2003 Nissan Sentra Owner Complaints

My rear windshield make a loud bang, and shattered and fell into pieces during a short and otherwise non-eventful commute to work. I had no knowledge of prior cracks or damage, or being hit with anything. There was a light frost that morning and I had used the rear defrost for a short time. It was not exceptionally cold that day. My husband met me in a nearby parking lot, cleaned up the glass, drove it home, and scheduled a replacement for the next day. I took his vehicle and made it to work on time.

NHTSA ID

11721955

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

Both my catalytic converters stopped up st same time.

NHTSA ID

11593594

Incident

Jun 10, 2024

The car quits as I’m driving it , The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I’m driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park .

NHTSA ID

11474518

Incident

Jun 11, 2022

2003 NIssan Sentra. Consumer writes in regards to Airbag Safety Recall. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE LENGTHY REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11418726

Incident

May 27, 2021

FLOOR MAT HOLDER BROKE, FLOOR MAT SLIDES UP UNDER GAS PEDAL, CAUSING U.N. CONTROLLED ACCELERATION MULTIPLE TIMES

NHTSA ID

11299233

Incident

Jan 6, 2020

Mileage

270,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHIFTED ITSELF FROM A LOW GEAR TO A VERY HIGH GEAR, LEAVING ME WITH NO TORQUE. THE NEXT GEAR WOULDNT LOCK-IN UNTIL RPMS HIT REDLINE, AND EVEN THEN IT WOULD FEEL LIKE ITS SLIPPING, OR MAYBE ITS IN OVERDRIVE GEAR(4TH) WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN 3RD.. AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP... THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOURE ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE THE CAR WILL ONLY MOVE 40 MPH. AND ALSO DANGEROUS WHEN CLIMBING HILLS/FREEWAY OVERPASS, BECAUSE THERES NO TORQUE TO GET UP THE HILL, AND THE TRANSMISSION WONT PUT ITSELF IN LOW GEAR UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP... I THINK ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY... IF IT WAS MECHANICAL, I WOULDVE FELT IT SLIPPING GRADUALLY, AND IT NEVER SLIPS. I JUST DROVE IT A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE TO THE BAY AREA AND IT CLIMBED THE HILLS SMOOTHLY, NO PROBLEM.. I HAVE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SO IDK WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE...

NHTSA ID

11282272

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

76,500 mi

THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR IS MESSED UP AND KEEPS TURNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR P0444 AND HAD A SHOP CHECK IT AND REPLACE THE PART AND IT'S STILL COMING ON. IT WIL TRIP THE CODE SITTING IN NEUTRAL AND OR DRIVING LESS THEN 5 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11256172

Incident

Jul 14, 2019

Mileage

185,878 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEALER NEARBY TO HAVE THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED. THE CONTACT MADE THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL BACK. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT

NHTSA ID

11206503

Incident

May 14, 2015

CAR WAS PARKED REFUELING . WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND IT KEPT SHUTTING PUMP OFF AND WAS LEAKING OUT UNDER THE CAR . ENGINE LIGHT IS CURRENTLY STAYING ON

NHTSA ID

11180571

Incident

Aug 11, 2016

VENT CONTROL VALVE/EVAP CANISTER I CAN NOT PUT GAS IN MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA WHEN I TRY IT POURS OUT ON THE GROUND AND TAKES 15-20 MINUTES TO PUT MABE 50 CENTS OF GAS IN CAR . MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON

NHTSA ID

11180562

Incident

Feb 16, 2019

CAR WON'T START DRIVE IT ALL DAY FRIDAY AND IT WAS FINE WENT TO START IT ON SATURDAY WOULDN'T START

NHTSA ID

11091018

Incident

Apr 28, 2018

TAKATA RECALL , I GOT A RECALL LETTER FOR MY NISSAN SENTRA CAR

NHTSA ID

11082603

Incident

Jan 8, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE REPAIRING THE HEADLIGHTS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRES WERE CUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO CONFIRM THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER MANUFACTURER RECALL: NTB13-062 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V136000 OR 14V361000 (AIR BAGS) IN DECEMBER OF 2014. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11075093

Incident

Nov 22, 2017

TAKATA RECALL-- REPLACE AIRBAG HOWEVER, DEFECT WITH DEFROST CONTROL PRODUCES RECURRING CLICKING WHEN IT'S ON. GLENDALE (CALIFORNIA) NISSAN DEALER IS CHARGING $1000+ TO FIX THE ISSUE AND STATES THAT THEY THE NEW PROBLEM WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG CHANGE.

NHTSA ID

11062749

Incident

Oct 21, 2017

PCM ECM ECU ENGINEERING FLAW. ENGINE KICKS INTO SAFE MODE WHILE IN OPERATION OR COMPLETELY STALLS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN RESTARTS WILL MISFIRE. DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY CONTROL MODULE (THE SECOND ONE IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT)

NHTSA ID

11053772

Incident

Jun 10, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA AND I HIT A DEER, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF.

NHTSA ID

11052779

Incident

Mar 10, 2016

Mileage

165,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. DEFECTIVE AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ID

11045735

Incident

Jan 1, 2003

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, CAR SUDDENLY CUTS OFF, AND DOES NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. RECALLED OTHER VIN'S BUT NOT ALL 2003 NISSAN SENTRAS. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL SENTRAS OF THOSE YEARS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE/ENGINE STALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WITH AS MANY OF THESE CARS THAT ARE OUT ON THE ROAD FOR IT TO JUST KEEP SHUTTING OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OPEN TO ALL SENTRAS WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11006689

Incident

Feb 10, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT CAMSHAFT SENSOR ONE AND TWO FAILED. THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10948835

Incident

Sep 1, 2014

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, LOST POWER, AND STALLED. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 407,000.

NHTSA ID

10896573

Incident

Jul 12, 2016

Mileage

407,000 mi

PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN BOISE, ID. THE VEHICLE HAD AN UN-ADDRESSED CLOSED RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR TO BLOW UP TWO MONTHS LATER. NOW THE USED CAR DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE CAR, OR REFUND ANY OF MY MONEY. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID

10881929

Incident

Jun 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V4770000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ID

10748160

Incident

Jun 17, 2015

Mileage

26,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 10/2 UPDATED 11/03/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10733243

Incident

Jun 15, 2015

Mileage

24,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/05/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEM CODES THAT APPEARED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC SCANNERS. UPDATED 02/09/16*JB

NHTSA ID

10731705

Incident

Jun 17, 2015

Mileage

25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUT TOWER FAILED AND THE TIRE NEARLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 12/1/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10730607

Incident

Jun 25, 2015

Mileage

62,000 mi