2003 Nissan Altima Complaint Log

I OWN A 2.5S 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH JUST OVER 90,000 MILES. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WENT ON, I LEARNED I NEED TO REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH, I LEARNED SEVERAL OWNERS OF A 2002 AND 2003 2.5S ALTIMA HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO REMEMBERED A RECALL I HAD DONE WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW INVOLVING THE PRE-CATALYST. IT SEEMS NISSAN HAS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THIS CAR AND THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE OCCURRING SHORTLY AFTER THE 80,000 MILE COVERAGE HAS ELAPSED ON THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. IN CALLING NISSAN ON THIS I WAS TOLD SORRY YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK. I EXPECT SOME LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM A CAR MANUFACTURER WHEN THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OWNERS AT THE SAME MILEAGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS 5 YEARS AGO. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN MY PASSENGERS AND I START SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. WE LOOKED AROUND THE CAR DIDN'T SEE ANY THING, BUT THE SMELL GOT STRONGER AND MY SEAT WAS GETTING HOT. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO GET SMOKY AND FLAMES STARTED COMING UP FROM THE FLOOR AND THE BACK OF MY SEAT. I HURRIED UP AND PULLED OVER AND PUT IT OUT WITH A SHEET. BURNT MY HAND IN THE PROCESS. I DO HAVE POWER SEATS AND HEATED SEATS NOT SURE IF THAT CAUSED IT. *TR

WHILE ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THIS COULD OF CAUSED SERIOUS HARM TO ME AND MY CHILDREN. REVIEWED RECENT RECALLS AND THERE ARE OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. CONCERN FOR MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS A PRIORITY AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE FIRST TIME I HAD A $300.00 PLUS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. *TR

VEHICLE CRANK SENSOR DEFECTIVE. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 SINCE MAY OF THAT YEAR. STARTING A YEAR AGO I BEGAN TO NOTICE SIGNALS ON MY DASH INDICATING CHECK ENGINE. I THEN WAS PULLED OVER FOR A NON WORKING TAIL LIGHT. I HAD IT FIXED AND A DAY LATER THE BULB BLEW LATER. I CHANGED THE BULB THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON THAT WIRE. SOON THERE AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN NOW THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE SITTING AT THE LIGHT. I THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ON THE COMPUTER CHIP WHICH CAUSES A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE STARTER. I TOOK THAT IN TO GET FIXED. A MONTH LATER THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS MOVING. I TOOK IT BACK INTO NISSAN, THEY EXCLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. AFTER THE SAME OCCURENCE CONTINUED I THEN TOOK IT TO OTHER MECHANICS WHO WOULD SEE THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I PAID ABOUT $1,800 IN REPAIRS AND STILL THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I BECAME SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE SEVERITY. I THEN CALLED CUSTOMER CARE FOR NISSAN WHICH EXCLAIMS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THEM , PAY $80.00 AGAIN TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG. THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA, PERTAINING TO THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO RUN. THEY DENY THIS AND I AM LEFT PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, BUT I HAVE MET OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,500.

CLUTCH PEDAL SUDDENLY LOOSES PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING AN INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. THUS RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, CLUTCH PEDAL REGAINS PRESSURE. THIS TIME PERIOD VARIES, AND IS NOT CONSISTENT. DEALER RESPONSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANY USERS ON THE INTERNET FORUM 'ALTIMAS.NET' HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE, AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING DEALERS AND NISSAN MOTOR CORP. TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS AND IT HAS RESULTED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR I WAS TOLD THAT ALL NISSAN WAS PREPARED TO DO WAS RESET THE ECM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT RESETING THE ECM WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON 2002, 2005 AND 2006 CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. THAT IF MY NISSAN WAS A 2002 IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE OPEN RECALL WHICH WAS EXPANDED ON NOV. 21, 2007. HOWEVER, SINCE THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER 2003 ALTIMAS. *TR

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLS WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I GO IN REVERSE AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE CAR CONTINUES TO GO IN REVERSE. STALLS WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT SPEEDS UP WHEN I STEP ON THE BREAKS, I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY SLAM MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO AVOID HITTING CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON, WHEN IT DOES THE CAR STALLS EVEN MORE. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY GAVE IT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY STATED THAT THEY ENTERED A CODE FOR THE SENSORS, BUT WERE NOT SURE IF THAT WAS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS CAR TO NISSAN MECHANICS SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2007 AND IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING IN 2010. THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND IT CONTINUES TO STALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

DOOR FOR GAS CAP BROKEN - WON'T CLOSE. *TR

STARTING IN DECEMBER 2007, MY 2003 ALTIMA (MANUFACTURED IN NOV 2002) BEGAN TO FREQUENTLY STALL AND STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR ON STOP. INITIALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MOMENTARILY TURNED ON WITH EACH EPISODE AND TURNED OFF AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, BUT AFTER ONE OF THE EPISODES IT PERMANENTLY REMAINED ON. THE PROBLEM WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE ENGINE POWER WITH DIMINISHED ACCELERATION. THE OBD 2 SCANNER READ THE PROBLEM AS "CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR". THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP BOTH REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CHARGED ME FOR THE AMOUNT OF 270 DOLLARS. THE CAR DOES NOT STOP ANYMORE BUT THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE HAS NOTICEABLY DIMINISHED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAILING ON HIS VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER, JERKS VIOLENTLY, AND STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PAID TO HAVE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO AFTER THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

CAR STALLED. WASN'T FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. POWER VALVE SCREW THAT WAS FIXED 11/20/2007 ON RECALL BY NISSAN HAS BEEN SUCKED INTO ENGINE THUS REQUIRING NEW ENGINE & CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 NISSAN. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2003 ALTIMA, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WILL SPORADICALLY NOT START. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES EARLY ON, THE PLUGS WERE ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS MISFIRING, THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, THE AC AND THE HEATER DID NOT WORK (AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THEM), WATER SLOSHING SOUNDS, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ROOTER. AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED STOPPING SPORADICALLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD FIXED IT. ON MY DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY, (3 MONTHS LATER) THE CAR STALLED ON US ON THE ROAD AND SHE MISSED HER OWN 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY (LESS THAN 3 YEARS FROM THE TIME IT WAS REPLACED). 2 WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, I WAS ON THE ROAD WITH MY 11 MONTH OLD INFANT, MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED!!! THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS JUST INCHES AWAY FROM REAR-ENDING ME WITH MY INFANT IN THE BACK SEAT FACING BACK. I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND MYSELF IN THE CAR. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT WE DRIVE ON ONE OF THE BUSIEST FREEWAY IN THE COUNTRY (CA ? 405). MY CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE IN DANGER EACH TIME I DRIVE THEM IN THIS CAR. I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT CAR FROM NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO THAT. THIS VEHICLE IS MY MAIN MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR. I FEAR BEING KILLED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR; THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHY HAS NISSAN REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING KILLED IN THEIR POORLY BUILT-MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLE? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDERGONE AN OIL CHANGE AND ALL OF THE OIL HAS SUDDENLY LEFT OUT OF THE ENGINE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD IGNITE INTO FLAMES DUE TO THE BURNING OIL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WITH NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IDLE FLUCTUATION FROM 1000 TO 2000 RPM. ALSO, AUTOMOBILE SURGES FROM 1500 TO 2000 WHILE DRIVING. WHILE IN AUTOMATIC MODE 1 IT WILL BUCK FORWARD. THE AUTO IN MY OPINION ISN'T SAFE I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES HIGH IDLE. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY AND MADE A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH RECALL FOR A SENSOR. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR CONDITION DIDN'T WORK. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BOLT WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE AFTER A RECALL WAS PERFORMED. *JB

THE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS TIMING STARTED TO FAIL. THE ENGINE WOULD STOP FOR A SECOND, AND THEN START AGAIN. THE DEALER DETERMINED VIA A DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUT THAT THE MODULE WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FAIL. WHEN I ASKED HOW THE FAILURE MIGHT IMPACT ON SAFETY, HE SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COULD STOP DEAD WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND GREATER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TWICE AND HE STATED THAT IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,650 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,270. UPDATED 03/10/08. *LJ THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONER FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE STALLING STILL OCCURS. THE CRANK SHAFT WAS NOT COVERED, AND HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

MY PRE CATALYST FAILED AT 80450 MILES, JUST 450 MILES OVER THE FEDERAL MANDATE. *TR

I HAVE TAKEN MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE DEALER FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V242000). NOW THE SES LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THIS DEFECT IS COMMON, AND IT OBVIOUSLY IS BASED ON MY RESEARCH, AND IF IT COULD CAUSE CRASHES AND, THEREFORE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH, THAT NISSAN WOULD BE OBLIGED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM--OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE NOT. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION? WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE ALREADY (OBVIOUSLY THE REPROGRAMMING ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM). BY THE WAY, IF THERE WERE ALREADY INJURIES OR DEATHS THEN SOMEONE FAILED TO ACT IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ALL THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CODE WAS CRANK SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR STOPS RUNNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR

SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS STALLED OUT DURING OPERATION. SPEEDS RANGED FROM 5-15 MPH DURING STALL. CAR ALSO STUTTERS PERIODICALLY WHILE IN OPERATION, BUT DOES NOT STALL. TWO WEEKS AGO MY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. NOW VEHICLE TAKES 3-5 MINUTES TO START. *TR

UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN HAVE A FAILURE THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, AND IN SOME CASES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT NISSAN HAS MADE THE CONDITIONS OF THIS RECALL IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOST OWNERS TO MEET THEREFORE AVOIDING HAVING TO REPLACE A GREAT NUMBER OF ENGINES IN A VERY POPULAR CAR. WHEN MY VEHICLE SUFFERED THIS DAMAGE IN OCTOBER OF 2007 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I HAD PURCHASED IT FROM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE RECALL IS THAT THE ECM (COMPUTER) IN THE VEHICLE REPORT A SPECIFIC TROUBLE CODE. WITHOUT THAT CODE BEING PRESENT THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROCEED UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE RECALL. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT A VEHICLE SUFFERING FROM THIS DEFECT WILL NEVER REPORT THE TROUBLE CODE THAT NISSAN IS INSISTING IT HAVE. THIS DEFECT CAUSES MATERIAL FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE SEALS AND RINGS INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS DAMAGE WILL RESULT IN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL TO EXIT THE ENGINE THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLOGGING THE OXYGEN SENSORS. WITHOUT FUNCTIONING OXYGEN SENSORS THE CARS ECM WILL NEVER REPORT THE MALFUNCTION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH IS DETERMINED BY READINGS FROM THE OXYGEN SENSORS. I ASSERT THAT NISSAN HAS DELIBERATELY PLACED THIS CONDITION ON THE RECALL TO AVOID PERFORMANCE UNDER IT. THE ONLY CONDITION OF THE RECALL SHOULD BE A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO DETERMINE IF THE PHYSICAL DEFECTS ARE PRESENT. THIS IS COVERED IN STEP 'D' OF THE RECALL WHICH DEALERS NEVER GET TO BECAUSE THEY ARE STOPPED AT STEP 'A' WHEN THEY CANNOT GET THE ECM TO GENERATE THE TROUBLE CODE. THE RECALL IN QUESTION IS NTB03-070. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AND ABOUT TO TURN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, ANOTHER DRIVER CAME TO HELP, HE ASKED WHAT HAPPENED, I SAID "I DON'T KNOW". HE GOT INTO MY CAR, SHIFTED TO PARK AND STARTED IT. WEIRD I SAID, AND FORGOT ABOUT THE INCIDENT UNTIL MONTHS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN, THEN MONTHS LATER AGAIN, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT NEVER CAME ON SO EVEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE AND ASKED ABOUT THE ISSUES, IT WAS NEVER DETECTED, BUT I KEPT COMPLAINING TO MY MECHANIC EVERY MONTH, REPLACED BATTERIES EACH YEAR THINKING I HAD A POWER PROBLEM. I LEARNED ABOUT THE REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED ON 07/03/12, THE HELP CAME FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT CARS AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE CRANK & CAM SENSORS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN AND, YES, THAT IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR!. BUT THEY SAID BECAUSE I DIDN'T SERVICE AND DIDN'T BUY THE CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND MY CAR ISN'T ON THE "LIST" THEY WON'T FIX IT. THE COST ISN'T THE PROBLEM I TOLD THEM, THE FACT THE CAR CAME OUT OF YOUR FACTORY DEFECTIVE SHOULD BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT IT, NEVER THE LESS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL ALL UNITS WITH THE PROBLEM NOT JUST A FEW. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE I HAVE A 4 MONTHS OLD BABY AND I DON'T WANT TO BE HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHEN MY CAR STOPS RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BUT I DO WANT HELP AND HAVE THEM BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REIMBURSING ME ON THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND RECALL ALL AND EVERY SINGLE UNIT INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE. NISSAN CORPORATE (YES, I CALLED THEM TOO) WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY ON THE CASE EITHER. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL. MY CAR WOULD NOT START, HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, SEEMED TO LOSE POWER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEN "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. DEALER SERVICE DEPT IS CHARGING ME MORE THAN $200 DOLLARS FOR A CRANK SENSOR REPLACEMENT REPAIR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF AN HOUR, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) TO INCLUDE HER VEHICLE AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,457 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,132. UPDATED 07/07/08.*LJ UPDATED 07/03/08.

1. THE FAILING OF THE ENGINE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. 2. SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WERE IDENTICAL TO NHTSA RECALL ID #03V4550. 3. THE FAILED PART ("CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR") WAS REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2007 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR WERE NOT REPLACED AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS IN HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK, AND THE DRIVER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS REPAIRED IN JANUARY OF 2007. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD NO ELECTRICAL FAILURES BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED AND PREVENTED HER FROM RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE UNIFIED METER CONTROL FAILED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,578 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,560.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. SINCE SEPTEMBER 7, 2007, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF AT LEAST 50 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DECELERATING OR MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE, BUT THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT MADE AT LEAST 6-7 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RELEASE THE LOCK ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES WITH THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ENGINE). THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A CODE APPEARED FOR THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IF THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE LIGHT HAS NOT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, HOWEVER, AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED AND THE COMPUTER WAS RESET. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,731.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR FOR FREE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS NOT STARTING PROPERLY AND MUST WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT CAN BE STARTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,432 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 QUIT ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT CRANK. THE NEXT MORNING I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR AND IT WOULD CRANK , I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF BREAKING DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SPARKS NISSAN IN MONROE, LA. THE TECHNICIAN DID THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON AND THE MACHINE PUT OUT A CODE THAT THE CAR NEED A CRANK SENSOR , SO I HAD HIM TO PUT IT ON AND I GO TO THE GET CAR AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN AND THE SENSOR HAD BEEN PUT ON . THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT DID WHEN IT CUT OFF ON ME. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PUT A COMPUTER IN THE CAR AFTER THEY DAMAGED MY COMPUTER. I AM VERY UPSET AND THEY REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG AND ARE GIVING ME A HARD TIME. I AM SEEKING AN ATTORNEY , BECAUSE I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

CRANK SHAFT SENSOR-2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S. I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW FROM A DEARLERSHIP AND HAVE OWNED IT FOR 3.5 YEARS. IT CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. MY CAR STARTED STALLING OUT APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO. IT CUTS OFF ON ME THE FIRST TIME AT A STOPLIGHT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT CUT OUT ON ME TWICE AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. IT THREATENED TO CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. ON 8/18/07 IT CUT OFF ON ME IN A PARKING LOT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ON 8/20/07 WE DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED US OF TWO PENDING RECALLS. THE HEADLAMP PIECE WAS ORDERED AND WILL BE INSTALLED LATER AND THE ECM WAS CORRECTED. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC CRANK SENSOR BECAUSE MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. ALTHOUGH THE ECM RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF, I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THIS STALLING PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER A RENTAL CAR OR SHUTTLE SERVICE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE NISSAN WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE, ANALYZE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL! FRUSTRATED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN ISSUE THAT WAS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THAT TIME. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING OVER 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SNAP UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, BUT IT FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE 2006 ALTIMA'S HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE SPEED AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

I HAVE A 03 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WILL AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. I REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR TWICE WITHIN 6 MONTHS PERIOD AND NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK WE NEED A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

BUTTERFLY VALVE SCREWS IN THE INTAKE/GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM WORK LOOSE AND MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING DAMAGE. THIS WAS RECALLED ON THE 2004 AND 2005 MODELS, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL QR25DE 4 CYLINDER ENGINES. THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE SCREWS, BUT ENGINE DAMAGE OCCURRED, WHICH COMPROMISED THE RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAILING, BUT DID NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ONE WEEK LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED TWICE AND CURRENTLY NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,675 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

MY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THEN LOST POWER SEVERAL TIMES. WOULD NOT START/HARD TO START. I CALLED NISSAN DEALER IN FREMONT CALIFORNIA AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO FIX IT MYSELF OR PAY THEM TO DO IT. I FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM/FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND CAM SENSOR. I SPENT NUMEROUS HOURS OF DRIVING TO GET PARTS AND SPENT OVER 3 HUNDRED DOLLARS ON PARTS, OBD COMPUTER, SERVICE BOOK AND NOT TO MENTION THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE IS 9 MONTHS PREGNANT AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED NOT TO MENTION THE STRESS. PLUS DOWN TIME OF NOT HAVING THE CAR FIXED. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH NISSANS SERVICE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AT THE COST OF $373.57. THE DEALER ALSO REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AS STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,976 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,924. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF

I HAVE AN 03 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 77,000 MILES THAT I KEPT WELL MAINTAINED. SIX MONTHS AGO MY ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT, AND THEN IT CUT OFF AGAIN A MONTH LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THIS SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE ECM REPROGRAM RECALL. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND SO I PAID THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT, THOUGH NOW I WONDER IF THIS WAS A MIS-DIAGNOSIS. A MONTH AGO, MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING THE CAR AND THE ENGINE MAKES A WEIRD PUTTERING SOUND LIKE IT?S ABOUT TO CUT OUT WHILE IN IDLE. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SAME RECALL ISSUE AND SAID THAT ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME, THE ECM PROGRAM IS SOMEHOW LOST AND HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED A SECOND TIME. I TOLD HIM THAT DIDN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE, IT SHOULD BE FIXED THE FIRST TIME, AND HE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY IT KEEPS HAPPENING. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THAT'S WHEN HE TOLD ME, NEVER MIND, THIS IS ACTUALLY AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, WHICH WILL COST $330 TO REPLACE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECALL BACK IN 2003 ON SEVERAL 02 AND 03 ALTIMAS FOR REPLACING THIS EXACT PART, AND WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SIMPLY SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SO THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR WAS UNRELATED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. SEEMED LIKE TOO BIG OF A COINCIDENCE TO ME, SO I CALLED CORPORATE NISSAN TO FILE A COMPLAINT. AFTER SEVERAL PERSISTENT PHONE CALLS, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF MY COMPLAINT FOR REVIEW, BUT THEY COULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSE FOR ME. I AM NOW TAKING MY CAR TO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO QUOTED ME HALF THE PRICE TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED ON MY OWN DIME. I CAN SEE I?M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ENGINE STARTUP/STALLING PROBLEM AND IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE MAKE NISSAN OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE UNDERLYING ISSUES, NOT JUST THE ECM. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE CONTACT MUST PLACE THE GEAR IN PARK AND THEN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION AND WARNED HER THAT THE VEHICLE MAY STILL STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). SHE BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,897.