2003 Nissan Altima Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan Altima, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine55954.0%
- Body & structure12612.2%
- Electrical898.6%
- Fuel system504.8%
- Driver assistance383.7%
- Airbags282.7%
- Transmission232.2%
- Exterior lighting161.5%
- Suspension151.4%
- Visibility141.4%
- Steering131.3%
- Other / unspecified131.3%
- Brakes131.3%
- Powertrain (other)111.1%
- Interior & seats90.9%
- Seat belts90.9%
- Tires & wheels50.5%
- Heating & air conditioning50.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Faulty crankshaft and camshaft sensors UNKOWN
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 .
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Faulty crankshaft and camshaft sensors UNKOWN
OWNER OF A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON 2/18/2016, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH IN LINDEN, NJ. WHEN THE CAR WASH WAS COMPLETED, I PUT MY VEHICLE ON DRIVE AND PROCEEDED SLOWLY TOWARDS THE CAR WASH EMPLOYEES AS THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO STAY ON MY LEFT SIDE, AS THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WHILE I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND AS THE EMPLOYEE PLACED THE TOWEL TO DRY OUT MY VEHICLE, MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO JOLT TWICE WHILE I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY UNINTENDED ACCELERATING AT A HIGH SPEED. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE FRONT HOOD AND AIR BAG CAME OUT. I HAD TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL NOT TO HIT ANY ONE AS THERE WERE SEVERAL PARKED VEHICLES AND PEOPLE VACUUMING/CLEANING THEIR VEHICLES. NOT SURE HOW MANY PARKED VEHICLES WERE HIT AND MY VEHICLE HIT A PARKED SUV. AMBULANCE AND POLICE ARRIVED. I WAS IN SHOCKED, SURPRISED AND CRIED AND TOLD THE POLICE ABOUT MY VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATED SO QUICKLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKES. ALL I KEPT SAYING IS OH MY GOD, HOW COULD MY VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATED WHILE I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES. WERE THERE ANY RECALLS? I TOLD THE OFFICER THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES AND THE MORE I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES, THE FASTER MY VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WITH NO CONTROL OF STOPPING. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TAKEN AWAY BY THE TOW TRUCK. I HAD INJURIES SWOLLEN/BRUISED ON MY KNEES, ANKLES, HEAD, NECK, SHOULD, HANDS AND BACK. POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AND NOT AVAILABLE AS THIS TAKES A COUPLE OF DAYS. SEE ALSO ODI 10956663. *DSY
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TAKATA RECALL - I WAS TRAVELING ON THE LEFT INSIDE LANE OF A 4 LANE ROAD DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH WHEN A SEMI-TRUCK CAME OVER INTO MY LANE THUS PUSHING ME OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE MEDIAN. I HIT A CEMENT CULVERT & CAR STILL PROCEEDED TO TRAVEL DOWN MEDIAN WITHOUT AT LEAST 1 BACK TIRE FINALLY HITTING A TREE WHICH STOPPED CAR FROM GOING INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH ME WITH MY FACE GOING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN FIREMEN ARRIVED ON SCENE & HELPED ME OUT THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW ME BACK IN THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE THE REGISTRATION CARD STATING THAT THEY SMELLED AIR BAG ODORS; FIREMEN & HIGHWAY PATROLMAN ALONG WITH WRECKER SERVICE MAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE INFLATED. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY LIFE THREATENING INJURIES -JUST A SORE NECK & BACK; BROKEN NOSE & 2 BLACK EYES. ALSO HURT ANKLE & HIP DURING WRECK. HAVE HAD ALL OVER BODY PAIN ALL THIS WEEK. IF MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN A PASSENGER SHE WOULD HAVE GONE THRU THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY GEICO INSURANCE. REPORTED AIR BAG FAILURE TO NISSAN; HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THEM LEAVING NAME & PHONE NUMBER TO CALL ME; TODAY I RECEIVED A FEDX PACKAGE OF INFORMATION FROM NISSAN STATING THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT ME & FOR ME TO CALL THE ENCLOSED NUMBER. I DID SO & LEFT ANOTHER MESSAGE & PHONE NUMBER. AGAIN NO ONE HAS RETURNED ANY OF MY CALLS BUT THE INFO IN THE PACKAGE SHOWS THAT THEY KNOW WHAT CAR I WAS DRIVING BY THE VIN NUMBER. ...UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *JS
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND JERK VIOLENTLY AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HWY GOING ABOUT 55 AND MY GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A NEARBY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND SAT THERE FOR ANOTHER 10 SECONDS PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL. IT STARTED WORKING AFTER THAT AND I DROVE TO WORK TO NO FURTHER ISSUES, BUT THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN A POSSIBLE DEATH(S). *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 .
RACK AND PINON MAKING NOISE HAD A MECHANIC CHECK IT
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WE LIVE IN PA. WE TOOK OUR 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA IN FOR INSPECTION AND WERE TOLD THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANELS WERE RUSTED THOUGH TO THE CAR. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW, HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND OUR WINTERS HAVE BEEN MILD. NOTHING EVER HAS BEEN SPILLED IN THE CAR AND THE CARPET HAVE NEVER BEEN WET. HAD 4 LOCAL BODY SHOPS GIVE ESTIMATES (FROM $900 TO $1500), ALL THAT SAID THAT THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A 10 YEAR OLD CAR AND THE REST OF THE CAR LOOKS GOOD. SPOKE WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS WHO HAD US TAKE IT TO A NISSAN AFFILIATED BODY SHOP. ONE OF THE BODY SHOPS RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE DRAINAGE OF THE SUNROOF OR WINDSHIELD, FORCING WATER BETWEEN THE FLOOR PAN AND ROCKER BOTTOM. MENTIONED THAT A PLUG ISN'T SEALED OR INSTALLED CORRECTLY. I CALLED NISSAN AND THE CASE WAS SENT TO A REGIONAL CUSTOMER AFFAIR REPRESENTATIVE. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF 2-3 CALLS PER DAY LEAVING MESSAGES WITH MY CONTACT NUMBER, I FINALLY HEARD BACK TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT "THE DECISION IS FINAL AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO GIVE ANY HELP IN FIXING THE PROBLEM" OR STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT/DEFECT/DESIGN FLAW. *TR UPDATED 04/09/15. *JB
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR NISSAN ALTIMA WITH OUR KID WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO STUTTER AND THEN IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND HER DID NOT HIT HER. SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. AFTER SHE REACHED HOME, I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A NEARBY AUTO SHOP WHEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF CROSSING AN INTERSECTION. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF AND IT COULD NOT BE TURNED. I TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO START AND DRIVE THE CAR. I TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THEN DROVE THE CAR TO THE AUTO SHOP. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR WAS BAD AND UPON SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND SIMILAR DRIVERS MENTIONED THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE ALL THE PAPER WORK FROM THE MECHANIC AS PROOF THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THIS LINK. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/NISSIAN-CRANKSHAFT-AND-CAMSHAFT-SENSOR-RECALL-492 I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS. THEY WEREN'T WILLING TO ADMIT THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WILL ACT ONLY WHEN THERE IS A SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2003/ENGINE/ENGINE_BURNS_OIL.SHTML. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL
CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS - OXYGEN SENSOR - BRAKES AND ROUTER - SEATBELT
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TAKTA RECALL. HELLO, I HAVE PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S 2003. MY ENTIRE CAREXTREMELY SHAKES FROM THE MOMENT I START MY CAR UNTIL I TURN IT OFF. WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR , THE CAR AT TIMES DRIVES LIKE IT'S GOING TO FAIL. MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WOULD STOPPED OPEREATING PROPERLY. WHEN MY CAR IS TURNED ON GAS/FUEL LIKE FUMES THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THROUGHOUT MY VEHICAL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE AT TIMES. THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE, OUT OF KNKWHERE SHIFTED TO WHERE I CAN'T SHUT MY DOOR COMPLETELY. THE DOOR SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF AND IT DRAINS MY BATTERY BECAUSE MY DOOR DOESN'T SHUT COMPLETELY, AND THE DOOR SENSOR STAYS ON. ALSO, OUT OF KNOWWHERE THE GAS TANK DOOR, HAS SHIFTED OUT OF KNOW WHERE TO WHERE I CAN'T SHUT THE GASOLINE DOOR COMPLETELY. ALSO, MY CAR"A WINDSHIELDS GETS VERY FOGGY RAPIDLY AFTER I CLEAN THEM, MAKING VISIBILTY DIFFICULT.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE HEAVILY ROTTING OUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT IS EVEN MOVING.
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT I HAD A RUSTY DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. HE SAID THAT HE WAS ABLE TO STICK HIS HAND THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY FLOORBOARD AND TOUCH MY DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS HAD ME VERY CONCERNED DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR WHILE I'M DRIVING. MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HE'S HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH AT LEAST 2 OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS. BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO COMPENSATE. IT COST ME $550 TO FIX DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE RUST. *TR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL - I WAS TRAVELING ON THE LEFT INSIDE LANE OF A 4 LANE ROAD DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH WHEN A SEMI-TRUCK CAME OVER INTO MY LANE THUS PUSHING ME OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE MEDIAN. I HIT A CEMENT CULVERT & CAR STILL PROCEEDED TO TRAVEL DOWN MEDIAN WITHOUT AT LEAST 1 BACK TIRE FINALLY HITTING A TREE WHICH STOPPED CAR FROM GOING INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH ME WITH MY FACE GOING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN FIREMEN ARRIVED ON SCENE & HELPED ME OUT THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW ME BACK IN THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE THE REGISTRATION CARD STATING THAT THEY SMELLED AIR BAG ODORS; FIREMEN & HIGHWAY PATROLMAN ALONG WITH WRECKER SERVICE MAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE INFLATED. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY LIFE THREATENING INJURIES -JUST A SORE NECK & BACK; BROKEN NOSE & 2 BLACK EYES. ALSO HURT ANKLE & HIP DURING WRECK. HAVE HAD ALL OVER BODY PAIN ALL THIS WEEK. IF MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN A PASSENGER SHE WOULD HAVE GONE THRU THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY GEICO INSURANCE. REPORTED AIR BAG FAILURE TO NISSAN; HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THEM LEAVING NAME & PHONE NUMBER TO CALL ME; TODAY I RECEIVED A FEDX PACKAGE OF INFORMATION FROM NISSAN STATING THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT ME & FOR ME TO CALL THE ENCLOSED NUMBER. I DID SO & LEFT ANOTHER MESSAGE & PHONE NUMBER. AGAIN NO ONE HAS RETURNED ANY OF MY CALLS BUT THE INFO IN THE PACKAGE SHOWS THAT THEY KNOW WHAT CAR I WAS DRIVING BY THE VIN NUMBER. ...UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *JS
TAKATA RECALL, MY PASSENGER FRONT AND BACK SEATS ARE THE ONLY SEAT BELTS THAT WILL NOT RETRACK WHETHER THE CAR IS ON/OFF. I TRIED DRIVING TO SEE IF THEY THEN RETRACK AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENS.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT AT LOW SPEED FROM STOPLIGHT. OVER HALF THE TIRE SHREDDED FROM BLOWOUT.
I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES ON MY 2003 ALTIMA IT HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES ON IT . I ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY 5,000 MILES THE TIRES SOUND LIKE THEY ARE COMING APART. THE HEADLIGHT LENS ARE TURNING FOGGY AND YELLOW CUTTING DOWN ON THE HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. MOTOR BUSING WENT BAD CAR WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AT 50,000 MILES. DRIVER DOOR HINGE IS BAD WANT STAY OPEN IF CAR IS A LITTLE UNEVEN. HAD TO REPLACE CRANK SENSOR CAUSE CAR WOULDN'T START AT AROUND 65,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALL ON ANY THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 13 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AFTER THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,240. ....UPDATED 12/20/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRANK SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND THE A/C STOPPED WORKING.
A/C WAS WORKING WEIRD IN THE BEGINNING ON HOW IT TURNED ON ETC. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. NOW, A/C DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .