2003 Nissan Altima Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AGAIN. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE BUT THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED SINCE THE OTHER DRIVER PAID FOR THE DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. HE REFERENCED RECALL 06V242000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING AND STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT SINCE HE DID NOT HAVE THE ECM REPROGRAMMED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE AT SPEEDS OF 2-3 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE THIRTY MINUTES LATER AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,330 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY FOR LESS THAN ONE MILE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A JERKING MOTION WITH A DECREASE IN ENGINE POWER AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,086.

I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES ON MY 2003 ALTIMA IT HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES ON IT . I ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY 5,000 MILES THE TIRES SOUND LIKE THEY ARE COMING APART. THE HEADLIGHT LENS ARE TURNING FOGGY AND YELLOW CUTTING DOWN ON THE HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. MOTOR BUSING WENT BAD CAR WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AT 50,000 MILES. DRIVER DOOR HINGE IS BAD WANT STAY OPEN IF CAR IS A LITTLE UNEVEN. HAD TO REPLACE CRANK SENSOR CAUSE CAR WOULDN'T START AT AROUND 65,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALL ON ANY THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. THE CAR HAS A LOW IDLE AND SUDDENLY DIES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE AT STOP SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS. I'VE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF THIS CAR BUT CAN'T SEEM TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. THEN I READ HERE AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. COULD IT BE A BAD SENSOR? I CALLED NISSAN BUT THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM. UNBELIEVABLE.

PROGRESSIVE STIFFENING OF STEERING AT LOW SPEED TURNS. PROBLEM SEEMED TO LESSEN DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. LEADING ME TO BELIEVE IT WAS A LINKAGE PROBLEM. INSPECTED STEERING LINKAGE IE KNUCKLE/ UNIVERSAL JOINT, NO LUBRICANT VISIBLE AND JOINT WAS RUSTED. THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF GREASE ON THIS JOINT AND A BOOT TO PROTECT IT FROM CORROSION. WITH FRONT WHEELS OFF GROUND SPRAYED JOINT WITH WD40 AND WORKED STEERING BACK AND FORTH AND STEERING BECAME STEADY SMOOTHER. HAVE READ SOME POSTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS JOINT AND THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF IT AS THEY SEEM TO HAVE A BACK ORDER ISSUE WITH THE REPLACEMENT PART. AT 50,000 MILES I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD BE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ON MY 03 ALTIMA. PEOPLE ARE HAVING STEERING PUMPS REPLACED AT A COST OF 1,200 TO 1,500 AND WHEN THAT DOESN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM THERE TOLD IT MUST THEN BE THE STEERING RACK UNIT. (REPLACEMENT COST SIMILAR), TO STILL HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS. FOR WHAT IN MY CASE SO FAR SEEMS TO BE A POORLY DESIGNED LUBE LACKING UNPROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS STEERING KNUCKLE. WITH OUT A RECALL ON THIS PART THE ONLY REPAIR IN MY BUDGET FOR THIS PROBLEM IS WD40. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT. *TR

MY OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 97,000 MILES. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE OIL. THE DIPSTICK WAS BONE DRY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE SAID IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT DESTROYED THE ENGINE. I NEED A NEW ENGINE. NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THIS EXACT THING, BUT AFTER CONTACTING THEM, THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT LIABLE. WHEN I PRESSED THEM, THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE NISSAN HAD NOT BEEN SERVICING THE CAR AND I HAVE TOO MANY MILES. I PRESSED THEM AGAIN, AND THERE STORY CHANGED AGAIN. IF YOU GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME NON-ACTION FROM NISSAN. THIS IS AFTER 9 RECALLS ON THIS CAR. SOMEONE HAS TO HELP US. PLEASE. *TR

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA-86,958 MI. PURCHASED NEW MARCH 2003 RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS I, TOO, AM A VICTIM OF RUSTED FLOOR BOARDS(FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER) THAT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THIS WAS FOUND DURING AN OIL CHANGE ON 4/21/10. ALL MY MAINTENANCE WORK IS DONE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHY WASN'T THIS NOTICED 3/30/10 WHEN I HAD A CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED OR ON 10/23/09 AT ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND MULTI-POINT INSPECTION OR AT ANY OF THE OTHER MANY GARAGE APPOINTMENTS? MY AUTO-BODY TECHNICIAN FOUND MANUFACTURER'S TAPE OVER THE DRAIN HOLES. THEY SENT PICTURES TO THE NISSAN REGIONAL SPECIALIST. I WAS TOLD BY THIS PERSON THEY HANDLE THINGS CASE-BY-CASE, AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HELP ME FINANCIALLY TO GET THIS REPAIRED! THE AUTO-BODY TECHNICIAN NEEDS A SECTION OF FLOOR. THE HOLE IS SO BAD PATCHING WITH A PIECE OF METAL WON'T DO THE JOB. I HAVE SINCE BEEN SEARCHING THE WEB AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM-NISSAN NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FLAW IN THEIR PRODUCT. I HAVE ALSO FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE RUSTED FLOOR BOARD PROBLEM AND/OR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM. NEITHER ARE INEXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I'M READY TO COMPLETE ALL THE CONSUMER FORMS I NEED TO AND SPREAD THE WORD THAT NISSAN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. AS MUCH AS I LOVE MY NISSAN, FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING I NEED TO GET RID OF IT(IF I CAN). I HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THE ROTTEN FLOOR BOARDS-$1756.73. I NEVER FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT WAS A RARE PROBLEM. SO, I PAID THE $865.10. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ONE MUST FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED THE CONVERTER TO GO BAD OR IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THERE WAS THEN A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO STALL. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL EVERY WEEK. UPDATED 10/27/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHE ALSO HEARD A NOISE WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 28,700.

WE HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A " MALFUNCTION IN THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR A CIRCUIT" (OBD2 CODE PO335) WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT WHILE IN DRIVE CREATING A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. NISSAN HAS A RECALL BUT ALL THEY WILL DO IS REPROGRAM THE ECM WHICH DOESN'T FIX PROBLEM. EITHER THE CIRCUIT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED OR THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WE FEEL IT IS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REMEDY IT... SO FAR WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK IN GETTING IT RESOLVED... *TR

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS CAR IS BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY. THERE'S NO SMOKE OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT, BUT I HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT AND PUT OIL IN MY CAR TO KEEP IT RUNNING AT LEAST EVERY 4-5 DAYS OR SO. GAS IS HIGH AND OIL IS GETTING HIGHER; I HAVE TO KEEP AT LEAST 2-3 QUARTS IN MY TRUNK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SOMETIME NOW. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IF I GO OVER 70MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STOPS BLINKING, BUT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. HOWEVER, I JUST HAD MY SPARK PLUGS CHANGED AND NOW THE CAR WON'T START. PLEASE I NEED SOME HELP ASAP.... I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE AT THIS TIME, BUT WISH SOMEONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON. THE DEALER IS NO HELP WHATSOEVER. THEY GET YOU IN THERE AND TELL YOU THAT THIS, THIS, AND THIS IS THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT NOTHING IS UNDER WARRANTY WITH NISSAN, AND I DON'T OWN THE CAR AS OF YET I'M STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS. I THINK THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO GO OVER THE ENGINE, ELECTRONIC, AND ETC. BECAUSE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI IS THE HOME OF NISSAN AND YOU HAVE SOME BIG PROBLEMS ON YOUR HANDS!!! *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) AS STATED IN MY LAST COMPLAINT WITH ODI ID NUMBER: 10327349, I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CAR IS NOW IN THE REPAIR SHOP THE ENGINE BLOWN.... THE CAR WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. HOWEVER, I ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AND WOULD STAY ON. ALTHOUGH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AN REACHING THE SPEED OF 70MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO START BLINKING. I DON'T HAVE $3,000.00 - $4,000.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I'M STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE ENGINE WITH VIN: [XXX] . FURTHERMORE, I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAN BE FIXED/ REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY BY THE NISSAN IN CANTON, MS. THE MILEAGE PRESENTLY ON THE VEHICLE IS 155,100. I DIDN'T PURCHASE THE CAR NEW, BUT USED. I TRULY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. I'VE KEEP THE CAR MAINTAINED, AND THEN THIS HAPPENS. PLEASE SOMEONE FROM ODI CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY. *TR

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA- ISSUE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR DESCRIPTION: VEHICLE STARTS HAVING BRIEF INTERRUPTIONS IN THE ENGINE CAUSES THE CAR TO HALT FOR A VERY BRIEF MOMENT. CHANGED THREE SENSORS, TWO FROM AUTOZONE AND ONE OEM FROM NISSAN. CHECKED THE RECALL WITH THE DEALER, SHOWS NO RECALL IN THE DEALER SYSTEM. CAR STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH ENGINE STALLING FOR VERY BRIEF MOMENTS. CAR DIED TWICE IN THE PAST DUE TO SAME ISSUE AT LOW SPEED. IT HAPPENED THIS MORNING AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON APRIL 15, 2010, THE DRIVER STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND AWAITING A SENSOR REPLACEMENT AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,455. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,480.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

MY '03 NISSAN ALTIMA CAR HAS A LARGE RUST HOLES IN THE FLOOR. I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALER THE THEY WERE QUICK TO TELL ME THAT MY CAR NO LONGER HAD RUST PROTECTION. YESTERDAY, I TOOK MY CAR TO REPUTABLE BODY SHOP AND THEY PULLED CARPET BACK IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND SHOWED ME A HOLE THAT ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE GROUND. THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS A SAFETY HAZARD!!! *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGAN TO 'HESITATE" AND I WAS LOSING 'POWER/SPEED" . GOT OFF FREEWAY AND A "RATTLE" TYPE NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. THE MUFFLER SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS "SPUTTERING". DROVE VIA CITY STREETS AT 20 MPG - 40 MPG TOWARDS A REPAIR FACILITY ( ALL THE WHILE FEELING AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS GOING TO DIE) AND 20 MINUTES LATER THE "ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED THE LAST 4 MILES TO THE REPAIR FACILITY. FIRST DIAGNOSIS WAS A "FOREIGN MATTER" HIT THE #1PLUG AND CLOSED THE GAP. THE PLUG WAS REGAPPED AND INSTALLED. CAR SEEMED FINE , BUT 2 DAYS LATER THE SAME SYMPTOMS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN. PULLED OVER AND DROVE TO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 THRU 2005 ALTIMAS HAVE. THE BUTTERFLY VALVES SCREWS HAD COME LOOSE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SCREWS. RAN A MAGNET IN THAT AREA BUT PULLED NOTHING. TECH THINKS IT MAY HAVE BLOWN OUT OF THE EXHAUST IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. SO THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS PROBABLY A SCREW HITTING THE PLUG AND CLOSING THE GAP AND THE SECOND TIME WAS BECAUSE OF THE MISSING SCREW/SCREWS NOT LETTING THE VALVE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE INTAKE PLENUM WAS REMOVED AND THE SECONDARY BUTTERFLY PLATES WERE INSPECTED. THE #1 PLATE LODGED BY INTAKE VALVE AND 2 PLATE SCREWS WERE MISSING(PASSED INTO CYLINDER #1), ALL 4 PLATES WERE REPLACED AND ALL SCREWS SECURED WITH RED LOCTITE THREAD LOCKER, TOTAL COST FOR FIRST REPAIR WAS $200 WHICH INCLUDED DECARB SERVICE(BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT "LOOSE CARBON" HITTING THE PLUG CLOSED THE GAP). THE SECOND TIME TO CURE THE ACTUAL CAUSE WAS $460.87 WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING A GASKET ALSO. *TR

I HAD A SIMILAR, YET EXTREME EXPERIENCE. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET THE OIL CHANGED AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP (IT WAS CHEAP.) WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT HE PULLED LESS THAN A 8 OZ. OF OIL FROM THE ENGINE. HE SAID HE COULDN'T FIND ANY LEAKS, BUT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE OIL EVERYDAY. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR FOR A DRIVE TO "REOIL" THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING A BIT FUNNY: NOT STARTING RIGHT AWAY, TROUBLE SHIFTING FOR ABOUT 48 HOURS. I GOT ABOUT FIVE MILES AT ~55 MPH, AND WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A LEFT TURN, HEARD SOMETHING FALL OUT OF THE ENGINE. AFTER THAT, WHITE SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT THE EXHAUST. I KNEW THE ENGINE BLEW. THE STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT, AND I GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (SOMEHOW.) THE BLACK SMOKE STARTED POURING IN FROM THE VENTS. I DON'T REMEMBER STOPPING OR GETTING OUT, BUT I REMEMBER TURNING AROUND AND SEEING FLAMES OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT, BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE ENGINE AND INTERIOR, ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE, WERE DESTROYED. THE BACKSEAT WAS SMOKE DAMAGED. THE TRUNK AND THREE TIRES WERE RELATIVELY UNHARMED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WHICH WAS JUST HANDED DOWN TO MY DAUGHTER AS HER FIRST CAR FOR HER 17TH BIRTHDAY IN JANUARY. WHILE ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL ONE MORNING IN MARCH THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. SHE OBVIOUSLY HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO AND IT WAS POURING RAIN. SOMEONE BEHIND HER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO HELP A STRANDED TEENAGER AND SHE WAS ABLE TO CALL ME. WHEN I ARRIVED TO THE INTERSECTION I HOPPED IN HER CAR, TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT SEEMED FINE. I NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD COME ON. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE PULLED UP A RECALL FOR MY EXACT VEHICLE AND THE EXACT SITUATION. IT READS: CRANK POSITION SENSOR RECALL - THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HE REFERRED ME TO SEE THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THAT THIS RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED AND THAT NISSAN DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT THEY PRODUCE. FURTHERMORE, NISSAN APPARENTLY HAS NO REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THE PEACE OF MIND THAT THE CAR WE BOUGHT IS RELIABLE. THE NISSAN DEALER SAID IT WILL BE NO LESS THAN $350 TO REPLACE BOTH THE CAM AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS WITH LABOR. THE MECHANIC SHOP I WENT TO QUOTED ME $110 FOR PARTS AND $50 LABOR TOTALING $160. AGAIN, I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN. I CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE THAT MY FAMILY WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE. I WILL DO MY VERY BEST TO ENCOURAGE CAR SHOPPERS TO STAY FAR AWAY FROM NISSAN BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLE FACT THAT AFTER THE INITIAL PURCHASE YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE NISSAN TO RECONSIDER THIS PARTICULAR RECALL AND PERFORM BETTER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO CONSUME OIL EXCESSIVELY. WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 6895246 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

I WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED MY NISSAN ALTIMA OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO GET IT CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. I GOT THE OIL AND FILTER CHANGED AND A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEW ENGINE. THE REPAIRS COST IS 3,000 THAT I DON'T HAVE. I'VE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THEIR ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD SO MUCH EXHAUST COMING FROM MY CAR THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND ON THE ENGINE AND RUNS ROUGH. I TRIED USING FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER BUT IT DID NOT WORK. I ALSO TRIED OIL TREATMENTS AND CHANGING THE OIL BUT NON WORKED. I TOOK TO A NISSAN CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND TOLD ME INTAKE VALVE SCREWS WERE LOOSE AND CREATING A KNOCKING SOUND THAT THE BUTTERFLY IS HALF OPEN CAUSING THE CAR TO IDLE ROUGHLY. THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THE THIS HAPPENS ALOT WITH THIS CARS, ALTIMAS AND SENTRA AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2004 AND 2005 MODELS BUT NOT 2003 EVEN IF IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT IF I DON'T GET IT FIXED THE IT WILL BREAK MY ENGINE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ON THE SAME CAR I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR A CRANK SENSOR THE FAILED ON ME. NISSAN SAID THE SAME THING, RECALL ON THE 2004 AND 2005 BUT NOT 2003. IT CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL AND RUN ROUGHLY. TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID NOTHINGS WRONG AND TAKE IT BACK TO THEM WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. AFTER A MONTH IT DID TURN ON. LUCKILY HAVE WARRANTY BUT THEY STILL CHARGE ME. PLEASE HELP, I'M NOT LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO REPLACE MY CAR JUST TO HAVE NISSAN FIX WHAT THEY MESSED UP ON. *TR

IDLE ON CAR STARTED TO BE ERRATIC. WOULD GO UP TO 1800 RPMS DOWN TO 700 RPM..TOOK CAR FOR REPAIR WAS TO THE THROTTLE BAD ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACED. THE CAR WAS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WE WERE CONCERNED THAT IN THE SNOW THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH FORWARD ACCELERATION. DRY CONDITIONS AS WELL ...CAR ONLY HAD 64,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT MATERIALS FROM THE PRE-CATALYST WERE FRACTURING AND ENTERING THE ENGINE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5L V6 SE - THE DOOR LOCKS KEEP LOCKING REPEATEDLY. WILL DO THIS WHILE I AM IN AND OUT OF THE CAR REGARDLESS OF KEY FOB USE. MY HAZARD LIGHTS FLASH EACH TIME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER A WEEK AND HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND DURATION. IT IS NOW CONSTANT - GOING ON EVERY 3-5 SECONDS. I HAD TROUBLE GETTING MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR KEPT LOCKING ON ME. I WORRY ABOUT THE ABILITY TO GET OUT QUICKLY IF NEEDED. IT BRINGS ATTENTION TO MY CAR THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON MANY LEVELS. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT MAY BE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. *TR

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY WHILE TRAVELING 30 - 70 MPH. CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. IT WILL OPERATE CORRECTLY FOR WEEKS THEN SHUT OFF THREE TIMES IN 10 MILES. TAKEN TO DEALER TWO YEARS AGO AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE SINCE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND SAVE A CODE. PAID MY $100 AND DROVE AWAY. TOLD CAN'T DIAGNOSE WITHOUT A CODE SO NEXT TIME IT STOPS TOW IT IN IF I SURVIVE. TOLD THERE ARE 25 THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS SO WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT TO PICK AND HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL; HE NOTICED REDUCED POWER FROM THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP ALTOGETHER. HE WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE MOST OF THE TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO START. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT BUT BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE CONTACT CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,477. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,147. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE REPAIR, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BURN OIL THROUGH THE TAIL PIPE EXCESSIVELY. UPDATED 04/22/11*JB

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL AND THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND HIT THE CURB AND BLEW OUT MY TIRE AND DAMAGED MY RIM. THIS COST ME ABOUT $500 OUT OF MY POCKET, WHICH REALLY WAS DISAPPOINTING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE! *TR

MY AIR CONDITIONER HAS ALWAYS BEEN RUNNING EVEN WHEN THE BUTTON HAS BEEN OFF. I'VE ASKED THE DEALER MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY SAID IT'S FINE. NOW ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO MY AIRCONDITIONER WON'T GO ON, IT'S INTERMITTENT BUT IF IT DOES GO ON IT ONLY WORKS FOR 5 MINUTES. I FINALLY PAID THE 129.00 TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE INTELLIGAN POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE HAS FAILED. THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN MANY OTHER NISSANS BUT NOT THE ALTIMA. DURING A SEARCH I FOUND LOTS OF OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TRIED CONTACTING NISSAN BUT THEY DON'T CARE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 L ENGINE. I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR DYING AND SPUTTERING AND SOMETIMES NOT STARTING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE FROM 2002-2003 FOR THE CRANK SENSOR. I CALLED THEM AND GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND THEY SAID MY PARTICULAR CAR WAS NOT COVERED FOR THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD THIS PLUGGED UP TO A COMPUTER AND IT CONFIRMS THAT IT IS THE CRANK SENSOR. ALSO I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ONE FOR ABOUT $600 IN 2008 FOR MY CAR. IT SEEMS NISSAN KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND RECALLED SOME OF THE CARS AND OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME WILL HAVE TO KEEP TAKING THEIR CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY YEAR OR TWO AND SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GETTING THEM KILLED IN A WRECK OR STRANDED. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO OTHER THAN CHARGE ME FULL PRICE FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

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

LIKE MANY OF YOU, I HAVE ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM OF THE SENSORS GOING BAD CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP. I HAD THE SENSORS REPLACED TWICE AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE NISSAN SAID THAT MY 2003 ALTIMA VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE SECOND TIME THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED, THEY LOOKED DIFFERENT. HOPEFULLY THE REDESIGN WILL FINALLY FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. SHAME ON YOU, NISSAN, FOR NOT COVERING THIS KNOWN PROBLEM IN A RECALL. DOES IT TAKE A STALL ON A RAILROAD TRACK TO GET YOUR ATTENTION? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. SHE WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RE-START THE VEHICLE . THE WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE DURING OR AFTER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF; HOWEVER, ON DECEMBER 30, 2009, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ECM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND THAT RECALL 07V527000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING WAS DIRECTLY RELATED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE RECALLED COMPONENT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER THAT HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE ECM RECALL AND IF THE ECM WAS THE CAUSE, THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE SHOULD BE REFUNDED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,520. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,300.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED ON AND OFF IN ORDER TO RESTART IT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL # 06V242000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CALLED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,584.

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER EXPRESSES CONCERN THAT OTHER 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES WERE NOT IDENTIFIED OR INCLUDED IN CAMPAIGNS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG/DRIVER CONTROL MODULE, AIRBAG SENSOR AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER DUE TO THE CONTINUOUS FLASHING OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE AIR BAG RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2002. ON JANUARY 15, 2010 THE VEHICLE BEGAN DISPLAYING PROBLEMS SUCH AS DIFFICULTY CRANKING, SUDDEN JERKS WHILE ACCELERATING AND LOSS OF POWER. ON JANUARY 16, 2010 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT LATER ILLUMINATED. TESTING REVEALED A DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. ALSO, THE O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 - EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THIS ISSUE IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE THAT THOUSANDS OF NISSAN OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED, AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY PRE-CAT THAT SHREDS INTO SMALL PIECES AND THEN GETS STUCK IN THE ENGINE, DAMAGING IT. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR, AND AM NOW FORCED TO ADD OIL ONCE A WEEK OR ELSE RISK THE ENGINE BLOWING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS REQUIRED AT A CHARGE OF $80 BEFORE THE REMEDY REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW AN ADDITIONAL COST WILL BE INCURRED FOR REQUIRED REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AND WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINT FORM.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE IN ENGINE AFTER OIL CHANGE. TWO DAYS AFTER OIL WAS TOPPED OFF, OIL LEVEL SHOWED IT BURNED 4 QUARTS WITH NO LEAKS. SINCE, IT HAS CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE LOW ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AGAIN. THE CONTACT PLACED MORE OIL INTO THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC VERIFIED THE LOW OIL LEVEL AND VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAKAGE ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND OVER 700 COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 88,000 MILES. INTERNET COMPLAINTS SHOW 4 CYLINDER ALTIMA ENGINES HAD DESIGN FLAW AND PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATS AND ASH MATERIAL ENTERS ENGINE AND SCORES CYLINDER WALLS CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL USE AND ENGINE FAILURE. NHTSA HAD RECALL FOR THIS IN 2003 (NHTSA RECALL #03V08400 .ODI) NISSAN ONLY INSPECTED ENGINES BUT DID NOT REPAIR. ENGINE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR TO DATE AS NHTSA CLOSED RECALL AND DID NOT MONITOR NISSAN SINCE. NHTSA IS NEGLIGENT IN DUE DILIGENCE AND FOLLOW UP WITH NISSAN BY ALLOWING FAILURES TO CONTINUE. IN LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE PRE CONVERTER HAS CONTINUED TO FAIL AND DESTROY ENGINES. ORIGINAL RECALL ONLY DELAYED CONVERTER FAILURE UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRED AND $5000 ENGINE REPLACEMENT COSTS WAS PUSHED ONTO OWNER. NISSAN WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE DESIGN FLAW STILL DESTROYING ENGINES. REINSTATE RECALL AND PAYMENT BY NISSAN. *"TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS RUST ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS DAMAGED AND THAT IF THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS REMOVED THE BOLTS MAY FALL OFF. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP AND THE REAR SUB FRAME WERE CORRODED. ALL OF THE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STATE AND OCEAN LOCATION MAY BE A FACTOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION . THE "ENGINE SERVICE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE MOTOR MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT ADDRESS THE RECALL DEFECT. THE MALFUNCTION CONTINUED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,265. UPDATED 11/18/09.*LJ THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/19/09

I BOUGHT A NISSAN 2003 ALTIMA 2.5S FROM DRIVE TIME ON 10-09-2009 , AND AS SOON AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE CARS I STARTED TO FEEL AND HEAR A VIBRATION AND LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FRONT STRUT MOUNT KIT THAT IS RATTLING AND MAKE LOUD BANG WHICH MAKE THE FRONT LEFT TIER SHACK VIOLENTLY AS IF IT WAS GOING TO COME OFF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON EVEN ROADS OR BUMPY ROADS. THE REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE STRUT MOUNT KIT COMPLETELY THE COST WITH LABOR IS $360.00. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM DRIVE TIME AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PART. THEY SAY THAT IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I AS THE DRIVE FEEL IT IS, WHEN THE TIRE FEEL LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO COME OF THE CAR. AS OF YET THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT I FEEL THAT IF NOT CORRECTED THIS MAY LEAD TO A CRASH AND OR A FATALITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES SUSTAINED TO BOTH VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE MASSIVE LEVEL OF IMPACT. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000. UPDATED 10/29/09 *CN AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AT 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH SMOKE WAS EXPELLED FROM THE AIR VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS LIGHT SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS AFTER SITTING IDLE, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESPONSIVE TO THE DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER BUT THEY TOO, COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,364 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

ENGINE DIES AND START BACK UP. *TR

MY CAR HAS TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING. YESTERDAY THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY A SCHOOL BUS. THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHEN I AM GOING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THE RPM NEEDLE GOES BACK AND FORTH THEN THE CAR JUST RUNS OUT OF POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHERE HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE ECM RECALL. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE CRANK & CAM SHAFT BEFORE THEY CAN REPROGRAM IT FOR THE RECALL. AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $317.00+TAX. I DON'T SEE WHY NISSAN WOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OUTLINED IN RECALL #06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT REPLACED. AS A CONSEQUENCE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.