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
883 reports, newest first.
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.
Electrical system, Mar 5, 2008, crash
ON OR ABOUT JAN. 20, 2006 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLES' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. WE TOOK IT TOOK IT TO FONTANA NISSAN FOR REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US ON JAN. 28, 2006. MAYBE 2 - 3 HRS. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE, WE WERE DRIVING TO L.A. AREA AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE CALLED THE SERVICE MGR. AT FONTANA NISSAN AND HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT ON THE FOLLOWING MON. WELL, WE NEVER MADE IT BACK BECAUSE WHILE WE WERE IN ROUTE HOME (FONTANA) I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS SHUTTING OFF ON THE 91 FWY. TO THE 605 INTERCHANGE. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE EXTERNAL DAMAGES (BODY WORK) BUT THE INTERNAL WAS NOT FIXED. THEN IN JUNE 2006 WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE CAR CUT OFF AGAIN. FONTANA NISSAN SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. SO WE PURCHASED A BATTERY. I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT THE NEXT TIME WE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. IN JAN. 2007 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WE HAD AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE CRASH. WE WERE BEING REPRESENTED BY A LAW FIRM BUT AS TIME PASSED OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHICH I HAVE NOT DRIVEN SINCE 2006. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE SOMEONE'S HELP IN THIS SITUATION. *TR
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
Seats, Feb 22, 2008, fire
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN MY PASSENGERS AND I START SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. WE LOOKED AROUND THE CAR DIDN'T SEE ANY THING, BUT THE SMELL GOT STRONGER AND MY SEAT WAS GETTING HOT. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO GET SMOKY AND FLAMES STARTED COMING UP FROM THE FLOOR AND THE BACK OF MY SEAT. I HURRIED UP AND PULLED OVER AND PUT IT OUT WITH A SHEET. BURNT MY HAND IN THE PROCESS. I DO HAVE POWER SEATS AND HEATED SEATS NOT SURE IF THAT CAUSED IT. *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
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2008
THE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS TIMING STARTED TO FAIL. THE ENGINE WOULD STOP FOR A SECOND, AND THEN START AGAIN. THE DEALER DETERMINED VIA A DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUT THAT THE MODULE WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FAIL. WHEN I ASKED HOW THE FAILURE MIGHT IMPACT ON SAFETY, HE SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COULD STOP DEAD WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Jan 20, 2008
CLUTCH PEDAL SUDDENLY LOOSES PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING AN INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. THUS RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, CLUTCH PEDAL REGAINS PRESSURE. THIS TIME PERIOD VARIES, AND IS NOT CONSISTENT. DEALER RESPONSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANY USERS ON THE INTERNET FORUM 'ALTIMAS.NET' HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE, AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING DEALERS AND NISSAN MOTOR CORP. TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jan 7, 2008
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 NISSAN. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2003 ALTIMA, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WILL SPORADICALLY NOT START. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES EARLY ON, THE PLUGS WERE ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS MISFIRING, THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, THE AC AND THE HEATER DID NOT WORK (AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THEM), WATER SLOSHING SOUNDS, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ROOTER. AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED STOPPING SPORADICALLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD FIXED IT. ON MY DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY, (3 MONTHS LATER) THE CAR STALLED ON US ON THE ROAD AND SHE MISSED HER OWN 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY (LESS THAN 3 YEARS FROM THE TIME IT WAS REPLACED). 2 WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, I WAS ON THE ROAD WITH MY 11 MONTH OLD INFANT, MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED!!! THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS JUST INCHES AWAY FROM REAR-ENDING ME WITH MY INFANT IN THE BACK SEAT FACING BACK. I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND MYSELF IN THE CAR. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT WE DRIVE ON ONE OF THE BUSIEST FREEWAY IN THE COUNTRY (CA ? 405). MY CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE IN DANGER EACH TIME I DRIVE THEM IN THIS CAR. I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT CAR FROM NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO THAT. THIS VEHICLE IS MY MAIN MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR. I FEAR BEING KILLED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR; THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHY HAS NISSAN REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING KILLED IN THEIR POORLY BUILT-MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLE? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 4, 2008
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 102K MILES ON THE 2.5LITER WAS DRIVEN ONLY ABOUT 8 MILES WHEN ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND STALLED WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. ALL VEHICLE SERVICE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED. UNTIMATELY MY EXPENSE TO REBUILT THE ENGINE WAS $2.2K WITH NISSAN REFUSING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. HAVE OTHERS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE? DID NISSAN ALSO NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS? *CN
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB UPDATED
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY AND MADE A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED TWICE AND CURRENTLY NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,675 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. ONCE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN AND NOT RESTART FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 13, 2007
CAR STALLED. WASN'T FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. POWER VALVE SCREW THAT WAS FIXED 11/20/2007 ON RECALL BY NISSAN HAS BEEN SUCKED INTO ENGINE THUS REQUIRING NEW ENGINE & CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR