2003 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 180 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 13 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleAug 9, 2022
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 22E066000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedDec 1, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.
Campaign 20V747000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Campaign 20V008000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 15, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Campaign 15V287000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 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
Engine and engine coolingDec 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK'S BALL JOINT BRACKET MAY BREAK FROM STRESS CONCENTRATION AT A NOTCH CREATED BY SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND THE SHAPE OF THE MATERIAL CUT-LINE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 03V511000 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
Electrical system, ignition, moduleNov 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.
IF ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM HAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING, THE GAS MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON, POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATOR), OR THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSIDE LINING MATERIAL FROM THE ECM BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 03V477000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. EVERY TIME THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST SIX TIMES PER DAY WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. NISSAN STATED THAT HER VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER ANY RECALLS. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 79,586.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 20, 2007
I HAVE TRIED A NUMBER OF TIMES TO HAVE NISSAN FIND THE REASON WHY MY CAR HAD A DELAY IN START FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE NO SUCCESS, ONLY EXCUSES , AND RUN AROUND. NOW MY CAR IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY AND THEY ARE STILL GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT IT APPEARS TO BE WHAT THE RECALLS ARE STATING.*AK
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2007
A FEW MONTHS AGO THE CARS RPM'S WOULD FLUCTUATE AND THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO DIE. IF IT WAS STOPPED OR AT A SLOW SPEED IT WOULD DIE OUT. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAD THE PART REPLACED AND IT STILL DOES IT. NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE DAY. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2005
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN GXE SENTRA THAT CONTINUES HAVE PROBLEMS CRANKING. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND NISSAN REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. NISSAN SAID IT WAS NOT A RECALL, IT WAS A BULLETIN. NOW I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN JACKSON, MS WHERE I RECIEVED IT FROM. GRAY DANIELS NISSAN SOUTH JACKSON, MS. EVERY OIL CHANGE I TELLED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING. THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR FOR SERVICE WAS ON A FRIDAY MORNING, I ADVISE THEM THAT I WAS PLLANNING TO GO OUT OF TIME THAT DAY, BEFORE I LEFT MY CAR WITH THEM. I ASK THEM SPECIFICALLY IF THEY WERE GONNA BE ABLE TO SERVICE MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD. I CALL BACK AROUND LUNCH AND NISSAN SAID THEY STILL HAVEN'T GOT TO MY CAR YET, DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF RECALLS FOR THE NISSAN MURANO. I ADVISE NISSAN AGAIN THAT I WAS PLANNING ON GOING OUT OF TOWN TODAY. I RECEIVE NO CALL. I CALLED THEM AGAIN AT 4:00 PM. AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T SERVICE OR LOOK AT MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO LEAVE IT WITH THIM. I TOLD THEM EARLY THAT MORNING THAT I WAS PLANNING A ROAD TRIP FOR THAT DAY. I'M CONTINUING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO RECEIVE A CALL FROM THERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF I WAS SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE I RECEIVED. I REPLIED NO, BECAUSE THEY HAD MY CAR FROM 0730 TO 4:00 PM WITHOUT SERVICING MY CAR OR CALLING ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT IT WOULD NOT BE SERVICE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jul 8, 2005
DT: AT 32,000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 15 TIMES FOR REPAIRS. THE MAIN ISSUE WAS AT 15,000 MILES. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTER THAT, THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING, WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS THE VEHICLE SPUTERED. THE SERVICE MANAGER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE FULE PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS 2 NEW FAN BELTS, TRUNK FLOODED ONCE. THE HEATER CONTROL WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2005
I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA GXE, 1.8L 4CYL. CAR. (PURCHASED IN OR AROUND APRIL 2003 FROM UNIVERSAL NISSAN) ALMOST A YEAR AFTER BUY THE SENTRA I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START OR IF IT DID START IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO START...MEANING I WOULD HAVE TO HOLD DOWN THE KEY WHILE IT TRIES TO CRANK ITSELF ON. I DO THIS ALL THE TIME & AT TIMES WHEN I FINALLY GET THE CAR TO START 3 TO 5 SECONDS WILL GO BY AND THE CAR WILL TURN OFF & I HAVE TO RESTART IT. SO I TOOK THE CAR INTO NISSAN OR ORANGE, CA AND THEY TOTALLY BLEW ME OFF, TELLING ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I DIDN'T NOTICED IF THE ENGIN LIGHT COME ON. WHICH LEADS ME HERE TODAY. MY CAR IS GETTING WORST...I NOTICED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #03V455000, NISSAN RECALL #R3022 AND A NUMBER FOR NISSAN I CALL NISSAN (JAN. 26, 2005) AND I'M TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR BECAUSE I DRIVE A 1.8L 4 CYL CAR AND NOT THE CAR THEY HAVE ON THEIR RECALL LIST WHICH IS 2.5L 4CYL. THE GUY ONLY MAKES A FILE FOR ME AND UPDATES MY ADDRESS. THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME EXCEPT UPDATE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION. I TELL THE REP. THAT I NOTICED ON ANOTHER WEBSITE THAT MY CAR MAKE AND MODEL WAS AFFECTED BY THE RECALL AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN RESEACH IT. THE INFORMATION WAS FOUND ON WWW.ALLDATA.COM TSB NUMBER 03-124 ISSUED DECEMBER 2003 - SAFETY RECALL - TSB TITLE RECALL- ENGIN SENSOR REPLACEMENT FOR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8L 4 CYL CARS. I MEAN IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF RECALL THAT'S ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 10, 2004
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MAY OF 2004. SINCE THEN, THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND VARIOUS FUSES HAVE BLOWN AT LEAST 3 TIMES EACH. LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD FIND, AND THEY HAD REPLACED THE FUSES. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE SAME FUSES BLEW AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE NO "OPEN RECALLS" ON MY CAR. IT IS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES. THIS ACTUALLY BLEW MY ENGINE, WHICH DEALERSHIP RELACED. THE FUSE PROBLEM IS STILL PERSISTENT.
Electrical system, Mar 4, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHT, HORN AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2003
JUMPS FORWARD SOMETIMES WITHOUT FOOT ON ACCLERATOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURN FROM STOPPED POSITION. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. FALSE ALLIGNMENT AT TIME OF PURCHASE. DEALERSHIP STATES STEERING COLUMN WAS PUT IN OFF CENTER. THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. CREAK AND POPS IN DASH ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS TO FIX PROBLEMS. NO LUCK YET.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 28, 2003
ONCE APPROACHING A STOP (CROSSWALK), THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN. ANOTHER TIME, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE OUT OF PARKING SPACE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE VEHICLE AS OF 01-28-2003 WITH CAUSE NOT IDENTIFIED YET. THE OWNER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE AND REPAIR OF VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY OF THOSE AROUND IF FAILURE OCCURS AGAIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TS