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, Jun 21, 2006
RADIATOR LEAK WAS DISCOVERED BY TECHNICIAN WHILE PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION ON MY ALTIMA FOR SOME ENGINE PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING. AT THAT TIME MY CAR HAD 43K MILES. I WAS INFORMED THAT I HAD A RADIATOR LEAK AND THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. THEY FILLED IT WITH COOLANT, BUT I DID NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR. FOUR DAYS LATER, MY CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED. I TOWED IT TO A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN WHERE I HAD BEEN 4 DAYS AGO. I WAS INFORMED A SECOND TIME THAT MY RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND THAT IT WAS ABOUT 1/2 EMPTY. HE FILLED UP THE RESERVOIR. JUST TO NOTE, MY VEHICLE STALLED BECAUSE OF 2 SENSORS THAT HAD GONE BAD. DURING SECOND DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED OF THE RADIATOR AGAIN. ON MAY 17TH I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN AN EFFORT TO GET MY RADIATOR REPLACED BY GOODWILL THAT DEALERSHIPS EXTEND. NISSAN CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND CONFIRMED IT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED VERY SOON, BUT WOULD NOT USE THE GOODWILL TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE RADIATOR TO DATE. I'VE BEEN FILLING IT WITH COOLANT AS THE RESERVOIR GETS LOW. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AT NO COST. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT I ABSOLUTELY DON'T AGREE. FOUR OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW THAT HAVE THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR HAD TO GET THEIR RADIATORS REPLACED WHILE UNDER THE 36K MILE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT IS ENOUGH PROOF TO SHOW THAT THE RADIATORS NISSAN IS INSTALLING IN ITS NEW ALTIMAS ARE LOW QUALITY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL WAS FOUND ON THE WEBSITE, ALTHOUGH NO PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A CONCERN IT MIGHT HAPPEN. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL # 03V455000, CONCERNING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. UPDATED 7/11/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AUG 2002. THE RECALL IS FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR. *NM
Air bags, Jun 8, 2006, crash
(1) CAR WAS BACKED INTO BY A HEAVY TRUCK, WEIGHING OVER 2 TONS. THE IMPACT WAS AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. CAR WAS AT REST, THE OFFENDING VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. (2) THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS SEVERELY HIT. CAR WAS VIOLENTLY HIT AND HAS SUFFERED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDERS, GRILLE AND BACK INTO THE RADIATOR, ALTERNATOR AND OTHER BELTS. BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS HIT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. HAD THERE BEEN A PASSENGER, THEY TOO WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT. (3) CAR IS IN THE CARE OF THE TOWING COMPANY, WAITING THE INSPECTION OF THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER OF THE OFFENDING PARTY. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 8, 2006
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA WITH THE 3.5 V6, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WHEN ON THE 03 ALTIMAS THE ENGINE WOULD LEAK OIL PAST THE RINGS AND DAMAGE THE CAT THAT WOULD DESTROY THE CAT AND THEN LET THE MATERIAL GO BACK INTO THE MOTOR AND CAUSE OIL CONSUMPTION. MY CAR AFTER TELLING THE DEALER LAST YEAR, STILL USES A QUART EVERY WEEK (ROUGHLY EVERY 600 MILES). THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT NISSAN CONSIDER THIS NORMAL USAGE. I HAVE TRIED OVER SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. ALL DEALERS AND NISSAN WOULD SAY, YOU ARE PASS YOUR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. NOW I SEE NISSAN HAS A CAMPAIGN OUT ABOUT THE 06 ALIMTAS. WHY NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON ALL ALTIMA. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 5, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A QUART OF OIL NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO THE ENGINE EVERY WEEK. ONCE THE OIL RUNS LOW THERE IS A SHAKING NOISE UNTIL MORE IS ADDED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO LEAK, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE OVER-HAULED BECAUSE IT BURNS EXCESSIVE OIL. UPDATED 7/3/2006 - ALTHOUGH IT WAS CLEAR THAT EH VEHICLE USED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL THE DEALER REFUSED TO OVERHAUL THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, May 26, 2006, fire
ONE YEAR INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WOULD SIMPLE SHUT OFF. IF YOU WERE MOVING AT THE TIME IT WOULD EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON TO THE RUNNING POSITION. IF YOU HAPPENED TO BE AT A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT AND THE "STUTTER" WOULD HAPPEN IT WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND START THE CAR AGAIN. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT SOMETIMES IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2003 AS A NEW CAR. BECAUSE OF THESE INSTANCES OF THE CAR SHUTTING OFF THERE HAVE BEEN TWO DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS. THANK THE LORD NONE WITH ANY PERSONAL INJURIES. THESE OCCASIONS OF THE CAR SHUTTING OFF BECAME MORE AND MORE PREVALENT, HAPPENING EVERYDAY ALMOST ALL THE TIME TOWARDS THE END OF THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS NOW NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE IT LITERALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IT. IT WAS TOWED HOME AND THERE IT SITS. WE ARE STILL PAYING ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE TO HAVE FULL COVERAGE ON IT. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2006
I HAVE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SE . IT STALLS AT IDLE AND LOSES POWER DURING DRIVING. IT ALSO DOES NOT WANT TO START AT TIMES JUST DOING SOUND AND AFTER TRYING ABOUT 5 MIN IT'S STARTING( THIS PROBLEM WAS FROM TIME WHEN I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW CAR IN 2003). DEALER COULD NOT FIND AND FIX THIS PROBLEM IN 2003 WHEN I HAD WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME IF CAR STARTS THEY CAN'T READ A CODE , BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A "CHECK ENGINE" MESSAGE. DEALER CHARGED ME $300 FOR TUNE UP. NOW WHEN MY CAR START TO STALLS I WENT AGAIN AND STILL DOES NOT HAVE "CHECK ENGINE" MESSAGE, BUT THEY REPLACED "CRANKSHAFT SENSOR" AND LOOKS LIKE IT WORKS. ANOTHER $300. I CHECK AT NISSANCLUB.COM FORUM AND REALIZE THAT IT'S COMMON PROBLEM FOR NISSAN ALTIMA. BUT MY MODEL 2003 DOES NOT HAVE ANY RECALL. NISSAN SUPPOSED FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CAN HURT SOME ONE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2006
1) NO EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. I ENJOYED NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. 2) ON 5-18-2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 PM MY CAR STALLED. THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 75 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. AFTER THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC. I WAS AGAIN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE NEXT DAY TO BE INSPECTED. THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOW ON" THE LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OCCURRING. 3) THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD BROKEN APART INSIDE THE ENGINE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONVERTER BEING DESTROYED ALSO DAMAGED THE O2 SENSOR. THE ENGINE STALLING AND THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALMOST LOCKING UP CAUSED A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH SEVERELY LIMITED ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CAR HAS CAUSED THIS ISSUE. THE PREVIOUS ISSUE WAS WHEN THE CAR'S POWER VALVE SCREWS (ALSO CALLED BUTTERFLY VALVE SCREWS) CAME LOOSE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THAT INCIDENT TOO ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT) THE SERVICING NISSAN SERVICE CENTER FOR MY AUTOMOBILE CAN ATTEST TO BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS AND THERE ARE PICTURES AND CAR PARTS TO PROVE BOTH INCIDENTS. *JB
Electrical system, May 15, 2006
THE VEHICLE WILL STALL DURING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING OPERATION. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR IS FAULTY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2006
1. CAR STALLED AND ONCE I HELD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE KEY OVER AND CRANK THE ENGINE A HUGE PUFF OF BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE, ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY AFTER A WEEK OR SO. 2) A WEEK OR SO LATER I STARTED THE CAR, IT TURNED OVER FINE BUT HAD NO POWER, IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT GO. IT DID NOT EVEN REALIZE I WAS PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. 3) I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IN FRUSTRATION AND THEN TRIED AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME THE CAR WORKED FINE. IT REVVED WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN TOOK OFF JUST FINE. 4) THIS BEGAN TO BE A MORE COMMON OCCURRENCE AND IF I TOOK THE KEY OUT OR WAITED A FEW MINUTES IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN UP. 5) NOT NOW! THE CAR WON'T MOVE FORWARD. AND NOW IT IS EVEN STARTING TO STALL OUT AND FLOOD. 6) NOW THE BATTERY EVEN SEEMS TO BE RUNNING DOWN. THIS HAS ALL TAKEN PLACE IN THE MATTER OF ABOUT THE PAST 5 WEEKS AND NOW IT WON'T MOVE FORWARD OR RUN AT ALL. *NM
Electrical system, May 13, 2006
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT A WEEK AGO WITH NO WARNING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST LOSS POWER AND DIED IT WAS SO SUTTLE I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS THINKING THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. ALL ALONG STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH A 4 AND A 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. IN THE PAST WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE LUCKILY JUST IN MY SUBDIVISION. ABOUT FOR MONTHS AGO I WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING AND NISSAN SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR GONE BAD HAD IT REPLACED NOW PROBLEM IS BACK. IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE IT NEEDS TO BE BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT WITH THESE CARS JUST SHUTTING OFF WITH NO WARNING. ALL MY SYMPTOMS SEEM TO POINT TO CRANK POSITION SENSOR THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT . NOW IM GOING TO HAVE TO FORK OVER 5-600 HUNDRED BUCKS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T BE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW!!!! *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2006
WE PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JANUARY OF 2005. AFTER HAVING THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS THE CAR BEGIN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND IT WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES AND WITH MUCH BOLDNESS. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK AND DEMANDED THAT THE PROBLEM BE FOUND. BECAUSE SOMEONE ALMOST HIT US AND MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO NEGLECT OF NISSAN/DATSUN. THEY INITIALLY TRIED TO GIVE US THE RUN AROUND AND STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS, THEN AFTER THE TECH, DROVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES THE CAR STALLED AND THEY DETECTED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS. I KNOW THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING MORE THAN REPORTED, I JUST FOUND THIS SITE AND I KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT MIGHT HAVE THIS DEFECT AND HAVE NOT HAD SYMPTOMS YET OF THIS POSSIBLY FATAL DEFECT. THANK GOD WE WERE NOT HARMED AND NO OTHER DRIVERS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2006
RE: ACTION NUMBER RQ06001 MANUFACTURER: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL FOUR PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 ALTIMA THAT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CITED AS REASONS FOR THE RECALL OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. SERVICE RECORDS DOCUMENT THAT THE PROBLEM THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT CRANK WAS REPORTED AS EARLY AS 23,619 MILES WHEN I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SINCE IT WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, OTHER RECORDS SINCE THAT TIME REVEAL THE SAME COMPLAINT. EACH TIME THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN RECENTLY BECAUSE IT BEGAN CUTTING OFF ABRUPTLY WHILE TRAVELING - AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER, WITH OVER 60,000 MILES, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS AND THEY BOTH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE, IT WAS MY EXPENSE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THE SITUATION REMINDING THEM THAT THE PROBLEM BEGAN BEFORE THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER AND THAT I HAD READ THEIR INFORMATION REPORTED TO NHTSA. I WAS TOLD THAT MY 2003 ALTIMA WAS NOT AMONG THOSE PRODUCED JUNE 1, 2001 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2002 AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. OBVIOUSLY, MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA IS ALSO ONE IN WHICH DEFECTIVE CRANK SENSORS WERE INSTALLED AS EVIDENCED BY THE ON-GOING PROBLEMS AND THE CONCLUSIVE DIAGNOSIS GIVEN ME BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE CESSATION OF THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING THE INTERSTATE "COULD" HAVE COST MY LIFE. JUST AS MY CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE PART CREATING THESE PROBLEMS, THERE MAY BE OTHERS LIKE MINE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP ON YESTERDAY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE TWO CRANK POSITION SENSORS AT A COST OF $115 FOR THE SENSORS AND $225 FOR LABOR ($340) PLUS TAX. I ASSUME THE OLD PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2006
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S (75,000 MILES) WAS BROUGHT IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. FOR A WEEK OR TWO THE CAR HAS RUN ROUGHLY AND HAD A STRANGE ODOR IN THE DRIVES COMPARTMENT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR HAS A CRACKED SEAL AND IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FLUID. IT WAS BELOW THE MINIMUM LINE WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN. THE FUMES IN THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT WERE THE FUMES FROM THE ANTI FREEZE. NO SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT EVER CAME ON AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER MOVED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR HAD A PROBLEM. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 16, 2006
AT APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES, MY CRUISE CONTROL SET BUTTON POPPED OFF MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (OVER 36,000), IT WOULD COST $92.00 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PART. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A FAIRLY NEW CAR. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A SATURN 1996 SL2 AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON FALLING OFF. I FEEL THIS IS FLIMSY WORKMANSHIP AND THE NISSAN CORPORATION SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. *NM
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2006
MY CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 11, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY RESTARTED. IN OTHER STALLING INCIDENTS, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO REMAIN IN THE OFF POSITION SEVERAL MOMENTS BEFORE RESTARTING. AFTER THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED, THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V455000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2006
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON & OFF , ENGINE WAS CONSUMING OIL FASTER THEN NORMAL . STARTED HAVING ENGINE NOISE , DEALER MECHANICS SAID SOMEONE LEFT OIL CAP OFF THEREFORE OIL WAS LOST , ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HAD CAR CHECK OUT BY OUTSIDE MECHANIC SAID CATALYST WAS FOUND TO BE DAMAGE INSIDE ,WHICH CAUSE COULD OIL TO BURN OFF. NOW THE ENGINE IN A 2003 ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ON NISSAN WEB SITE THEY HAVE RECALL ON EXHAUST HANGER PIN WHICH COULD CAUSE PROBLEM TO CATALYST THEREFORE COULD DAMAGE ENGINE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2006
I HAVE AN 03 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. THIS VEHICLE STALLS AND SURGES WHILE DRIVING AND WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR FOR THIS CAR. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 24, 2006
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR OR AT IDLE SPEED, IT WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, HOT OR COLD. I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND HAVE FOUND THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 23, 2006
FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND REFUSING TO START UP. ONCE, IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY, SO COULD MANAGE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. MANAGED TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, AND THERE IS HARDLY ANY POWER WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND HE TOLD ME THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SYMPTOM, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, MY VIN # DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THAT IS SO STRANGE. I HOPE NISSAN REALIZES THAT THERE ARE OTHER ALTIMA'S FROM 2003 THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 14, 2006
I RECENTLY FILED ODI # 10152516 (MY 2003 ALTIMA 2.5 HAD STALLED AT A RED LIGHT AND CUT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY) AND WOULD LIKE TO UPDATE INFORMATION: I TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY "FOUND CODE P0335-CR POS SENSOR," SO THEY REPLACED CRANK POS SENSOR. NISSAN NEEDS TO DO A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM SO OTHER OWNERS WON'T NEED TO SUFFER THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 14, 2006
2003 ALTIMA 2.5S EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: THE CAR STALLED TWICE DURING OPERATION (ALMOST CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS) THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED (WE FOUND SOME INFO ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHERS HAD ISSUES WITH THIS AND THE CAR HAS NOT STALLED SINCE. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 12, 2006
CAR, A 2003 2.5 S ALTIMA, STALLED WHILE AT RED LIGHT. CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK OIL LIGHTS LIT UP. CAR RESTARTED AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS. THEN, LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES LATER, CAR SEVERELY JERKED WHILE DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR. CAR'S HEATER WAS ON AT TIME. FELT LIKE VAPOR LOCK, BUT IT WAS TOO COLD OUTSIDE FOR THAT (40 DEGREES). CAR DID NOT HAVE MUCH ACCELERATION. HAD TO PULL OF FREEWAY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 8, 2006
LAST MONTH, AS MY '03 ALTIMA 2.5S WAS NEARING 65,000 MILES, IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS. AFTER IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. 2 DAYS AGO, IT HAPPENED AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART THE CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE ENGINE STALLING. *JB