2003 Nissan Altima Owner Complaints

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine will not start. If I get the engine to start the car may act as if it wants to cut off in traffic. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Engine may stop while in traffic possibly resulting in someone hitting me in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No the dealership service department are refusing to service or even inspect my car. At first he lied like there wasn’t a recall. Now because we are in MS he is refusing to provide service because we are not in a cold state. I called Nissan to verify this information prior to speaking with the dealership and Nissan specifically stated that for my VIN there is an open campaign for a fuel pump screen. Then they were the ones who referred me to the nearest dealership which is Gray Daniels Nissan North in Jackson. MS.

NHTSA ID

11471287

Incident

Jun 27, 2022

Faulty crankshaft and camshaft sensors UNKOWN

NHTSA ID

11458058

Incident

Mar 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 65-75 MPH, the sunroof detached from the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.

NHTSA ID

11450747

Incident

Feb 5, 2022

Mileage

177,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle had to be pushed to the side of the road and jump-started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the CAM Sensor. The contact stated a day later the vehicle stalled and shut-off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

NHTSA ID

11441440

Incident

Nov 9, 2021

Mileage

187,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired at an independent mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that there was rusting on the front driver’s side floor pan. The contact also noticed that the front driver’s side floorboard was soft to the touch and a fuel odor was detected while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ID

11430278

Incident

Aug 21, 2021

Mileage

87,000 mi

I NOTE SOME NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVR RECALLS ON CAMSENSOR AND SPEEDSENSONSOR. THIS VEHICLE HAS SAME PROBLEMS. VEHICLE SHUTS OFF ON THE ROAD CAM SENSOR WAS CHANGED BUT WAS GOOD FOR A COUPLE YEARS DOES THE SAME MECHANIC SAYS FAULTY PLASTIC CLIP. ALSO VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN LOW GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE PULLED IVER RESTARTED TO GET IT TO RESET OTHERWISE CAR WILL RUN IN LOW GEAR AT HIGH RPMS.. I NOTICED RECALLS ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA FOR FOR THESE SENSORS. HOWEVER NOT THIS MODEL ACCORDING TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11405159

Incident

Mar 14, 2013

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THE OXYGEN (O2) SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO BOSAK NISSAN (220 VERPLANK RD, BURNS HARBOR, IN 46304 (219) 787-1777) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11372747

Incident

May 5, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR MAY 2019 AND WITHIN A MONTH THE ENGINE BLEW. I REPLACED THE ENGINE AND NOW IT HAS ISSUES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11343697

Incident

Jul 29, 2020

Mileage

147,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, WAITED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALMETTO 57 NISSAN (16725 NW 57TH AVE, MIAMI GARDENS, FL 33055) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11337735

Incident

Jun 23, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

MY EXHAUST SYSTEM IS TO LOW THAT IT HITS EVERY BUMP EVEN WHEN DRIVING SLOW ,WHEN THEY LIFTED THE CAR UNDERNEATH THE CAR THERE'S A YELLOW MARK FROM ALL THE SPEED BUMPS .ALSO THE DOOR HANDLES FROM THE DRIVERS N PASSENGER SNAP OFF WHEN I TRY TO ENTER MY VEHICLE .THE SHOCKS DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS WHY THE CAR IS SO LOW .

NHTSA ID

11320916

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

Mileage

162,900 mi

ENGINE OVERHEATS WHILE DRIVING.. WHEN HEATER IS ON CAR POWER FAILS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. BATTERY DIES AND BATTERY DRAINS WHEN CAR IS OFF

NHTSA ID

11319647

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO (ROYAL NISSAN OF CORTLAND 3901 WEST RD, CORTLAND, NY 13045(607) 753-9774) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED AND ALSO THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ID

11306243

Incident

Jan 20, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL WRAPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED DARLING HONDA NISSAN (114 SYLVAN RD, BANGOR, ME 04401, (207) 941-1460), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V251000 (FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,875.

NHTSA ID

11218952

Incident

Jun 4, 2019

Mileage

122,875 mi

TAKATA RECALL WHILE SITTING IN IDLE THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF RANDOMLY. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR BACK UP AFTER A FEW SECONDS, BUT IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO OFTEN WHILE IN IDLE

NHTSA ID

11217346

Incident

Jun 2, 2019

Mileage

175,000 mi

NHTSA SHOWS 10 RECALLS FOR MY CAR, WENT TO NISSAN BRIDGEWATER AND THEY ONLY FOUND ONE RECALL TO REPROGRAM ECM AND PERFORM IDLE AIR VOLUMN LEARNING PROCEDURE, AFTER THIS 2 DAYS LATER SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT, NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY 140 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SEE THAT MY CAR HAS 10 RECALLS AND TO LOOK INTO THOSE ISSUES, THE CAR HAS NO POWER WHILE DRIVING IN ON THE HIGHWAY, HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING ON AND OFF, THE GAS GAGE FLUCTUATES, THE CAR GOES THROUGH GAS REAL FAST, NISSAN BRIDGEWATER NEEDS TO FIX THESE ISSUES, IF NOT I WILL REPORT NISSAN BRIDGEWATER DEALER TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THIS CAR HAS 90,403 MILES

NHTSA ID

11156788

Incident

Nov 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. FRED ANDERSON NISSAN OF ASHEVILLE (629 BREVARD RD, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806, (828) 348-6850) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR MONTHS, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,000.

NHTSA ID

11156645

Incident

Oct 4, 2018

Mileage

234,000 mi

AFTER ABOUT TWO MONTHS OF HAVING MY VEHICLE TO REPAIR RECALLS, MY SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMS ME THAT THE RECALLS WILL NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF A SPECIFIC CODE. I WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALLS AND THE RISKS THEY CREATE WITHOUT REPAIR; HOWEVER, NISSAN IS STILL REFUSING TO DO THEM. THIS SPECIFIC RECALL CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING OPERATION WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A CRASH. I HAVE BEEN COMPLIANT AND PATIENT WITH NISSAN, AND I FEEL TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND MY SERVICE ADVISOR HAVE BOTH SEEN THE PROBLEMS FIRST-HAND WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THEMSELVES. AFTER SPEAKING WITH CORPORATE NISSAN, NISSAN STILL WANTS ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO DRIVE UNTIL THE CODE APPEARS. HAVING COMMON SENSE, AND A TODDLER, I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A SMART OR SAFE DECISION. I WOULD LIKE THE RECALLS COMPLETED AS I WAS ORIGINALLY PROMISED.

NHTSA ID

11155324

Incident

Oct 4, 2018

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION STARTING AT 94,000 MILES. NO LEAKS OR EXHAUST SMOKE. HAVE READ CATALYTIC CONVERTORS WERE POORLY DESIGNED RESULTING IN LOW OIL LEVEL AND ENGINE DAMAGE. CAR STILL RUNS WELL BUT CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY. NISSAN FORUMS FULL OF SIMILAR COMMENTS INCLUDING NISSAN'S AWARENESS OF THE DEFECT AND LACK OF ACTION. CAR HAS DIED IN TRAFFIC ON A FEW OCCASIONS BUT RUNS WELL OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ID

11130494

Incident

Sep 17, 2018

Mileage

95,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED JERKING AND SPUTTERING UNTIL THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN OF MOBILE (1015 EAST INTERSTATE 65 SERVICE RD S, MOBILE, AL 36606) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE COIL PACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF CORINTH (813 S PARKWAY ST, CORINTH, MS 38834) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,286.

NHTSA ID

11123233

Incident

Aug 8, 2018

Mileage

149,286 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED TO REACH HER DESTINATION. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER (NISSAN OF MOBILE, 1015 EAST INTERSTATE 65, SERVICE RD S, MOBILE, AL 36606) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,286.

NHTSA ID

11123220

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

Mileage

149,286 mi

DASH CAMERA RECORDED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WATCH UNTIL THE END OF THE VIDEO TO SHOW THE BROKEN PIECE THAT CAME OFF FROM MY CAR. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XURGKIXXQOS I AM AN OWNER OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2003. SOME RUBBER PART IN THE FRONT UNDER MY CAR (I THINK IT'S A COVER OF SOMETHING) FELL OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 1 IN NEW JERSEY. IT CAUSED A LOSS CONTROL OF MY CAR. MY CAR SPIN AND DRIFT 180 DEGREES AND FACED AGAINST THE TRAFFIC FLOW. THEN IT GLIDED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED TO DO SO BECAUSE I SENT MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. NISSAN STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL OF THE VEHICLE REGARDING TO THAT PART AND I HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE COST OF DAMAGE. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THAT PART OF THE VEHICLE FALL OFF THE CAR AND CAUSE THE LOSS OF CONTROL. IF MY CAR DRIFT TO THE OTHER DIRECTION, I WOULD BE DEAD. THERE ARE SO MANY CARS WITH THE SAME MODEL AS MINE. I HOPE SIMILAR ACCIDENT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. AGAIN, PLEASE REFER TO THE YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT I UPLOADED.

NHTSA ID

11075973

Incident

Feb 27, 2018

Mileage

129,640 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS ON ITS SECOND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND FLEX PIPE, I PREVIOUSLY CHANGED THEM IN AUTUM OF 2017. AFTER INSTALLING A BRAND NEW ONE FROM ROCKAUTO.COM EASTERN CATALYTIC FOR $290 LESS THAN TWO MONTHS LATER I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO TWO MECHANICS AND ADVANCED AUTO PARTS WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL READ CODE P0420 LOW EFFICIENCY BANK 1. I HAD NO MONEY TO REPLACE IT AND NOW IT'S SO CLOGGED UP IT'S SHOOTING CARBON MONOXIDE BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO END UP AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE THEY TOLD ME I HAD SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I AM SUFFERING FROM MEMORY LOSS, NONCOHERENT SPEECH, UNABLE TO SEE 20/20 VISION AND CHEST PAIN. I HOPE YOU HERE AT THE NATION HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD CAN DO SOMETHING WHEN IT COMES TO ALL THESE CHEAP PARTS COMING I FROM CHINA AND BEING SOLD TO PEOPLE AS IF THERE HIGH QUALITY GOODS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF THIS POISON.

NHTSA ID

11073445

Incident

Feb 17, 2018

Mileage

4,300 mi

HAD TO REPLACE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR PAN BECAUSE THERE WAS A HOLE ABOUT 15 INCHES LONG AND 5 INCHES WIDE DUE TO RUST. MY FRONT SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AT THIS POINT. RUST IS EXPECTED IN NEW YORK DUE TO SALT, BUT AFTER TALKING WITH NISSAN THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD ANYONE ELSE HAVING ISSUES DESPITE THOUSANDS OF HITS ON A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH ABOUT RUST ISSUES FOR NISSANS.

NHTSA ID

11066156

Incident

Jan 31, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS (BEDFORD NISSAN, 18115 ROCKSIDE RD, BEDFORD, OH 44146, (855) 981-4531) AND (GANLEY'S MAYFIELD NISSAN, 6060 MAYFIELD RD, MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH 44124, (440) 449-9500). BOTH DEALERS STATED THAT THEY COMPLETED RECALL REPAIRS, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONDITION WAS THE SAME AS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A DIAGNOSIS TO REMEDY THE FAILURE FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TUNE-UP BUT, MONTHS LATER, IT CONTINUED TO FAIL TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS, VIN, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11062115

Incident

Nov 1, 2016

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON 412 IN BETWEEN SALEM AR AND VIOLA AR WHEN MY PASSAGES BACK WHEEL WELDS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. WHICH CAUSED ME TO DRIVE THROUGH A FENCE AND HIT A TREE. AND THAT'S WHEN MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ID

11051016

Incident

Oct 20, 2017