KnownCarProblems2003 Nissan Altima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 883 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan Altima, most often about the engine (63% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is 8th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Nissan Altima problems
Engine
559 complaints · 63%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
One year into the ownership of the vehicle, while driving, the car would simple shut off. If you were moving at the time it would eventually come back on to the running position. If you happened to be at a stop sign or a light and the "stutter" would happen it would completely shut off then you would have to try and…
: the contact stated while driving 70mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Afterwards, the vehicle intermittently restarted. In other stalling incidents, the engine would have to remain in the off position several moments before restarting. After the incidents occurred, the "check engine soon" lamp illuminated.…
Body and structure
126 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated the floor boards, front and rear suspension and the right and left stabilizer links were all covered with rust. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but denied any assistance with repairing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage…
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…
Electrical
89 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, starter assembly, alternator/generator/regulator.
While driving the car or at idle speed, it would stall at any given time, hot or cold. I would have to restart the car and have found the crank sensor needed to be replaced.
: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the brake light illuminated just before all power failed in the vehicle. The failure happened 25 times. The contact was unable to steer to the side of the road, as the power steering failed during the power loss. After 45 seconds the engine could be restarted. The vehicle was…
Fuel system
50 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
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 driverâs side floor pan. The contact also noticed that the front driverâs side floorboard was soft to the touch and a…
One year into the ownership of the vehicle, while driving, the car would simple shut off. If you were moving at the time it would eventually come back on to the running position. If you happened to be at a stop sign or a light and the "stutter" would happen it would completely shut off then you would have to try and…
Transmission
34 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, axle assembly.
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…
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…
Speed control
33 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Dt: the contact stated vehicle stalled and operated at a reduced speed. There were no warning lights when this occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they replaced the throttle sensor twice. Updated 1/25/2006 - the vehicle lost all power and would not go over 5 MPH. The dealer replaced the throttle…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima s class. The contact stated that the motor has failed. On two occasions, the vehicle has automatically shut off while driving 60 MPH. The most recent failure occurred one week ago and smoke ascended from the engine. The first time he took the vehicle to Nissan, they did not offer…
Air bags
28 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
: the contact stated without incident the airbag light started to blink intermittently. The dealership stated the airbag needed to be replaced.
My car shut of on me while driving at night which was hard to see because the headlamps didn't give much light and both airbags deployed and my seat belts don't work either...I own a 2003 Nissan Altima...the car would usually turn of on me like that but not a higher speeds...the car's engine has been making a loud…
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles.
Passenger and driver side floor pans, due to rust/corrosion have failed. This appears from on line resources to have been a manufacturing flaw of 2002 - 2006 altimas. A rusted through floor pan certainly affects the structural integrity of the car as well as the safety of the passengers. Road objects or passengers…
My trunk latch will randomly pop open. The first time was while driving in a residential neighborhood. The second time, I came out of a store to find my trunk open. It keeps popping open every time I drive now. It's very dangerous on the highway to suddenly have your trunk fly up blocking your view to the traffic…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Nissan Altima recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a screen at the suction opening of the fuel pump to prevent ice crystals from blocking the opening. Owner notification began on august 18, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-333-0829.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. At extremely cold temperatures, moisture in the fuel tank could freeze and form ice crystals. These ice crystals may obstruct the suction opening of the fuel pump.
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance that could result in oil spillage, heat shield(s) will be installed on the pre-catalyst and exhaust tube. Owner notification began on july 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Nissan recall nos. R3007, r3014, r3015, r3016, r3017. Also on 2002 alt
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stall - crank position sensor
Summary
On june 28, 2006 nissan submitted to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) a part 573 report advising that certain model year 2003 nissan sentra and nissan altima sedans equipped with 2.5l engines would be recalled to reprogram the electronic control module (ECM). The recall is identified by NHTSA recall no. 06v242. The subject populations of the recall are 14,587 nissan sentra vehicles and 186,279 nissan altima vehicles.nissan determined that the operation of the crank angle sensor in altima and sentra sedans equipped with a 2.5l engine was significantly affected by temperature variations due to the unique location of the sensor. Under certain driving conditions the tem
Questions about the 2003 Nissan Altima
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Altima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (559 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); body and structure (126 complaints, typically around 109,000 miles); electrical (89 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Altima have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2006 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Nissan Altima?
- It is 8th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints, with 883 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.