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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 883

Of the 2003 reports, 41 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling450 reports · 51% of complaints
Owner complaints883Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship10 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling450
  2. Structure126
  3. Engine117
  4. Electrical system89
  5. Fuel system35
  6. Power train34
  7. Vehicle speed control33
  8. Air bags28

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  1. Electrical system, May 22, 2007

    2003 NISSAN ALTIMA DIES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROA COULD VERY WELL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE REPLACED CAM SHAFT SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, AND IT STILL WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. WE LEFT THE DEALER AFTER GETTING IT FIXED AND IT DIED ON THE WAY HOME GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR! *AK

  2. Electrical system, May 16, 2007

    THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA RECENTLY STARTED STALLING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. INITIALLY IT HAPPENED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THEN PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION THERE WAS MINIMAL RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. THEN YESTERDAY AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR HESITATED BRIEFLY BEFORE ACCELERATING AND THEN WITHIN SECONDS ALL POWER WAS LOST. IT TOOK NEARLY 15 TRIES TO RESTART, AT WHICH POINT, I PARKED IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO WA STELLING ME THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THE CRANK SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS WHAT I WAS TOLD WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM), AND THEREWAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO IF THEY CAN'T GET IT TO REPEAT WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. A MONTH AGO, I HAD II AT DEALER WHEN THIS PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM IN ABOUT 85% OF THE CASES. I' WAS AT A LOSS. I HAVE ONLY ONE CAR AND I NEED IT TO BE RELIABLE. I COULD NOT TAKE A CHANCE OF BEING ON THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR IN A CAR THAT MIGHT DECIDE TO STALL ON ME. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE ,AND WAS WONDERING WHY NO ONE SEEMED TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. ANY HELP YOU COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED. *AK

  3. Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS, THEY WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. SHE HAD TO RUN INTO THE CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR FAILED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THERE IS RECALL # 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SENSOR AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE IT FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

  4. Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS WORKING PERFECTLY UNTIL HE TOOK IT TO HAVE SAFETY RECALL # 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HONORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HALF A MILE FROM THE DEALER, HIS VEHICLE BEGAN FLASHING LIGHTS, THE DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY, AND THE WINDOWS AUTOMATICALLY OPENED AND CLOSED PARTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COINCIDENTAL. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS NOT RELATED TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,427.

  5. Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THAT HIS VEHICLE COULD SHUT OFF AT ANY MOMENT. IN JANUARY OF 2007, HE BROUGHT HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. IN APRIL OF 2007, AS HE WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY AND IT REMAINED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS. DURING THIS TIME, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT COMPARED THE RECEIPTS FROM BOTH MECHANICS AND NOTICED THAT THE SECOND MECHANIC REPAIRED THE SAME FAILURE THAT THE NISSAN DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE PERFORMED ORIGINALLY. NISSAN IS STATING THAT THEY PROPERLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND ARE REFUSING TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS MADE BY THE SECOND MECHANIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,140. *TR

  6. Fuel system, Other, May 10, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE IS EXCESSIVELY BURNING OIL DUE TO A FLAW IN THE PISTON RING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RECEIVE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF OIL AND, AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF APPROXIMATELY TEN TO TWELVE TIMES, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER EACH OCCURRENCE. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN ACTIVATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

  7. Engine and engine cooling, May 7, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,100 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

  8. Engine and engine cooling, May 1, 2007

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. ON THREE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE MECHANIC, DURING A TUNE UP, STATED THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT RECALL #06V242000 REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80000. *AK

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 27, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THE DEALER TO PAY SINCE THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RECALL#06V242000 ; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. ALSO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER COULD REPROGRAM THE FAILURE AND REPAIR ITSELF;. HOWEVER, AFTER DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO WRITE A LETTER TO NISSAN FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75945, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 77694. *AK

  10. Power train, Apr 26, 2007

    NISSAN 2003 ALTIMA 2.5 S. THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THERE HAD BEEN A RECENT RECALL BASED ON REPROGRAMMING THE CHIP THAT DESCRIBED THE CONDITION. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THEN DIAGNOSED AS A CORRUPTED TIMING CHAIN SENSOR. WHEN REPLACED IT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WHEN I ARGUED ABOUT THIS REPAIR BEING COVERED BY THE STANDARD 60 MONTH 60,000 MILE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY IT WAS NOT. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT "WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT PAID $180 TO GET HIS REPAIRED. A CAR THAT STOPS IN TRAFFIC AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON FOR 5 - 45 MINUTES IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. NISSAN STATED THAT SHE COULD HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY REPROGRAMMED THE UNIT AND DID NOT REPLACE THE SENSORS. ALSO, THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE ONE TIME. THE FIRST TIME THAT SHE CALLED NISSAN, THEY TOLD HER THAT HER CAR WAS APART OF THE RECALL. THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE TOLD HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, AND LATER STATED THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THEY REPROGRAMMED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,900 MILES ON HER VEHICLE, AND IT WAS RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. NISSAN REFUSED TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED NISSAN REPLACED THE SENSOR ON MAY 30, 2007 AT THE COST OF $230. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WAS DUE TO A BAD SPEED SENSOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSE TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, AND LATER INDICATED THAT IT WAS RELATED, WHICH WAS THE REASON THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR INSTEAD OF REPLACING THEM. ALSO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN. NISSAN REFUSED TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT PERFORMANCE NISSAN IN DUARTE, CA DID THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE SENSORS AND TWO DAYS LATER THE SENSORS WERE FAILING AGAIN. UPDATED 05/15/07 *TR

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2007, crash

    2003 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT SHAKES AND MAKES NOISES CUSTOMER WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE BUT IT WAS A MONTH TO LATE CUSTOMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WITH THE VEHICLE, RESULTED IN HER BEING REAR ENDED. *JB

  14. Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2007

    CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL ON HER CAR AND SHE HAS PAID FOR THE CAR TO GET FIXED ALREADY CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING REFUND**CC *JB

  15. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 2, 2007

    VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL # 06V242000. DEALERSHIP HAS REPROGRAMMED ECM. DEALERSHIP NOW STATES THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR IS SHORTING AND MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO SHUT DOWN . VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN. IS THERE ANY WAY THIS RECALL COULD BE RELATED TO THE SENSOR GOING BAD?? *JB

  16. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 28, 2007

    CUSTOMER TOOK HER CAR IN FOR SERVICE, WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AFTER THAT THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THEN AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED**CC *JB

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 28, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAITED APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED REPROGRAMMING, AND MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND COMPLETELY LOST POWER AGAIN. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS BE REPLACED. THERE WAS ARECALL # 30V455000 FOR A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA FOR THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT FELT OTHERWISE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 112,000.*AK

  18. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 21, 2007

    TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK HIS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SL ON THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH TO HAVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V242000 RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE. THEY PERFORM THE RECALL WORK, BUT CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME FAILURE THAT IS STATED ON THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR ASSEMBLY, BUT IT WOULD BE AT CONTACTS EXPENSE.

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 20, 2007

    RECALLS ON 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA CONCERNING CRANK ANGLE SENSORS AND ECM, ENGINE COMPUTER, RECEIVED. TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER , AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. THEY SAID THIS WOULD FIX MY PROBLEM. 2 DAYS LATER LIGHT WAS BACK ON, AND CAR CONTINUED TO CUT-OFF JUST AS THE RECALL LETTER STATED IT WOULD DO. TOOK CAR BACK TO NISSAN, AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THEY RECALL, AND HAVE ASKED ME TO PAY FOR IT, AND THEN THEY WILL INVESTIGATE AND WILL SEND ME A REFUND FOR REPAIRS. OVER $200.00 FOR REPAIRS. ADVISED THEM OF THEIR RECALL LETTER THAT I RECEIVED ONLY TO SAY THEY WERE SORRY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON, CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ARE , AND WHILE JUST SITTING STILL. IT CONTINUED TO JERK OR DRIVE LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING, AND THEY CLAIMED IT WAS THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, SAME AS RECALL. *AK

  20. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 16, 2007

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 3 OR 4 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. HOWEVER, ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T RESTART FOR AN HOUR. THE MECHANIC SERVICED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE ON 04/26/2006. THEN, ON MAY 1, 2006 NISSAN REPLACED THE CRANK AND CAM SENSORS. ON JANUARY 4, 2007 THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRANK AND CAM SENSORS. THE CONTACT HAS AN INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 69,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,013 *AK THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EXPENSES. UPDATE 4/30/07 *TR

  21. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 13, 2007

    TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL 06V242000. THE CONTACT MADE T REPAIRS BEFORE SHE RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH NISSAN TO SEE IF SHE COULD BE REIMBURSED, AND SHE WAS GETTING THE RUN AROUND. ON THE DAYS THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER THE WEATHER WAS NICE AND SUNNY. THIS HAPPENED AS SOON AS SHE WOULD PULL OF INTO TRAFFIC DOING 5 - 10 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON, SHE HAD THE REPAIRS MADE, AND THE FOLLOWING WEEK SHE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 55284. *AK

  22. Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Mar 12, 2007

    TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE DROVE THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA;THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED GENERALLY WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERENORMALLY CLEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS THE REASON THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CRANK SENSOR. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONTACT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS NOT THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE SHAKING AND RATTLING. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE SHAKING WAS DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE HEADLIGHT HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY ADVISED HER IT WAS THE ENGINE ANGLE SENSOR THAT WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE SENSOR HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. THE VEHICLE NO LONGER SHAKES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRANK SENSOR HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 81000 MILES.*AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

  23. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 9, 2007

    TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 8 TIMES. THE CONTACT SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO INCORRECTLY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SECOND DEALER, WHO WAS AWARE OF THE RELATED RECALL #06V242000, FOR THE ECM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, AND AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS SHE HASN'T RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE THAT SHE COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,720. *AK

  24. Electrical system, Mar 5, 2007

    I HAD A RECALL ON MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. RECALL CASE # R0606. RECALL PROBLEM BEING CAR ENGINE STOPS WHILE DRIVING. MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW. I WAS GLAD TO SEE THIS RECALL! BECAUSE I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IT WAS NEVER FIXED. I TOOK MY NISSAN INTO ROBERT WOODALL NISSAN ON FRIDAY MARCH 2ND TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE. NO LESS THAN 24HRS LATER MY NISSAN WAS BACK DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, AND I'M HESITANT TO DRIVE MY CAR MUCH BECAUSE IN THE RECALL IT STATES THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE GIVE ME ANY HELP YOU CAN.*JB

  25. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 4, 2007

    2003 NISSAN ALTIMA EXHAUST LEAK POSITIVE FOR CARBON D IN MY BLOOD MANY PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON WITH THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING MY CAR IT STARTED WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SCREW A GAS CAP ON TO AFTER YEARS OF ATTEMPTS TRYING TO CONVINCE THEM IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY LYMPH NODES IN MY LUNGS WHEN IT WAS TOO LATE AND THEY SAW VISIBLE SIGNS INSIDE MY CAR LIKE BLACK SOOT AND A STRONG SMELL THEY LAUGHED AND SAID HEY LADY YOU HAVE A LEAK THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE O2 SENSOR WITHIN 6-8 MONTHS I STARTED TO HAVE SYMPTOMS AGAIN NAUSEA,HEADACHES, HEAVY LEGS,WHEEZING & INABILITY TO CONCENTRATE. THEN I KNEW ONCE THE SMELL STARTED THE DAMAGE WAS DONE I DID NOT HAVE THE MENTAL STRENGTH TO FIGHT WITH THEM ABOUT IT ANYMORE SO I TRADED IT IN THIS WEEK I KEPT ALL THE REPORTS FROM THE DEALER WHEN I TOOK IT IN BUT OF COURSE THEY DID NOT TYPE IN ALL THAT I HAD CONCERNS ABOUT. *JB