NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan Altima. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
I HAVE A 2003 ALTIMA (ALMOST 55,000 MILES). THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALL THE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE WAS AND IS UP TO DATE. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS OFTEN A SLIGHT PULL/STALL LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. IT WAS CHECKED NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. SERVICE ENGINE LIKE CAME ON. HAD THE DIAGNOSTICS DONE IT SHOWED SOMETHING WRONG WITH STARTER. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH STARTER, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS STARTING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL 2003 ALTIMAS ARE COMING UP WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS WHEN THEY ARE FAIRLY NEW, SHUTTING OFF WITH OUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. NISSAN DOESN'T APPEAR TO NO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ERRORS WITH THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT THERE FOR THE REASON THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HOWEVER, REPLACING THIS HAS NOT PROVED TO BE THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR
IN OCTOBER OF 2006, I HAD A PROBLEM THE CRAFT SHAFT POSITION SENSOR ON MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SENSOR AT NO COST. IT IS AUGUST 2008, AND ONCE AGAIN THIS CODE IS COMING UP. I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART FOR ALL 2002 AND 2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS. *TR
ON JUNE 1, 2007 PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AND VALVES FROM BOB'S TIRE SERVICE IN MARTINSBURG WV. ON AUGUST 1, 2008 I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER RETURNING HOME ON THE SPAR I REINFLATED THE FLAT AND FOUND THE VALVE LEAKING. THE TIRE SIDEWALL WAS DAMAGED AND THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON AUG 10, 2008 ANOTHER TIRE FROM THE SAME SET WENT FLAT. THIS TIME IT WAS AT LOW SPEED, THE VALVE HAD FAILED AGAIN. ON AUG, 18 2008 A THIRD TIRE FROM THE SET WENT FLAT ON I95 IN VIRGINIA. ONCE AGAIN IT WAS A BAD VALVE, CRACKED AND LEAKING THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL. THE ONE REMAINING VALVE WAS REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILED, IT WAS A DILL TR414 VALVE ACCORDING TO BOB'S TIRE THEY WOULD HAVE ALL BEEN DILL VALVES.
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS GOING OUT ON THE CAR. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED BUT NOT ACCELERATE. I PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE OR MAKE A SOUND. *TR
IN AUGUST 2007, MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. IT STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF WASHINGTON, D.C., SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP ONCE I GOT IT STARTED. ON AUG. 7, 2007, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. ON MAY 29, 2008, MY CAR NEEDED NEW BRAKES. A 100-POINT INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED, AND NO OTHER PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BUT DEALER SAID IT WOULD LIKELY GO OFF AND IT WASN'T A PROBLEM. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING (JUMPING, ETC.) ON JULY 23, THE CAR AGAIN STALLED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AT RUSH HOUR IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, THE CAR RESTARTED. ON JULY 24, 2008, THE DEALER AGAIN SAID THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED ABOUT RECALL NUMBER 06V242000, BUT DEALER SAID THAT DID NOT APPLY TO CRANK, ONLY ECM. NOW HAVE SPENT $600 TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM FIXED IN 10 MONTHS. *TR
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO RECALL # 06V242000. MY CAR IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS ON THIS RECALL. THEY ALREADY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM BUT THE SENSOR IS STILL THROWING FAULTS ONCE IN A WHILE. THIS LAST TIME MY CAR SHUTDOWN AT A SLOW SPEED AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE POWER STEERING AND HIT A CURB. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FIXED. AUTO ZONE SAID THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS BAD AND WILL COST $60 FOR THE PART. BUT HOW MUCH TO PUT IT IN? $100 $200? THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT, AS I'VE SEARCHED ON THE FORUMS. *TR
MY CAR WAS STOPPING WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR THEN RE-START IT. I TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND HE RAN IT THROUGH COMPUTERIZED MACHINE THE PRINT-OUT STATED THAT I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THAT IT HAD TO BE TAKEN CARE OF RIGHT AWAY. HE STATED THAT SINCE I BROUGHT IN THE CAR THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT BUT THAT THE 1ST ISSUE WITH THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS NOT AN ISSUE RELATED TO MY CAR SHUTTING OFF AND THAT WAS AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
OWN 2003 ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING, CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, GOT CAR RESTARTED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE LOOKED AT AND SERVICED AND DEALER REPLACED CRANKCASE SENSOR. INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL FOR SAME PART ON OTHER YEARS OF ALTIMA AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL FOR THE 2003 ALTIMA MODELS FOR THAT PART. *TR
MY NISSAN 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5V6 HAS SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE LAST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS APPROXIMATELY JULY 20, 2008. BOTH TIMES IT HAS OCCURRED, I PRESSED THE BRAKE PRIOR TO IT SHUTTING DOWN. THE STEERING AND ENGINE SHUT OFF IN EACH INSTANCE AND I COULD'VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTERWARDS I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, RESTART THE ENGINE AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE. I HAVE READ OTHER POSTS THAT CLAIM THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 ALTIMA. THE CARS ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD $850 FOR CAT CONVERTER. I THEN TOWED IT TO MY GARAGE WHEN THE NISSAN CORP. WOULD NOT HELP PAY. MY MECHANIC AFTER HE TOOK IT APART SAID ALL THE INSIDES OF THE CAT CAME OUT AND MORE THAN LIKELY HAD GOTTEN IN THE ENGINE. HE SAID HE KNEW IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. HE PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER WITHOUT REPLACING THE CAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CAR WOULD RUN NOW BECAUSE THE CAT CONVERTER GUTS WAS OUT. WE TOPPED IT OFF WITH OIL SO I COULD DRIVE IT HOME AND BY THE TIME I GOT HOME 15 MILES LATER AND ALOT OF SMOKE THE OIL WAS EMPTY. I'VE READ ON SEVERAL SITES THAT THOUSAND ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT HELPING. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 2002/2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND THE CORPORATION IS DOING NOTHING. HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/1106267/NISSAN/2002-NISSAN-ALTIMA-OIL-DROPPING-AT-108,000MILES-I-W/PAGE10.HTML THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW ENGINE AT 124,000 MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRANK HANDLE SENSOR ECM DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS HOT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
RECALL R0606 (CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V242000) REPAIR WAS COMPLETE 12/21/06 BY PREVIOUS OWNER. CAR STILL EXHIBITS SAME SYMPTOMS OF RECALL (ENGINE STOPS WHILE UNDER WAY). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON JULY 3, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING SLOWLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE IS NO RECALL AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND RADIATOR WILL BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $815. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,955. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF ON ONE OCCASSION. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRANK SENSOR. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE CRANK SENSOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 30, 2008. RECENTLY HE NOTICED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND WILL NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE COST $98.000. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT NUMBER 6690712. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000, THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT WHEN DRIVING WILL CUT OFF. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS UNDER RECALLED. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A DIAGNOSTIC SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CODES MATCHED THE RECALLED PART. NISSAN DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 2207 WAKE FOREST ROAD, REFUSE TO MAKE THE REPAIR TO THE RECALLED PART. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST STATED THAT THE CAR WAS CUTTING OFF BECAUSE OF THE RECALLED PART AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIR CLAIMING THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FIRST AND THEN THEY WOULD MAKE THE REPAIR JUST IN CASE OTHER CODES ARE FOUND AND IF OTHER CODES ARE FOUND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM RESET BEFORE THEY WOULD FIX THE RECALLED REPAIR. I HAVE A DAUGHTER ( 3 YEARS OF AGE) AND I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL GET HIT CAUSING BOTH OF US INJURY.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT HESITATED. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO A DRAINED BATTERY. WHEN SHE FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED ITS EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN JUNE OF 2007. THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT BECAUSE THE DEALER ONLY REPROGRAMMED, INSTEAD OF COMPLETELY REPAIRING THE FAILURE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR THE REPROGRAMMING ANNUALLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/29/08
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE FAILURE MOVED THE CONTACT'S BODY TO ONE SIDE OF THE SEAT. HE NOTICED THAT THE METAL FATIGUE IN THE BACK BOLT, WHICH HELD THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM, WAS SNAPPED INTO TWO PARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT PLANS TO HAVE THE FAILURE CORRECTED AT A WELDING SHOP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,394 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 07/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/15/08
NISSAN HAS RECALLED THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA'S FOR FAULTY CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T RECALL FOR 2003 AND LATER, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2002. THE SAME PART WAS USED. AFTER REPLACING THESE PARTS, I NOW HAVE A DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT ALL 3 PROBLEMS IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2002, THE CONTACT HAS SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR. THE OIL LEVEL WAS CONSISTENTLY LOW WHENEVER HE WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. ON JUNE 12, 2008, THE CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL PUMP EXPLODED INTO PIECES INSIDE THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT BEING REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.
CAR SUDDENLY DIES WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET OR HIGHWAY. WILL NOT START. NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AS A CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR PROBLEM AND RECALLED 2002 AND SOME 2003 MODELS. HOWEVER THEY ARE EXCLUDING OTHER 2003 MODELS THAT EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
A/C WAS WORKING WEIRD IN THE BEGINNING ON HOW IT TURNED ON ETC. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. NOW, A/C DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT IT WOULD BE BEST TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD REPROGRAM THE ECM. THE MECHANIC ALSO PROVIDED HER WITH A RECALL LETTER IDENTIFYING THE DEFECT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIM, BUT IF IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, THE REPAIRS WOULD REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE RECAL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STRUGGLE TO ACCELERATE AND TAKE LONGER TO START. ON JUNE 20, 2008, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH AND CHANGING LANES, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY MOVED OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. FROM THAT POINT ON, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STUTTER AND STALL. ON JUNE 17, 2008, HE BEGAN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 23, 2008, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 03V455000, 03V084000, AND 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL, BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,110. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATE 09/18/08. *JB
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT AND/OR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER HAS REFUSED TO FIX, STATING THAT THIS VEH WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE SENSORS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE RECALL TO PROGRAM THE ECM WAS COMPLETED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES, CAR WILL START AND NOT IDLE PAST 1500 RPM'S OR DRIVE OVER 5 MILES AN HOUR. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON. FIRST I WAS TOLD THE ANTI THEFT IN THE CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, NEXT I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER DID NOT RE-LEARN THE SETUP. NEXT I WAS TOLD IT IS A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. TIRED OF THE SAME PROBLEM BEING BLAMED ON DIFFERENT THINGS AND THEN RE-OCCURRING. THIS PROBLEM DO TO THE SPEED OF THE CAR CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HAZARDS BY NOT HAVING THE POWER TO MAINTAIN THE SPEED LIMITS ! *TR
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 DIED UNEXPECTED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND NOT WARRANTED. REPEATED PROBLEM FOR NISSAN AND NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR'S ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A LIGHT OR SHUTTING OFF ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING MY ENGINE. I CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NISSAN DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER RETURNED MY CALL/EMAIL AND NISSAN BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, THAT THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR AND THEN FROM THERE, THEY WOULD REPROGRAM THE ECM. AFTER BEING TOLD THEY NEEDED TO RUN A 100+ DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, I WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $200+, WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE, SO WITH THE HELP OF A MECHANIC FRIEND, RESEARCHED THE CORRECT SENSOR, HAD HIM REPLACE IT AND THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO REPROGRAM. AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD THEY NEEDED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY TOLD THEM IT JUST NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. I WAS INFORMED THAT IF THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED, THAT SERVICE WOULD BE ABSORBED INTO THE $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY CAM SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR FOR THE ECM TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND THAT WOULD COST ME $300+. I ASKED THEM WHY THERE WAS A DISCREPANCY WITH THE INFORMATION BEING RELAYED TO ME AND I WAS INFORMED THAT EACH DEALERSHIP OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY, SO THEY CAN'T BE LIABLE FOR ANOTHER DEALERSHIPS ASSESSMENT. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED WITHOUT FEELING AS THOUGH I AM PURCHASING PARTS THAT AREN'T COMPLETELY NECESSARY TO FIX MY PROBLEM, THOUGH MY IDEAL SITUATION WOULD BE THAT THEY SEND ME A RECALL NOTICE SO THAT I CAN GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY ANY MORE MONEY. *TR
SINCE MAY OF LAST YEAR, I HAVE BEEN A USED OWNER OF A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS FEELING SUDDEN PERIODS OF LOSS IN POWER WHILE DRIVING, LIKE THE CAR HESITATES AND ALMOST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. UPON GETTING MY CAR INSPECTED THIS PAST WEEKEND, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW CRANK POSITION SENSOR, ORDERED FROM NISSAN. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT APPEARS THERE ARE SEVERAL OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE WHO HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH CAR HESITATIONS AND CAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN, THEY SAID MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULDN'T OR SHOULDN'T BE, GIVEN THAT I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I'M REQUESTING A FORMAL COMPLAINT BE MADE AGAINST NISSAN FOR NOT CARING IN THE SLIGHTEST ABOUT CONSUMER/CUSTOMER SAFETY DUE TO FAULTY CAR PARTS THAT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY DEADLY RAMIFICATIONS INVOLVING THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE ON THE ROAD, AS WELL AS THE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXTREMELY UNETHICAL JUDGMENT CALL IN NOT TAKING FULL ACCOUNTABILITY WITH NOT REPLACING THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT THEY HAD ORIGINALLY PLACED IN THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN WITH. I WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN THAT, WITH MY PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE, BOTH THE CAM AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS WERE REDESIGNED 3 TIMES SINCE 2003 - WHY WOULD THIS BE IF THERE WASN'T A LEGITIMATE ISSUE WITH THE PART/S? I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY SO FAR WHEN THE CAR DOES SHUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING IT THAT, WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING OR ANTICIPATION THAT SUCH A THING SHOULD HAPPEN AT ALL, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. SO FAR. THE ENGINE HESITATIONS AND CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING OCCUR AT LEAST A FEW TIMES A WEEK. I WOULD LIKE THE FAULTY PARTS REPLACED AND INSTALLED, FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE WENT DEAD IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY IN CITY TRAFFIC AS WELL AS INTERSTATE DRIVING. CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALER, DEALER SCANNED SYSTEM AND FOUND CRANK CAM SENSOR BAD, REPLACED SENSORS AT A COST OF $401.94 WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM WAS RECALL, STATED OUR MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. CONTACTED NISSAN AMERICA, STATED RECALL WAS FOR 2002 MODELS AND IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. REFUSED TO INCLUDE AND REIMBURSE US FOR CHARGES. *TR
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT EVERY 6 MONTHS OR SO. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS, BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE TSB IN QUESTION IS: SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : 05057. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN A DEALER REFUSES TO PERFORM SERVICE ON AN ISSUE THAT THE NHTSA HAS CLEARLY RECOGNIZED? *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE STATION BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR AND THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS AGO, AN OXYGEN SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO STALL WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO REMAIN ON. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT AND ENGINE SPEED SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO, AN OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
THERE IS NO INTERLOCK ON IGNITION TO PREVENT REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY IF SHIFTER IS NOT PLACED IN PARK POSITION. CAR WAS PARKED AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED. CAR ROLLED OUT OF PARKING LOT DOWN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO TREE THEN PROCEEDED ACROSS STREET INTO A LOWER PARKING LOT HITTING GUARD RAIL BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS LACK OF A SAFETY FEATURE WAS UNKNOWN TO OWNERS AND CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT SAFETY RISK TO THE PUBLIC. *TR
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L S, SUBJECT TO NHTSA RECALL # 06V242000 REGARDING OVERHEATING OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. I HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE STATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING STALLING OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES AND LIGHTING OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER ON 10/26/07 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT (FREE OF CHARGE), WHICH WAS DONE BY REPROGRAMMING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THIS SEEMED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, UP UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING DURING ACCELERATION ON OCCASION LATELY, BUT HAS NOT STALLED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A CRANK SENSOR PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SAME PART THAT IS AFFECTED BY NHTSA RECALL # 06V242000 (ABOVE). THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED (AT A COST OF $190, IN ADDITION TO THE $53 I SPENT FOR DIAGNOSIS TODAY). THEY CLAIM THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL, WHICH I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BELIEVING SINCE THE RECALL NOTICE STATES THIS PART IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ENGINE TEMPERATURES DUE TO POOR LOCATION. *TR
MY CAR QUIT FIRST TIME IN A PARKING LOT WHEN MY 93 YR. OLD GRANDMOTHER WAS WITH ME AFTER THAT IT HAS QUIT ON ME TWICE IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TRAFFIC. THE CAR JUST QUITS WHICH COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED PERMANENTLY TO GET THEM OFF THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS WILL NOT FIX REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGING. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS DEFAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS CAR. REPLACING SENSOR WILL ONLY WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN IT GOES BAD. IT IS A MAJOR DEFAULT IN MANUFACTURING OF THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMING ON IN THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT IN TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND HE COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. JUST RECENTLY, WE ALSO STARTED HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE CAR TO START. WE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. LAST WEEK, WE WERE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED IN THE ATM LANE AT THE BANK AND THE CAR JUST QUIT. ALSO, WE STOPPED TO GET GAS AND COULDN'T GET IT STARTED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, THIS HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL FOR MANY OF THE 2003 2.5L ATLIMAS, BUT I WAS TOLD MINE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ARTICLES WHERE OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE IN THE SAME BOAT AS I AM - THEY ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE, BUT ARE BEING TOLD IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE INCIDENT DATE I LISTED BELOW IS THE DATE THAT THE CAR STALLED TWICE. *TR
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN CONNECTION WITH RECALL NUMBER 06V242000 I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA S. LATELY MY CAR HAS BEEN DYING ON ME AT STOP LIGHTS. THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE DAYS AGO. IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW I HAD A RECALL ON MY YEAR CAR FOR THE SENSOR. I TRIED CALLING THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE THAT RECALL. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND TO TAKE IT IN AND GET IT CHECKED OUT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO PAY MONEY FOR A RECALL. *TR
THE CAR WOULD QUIT RUNNING AND WAS HARD TO START BACK. IT ALSO IDLED VERY LOW. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CODES READ THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM FROM NHTSA RECALL 03V455000, BUT IT DOES NOT COVER 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. *TR
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA - FAILURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT 96K MILES. RESULTING FAILURE HAS CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND WILL RESULT IN COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS THANKFULLY NOT ON THE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. NISSAN IS CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY AT THIS POINT - REPAIR WILL COST $4500. *TR
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MY CAR WOULD NOT START THE FIRST TIME I TURNED THE IGNITION. ON 3/21/08 MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO MY MECHANIC AS I HAVE A 60 MILE RIDE EACH DAY. WHAT HE FOUND AFTER TESTING WAS THAT MY ENGINE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WAS FAILING. HE CALLED AND ADVISED ME TO BRING THE CAR , A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA , TO MY DEALER RIGHT AWAY AS THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE GOOD NEWS WAS THE SENSOR WAS PART OF A 2006 RECALL CAMPAIGN #R0606 AND THAT MY VIN FELL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THE VIN'S LISTED ON THE REPORT HE HAD OBTAINED ON ALLDATAPRO.COM. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER HE AGREED THAT THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP KELLY NISSAN, LYNNFIELD MA. WHEN THEY LOOKED MY INFORMATION UP ON THE COMPUTER IT DID NOT INDICATE THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF THE RECALL. I SAID I WOULD TAKE THIS UP WITH NISSAN N. AMERICA AND TO PLEASE GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE WITH THE REPAIR. THE COST TO ME WAS $180.96. ON 3/24/08 I SPOKE WITH TWO INDIVIDUALS AT NISSAN N. AMERICA REGARDING MY BELIEF THAT I SHOULD BE RE-IMBURSED. THE SENSOR WAS PART OF A SAFETY RECALL, MY CAR FELL WITHIN THE RANGE OF VIN;S LISTED ON THE RECALL REPORT AND THE PART HAD FAILED. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A REASONABLE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE. I WAS SUPPOSED TO HEAR BACK FROM SOMEONE FROM NISSAN WITHIN 24 HOURS, THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED AND I'M NOW TURNING TO YOU FOR INTERVENTION ON MY BEHALF. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO AT NISSAN N. AMERICA WAS A SHANNON MCQUIRE EXT. 41643, MY FILE # IS:6092073. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU! *TR
MY 20003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS RECURRING STALLING PROBLEM WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED BY NISSAN EVEN THOUGH IT HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR VEHICLES OF MY TYPE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HER VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT IF SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THEM AND THEY FIND A FAILURE WITH THE ECM, THEY WOULD REOPEN THE RECALL. SHE HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,991 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR REPROGRAMMED, BUT NISSAN WILL NOT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FALL IN THEIR LIST OF AFFECTED VIN #'S. MY QUESTION WOULD BE, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET INCLUDED? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? OR GET SERIOUSLY INJURED? IT APPARENTLY IS NOT JUST THOSE VIN # SPECIFIC AS IT AFFECTS MINE VEHICLE NOW. *TR
STARTED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS WON'T GO UP ALL THE WAY AND IF THEY DO THEN THEY ROLL DOWN ALL BY THEMSELVES. THEY GO UP AND DOWN AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY AND NITE. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS ITSELF WHETHER THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION OR NOT. YOU ALWAYS NEED TO HAVE TWO SETS OF KEYS BECAUSE IF THE WINDOW IS DOWN AND YOU REACH IN TO UNLOCK IT THE ALARM GOES OFF AS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO BREAK INTO THE CAR. DOOR THAT GOES OVER THE GAS CAP BENT DURING REGULAR USE AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. NISSAN SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS ITEM AND JUST TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND PAY TO GET IT FIXED. SAW SEVERAL OTHER ALTIMAS OF THE SAME VINTAGE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER WOULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,880 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,780.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A CYCLE AND THEN GO OF. THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, OR WHEN FIRST START AND PUT IN TO GEAR. ALSO THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AS IT SHOULD WHEN THIS OCCURS. HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK. WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. *TR