2003 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
- 106
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 106 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 25 records
- check engine · 22 records
- position sensor · 18 records
- engine engine · 17 records
- failure mileage · 16 records
- engine cooling · 13 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 40 |
| 30–60k mi | 27 |
| 100–150k mi | 15 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
My 2003 nissan altima with 31,000 miles had the check engine light come on and then go out after a day or so. The light came back on again about a week later. It appeared the vehicle was sluggish and prone to stalling once this happened. I had the code read and found it to be a cam and crank sensor code. I took it to a nissan dealer after contacting them. My vehicle was not part of the recall, though many nissans…
ODI 10416743
Engine
This 2003 2.5s altima failed to start on february 6, 2011. Upon taking the car to mossy nissan in san diego, where the car was sold, the mechanic working on the car diagnosed the car as having a screw from the power valve over the 4 cylinder that came loose and damaged the intake manifold and catalytic converter to the extent that they must be replaced. The car only has 41,000 miles. This problem has been documented…
ODI 10381630
Cooling System · Engine · Exhaust System
Campaign id 03v455000 engine and engine coolant campaign id 03v084000 engine and engine coolant exhaust system campaign id 06v242000 engine and engine coolant i have attempt to contact nissan north america on several different occasions regarding the above mentioned recalls. After car failure, and money spent on trying to correct these issues, nissan has not been responsive to my numerous request. I am currently…
ODI 10417787
Engine
I have a 2003 nissan altima which engine turns off in the middle of the road with no warning. I had my car checked out and found out it was the crankshaft sensor. I spoke with a friend who works on cars and i was told that the original crankshaft sensor had to be updated to stop oil from getting on it. When i called nissan they refused to help me and i was told i would have to pay for the repairs myself. This car…
ODI 10370526
Engine
2003 nissan altima severe engine problems with stalling while driving! Nissan dealer states "power valve screw failure" in which the screw became loose, shot out , went through the engine and went out the exhaust. This caused over $1200 worth of damage to my engine and hope that there is not further damage that has not even been identified yet. Nissan will not cover the cost of repair, my private extended warranty…
ODI 10357899
Engine
On numerous occasions our 2003 nissan altima will just stop running while at a light or just slowed down in traffic. The car has been repaired numerous times for the same sensor replacement. I do not feel safe in this car any more. *tr
ODI 10384742
Engine
I had trouble starting my 2003 nissan altima about 3-4 weeks ago after returning from shopping. It started a few hours later. Check engine light was on for a few weeks, then went off. On my way to work last week driving down highway at 65mph with the cruise control i lost all power and was unable to restart the vehicle and had it towed home. Check engine light back on. The air filter was clogged and changed. My car…
ODI 10342438
Engine
I own a 2003 nissan altima 2.5s. The car has a low idle and suddenly dies without warning while at stop signs and red lights. I've taken great care of this car but can't seem to pinpoint the problem. Then i read here and all over the internet that this is a common problem. Could it be a bad sensor? I called nissan but they do not recognize this problem. Unbelievable.
ODI 10332467
Engine
My 2003 nissan altima started making a knocking sound on the engine and runs rough. I tried using fuel system cleaner but it did not work. I also tried oil treatments and changing the oil but non worked. I took to a nissan certified mechanic and told me intake valve screws were loose and creating a knocking sound that the butterfly is half open causing the car to idle roughly. The mechanic also said the this happens…
ODI 10318349
Engine
2003 nissan altima, car jerks violently while traveling 30 - 70 mph. Car shuts off while slowing down to make a turn. It will operate correctly for weeks then shut off three times in 10 miles. Taken to dealer two years ago and could not diagnose since check engine light did not come on and save a code. Paid my $100 and drove away. Told can't diagnose without a code so next time it stops tow it in if i survive. Told…
ODI 10314479
Engine
I own a 2003 nissan altima with a 2.5 l engine. I am having issues with the car dying and sputtering and sometimes not starting. I have done research to determine that nissan had a recall for the crank position sensor for my particular vehicle from 2002-2003 for the crank sensor. I called them and gave them my vin number and they said my particular car was not covered for the recall. I have had this plugged up to a…
ODI 10318045
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. Immediately after the vehicle was started, the check engine light came on and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle had to be turned on and off in order to restart it. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall # 06v242000, engine and engine cooling. The nissan manufacturer was also called and confirmed that the vin was not included in…
ODI 10315803
Engine
2003 nissan altima i've had two different problems that are safety issues that i've noticed many other altima owners have experienced. First, i've had two ignition coils go bad. Each time it occurred the engine would misfire and stalled out in the middle of intersections when traveling at low speeds. After the second ignition coil failed the mechanic recommended replacing of the remaining two original coils due to…
ODI 10283487
Cooling System · Engine · Equipment · Exhaust System · Mechanical
I have a 2003 nissan altima 2.5 sl, in approximately 2008 february, my car stopped on me while driving on the freeway. It turns out that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. Had the work done at buena park nissan then i realized that the car had also starting burning excessive oil. I was told there was an oil pan leak, had that work done at another dealership. Approximately 9 months later, the car stopped…
ODI 10351343
Engine
Faulty crankshaft position sensor in nissan altimas.02 03 04 05. *tr
ODI 10278468
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated. A diagnostic test was performed, which produced two codes related to the engine. The codes were for the engine speed input circuit and the crankshaft position speed center. The failure was causing the vehicle to slow down and the engine to shut off. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done to assist…
ODI 10278462
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and completely shut off in the middle of the highway. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to a dealer for repair. The contact called the nissan dealer and manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls. The contact stated that the vehicle was…
ODI 10276735
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that there was a recall for the crankshaft position sensor for her vehicle. The vehicle was repaired according to the recall, but the failure recurred soon after and the check engine light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, but they stated that they would not repair it again. She filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The…
ODI 10278805
Engine · Exhaust System
Well as usually i took my 2003 nissan altima 2.5s into the shop and for regular work. I have proof that my car is up to date on tuneup, coolant change, transmission change, and oil change. Tires are in good condition. I took a trip to texas and the car was fine for the 2 1/2 weeks i was down there. Three days before leaving the ses light come on, but i thought it was a minor issue being the fact that they look at my…
ODI 10270053
Engine
Recall no. R0606 - part replaced 2 times in less than 2 years. Once again, the car is stopping while driving, which is very dangerous and unsafe. The dealership says the part is no longer covered under the warranty. Please help me to rectify this situation and obtain a reliable vehicle. Thanks, *tr
ODI 10263026
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that there were issues with the electronic control module (ecm), which caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was repaired according to nhtsa campaign id number 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling), which stated that the dealer would reprogram the ecm for free. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled while traveling less than 15 mph in heavy…
ODI 10263959
Engine
Engine light on car stalling chokes out in traffic has had tune up. *tr
ODI 10257358
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the crankshaft position sensor failed and caused the vehicle to shut off while in motion. The dealer stated that they would repair the vehicle at the contact's expense. The speed was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 62,000.
ODI 10258512
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that in order for his vehicle to pass emission testing, he must get the crank position sensor light repaired. The check engine indicator illuminates as a result of the crank position sensor. The contact is displeased because the vehicle is not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 131,000.
ODI 10253335
Engine · Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the oil in the engine was burning and damaged the engine. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). The failure and current mileages were 85,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10254378