2003 Nissan Altima Complaint Log

CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, HAD CHECKED, IT WAS A 335 CODE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, TOOK TO MECHANIC, HE CHECKED FOR MY NISSAN MODEL RECALLS AND FOUND ONE ON THIS EXACT CODE. MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS VOLUNTARY AND THEY WILL CHARGE ME UP TO $300. THE CAR KEEPS CUTTING OFF ON ME WHEN DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FUMES TO ENTER INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

PURSUANT TO A NON-RELATED INCIDENT, MY NISSAN CERTIFIED INSURANCE ADJUSTER WARNED ME OF THE UNUSUAL RUST FORMED HOLES ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR BOARDS. ACCORDING TO HIM, THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL RUST ISSUE THAT HE HAS ONLY NOTICED ON OLDER (2002-2003) NISSAN ALTIMA'S. I HAVE INITIATED MY OWN RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM WITH ALTIMA'S, IRRESPECTIVE OF MILEAGE, WHERE SOME HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM AT 50,000 AND OTHERS AT 160,000 MILES. DESPITE THE MANY COMPLAINTS, NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE RUST PROBLEM. MANY, WHO HAD THE PROBLEM, CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE THEREOF, UNTIL A MECHANIC OR AUTO DEALER INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUE, AS WAS THE CASE WITH MY ALTIMA. AS SUCH, I CAN IMAGINE THAT EVEN MORE ALTIMA DRIVERS ARE AFFECTED, YET NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THERE MUST BE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO REACH A RESOLUTION. *JS

I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING AT 84000 MILES BECAUSE THE STEERING HAD A KNOCKING SOUND EVERYTIME YOU TURN IT LEFT OR RIGHT,OR WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP,,,,IT WAS VERY SLACK AND EVENTUALLY IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WOULD FALL OUT AT ANYTIME.....WAS ADVISED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED NO EXPLANATION COULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN . THIS WAS DONE YESTERDAY 08/22/2013. NOW THERE IS A VERY HUGE RUST HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE CAR ...THIS CAR IS 10YRS OLD WITH 84000 MILES AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR..I BOUGHT IT IN 2006 WITH ABOUT 25000 MILES. THE HOLE IS ABOUT TWELVE INCHES BY SIX INCHES. THE LIGHTING IS SO POOR MOST TIMES AT NIGHT I ALWAYS HAVE TO USE MYHIGH BEAM ....WORST CAR I EVER HAD...THERE WERE SO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH IT . THIS CAR SPENT MANY WEEKS AT THE DEALERSHIP. .. *TR

THE FLOORBOARD IS ROTTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. I HAVE TALKED TO MECHANICS WHO SAY THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME IN NISSANS. I ALSO KNOW OF OTHERS WITH THE PROBLEM. EVERYONE SAYS IT'S A DEFECT IN STAMPING BUT NISSAN WILL NOT ADMIT IT OR HELP ANYONE. *JS

VEHICLE HAS STALLED - ENGINE STOPPED - IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS ARE THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL THESE PARTS. IT IS ABSURD THAT THE SAME PARTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR OTHER ALTIMAS BUILT IN THE SAME YEAR, YET SEVERAL VINS, INCLUDING MINE, WERE EXCLUDED. THE RECALL FOR MY VIN WAS TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER TO PREVENT THE FAILED PARTS FROM TELLING THE COMPUTER TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. THIS RECALL HAS DONE NOTHING TO PREVENT THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY BUT ALSO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE INTERNET BY OTHER DRIVERS. WHEN WILL THE NHTSA STAND UP FOR THE CITIZENS IT WAS CREATED TO PROTECT? *TR

I TOOK MY CAR IN TO MIDAS, BURLINGTON, MA FOR BRAKE ASSISTANCE, AND WHILE UP ON THE LIFT THE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR PANEL WAS VERY RUSTED. WARNED NOT TO USE THAT SPOT WHEN JACKING UP THE CAR WHEN CHANGING A TIRE, ETC. (MENTALLY ADD THIS TO $$ TO SPEND THIS YEAR...) HAD MY CAR AT NTB IN CAMBRIDGE, MA TO CHECK A FRONT END RATTLE AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUST AGAIN. HE IS ALSO A STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR AND WANTED TO LET ME KNOW SINCE IT WAS RUSTED THOUGH IT WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION (DUE IN AUGUST). NEXT STOP WAS A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND THE ESTIMATE WAS $2K. THEN SAW SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE ALTIMA. I FEEL THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY NISSAN. MY CAR IS WELL CARE FOR AND MAINTAINED AND IS ROTTING!! *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYIC CONVERTER, WE CHANGED IT, IN AUG 2011, WE LEARNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON-LINE. WHAT WE DID NOT READ ABOUT IS HOW THE CONVERTER GOES BAD AND THROWS PARTS OF IT INTO THE ENGINE AND HAS THE ENGINE BURN OIL AND EVENTUALLY THROW A ROD. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN NOV 2011, TRAVELED 500 MILES AND THE ENGINE GOES OUT WE TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, HE SAID THIS COULD BE DUE TO LOW OIL, IF THE NOISE CONTINUES AFTER OIL CHANGE WE WILL DIAGNOSE THE NOISE. WELL, THE NOISE STOPPED, AFTER THE ENGINE GAVE OUT, THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING US THAT WE ARE AT FAULT CAUSE WE DID NOT GET THE DIAGNOSIS DONE ON THE VEHICLE. I ASKED THEM IS THE TEST WOULD DETERMINE THAT A ROD WAS GOING TO BLOW, HE SAID NO, THEN WHY PAY FOR THE TEST. I HAVE BEEN READING ON LINE AND SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, AND NISSAN CORP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT FILING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT, BUT THERE IS NO RECORD OF ANYONE FILING ONE. I RECENTLY TALKED TO A FRIEND, WHO'S DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME VEHICLE, THEY JUST WENT THRU THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BLOWN ENGINE, WE GOT ESTIMATES TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, $3500-$5500 FOR ANOTHER ENGINE AND LABOR, THIS IS CRAZY, I CALLED SEVERAL USED OR REBUILT ENGINE PLACES AND THIS ENGINE IS HARD TO COME BY, GUESS LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE BLOWING THE ENGINES FOR THE SAME REASON, YET NISSAN CORP CAN NOT FILE A RECALL OR HELP OUT WITH THE COSTS, ESPECIALLY WHERE THEY KNEW ABOUT THE BAD CATALYIC CONVERTER AND BLOWING DEBRIS BACK INTO THE ENGINE. THAT IS A SHAME, NISSAN IS KNOWN FOR GOOD STRONG DEPENDABLE VEHICLES, AND FOR THEM NOT WANTING TO HELP THE CONSUMERS IS GOING TO HURT THEM IN THE LONG RUN. I HONESTLY CAN SAY I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORBOARD ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE ROTTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM, IT FELT LIKE WATER WAS SPLASHING UP UNDER MY FLOOR PAN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK UNDER THE CAR, I NOTICED A LOT OF RUST AND A HOLE. I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK AND SEE IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL AND LO AND BEHOLD, MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING...AND THAT IS THAT NISSAN IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I TRIED CONTACTING NISSAN ONLINE, BUT NO ONE HAS RESPONDED TO MY INQUIRY. FROM WHAT I AM SEEING OTHERS REPORT, NISSAN JUST DOESN'T WANT TO HELP. HAVING RUSTED FLOOR PANS IS A DANGEROUS THING AND NISSAN SHOULD BE WILLING TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I'M AFRAID THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE A GIGANTIC HOLE AND PERHAPS MY SEAT COULD FALL THROUGH. INCIDENT DATE ABOVE IS APPROXIMATELY WHEN I DISCOVERED THE ISSUE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. MY VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RECENTLY ILLUMINATED WITH A "P420" CODE. WHEN I WENT TO SMOG MY VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL SMOG DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MECHANIC AT THE SMOG STATION SUGGESTED I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOLLOWED HIS ADVICE AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO ASKED THEM TO COMPLETE A DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. AFTER ONE BUSINESS DAY, THE DEALER PROMPTLY CONTACTED ME, NOTING THAT "BITS OF MY PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DEGRADED AND BEEN SUCKED INTO MY ENGINE". THIS HAS RESULTED IN A QUOTED COST AT $2,944 FOR A LONG BLOCK + $790 DOWN PIPE + EXHAUST MANIFOLD $681 = $4,415 + LABOR (ESTIMATED AT 20 HOURS AT A RATE OF $130/HOUR) FOR A TOTAL COST OF APPROXIMATELY $7,015. APPARENTLY, AS A RESULT OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE POWER VALVE SCREWS, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS DEFECTIVE, BREAKS DOWN, AND IS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CODE SENSOR READS A CODE OF P420. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV, FORUMS, AND FROM VARIOUS OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS. I CAN PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS AT THE INVESTIGATING AGENTS REQUEST, INCLUDING THOSE FILED WITH THE NHSTA AND CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM. SOME RELEVANT LINKS: 1)HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2003/ENGINE/ 2)HTTP://AUTOS.MSN.COM/RESEARCH/VIP/RELIABILITY.ASPX?YEAR=2003&MAKE=NISSAN&MODEL=ALTIMA 3)HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/NISSAN_ALTIMA.HTML 4)HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/COMPLAINTS/ (SEARCH UNDER 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ENGINE & ENGINE COOLING. THERE ARE 75 PAGES DOCUMENTING THIS ISSUE!). *TR

THE FLOOR STRUCTURE UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE RUSTED OUT. THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN FOR MODELS 2002 - 2006 ALTIMAS. NISSAN AND DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. I INITIALLY COMPLAINED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 52,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING THAN NOW AT 120,000 IT TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND WON'T PASS INSPECTION. PLEASE COMPLAIN. *JS

DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR RUSTING THROUGH FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE , WAS TOLD IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. WAS TOLD EVENTUALLY EXHAUST FUMES MAY LEAK INSIDE OF VEHICLE THROUGH ROTTED FLOOR. CAR ONLY HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT . WORRIED THAT CORROSION WILL WORK ITS WAY TO THE SEAT SUPPORT AND WILL FALL THROUGH. *TR

RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING MY SES LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER AND HAD THEM READ THE CODES WHICH WERE 0725 ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND 0335 CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. UPON LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY NISSAN OWNERS, PARTICULARLY THE ALTIMA MODELS. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A RECALL TO REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART (THE PART HAS BEEN MODIFIED FROM PLASTIC TO METAL BECAUSE OF OTHER COMPLAINTS HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT, RIDICULOUS!) THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON TWO OCCASIONS (LUCKILY NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OF ON THE HIGHWAY! BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN MORE SERIOUS SITUATIONS TO OTHERS). *KB

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AUTO REPAIR SHOP READ CODE AS A P0420. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE FIXED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BOTH O2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IF NOT IT COULD LEAD TO PARTICLES GETTING INTO THE ENGINE AND RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM ONLINE TO SEE WHAT OTHERS WERE FACING, IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. NOT ALL 2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS ARE COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY, NOT SURE WHY ONE TYPE OF 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD BE COVER, BUT NOT ANOTHER. VERY FRUSTRATING AND SCARY, ESPECIALLY AS IT CAN LEAD TO A VERY DANGEROUS CRASH EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. NISSAN IS NOT HELPFUL OR CARING TO THIS ISSUE AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH WHEN YOU EVEN FIRST MENTION IT TO THEM. SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE HAD LOT OF COMPLAINTS, BUT WILL NOT AND HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX IT. *TR

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ENGINE EXPENSE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. ACCORDING THE INVOICE, THERE WAS POSSIBLE RING WEAR, AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE PISTONS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS THE MECHANIC NOTICED A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE MECHANIC STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER DRAINS ARE UNDERNEATH THE SEAT AND MOISTURE WAS RETAINED THERE CAUSING THE CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE AND LARGE CRACK ON THE MOTOR MOUNT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,500. UPDATED 09/18/12*LJ UPDATED 09/19/2012 *JS

MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-45 MPH THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AND NOT PRODUCED FULL ENGINE POWER WHEN PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS CAUSED SERIOUS CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN SERVICE REPAIR (AUGUST 2011, ~94K MILES). NISSAN RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR CRANK/CAM SENSORS HAD FAILED. PAID $430 TO REPLACE CRANKSHAFT AND CAM/CRANK SENSORS. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2012 (~110K MILES) WHERE I EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT ISSUES ALONG WITH REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. ANOTHER LOCAL MECHANIC DETECTED THAT THE CAM/CRANK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL #03V455000, WHICH DESCRIBES THE EXACT SYMPTOMS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING. I CALLED THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT REPLACED THE SENSORS IN 2011 WHO SAID THAT MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO I DIDN'T QUALIFY. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE FOR THIS SPECIFIC YEAR/MAKE/MODEL, IT IS BEYOND ME HOW NOTHING HASN'T BEEN FLAGGED ABOUT THIS BEING AN ISSUE. ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS (MULTIPLE TIMES) YET THEY ARE TOLD THEIR VIN'S DON'T QUALIFY UNDER THE RECALL?? SOMETHING IS FISHY THERE. OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS: ODI ID NUMBERS: 10416743, 10384742,10370526,10342438,10332467, 10318898, 10318045, 10314479, 10283487, 10278805. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE OR LIGHT THAT CAN BE SHED ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMPSHAFT SENSORS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH, AS IF IT WAS MISFIRING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN STARTED FLASHING. AT THE NEXT EXIT I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY TO DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP THE CAR. GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY, MY CAR STALLED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION (ALL RED LIGHTS CAME ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO MY CAR). I COULD NOT RESTART IT AND WAS STRANDED JUST PAST THE BUSY INTERSECTION NEAR THE CENTER DIVIDE. I PUT ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES, AND I AM VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN HURT. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, PULL OVER TO THE SIDE IN A SAFER AREA AND HAD MY CAR TOWED BY AAA STRAIGHT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHO HAD PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE ON THE CAR A DAY BEFORE. IT TOOK THEM 2 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THAT A POWER VALVE SCREW FAILED AND WAS SUCKED UP INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE -THE PISTON TOP, CYLINDER WALLS, SPARK PLUGS, VALVES AND CATALYST. NISSAN RECOMMENDS A LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT WITH NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD WITH CONVERTER ($4500). AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH THE NISSAN SERVICE MANAGER, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH ALL ALTIMAS (MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT) UNTIL THE SCREWS WERE REDESIGNED FOR THE 2006 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2004 NISSAN SENTRAS AND 2004-2005 ALTIMAS WITH THE 2.5 L ENGINE FOR THIS REASON. BUT THE 2003, WHICH HAS THE SAME ENGINE, WAS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NISSAN THAT SINCE I AM PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. I AM THANKFUL I WAS NOT HURT, AND I AM VERY UPSET THAT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR MY MODEL YEAR. I HAVE SEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON-LINE AND HOPE THAT THEY WILL BE ANALYZED AS WELL FOR POSSIBLE RECALL & COMPENSATION.

CATALYTIC CONVERTOR PROBLEM RESURFACED. ORIGINALLY FIXED IN 2004 DURING THE NISSAN RECALL CAMPAIGN. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER QOUTED A PRICE OF OVER $2000 TO FIX. THEY DO NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THEIR WORK. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND BURNS THROUGH HIGH AMOUNTS OF OIL. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER DENIED ANY RECALL, EVEN THOUGH A PRINTOUT OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS PROVIDED TO THEM. NEVER, EVER WILL I BUY A NISSAN CAR AGAIN. THESE CARS ARE UNSAFE, AND YOU WILL PAY $$$ TO GET THEM FIXED AS NISSAN WILL NOT HONOR ANY WARRANTY. THESE CARS ARE PRICED CHEAP AT THE DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSIVE FIX FOR THEM. BUY A TOYOTA OR HONDA INSTEAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD REFUSE TO START AND EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLICKING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY TIME. THE CONTACT HAD THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN DEFECT. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,128.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER DAY AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED IT LOOKED LIKE THE PISTONS OR A CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THEY NO LONGER SELL THAT MODEL YEAR AND THE 2002 MODEL YEAR BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 209,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FLOOR BOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLOOR BOARD COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); THEREFORE, THE RECALL WOULD NOT APPLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AFTER EACH FAILURE, BUT AFTER THE FINAL FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FOR THE 2004 INFINITI I35 WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO PLACE THAT PART ON THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FLOOR BOARDS, FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION AND THE RIGHT AND LEFT STABILIZER LINKS WERE ALL COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT EXPIERENCED A NO START CONDITION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.

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 SUFFER FROM THIS CONDITION INCLUDING ALTIMAS AND SENTRAS OF THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY INFORMED ME THIS VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, THOUGH IT IS THE CONDITION DESCRIBED. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS OUT OF THE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY AS WELL. I THEREFORE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, WHICH WAS $382. SINCE THE CAR WAS PRONE TO STALLING IT APPEARS THAT THIS KNOWN CONDITION SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SINCE IT IS UNSAFE. *KB

ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD SOMETHING SCRAPING ON THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR, I PULLED OVER TO SEE THAT THE BOTTOM OF MY FLOOR BOARD WAS DRAGGING ON THE FLOOR. IT JUST COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE IS A HUGE HOLE. I HAVE NO RUST ON ANY PART OF MY VEHICLE, IT RUNS GREAT , THE BODY IS IN GOOD CONDITION IT IS GARAGE KEPT, AND I HAVE A WHOLE ON MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE ONLY RUST SPOT ON THE WHOLE CAR! AND HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE NISSAN HAS TO RECALL THIS? I HAVE READ OVER 50 COMPLAINTS ON THIS..... UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL RAPIDLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 123,358.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) THAT WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. FORM RETURNED NO CHANGE

PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD HAS ROTTED OUT. IT IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT SINCE ALL OTHER FLOORBOARDS ARE RUST FREE. NISSAN IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM ON A DAILY BASIS.

PASSENGER FLOORBOARDS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH OPENING A 16IN LONG BY 8 IN WIDE HOLE IN PASSENGER FLOOR. NO OTHER RUST ANYWHERE ELSE FOUND ON VEHICLE. APPEARS RUST ORIGINATED AROUND FLOOR PLUG. EXHAUST FUMES CAN ENTER THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 WITH APPROX. 155K MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH APPROX. 20K MILES IN 2006. AT AROUND 60K I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS USING A LITTLE MORE OIL THAN NORMAL. I HAD IT SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS GETTING OLDER AND IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I CONTINUED TO DO THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND AT ABOUT 130K MILES IT STARTED TO USE EVEN MORE OIL. TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE IS GETTING OLDER AND THIS WAS NORMAL AGAIN. FAST FORWARD TO THIS YEAR. AT ABOUT 145K MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TAKE IT IN AND I AM TOLD IT IS A P0420, WHICH MEANS THAT THE CATALYST SYSTEM IS BELOW THRESHOLD, BUT NOT TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON IN 02 - 03 NISSAN ALTIMAS. I STARTED HEARING RATTLING NOISES IN THE ENGINE AND OIL CONSUMPTION WENT THROUGH THE ROOF. I JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED LAST WEEK AND HAD TO PUT 3 QUARTS IN IT THIS MORNING AFTER ONLY 400 MILES. ENGINE COMPRESSION IS ALSO GONE. SO I START DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DISINTEGRATES IN THIS MODEL YEAR CAR, DESTROYING THE ENGINE AND LEADING TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THEY ARE ALSO AWARE THAT IT HAPPENS OVERTIME AND I BELIEVE USE THIS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE IN AVOIDING WARRANTY REPAIRS. IT SEEMS THAT THEY HIDE BEHIND THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND REFUSE TO TAKE ACTION SINCE THIS PROBLEM ISN'T DISCOVERED UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE AND BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. IT DEVELOPS IN MOST CARS SLOWLY OVER TIME. I AM ALSO VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT EVERY MECHANIC I WENT TO TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. THEN I GET ONLINE AND DO A GOOGLE SEARCH LEADING ME TO HUNDREDS OF MESSAGE BOARDS WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND BEING BLOWN OFF BY NISSAN. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CARS. I AM NOW GOING TO HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR BECAUSE I AM REFUSING TO PAY $4,000 TO REPLACE AN ENGINE FOR A KNOW DEFECT. APPARENTLY THIS DEFECT HAS ALSO CAUSED FIRES IN CARS. *TR

THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES; I PARK MY CAR (TURN ENGINE OFF) DO GROCERIES, SHOPPING, ETC, COME BACK, I TURN THE CAR ON AND THE CAR IS LIKE STALLING, LIKE ITS IDLE BUT YOU CAN FEEL THE SHAKING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE ON THIS SITUATION. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND STILL THE SAME SITUATION. I HAVE TO WAIT 3-5 MINUTES WITH ENGINE OFF, THEN I TURN IT ON AND THE CAR STARTS WORKING NORMAL. THERE IS NO "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS HAPPENING TIME TO TIME. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT COULD BE SOMETING WITH THE GASOLINE IN THE TANK, THAT IS NOT THE CASE BECAUSE I LEFT MY TANK ALMOST TO EMPTY AND LOAD A NEW TANK, DIFFERENT GAS STATION AND STILL DOES THE SAME. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, ASKED FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR'S MODEL/YEAR. THEY SAY NO RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL. I STARTED SEARCHING FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I READ A FEW ARTICLES THAT THE '02 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES, ALSO THAT THE SAME '03 MODEL IN CANADA HAS BEEN RECALLED AND SERVICED FOR SAME ISSUE. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT PROVE THAT WHAT I READ IS TRUE, I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CHECKED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP MAINTENANCE CENTERS SINCE THERE IS NO ALERT SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARDS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL AND SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED. THE FAILURE WAS FREQUENT AND OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER OF RECALL 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,686.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO PERFORM AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 06/14/11*JB UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/15/12 *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE AFTER IT WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,456.

PASSENGER FLOORBOARDS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH OPENING A 16IN LONG BY 8 IN WIDE HOLE IN PASSENGER FLOOR. NO OTHER RUST ANYWHERE ELSE FOUND ON VEHICLE. APPEARS RUST ORIGINATED AROUND FLOOR PLUG. *TR

MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEB 2011 WITH AROUND 118000 FROM A BUY HERE PAY HERE AND TWO MONTHS LATER THE MOTOR WENT OUT ON IT. WE DROVE IT TO CHURCH AND TURNED IT OFF AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO TURN ON AGAIN MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THEY HAD WATER IN IT. I HAVE READ THAT THIS CAR HAVE BAD MOTOR PROBLEMS, OUR MECHANIC CHECKED IT AND SAID WE NEED A NEW MOTOR

SMELL OF WET CARPET/MOLD AFTER HAVING DRIVEN IN RAINY CONDITIONS. FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAT WAS SOAKED AND MOLDY SMELLING. TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO DETERMINE SOURCE OF LEAK. PASSENGER SIDE UNDER CARRIAGE TOWARD DOOR HAD A RUSTED AREA ABOUT 11 X 5 INCHES; NOTHING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. EXPLANATION FROM DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS THAT WATER WAS MIGRATING TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FROM THIS LEAK EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT WET. DEALER SERVICE REP SAID THIS RUSTED AREA SEEN ON OTHER ALTIMAS. ESTIMATED $900.00 TO REPAIR. CALLED NISSAN FOR EXPLANATION AND ASSISTANCE. NISSAN DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS WAS THEIR POSITION EVEN WHEN TOLD OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS I HAD FOUND FROM OTHER OWNERS. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ONLY SERVICED BY DEALER.

HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2003/ENGINE/ENGINE_BURNS_OIL.SHTML. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED T FUNCTION NORMALLY AND WAS IMMEDIATELY DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING FOR THREE TO FOUR WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL AND SOMETIMES WOULD LURCH WHEN DRIVING. WE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND A COILS, BUT PERIODICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STILL COME ON. I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. AS I TOOK OFF FROM THE LIGHT, THE CAR STALLED AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG BURNING OIL/GAS SMELL. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AS IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE PERSON BEHIND ME NEARLY RAN INTO ME SINCE THE CAR STOPPED SO SUDDENLY. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE PRE CATALYST AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. IT WAS DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD USED ABOUT 2.5 QTS OF OIL AND NO OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TODAY, I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE THE REPAIR AND IT IS LOSING POWER AND LURCHING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR SHUDDERS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. IT IS BEING BROUGHT BACK TO THE MECHANIC TODAY. THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THEN TURNED SOLID. CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I'M AFRAID THAT THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 2 YEARS (BEGIN AROUND 65,000 MILES) AND OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM STOPPED TO 65MPH. *TR

FLOOR BOARD RUSITING ON 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 100,253. UPDATED 04/06/11*LJ

1. ENGINE STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPPED. AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2. FOUR TIMES, FIRST TO SECOND ABOUT 3 WEEKS. SECOND TO THIRD 2 WEEKS. FOURTH ONE SAME DAY. 3. RESET THE CODE, TO CLEAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO ONE KNOWS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. *TR

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 EXTENSIVELY ON THE INTERNET, INCLUDING HERE: HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2002-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-DISCUSSION-2-5-3-5/267734-BUTTERFLY-VALVE-POWER-VALVE-INTAKE-MANIFOLD-ISSUE.HTML. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 ALTIMA FOR THIS ISSUE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE 2003 2.5S ALTIMA HAS THE SAME ENGINE, YET NO RECALL WAS MADE. AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN CUSTOMER RELATIONS, THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH FIXING THE PROBLEM, DESPITE THE BLATANT DESIGN FLAW. OTHER DRIVERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR ALTIMAS HAVE BEEN PUT AT RISK OF DEATH, AS THE CARS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO STOP RUNNING ENTIRELY WHILE MOVING, BECAUSE OF DAMAGE DONE BY THE LOOSE POWER VALVE SCREWS TO THE ENGINE. I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA WILL TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR