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: engine and engine cooling
86 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Engine and engine cooling, May 24, 2004
VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT 65 TO 70 MPH. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 29, 2004, crash
1) I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT--THE FRIST CAR AT THE LIGHT--ON A TWO LANE DIVIVED HIGHTWAY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GEREN I ACCLELRATED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE IT WAS IN OVERDRIVE. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID A 360 DEGREE COUNTER-CLOCKWISE ROTATION. THE PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE MEDIAN AND DEFLATED BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR TIRERS. THE CAR NEVER STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO WOBBLE OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY ON TO A DIRT ROAD WHICH WAS THE ENTRANCE TO A COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE. I RAN INTO A STEEL GATE WHICH WAS ACROSS TTHE ROAD AS THE FOREST PRESERVE WAS CLOSED. I SUSPECT BECAUSE TWO OF MY TIRES WERE DEFLATED, MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. 2) ACTUALLY, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO WOODFIELD NISSAN FOR SERVICE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON THE AIR-CONDITIONING, THE KNOB (WHICH GOES FROM BLUE--COOL-- TO RED--HEAT--WAS NOT WORKING. USUALLY THE KNOB SUCH TURNS SMOOTHLY, BUT THIS TIME, THERE WAS A GRATING SENSATION AND THE COOLING SYSTEM DID NOT TURN ON. THE HEAT COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF AND THE COOLING SYSTEM COULD NOT BE TURNED ON. WHETHER THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE OTHER EVENT IS HARD TO SAY, BUT I FAVOR A "CAUSE AND EVENT" EXPLANATION. 3) THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED ABOUT $7,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. MY CAR IS STILL AT WOODFIELD NISSAN BODY SHOP AWAITING PARTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE ABOUT MARCH 22. I HAVE ASKED JOHN AT THE BODY SHOP TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOK AT MY ORIGINAL AIR-CONDITIONING PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN UNTIL THE BODY SHOP IS FINISHED WITH THE CAR. INCIDENTALLY, I RECEIVED A A NOTICE OF A RECALL FROM FEGUS NISSAN IN EARLY JAN. OF THIS YEAR (RECALL CODE: R3022). I TOOK MY CAR TO WOODFIELD AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS "NO OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGNS." I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE REASON FOR THIS RECALL.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 31, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER A NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN COULD BE HEARD. ALSO, WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE STEERED TO THE RIGHT. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH STEERING. VEHICLE, AT TIMES, HESITATED AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT ABOUT 4,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *AK *MR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 23, 2004
AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL# 03V455000 CONCERNING CRANK POSITION SENSOR VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER STATED DEALER REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN GOOD CONDITIONS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
AC WILL NOT TURN OFF FRONT END MAKES A JUTTERING SOUND DEALER HEARS IT BUT CAN'T FIX IT. WINDOWS FOG UP ALL THE TIME MOST OF THE PAINT IS MISSING FROM THE FRONT END, AM TOLD THIS IS STONE CHIPS FACTORY RECALL FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE/FIRE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Visibility, Structure, Jan 4, 2004
I PURCHASED MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA GXE ON JUNE 10, 2003. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE 7 WORK ORDERS ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT DOESN'T COUNT EACH TIME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SHOW THE PROBLEM AND THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW, A DING THEY PUT IN THE HOOD, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO STICKER GAS MILEAGE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON FOR NO REASON FOUND AND NOW THERE'S A RECALL ON THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF YET. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 24, 2003, fire
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REVIEW THE DAMAGES AND DETERMINED WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. THE TECHNICIAN HAS NOT CONTACTED THE OWNER WITH THE FINDINGS FROM THE INVESTIGATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Structure, Oct 7, 2003
I PURCHASED MY SENTRA IN DEC OF 2002. ONE WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO TAKE IT IN BECAUSE IT CLUNKED WHEN YOU TURNED THE WHEEL. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND FRONT SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE. FIXED THE CLUNK. STARTED TO NOTICE THAT 2 QTS OF ENGINE OIL WAS GONE AND THE COOLANT LEVEL KEPT DROPPING EVEN THOUGH I KEPT POURING MORE IN. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER, CLAIMED THERE WAS AIR BUBBLE IN ENGINE AND TO LET IT GO. STILL NOTICING ENGINE OIL SMELL AND COOLANT LEVEL LOW. DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LEAKS, HAD RUN CHANNEL REPLACED TWICE. AROUND 7000 MI, I NOTICED THAT THE TRANNY SQUEAKED B/W 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES, CLAIM TO TIGHTEN MOUNT BOLTS, BELTS, AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. STILL SQUEAKING. REAR BUMPER IS NOW FALLING OFF AND GEAR SHIFT IS STARTING TO STICK. HAD REAR BRAKES ADJUSTED AT 7500 MI AND AGAIN AT 11000 MI. BRAKES STILL SEAM SPONGY AND LOSE STOPPING ABILITY. BEEN TO DEALER AROUND 20 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT ONLY TO HAVE THEM TO SAY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH