2003 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
- 109
- 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 109 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine cooling · 23 records
- engine engine · 23 records
- check engine · 22 records
- position sensor · 21 records
- engine light · 16 records
- needed replaced · 14 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 37 |
| 60–100k mi | 26 |
| 150–400k mi | 21 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
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 ([redacted], bangor, me 04401, [redacted]), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the vin was not included in a…
ODI 11218952
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
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
ODI 11217346
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
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…
ODI 11156788
Engine
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 ([redacted], asheville, nc 28806, [redacted]) 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.
ODI 11156645
Engine · Unknown Or Other
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…
ODI 11155324
Engine
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.
ODI 11130494
Engine
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 [redacted] 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…
ODI 11123233
Engine
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…
ODI 11073445
Engine
Every 100 miles car start burning oil to fast..engine start running slow..check engine light start blinking on and off
ODI 11045264
Air Bags · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
I have received several recalls from nissan and mossy nissan el cajon refused to repair: most recent today for airbags
Crash reported
ODI 11043096
Engine
My car had same identical problem (as verified by an independent auto repair shop) as cars subject to nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 [i.e., sudden engine stalling & delayed restart due to defective sensors], but nissan refused to expand the recall to include my car. Apparently, there are thousands of similar situations showing up on the internet, posted by unhappy owners similarly ignored by nissan.
ODI 11010921
Engine
We purchased a 2003 nissan altima, after making a stop on the way home, 3 hours away, the car would not restart. We were stationary in a residential parking lot. Had it towed to a certified nissan dealership in northern virginia and it was determined it was the crankshaft/camshaft positioning sensors. Nissan would not honor the recall because our altima has the 3.5 v6. Apparently the recall is only for the 4cyl.…
ODI 10993667
Engine
Takata recall engine was remanufactured april 4th, 2012. Engine burning oil, more then likely catayltic converter, throwing codes. Cost around 5,000. Engine having symptoms...again, for the same thing. Nissan offered to diagnose for free, but states the warranty period is over. Also found that the engine was used, by source other then the dealership. Would like someone to honor this recall, as in 2012 it should have…
ODI 11003706
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and would not restart. On various occasions, the failure occured while the vehicle was stationary as well. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the cam shaft sensor replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
ODI 10970132
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Takata recall my car seems like it won't crank up or like it is not getting gas
ODI 10968507
Engine
Takata recall. My complaint is that while driving my 2003 nissan altima, the engine stalls intermittently. I only have about 50k miles on the car and it has been well cared for. This is very dangerous as you can imagine. The code comes up p0335, but the mechanic believes it is a faulty crankshaft position sensor as well as circuitry issues involving the same part. Apparently, there has been a recall on the…
ODI 10957752
Electrical System · Engine
Nissan altima recall i was driving down the road an my 03 nissan died an would not start back it doesn't turn over. *tr
ODI 10920176
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the service engine soon light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft position sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). Due to the failure, the…
ODI 10873605
Engine · Steering
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…
ODI 10825504
Engine
Loose power valve screws - while driving my 2003 nissan altima 2.5 s both on city streets and on the freeway, the vehicle arbitrarily ran super rough to the point of almost completely cutting off in middle of traffic lanes. One instance was particularly dangerous because i was making a left turn across traffic lanes, and the engine stalled in the middle of opposing traffic lanes and i was almost t-boned by oncoming…
ODI 10821704
Electrical System · Engine
LOSS OF ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING
ODI 10839225
Engine
My nissan altima 2003 2.5 sl has been experiencing lot of vibrations and power lost while traveling on city streets and highways, the problem seems get worse once your exit the highway sitting at the light the car want idle. It seems like it wants to shut off. Now my engine check light comes on so i took the car to tire plus car care, they told me the ecm program is out dated and the code they read indicate new…
ODI 10811352
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Everything i have had to replace/repair on this car is linked to recalls, but nissan is denying this & refusing to help. They said my vehicle was not part of any recalls but everything that's failing is related. It has died on me in the middle of highway traffic w/ my child in the car several times. This car is defective & no one from nissan is concerned!!!! Butterfly screw/valve issues, cam/crank shaft…
ODI 10923988
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Car suddenly stops while your fmdriving at a low speed. Check engine comes on andturns vehicle off. This is very dangerous and i font understand why it hasnt been recalled. Most of the comments are said to be either the camshaft or crankshaft. They replaced the part and it was fine for 3 months and it ccontinues to do it. Im going to end up causing an accident and nissan doesnt even care....
ODI 10786958
Engine · Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after some time. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the cam shaft and the crank shaft needed to be replaced. The cam shaft was replaced. The contact was aware of nhtsa campaign…
ODI 10780732