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.
Steering, Engine, Jul 7, 2015
WHIE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, STEERING WAS VERY HARD . TRIED TOO RESTART ENGINE,HARD TO RESTART. AT TIOMES THE CAR IS HARD TO START AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE. ENGINE ALSO STUMBLES,OR SEEMS TO MISS FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THIS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT. HAD THE SENSORS REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST PROBLEM.
Structure, Jun 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS PREMATURELY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF DETERIORATION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE HOLES NEAR BOTH SIDES OF THE FLOORBOARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
Engine, Jun 29, 2015
THIS NISSAN IS BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY. IT STARTED IN JAN, 2015, ENGINE WAS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISE, OIL LEVEL CHECKED, COMPLETELY EMPTY. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN WHO SAID IT WASN'T A PROBLEM AND DID OIL CHANGE. THEN, JUST THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH THE CAR WAS HARD TO START AND SOUNDED LIKE METAL SO I TURNED IT OFF AND CHECKED THE OIL- COMPLETELY EMPTY AGAIN. WE HAD TO POUR 4 QUARTS IN!!! IT DOES NOT HAVE A LEAK, NOTHING IS EVER SEEN WHERE IT HAS BEEN PARKED. IT IS JUST BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY DUE TO SOME TYPE OF DEFECT FROM NISSAN THAT HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT ON LINE IF YOU GOOGLE NISSANS BURNING OIL... AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED . I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR AN ACCIDENT, PLEASE, PLEASE, LISTEN TO ALL OF US AND GET NISSAN TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100,000 ON IT AND I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3500 MILES WITHOUT FAIL. I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS ALONG WITH THE OTHER HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN IN THE PAST ON MY OTHER ALTIMA ABOUT THEIR AC THAT FAILS DUE TO IT ALWAYS RUNNING WITH DEFROSTER AND IT DOESN'T TURN OFF THEN SO IT'S ALWAYS RUNNING. ALSO, I SEE MANY OTHER RUSTED OUT FLOORBOARDS, CAUSING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO NOT BE BOLTED DOWN IN THIS SAME YEAR THAT I HAD HAPPEN TO ME 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD TO SPEND $2000.00 TO FIX THAT THEY SAID THE SAME, SORRY , THIS IS NOT OUR PROBLEM. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER WOULD'VE NOT BEEN PROTECTED WHEN THEIR SEAT FLEW OFF. PLEASE, PLEASE GO AFTER THEM ....THEY ARE TERRIBLE.
Engine, Jun 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHIFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Structure, Jun 28, 2015
MY FLOOR PANEL IS RUSTING AND I CAN SEE THE GROUND WHEN DRIVING. ALSO IT ISN'T SAFE FUMES ARE GETTING IN AND I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.
Structure, Jun 24, 2015
THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT WE PURCHASED, USED, 6 MONTHS AGO HAS SIGNIFICANT RUSTING/FLOOR ROT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE HOLES ARE GETTING BIGGER AND WIND RUSHES THROUGH WHEN DRIVING. CONSIDERING THE BROAD RANGE OF ALTIMAS AFFECTED, I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL YET. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER.
Engine, Jun 17, 2015
ENGINE OIL EXCESSIVELY BEING CONSUMED/BURNING. EXHAUST LEAKAGE. THERE IS A RECALL THAT ADDRESSES THIS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V084000 ) AND IT COVERS MY MODEL YEAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT COME UP ON THE DEALER'S COMPUTER SO THEY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2015
THE CAR HAS GIVEN REPEATED PROBLEMS STARTING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS SHOWN A CRANK AND CAM POSITON SENSOR ERROR. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE THESE SENSORS CHANGED WITH GENUINE NISSAN PARTS AND THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL.
Engine, Jun 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,023.
Structure, Jun 7, 2015
BODY PANELS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH BELOW DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS FLOOR MATS WITH ONLY THE FLOOR MATS AND CARPET PREVENTING YOUR FOOT FROM CONTACTING PAVEMENT. THIS COULD BECOME LIFE THREATENING IF YOUR FOOT WERE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE HOLE AND NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE AFTER FINDING MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 17, 2015
RUSTED PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. 13" BY 10" HOLE.
Structure, May 15, 2015
MISSOURI MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION FAILED DUE TO "PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS RUSTING OUT."
Engine and engine cooling, May 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH LOCATED FAILURE CODES AT THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS AND CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS AND CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN
Structure, May 11, 2015
THE 2003 ALTIMA 3.5 SE SEDAN HAS SIGNIFICANT FLOOR PAN RUST ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES WITH SECTIONS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER REPORTS I HAVE SEEN ON THE OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE ALTIMAS. THE REST OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS MINIMAL SURFACE RUST. ASSUME THAT THIS WILL BE A RECALL ITEM SOON AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. ASIDE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ISSUE, THE VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED WELL AND HAS BEEN DURABLE. MILEAGE IS APPROX. 150K.
Structure, May 8, 2015
MY FLOOR BOARDS HAVE BEEN RUSTING FOR SOME TIME NOW. I KEPT FEELING THE CARPET ON MY DRIVERS SIDE GETTING SOFT, IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I HAD A WHOLE LOT OF STABILITY. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND I SAW A BIG HOLE WHICH HAD FORMED FROM RUST. I COULD SEE THE CARPET FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR WHICH NOW GETS WET WHEN IT'S RAINING. I AM AFRAID THE CARPET IS GOING TO WEAR OUT AND I WILL HAVE NO PROTECTION TO THE OUTSIDE ELEMENTS.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 28, 2015
CAR BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY AND WAS HARD TO START. REPLACED OXYGEN SENSORS WHICH DID NOT CURE SYMPTOMS. WAS TOLD THAT THE 2 PRE-CATS (CATALYTIC CONVERTERS) NEEDED REPLACED. MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO RECOMMENDED. REPLACED AND PROBLEM PERSISTED. HARD TO START, RUNS ROUGH NOW SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. RAN CODES MYSELF WITH OBD-II TOOL AND FOUND CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS TO BE FAULTY. I HEARD OF A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE; EVEN DESCRIBED MY SYMPTOMS EXACTLY. EVEN THOUGH MY YEAR MODEL AND CAR WAS RECALLED THE NISSAN OF FORT WORTH SERVICE DESK TOLD ME MY VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME ENGINE AS ALL OF THE OTHER NISSANS MADE IN THIS YEAR RANGE AND THE SAME FAULTY CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS BUT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON MINE ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS. HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE. I HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PRICEY PARTS ALL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY REPLACING THE SENSORS. EVEN IF I HAD TO PAY FOR THE CRANK AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BAD IF I HAD NOT PAID OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS TO OTHER STUFF THAT MAY NOT HAVE NEEDED REPLACING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 20, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN MY CAR SHUTOFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AND CARS WERE WHIZZING BY ME . FINALLY AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THAT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER, THE CAR STARTED AND I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THEN ONCE I MADE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT BACK HOME BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. IT COMES ON AND THEN SHUTOFF OR STAYS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN MAKES A SOUND LIKE ITS GOING TO CUTOFF IF YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. FINALLY HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT/CRANKSHAFT SENSORS BASED ON THE CODES. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THESE PARTS SEEM TO CONTINUOUSLY GO BAD AND ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE. I HAVE LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. *TR
Engine, Apr 17, 2015
IN THE PAST 2.5 YEARS I'VE HAD TO REPLACE 2 COILS ON 2 DIFFERENT CYLINDERS, AND 2 DIFFERENT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AS WELL. EACH TIME IT'S COST ME UPWARDS OF $300 EACH INCIDENT. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET WEBSITE FOR COMPLAINTS FROM NISSAN DRIVERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL/YEAR INDICATES THAT OTHERS HAVE ALSO RUN INTO THESE ISSUES WITHOUT ANY RECOMPENSE. SOME EVEN HAD THEIR CARS STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY CONCERN. "LUCKILY" (AND NOTE THAT I USE THE TERM IN QUOTES), MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT THE ENGINE STARTS RUNNING ROUGH, FEELING LIKE ON JUST 3 OF ITS 4 CYLINDERS, THEN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON. IT WAS THEN ALWAYS OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS REALLY WRONG. Q: WHY WASN'T THIS A RECALL ITEM FOR THE NISSAN ENGINE? P.S. I HAVE LESS THAN 60K MILES ON MY CAR AND IT'S IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND ALWAYS GARAGED. *TR
Engine, Apr 16, 2015
2.5L ENGINE S MODEL NISSAN ALTIMA. 2002-2003 HAS WELL DOCUMENTED BLOGS AND COMPLAINTS OF EXCESSIVE OIL USE. CAUSES ARE ANY THING TO POOR DESIGN VALVE SEALS TO DUST KICK BACK FROM OVERHEATED CATALYTIC CONVERTOR INTO PISTON/CYLINDER AREA CAUSEING RING FAILURES AS WELL. THIS CURRENT VEHICLE HAS TO BEEN DIAGNOISISED BY A NISSAN DEALER. IT BURNS 2 QUARTS OF OIL PER 160MILES. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS A NEW ENGINE AND NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. THE REGIONAL NISSAN MANAGER CHRIS STATES NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST IN ANY WAY TO REPLACE/REPAIR THESE ITEMS BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT OWNED THE VEHICLE LONG ENOUGH. THE CAR IS WORTH $3800. THE ENGINE +CONVERTOR+ LABOR IS OVER THE VALUE OF THE CAR. SOME ONE HIGH UP SOMEWHERE DROPPED THE ROYAL BALL ON RECALLING THIS ENGINE. *TR
Structure, Apr 13, 2015
FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED OUT BIG HOLES . *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 13, 2015
CAR STALLED TWO TIMES WITHIN 20 MINUTES WHEN SLOWING CAR DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. MEINEKE AND PAUL MILLER NISSAN OF FAIRFIELD, CT IDENTIFIED THAT PARTS 23731-AL61A (CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR) AND 23731-6J90B (CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR) NEED TO BE REPLACED. THESE SENSORS WERE PART A RECALL FOR THE SAME MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR THAT I OWN. NISSAN N.A. CLAIMS THAT MY VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. 630,000+ VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY. ON LINE COMPLAINTS SUGGESTS THAT THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT KEEPS RECURRING BUT NISSAN HAS NOT EXPANDED THERE VIN REGISTRY TO INCLUDE ALL CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED. SPOKE WITH NISSAN N.A. CASE EXPEDITER WHO STATED MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT ON THE AFFECTED LIST ALTHOUGH MY COMPLAINT WAS THE SAME AS THOSE VEHICLES ON THE LIST. NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT TELL ME WHERE MY PART WAS MADE AND WHERE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE IN FACT MADE. CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS INTERNAL NISSAN INFORMATION THAT THEY HAD NO OBLIGATION TO GIVE ME. *TR
Structure, Apr 11, 2015
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHICH I'VE OWNED SINCE BRAND NEW, IS DEVELOPING A ROT HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CHASSIS. A VISIT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER LAST MONTH CONFIRMED THIS BUT DID NOT OFFER TO COVER IT UNDER A GOODWILL WARRANTY. I DID NOT CONTACT NISSAN THINKING IT WAS A ONE-TIME ISSUE. HOWEVER, BASED ON AN NBC NEWS REPORT FROM 4/6/2015, I'VE LEARNED THIS IS A GROWING ISSUE. PLEASE WORK WITH NISSAN IN OBTAINING A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Structure, Apr 7, 2015
MY PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS IS WHERE MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER SITS. WE HAD NO IDEA THAT IT HAD BEEN THAT WAY FOR THE LAST YEAR UNTIL WE COULD HEAR THE HIGHWAY COMING UP THROUGH THE FLOOR. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND HAD TO GO TO A NEIGHBORS WHO PULLED UP THE CARPET TO FIND NO FLOOR UNDERNEATH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Structure, Apr 7, 2015
RUST THROUGH THE UNDERBELLY OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAN FEEL THE CARPETING ABOVE. WORRIED ABOUT RESALE AND SAFETY. I SEE THIS DEFECT IS A VERY WIDESPREAD CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Structure, Apr 6, 2015
I TOOK MY CAR FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF MY FLOOR BOARD. I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION. MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND I ONLY HAVE 67,000 MILES ON MY CAR AS OF TODAY'S DATE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. THIS CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM. I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A DECENT AMOUNT FOR A TRADE BUT WHO WOULD WANT THIS CAR. UNTIL TODAY I THOUGHT I JUST GOT A BAD CAR BUT WATCHING THE "TODAY" I KNOW THIS IS WIDE SPREAD. CAN I GET REIMBURSED FOR MY COSTS? *TR