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
On jun 29, 2014 our family of four (along with my wife and 2 kids) were in this 2003 nissan altima driving on the expressway at around 55mph. All of a sudden, without any warning, the engine stopped. Pressing on the accelerator did not do anything. Cars were all over the expressway, zipping through at a high speeds. A very scary situation. Somehow, we were able to pull over to the side of the expressway without any…
ODI 10633058
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact made several attempts before the vehicle would start. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10593661
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the cam position sensor had failed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10575423
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and vin was not available. *tr
ODI 10568615
Engine
When i slowed down to take a right turn, my nissan altima stalled all of a sudden. My steering and brakes got locked. I could not start it immediately.. Behind me was a cargo truck however at a more gap distance so that he could bring his truck to a halt before rear bumping me. I could have been killed if it was on a highway or if the speeds were higher. This car has given me starting problems. Nissan told that my…
ODI 10566782
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly shut down whether it was idling or being driven. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the cam shaft sensors, but the failure recurred. The contact returned the vehicle to a certified mechanic who performed the repair a second time; however, the failure recurred. The contact informed the…
ODI 10992829
Engine
Crankshaft sensor not on recall yet 1000's have this problem. *tr
ODI 10556800
Engine · Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving various speeds, the check engine warning light remained illuminated and the vehicle stalled. In addition, the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt and the contact had to wait to try again. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure…
ODI 10658542
Engine
I am a collage student and i bought a 2003 nissan altima i always like this car but i got a shock in my life the first week to school i saw the engine light blinking when i check there is no oil i odd 3 quart and it fill to the h level the next week it went to below low level i only got this car 3 weeks only and i almost used one gal oil can any one do any thing about the problem the car do not smoke it just burn…
ODI 10554448
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
I was sitting at a red light and when it turned green i went to go and my car stalled out. My check engine light came on and it's due to cam and crankshaft sensors. Drove the car to work today the car stalled out again completely shut itself off. Once again had to pull over on the side of the rode the best i could turn the car off and thankfully it turned back on. Called nissan today spoke with a consumer affairs…
ODI 10552448
Engine · Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
While my son was driving, the engine began missing and started to smoke. At the same time the heater quit producing heat. The check engine light came on. Engine diagnostics indicated cylinder # 4 misfire. Took to independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine was destroyed by failed catalyst in the pre- catalyst. Oil had fouled the missing cylinder's spark plug. The engine oil level was full and there…
ODI 10552008
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
This problem started gradually it would just turn off while i was driving without any warning.in the middle of traffic it was scary. Thank god it would turn back on right away. I decided to see if doing a oil change spark plugs and air filter would help it didn't . One saturday on september 21 of this year on lunch break i need to come home really quick it stopped before i made it home it would not turn back on at…
ODI 10550690
Engine
Engine oil excessively being consumed/burning. Exhaust leakage. There is a recall that addresses this (nhtsa campaign number: 03v084000 ) and it covers my model year, but it would not come up on the dealer's computer so they did not fix the issue.
ODI 10725745
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
I was driving and my car just slowed down and eventually cut off. I put the car in park and started it back up. When i arrived at my destination and cut the car off and tried to cut it back on it would not start. *tr
ODI 10551842
Engine
Catalytic converter broke down and particals caused internal wear to the motor. That causes the motor to burn oil.
ODI 10763859
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed, which located the failure at the camshaft sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number…
ODI 10544651
Engine
Check engine light came on. After running diagnostics the crank shaft sensor has been identified as faulty. I have read that there is a recall on the crank shaft sensor but not for my vin #. Thought it appropriate to flag that there are other nissan's with faulty crank shaft sensors. *tr
ODI 10534633
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the engine service light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the camshaft position. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling).…
ODI 10531645
Engine
Driving down highway and motor stopped in fast line of hwy 60 in southeast missouri and almost got rearended by on coming traffic, thank god they stopped . Had car towed in and came to find out it blew a rod, have been told by a number of mechanic that this was a problem motor and should have been recalled years ago due to all problems these motors have caused people. You cant get a replacement motor anywhere only…
ODI 10563848
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact also mentioned that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted approximately one hour later and was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to a private mechanic where it was determined that the crankshaft position…
ODI 10523688
Engine
Tl* the contact owns 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated while driving 25 mph the engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle began idling once the contact stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where the contact was advised that the camshaft and crank shaft position sensors would need to be replaced. The contact referenced associated with nhtsa campaign id…
ODI 10521934
Engine
In the past 2.5 years i've had to replace 2 coils on 2 different cylinders, and 2 different crankshaft position sensors as well. Each time it's cost me upwards of $300 each incident. A review of the internet website for complaints from nissan drivers of the same vehicle make/model/year indicates that others have also run into these issues without any recompense. Some even had their cars stalling out while driving,…
ODI 10706204
Engine
Car stalls at red light twice. Later, stalls but doesn't go dead. Gas won't work. Month later crankshaft sensor, transmission oil, fluid and screen was replaced, but when driven afterwards it stalled again. *tr
ODI 10532489
Engine · Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while entering the highway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was confirmed that the crankshaft and the camshaft position sensors needed to be replaced. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling), but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was…
ODI 10514524
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had been consuming oil excessively before the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the catalytic converter was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure…
ODI 10537671