003, crash
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 3,539 MILES ON JAN 17TH MY WIFE DROVE IT OUT FOR THE GROCERY SHOPPING. WHEN SHE CAME BACK SHE PARKED THE CAR ON THE DRIVE WAY IN 'P' WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AS SHE WAS TO GO OUT AFTER UNLOADING THE SHOPPING BAGS FROM THE TRUNK. SHE GOT OFF FROM THE CAR AND OPENED THE TRUNK AND UNLOADED THE SHOPPING BAGS AND TOOK THEM TO THE KITCHEN THROUGH THE GARAGE. SHE TOOK FEW BAGS EACH TIME TO THE KITCHEN SO SHE TRAVELED FEW TIMES FROM THE CAR TO THE KITCHEN. THEN SHE WALKED TO THE MAILBOX AND THEN TOOK THE LAST BAG FROM THE TRUNK AND AFTER CLOSING THE TRUNK WALKED TO THE KITCHEN. SOON LATER SHE OPENED THE KITCHEN DOOR AND WALKED INTO THE GARAGE WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS COMING TOWARD HER. IT HAPPENED SO FAST AND AS SHE LOOKED AT THE CAR SHE GOT PARALISED AND THE CAR BUMPED INTO THE WATER HEATER BASE AND STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND IN 'P'. MY WIFE DIDN'T GET HURT BY 1/16" OR SO... MY DAUGHTER RAN TO THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND VERIFIED IF THE CAR WAS IN 'P' OR NOT. IT WAS IN 'P' AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE PANEL SHOWING 'P' TOO!! I TOOK SOME PICTURES OF IT SINCE THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AT THAT MOMENT. MY WIFE WAS IN SHOCK. SO I STAYED WITH HER THAT EVENING AND RIGHT NEXT DAY EARLY MORNING TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPT CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND TOLD ME AND TO MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER THAT WE HAVE TO USE OUR INSURANCE TO FIX THE DAMAGES CAUSED TO THE CAR AND THE HOUSE BY THE MALFUNCTION OF THE CAR. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE NISSAN DEALER REGARDING THIS ISSUE ALTHOUGH I REQUESTED TO CONTACT NISSAN USA CORP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM.