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
180 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2008
1. THE CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING -SUDDENLY ALL THE GAUGES BECOME ERRATIC AND ENGINE DIES OUT. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. BOUNCING GAUGES OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. 2. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. THE CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING ONCE A YEAR. BOUNCING GAUGES OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH -ERRATIC AND SPORADIC. BECAUSE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX, IT GIVES ME GREAT EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND FEAR OF DRIVING. IT WAS PURE LUCK THAT I DID NOT GET INTO ACCIDENTS SO FAR. BUT IT IS TIME THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO STOP THIS ONGOING UNSOLVED PROBLEMS. 3. THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS TAKES A LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS. ONE TIME THEY RETURNED MY CAR, STATING, "THERE IS A GHOST IN YOUR CAR." DURING THE LAST VISIT AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED IT (CAR DIES OUT) WOULD COME BACK AGAIN, AND THAT NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED THEY WOULD DO FURTHER TEST. WHAT IF THE "NEXT TIME" GETS ME INTO A FATAL ACCIDENT? *TR
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V477000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULES). THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING ON ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM. THE GAS COULD CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATION) OR THE ENGINE COULD STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. UPDATED 12/16/08 *CN AT 32,000 MILES THE ODOMETER WAS REPLACED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND THE COAST FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND THE RETURN TO NORMAL. UPDATED 12/18/08. *JB *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 6, 2008
WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT MY 2003 SENTRA SE R SPEC V NEED A NEW ENGINE. ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC MATERIAL BEING INGESTED THROUGH EXHAUST VALVES. THUS SCORING THE CYLINDER WALLS, LEADING THE CAR TO CONSUME OIL. WITHOUT OIL THE ENGINE WILL FAIL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER CONCERNING AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, DEALER DECLARED THAT IT WAS WITHIN PARAMETERS AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THIS WAS JUST BEFORE THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS UP. THE CAR NOW HAS 95,000 AND NEEDS NEW ENGINE. NISSAN CLAIMS TO KNOW NOTHING OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 19, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,700. UPDATED 10/20/08.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VIN DID NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK, BUT FAILED TO TURN OVER. AN HOUR LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ONCE AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO FINALLY START THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CAM SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2008
I HAVE RECEIVED LETTERS OF "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE" STATING THAT MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY. MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED MORE THAN TWICE AND HAS COST ME MORE THAN $300.00 TO FIX. I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE MILLER NISSAN IN VAN NUYS CITY (818-787-8400) AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BUT THEN THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP FOR THE SAME REASON IT STOPPED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MILE'S NISSAN IN VAN NUYS CITY BUT NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR A DEFECT ON THE CAR THEY SOLD TO ME. I AM CONSULTING WITH MY LAWYER TO TAKE FURTHER ACTIONS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2008
RE: 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SPEC-V. SEVERAL TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BOTH AT HIGH SPEEDS (STARTING AROUND 50MPH) AND LOW SPEEDS (WHILE AT FULL STOP OR LOW SPEEDS), CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I PRACTICALLY ALMOST DIED TRYING TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE CAUSES, AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE REGARDING THE RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT IN THE MORNING AND INFORMED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN RE: THE RECALLS. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME THAT THE ECM HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. ONCE THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM, THEY CALLED ME BACK AND INFORMED ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL, WHICH WAS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURES. ONCE THEY COMPLETED ALL REPAIRS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ECM REPROGRAMMING WAS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE CRANKSHAFT REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT VIN SPECIFIC. EVEN WITH ALL THESE SERVICES PERFORMED, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS STILL ON. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2008
2003 NISSAN SENTRA ENGINE QUIT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WOULD NOT START. NISSAN HAD A RECALL 03V455000 BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR- AROUND $280.00 OUT OF POCKET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2008
ONE DAY IN JANUARY I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY SCARED BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. I WAITED ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR BACK UP BUT IS WAS RUNNING VERY BADLY. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT WAS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE THAT HAD WENT OUT. HE SAID HE HAD HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART AND URGED ME TO CONTACT NISSAN DIRECTLY. I DID AND WAS TOLD THAT IS WAS THE LARGER ENGINE SIZE MODEL THAT THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON NOT MY MODEL. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO FIX WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD. I TOOK IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO CHARGED ME ABOUT $1,000.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR THE ECM. I SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY WILL ONLY COVER REPROGRAMMING NOT REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM. SO NOW EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR MYSELF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2008
CAR STARTED IDLING ROUGH, SKIPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING. FOUND A DAMAGED SPARK PLUG, THE GAP HAD BEEN SMASHED SHUT AND COULD SEE WHERE SOMETHING WAS POUNDING ON THE PLUG REPEATEDLY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE BUTTERFLY (POWER VALVE) ISSUE OF THE ASSEMBLY FALLING INTO THE 2.5L ENGINES. USING AN EXTENDABLE MAGNET I WAS ABLE TO COLLECT ALL OF THE PIECES OF THE BUTTERFLY ASSEMBLY AND EXTRACT THEM FROM THE ENGINE. ONE OF THE SCREWS WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE, LOOKED LIKE A BRASS BB FROM A BB GUN BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN SMASHED UP SO BAD. THE BUTTERFLY ITSELF WAS ALSO DAMAGED AROUND THE EDGES. I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT ORDERING A NEW BUTTERFLY ASSEMBLY AND THEY INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL FOR THESE ENGINES IN THE 04-05 SENTRA SPEC V'S. THEY RECOMMENDED I TALK TO THE SERVICE DEPT ABOUT HAVING IT REPAIRED BY NISSAN UNDER RECALL. NISSAN SERVICE LOOKED UP MY VIN # AND DISCOVERED THAT 03 MODELS DID NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THE BUTTERFLY SCREWS BUT A NEW ENGINE WAS RECENTLY REPLACED FOR THE PRECAT RECALL ISSUE ONLY 20,000 MILES AGO.. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL CORPORATE AND FILE A CLAIM REGARDING THE BUTTERFLY SCREW PROBLEM SINCE THEY HAD JUST RECENTLY WORKED ON THE ENGINE AND SHOULD HAVE TIGHTENED THOSE SCREWS. SO I DID. I PAID $150.00 TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, THEY WAIVED THE $96 DIAGNOSTIC AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BUTTERFLY SCREWS DID DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IT TOOK ABOUT 3 MONTHS OF GETTING ESCALATED UP THE CORPORATE NISSAN PYRAMID. FINALLY I MADE IT TO THE TOP JUST TO BE DENIED. THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE WAS 5,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT FOR 03 MODELS ONLY 04-05. HOWEVER IT IS THE SAME EXACT ENGINE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHY 03 IS NOT COVERED. THE FACT THAT I HAD ONLY PUT 20,000 ON THE NEW ENGINE THAT THEY INSTALLED DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO THEM. I AM NO ROCKET SCIENTIST BUT I AM PRETTY SURE A 4 CYL ENGINE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RUN FOR MORE THAT 20,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2008
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 NISSAN SENTRA FOR JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO FROM A USED CAR DEALER. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER I FOUND SOME LISTED RECALLS ON THE WEB FOR THE ON BOARD CONTROL UNIT WHICH WAS CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO MISS READ THE CRANK CASE POSITIONING SENSOR, AND OXYGEN SENSORS, & CAUSING CARS TO STOP RUNNING FOR ANYWHERE FROM SPLIT SECOND TO SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FOR THIS ON BOARD COMPUTER WAS MAKING ERROR CODES SHOW UP WHEN DOING SMOG TEST AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THESE SENSORS. I WENT INTO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THESE RECALL REPAIRS DONE, I WAS TOLD THAT ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE MY 2003 SENTRA WAS MADE IN DEC. AND THE RECALL FOR THE OTHER WERE FOR UP TO NOV OF 2003. MY SENTRA HAS BEEN HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE SUPPOSE TO FIX, ONLY THEY WOULDN'T FIX MINE. SINCE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND ABOUT A HALF A DOZEN TIMES A WEEK MY CAR WILL JUST STOP RUNNING FOR ABOUT A SECOND AND START UP AGAIN. ALSO SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD BOTH THE CRANK CASE SENSOR AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED AND NOT ONLY WILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOT GO OUT, BUT NOW EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED BOTH OF THESE SENSORS BECAUSE THEY WERE SHOWING UP AS DEFECTIVE WHEN I HAD THE SMOG CHECKED, THIS DEFECTIVE ON BOARD COMPUTER STILL SHOWS THE EXACT SAME DEFECT CODES EVEN AFTER PUTTING NEW PARTS IN. THIS HAS NOW COST ME OVER $150 FOR PARTS I DIDN'T NEED AND EVEN WORSE, THE CAR WON'T PASS SMOG EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PARTS I HAD TO REPLACE. SO NOW BECAUSE NISSAN WOULDN'T REPLACE WHAT THEY KNEW WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, THE ON BOARD COMPUTER OR WHAT THE SERVICE MANUAL CALLS IT THEN (ECM) CONTROLLER, I HAVE 3 DAYS (NEVADA ONLY GIVES YOU 10 DAYS EXTENSION IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T PASS SMOG TO FIX IT). ECM CONTROLLER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACE II DON'T HAVE $700 TO $1000 DOLLARS TO PAY FOR ONE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 29, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES. THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE ENGINE STALLS AND LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN DRIVING UPHILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKS. WHEN TRAVELING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL GROUND, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESTART. THE FIRST CRASH OCCURRED IN JULY OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURES OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THE CONTACT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHEN IT STARTED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED AND JUMPED, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 7 MPH. BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES BEFORE THEY MADE THE FIRST REPAIR, WHICH WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED, SO HE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SIX MORE TIMES. FOUR OF THOSE TIMES THE VEHICLE HAD TO STAY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PERSIST, SO HE DECIDED TO CHECK THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND LOCATED SEVERAL RELATED TO THE 2.5L ENGINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CYLINDER HEADS UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V477000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE) AND 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF THESE RECALLS THE MANY TIMES HE VISITED THE DEALER. HE HAD TO CALL NISSAN TEN TIMES BEFORE ANYONE RETURNED HIS CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2008
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TACHOMETER FELL TO ZERO AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN GEAR THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE SPEED QUICKLY, THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION IS TO BUMP START USING THE CLUTCH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AFTER THIS INCIDENT. AFTER THIS MANY MISFIRES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVE INCLUDING STALLS WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL STOP QUICKLY. I RESEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THAT OTHER NISSAN MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THE SENTRA/ALTIMA. I ALSO CHECK SOME RECALLS AND IT DOES SHOW SOME SENTRAS AND ALTIMAS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACT BOTH THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA THEY SAID THAT THE 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R SPEC V WAS NOT AFFECTED, AND THAT IT WAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I WILL TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAVE ALMOST CRASH 3 TIMES. I SUGGEST ALL WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOT TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND STALLS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS OCCASIONALLY, BUT MOST TIMES THE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 11, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A BEARING THAT FAILED AND A COUPLE OF PUSH RODS BAD. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND START A FILE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE OIL BURNING IN THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT WAS NOT MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. HE FELT THAT HIS ENGINE WAS THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE 2006 SENTRAS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,321. UPDATED 02-12-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2007
VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AT LOW SPEEDS AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER CONFIRMED FAILURE TO CRANK SENSOR DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENSOR AND COMPLETED ECM REFLASH I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PART. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE EVER SINCE THE REPAIR. NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAME CONCERNS WHICH HAVE THE SAME REPAIR BUT STATES THAT ONLY 2002,2005,AND 2006 MODELS ARE AFFECTED. MY CAR IS A 2003 SENTRA SER AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY NOT AFFECTED. I DO NOT BUY INTO THAT RESPONSE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 6, 2007
(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, NORMAL DRIVING. PULLED UP TO STOP SIGN AND ENGINE DIED. WILL CRANK, BUT NOT START. (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, AND CAR IS INOPERABLE. NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES. ERROR CODE IS 0340. CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) CALLED POWER NISSAN DEALERSHIP AT 1 888 295 7489, ADVISED SERVICE PERSONNEL OF, WAS TOLD NHTSA CAMPAIGN 03V455000 DOES NOT APPLY TO VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE CALLED NISSAN AND THEY DENIED THAT ANY RECALLS APPLIED TO HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND RESTARTED AN HOUR LATER. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 01/02/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/02/08 *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 24, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM POSITIONING SENSOR FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,200.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED EACH TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE CHARGING $280 TO REPLACE THE SENSORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD BE FREE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,850.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPAIR INVOICES FOR VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR THE CONSUMER STATED GRUBBS NISSAN REPLACED THE SEATBELT RETRACT ON 6/15/07 AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER STATED TO HAVE THE SENSOR CONTROL MODULE REPLACE AT THE COST OF $800 AND THE CONSUMER DECLINED. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR
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, May 15, 2007
NISSAN SENTRA SER SPEC V 2003 HAS POWER FAILURE PROBLEMS, EXPERIENCING A MILD LOSS OF ACCELERATION. DRIVING AT 70 MPH, VEHICLE LOST FULL POWER AND REDUCED SPEED TO 40 MPH, SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE SCREWS AND THE "POWER VALVE" WERE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE BAY. INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE, SAME PROBLEM AS 2004-2005 QR25DE ENGINE RECALLS, BUT MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUES A RECALL FOR THE QR25DE IN 2002 OR 2003. PLEASE REQUEST NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO ISSUE A "POWER VALVE RECALL" FOR THE YEARS 2002 AND 2003 AS WELL. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSUMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK