- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions, these variations in temperature can be large enough to cause a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
- The risk
- If the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ecm) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will reprogram the ecm free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine & cooling
2003 Nissan Altima Engine problems
Owners have filed 559 complaints about the 2003 Nissan Altima's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 63% of all its complaints, most recently on March 23, 2022. They describe 8 crashes, 7 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 559
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 8
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Engine recalls for the 2003 Nissan Altima
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
- The risk
- This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
- The problem
- On certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 Liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate.
- The risk
- Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance that could result in oil spillage, heat shield(s) will be installed on the pre-catalyst and exhaust tube. Owner notification began on july 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Nissan recall nos. R3007, r3014, r3015, r3016, r3017. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate. If substrate particles enter the combustion chamber, they could score the cylinder walls, resulting in increased oil consumption. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis and drops below the low level, and the driver continues to operate the vehicle ignoring noticeable engine noise, engine damage may occur which could result in a fire. The pre-catalyst will be tested to ensure it is working properly and replaced if necessary. If damage is found inside the pre-catalyst, it will be necessary to replace the engine.
Engine complaints
Faulty crankshaft and camshaft sensors UNKOWN
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle had to be pushed to the side of the road and jump-started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the CAM Sensor. The contact stated a day later the vehicle stalled and shut-off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.
I note some nissan altimas havr recalls on camsensor and speedsensonsor. This vehicle has same problems. Vehicle shuts off on the road cam sensor was changed but was good for a couple years does the same mechanic says faulty plastic clip. Also vehicle gets stuck in low gear while driving and the car will have to be pulled iver restarted to get it to reset otherwise car will run in low gear at high rpms.. I noticed recalls on the nissan altima for for these sensors. However not this model according to the dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while drive at various speeds, the vehicle check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rear and front catalytic converters and the oxygen (o2) sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle then was taken to bosak nissan (220...
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verplank rd, burns harbor, in 46304 (219) 787-1777) to be inspected. The contact was informed that the vin was not subjected to a recall. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I bought this car last year may 2019 and within a month the engine blew. I replaced the engine and now it has issues with the catalytic converter. It says it needs to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle stalled with the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the shoulder of the roadway, waited for about 10 minutes due to the steering wheel being difficult to maneuver. The vehicle resumed normal operation after 10 minutes. The vehicle was taken to palmetto 57 nissan (16725 nw 57th ave, miami gardens, fl 33055) but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure recurred intermittently. The...
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contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Engine overheats while driving.. When heater is on car power fails when driving at high and low speeds. Battery dies and battery drains when car is off
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the ecm (engine control module) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to (royal nissan of cortland 3901 west rd, cortland, ny 13045(607) 753-9774) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs were fouled and also that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 147,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 45 mph, the engine seized and the vehicle powered down. The vehicle could not be restarted. In addition, the engine made an abnormal wrapping noise. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact called darling honda nissan (114 sylvan rd, bangor, me 04401, (207) 941-1460), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the vin was not included in a recall; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 03v251000 (fuel system gasoline). The failure mileage was 122,875.
Takata recall while sitting in idle the car just shut off randomly. I was able to start the car back up after a few seconds, but it's been happening to often while in idle
Nhtsa shows 10 recalls for my car, went to nissan bridgewater and they only found one recall to reprogram ecm and perform idle air volumn learning procedure, after this 2 days later service engine light went, now they want me to pay 140 for diagnostic test, they didn't want to see that my car has 10 recalls and to look into those issues, the car has no power while driving in on the highway, headlights keep going on and off, the gas gage fluctuates, the car goes through gas real fast, nissan bridgewater needs to fix these issues, if not I will report nissan bridgewater dealer to the better business bureau, this car has 90,403 miles
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power intermittently and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. Fred anderson nissan of asheville (629 brevard rd, asheville, nc 28806, (828) 348-6850) was contacted. The vehicle remained at the dealer for months, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 234,000.
After about two months of having my vehicle to repair recalls, my service advisor informs me that the recalls will not be completed due to the absence of a specific code. I was informed of the recalls and the risks they create without repair; however, nissan is still refusing to do them. This specific recall can cause the engine to stop running without warning during operation which would result in a crash. I have been compliant and patient with nissan, and I feel taken advantage of. The service manager and my...
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service advisor have both seen the problems first-hand while driving my car themselves. After speaking with corporate nissan, nissan still wants me to take my vehicle back to drive until the code appears. Having common sense, and a toddler, I do not think this is a smart or safe decision. I would like the recalls completed as I was originally promised.
Excessive oil consumption starting at 94,000 miles. No leaks or exhaust smoke. Have read catalytic convertors were poorly designed resulting in low oil level and engine damage. Car still runs well but concerned about safety and reliability. Nissan forums full of similar comments including nissan's awareness of the defect and lack of action. Car has died in traffic on a few occasions but runs well otherwise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 45 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle suddenly started jerking and sputtering until the engine turned off. The vehicle had to be towed to nissan of mobile (1015 east interstate 65 service rd s, mobile, al 36606) where they replaced the coil pack. The contact stated that the same failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to nissan of corinth (813 s parkway st, corinth, ms 38834) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 149,286.
This vehicle is on its second catalytic converter and flex pipe, I previously changed them in autum of 2017. After installing a brand new one from rockauto.Com eastern catalytic for $290 less than two months later I got a check engine light on my car. I took it to two mechanics and advanced auto parts where the diagnostic tool read code p0420 low efficiency bank 1. I had no money to replace it and now it's so clogged up it's shooting carbon monoxide back inside the vehicle causing me to end up at the emergency room...
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where they told me I had symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. I am suffering from memory loss, noncoherent speech, unable to see 20/20 vision and chest pain. I hope you here at the nation highway transportation safety board can do something when it comes to all these cheap parts coming I from china and being sold to people as if there high quality goods. I have to drive with my windows down in the middle of winter due to high levels of this poison.
Every 100 miles car start burning oil to fast..Engine start running slow..Check engine light start blinking on and off
I have received several recalls from nissan and mossy nissan el cajon refused to repair: most recent today for airbags
My car had same identical problem (as verified by an independent auto repair shop) as cars subject to nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 [i.E., Sudden engine stalling & delayed restart due to defective sensors], but nissan refused to expand the recall to include my car. Apparently, there are thousands of similar situations showing up on the internet, posted by unhappy owners similarly ignored by nissan.
Takata recall engine was remanufactured april 4th, 2012. Engine burning oil, more then likely catayltic converter, throwing codes. Cost around 5,000. Engine having symptoms...Again, for the same thing. Nissan offered to diagnose for free, but states the warranty period is over. Also found that the engine was used, by source other then the dealership. Would like someone to honor this recall, as in 2012 it should have been replaced for free upon recall. Is there anything anyone can do to help the situation? Car began shaking, and losing power, on the road, had the car towed home. 25,000 Miles on the reconditioned engine, oil blowing, 4 quarts in 3 miles.
We purchased a 2003 nissan altima, after making a stop on the way home, 3 hours away, the car would not restart. We were stationary in a residential parking lot. Had it towed to a certified nissan dealership in northern virginia and it was determined it was the crankshaft/camshaft positioning sensors. Nissan would not honor the recall because our altima has the 3.5 V6. Apparently the recall is only for the 4cyl. Well guys, the sensors in the v6s don't work either. So after paying the $1,068.17 Repair cost and multiple trips back and forth to northern virginia (if you have ever been there you know traffic is horrible) we finally brought the car home. Bad business!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly shut down whether it was idling or being driven. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the cam shaft sensors, but the failure recurred. The contact returned the vehicle to a certified mechanic who performed the repair a second time; however, the failure recurred. The contact informed the manufacturer who stated that the failure was related to nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer provided case number: 26771408. The approximate failure mileage was 145,755.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and would not restart. On various occasions, the failure occured while the vehicle was stationary as well. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the cam shaft sensor replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Takata recall my car seems like it won't crank up or like it is not getting gas
"Takata recall". My complaint is that while driving my 2003 nissan altima, the engine stalls intermittently. I only have about 50k miles on the car and it has been well cared for. This is very dangerous as you can imagine. The code comes up p0335, but the mechanic believes it is a faulty crankshaft position sensor as well as circuitry issues involving the same part. Apparently, there has been a recall on the crankshaft position sensor for the 2003 nissan altima, however dealers are not willing to acknowledge...
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this. I would like this investigated further, as I'm discovering upon further research this is a pandemic among 2003 nissan altima owners and an extreme safety hazard while driving. I was nearly rear ended at a stoplight a few weeks ago and while driving at a 45mph speed on a busy street where there were many cars around me.
Nissan Altima engine complaints by year
Altima engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data