NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
89 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 4, 2006
Electrical System
1) EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ARE THAT MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS TURNED ON AND MY CAR HAS TURNED OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD. IT HAS BEEN DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY. THE A/C HAS STOPPED WORKING ALSO. MY CAR IS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL. 2.) I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PRICE IS TO HAVE MY VEHI…
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1) EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ARE THAT MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS TURNED ON AND MY CAR HAS TURNED OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD. IT HAS BEEN DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY. THE A/C HAS STOPPED WORKING ALSO. MY CAR IS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL. 2.) I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PRICE IS TO HAVE MY VEHICLE CHECKED AND ITS TOO HIGH. FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND THAT I AM STILL PAYING ON I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ONE OF THE AUTO PARTS TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT ITS THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BUT THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE ANYTHING. I WENT AHEAD AND ORDERED THE PARTS AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO FIND A MECHANIC THAT IS NOT TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10167308
46,000 miles · Aug 22, 2006
Electrical SystemVisibility
FAULTY DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS. WHEN THE CAR IS LOCKED, APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER, THE HEADLIGHTS BLINK ONCE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AUTOMATICALLY ROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10166282
61,000 miles · Jul 27, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. WILL NOT CRANK AFTER A FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TURNED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRANKING. THE PROBLEM IS GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10163742
84,670 miles · May 15, 2006
Electrical System
THE VEHICLE WILL STALL DURING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING OPERATION. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR IS FAULTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157578
47,000 miles · May 13, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
1. CAR STALLED AND ONCE I HELD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE KEY OVER AND CRANK THE ENGINE A HUGE PUFF OF BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE, ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY AFTER A WEEK OR SO. 2) A WEEK OR SO LATER I STARTED THE CAR, IT TURNED OVER FINE B…
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1. CAR STALLED AND ONCE I HELD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE KEY OVER AND CRANK THE ENGINE A HUGE PUFF OF BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE, ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY AFTER A WEEK OR SO. 2) A WEEK OR SO LATER I STARTED THE CAR, IT TURNED OVER FINE BUT HAD NO POWER, IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT GO. IT DID NOT EVEN REALIZE I WAS PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. 3) I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IN FRUSTRATION AND THEN TRIED AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME THE CAR WORKED FINE. IT REVVED WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN TOOK OFF JUST FINE. 4) THIS BEGAN TO BE A MORE COMMON OCCURRENCE AND IF I TOOK THE KEY OUT OR WAITED A FEW MINUTES IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN UP. 5) NOT NOW! THE CAR WON'T MOVE FORWARD. AND NOW IT IS EVEN STARTING TO STALL OUT AND FLOOD. 6) NOW THE BATTERY EVEN SEEMS TO BE RUNNING DOWN. THIS HAS ALL TAKEN PLACE IN THE MATTER OF ABOUT THE PAST 5 WEEKS AND NOW IT WON'T MOVE FORWARD OR RUN AT ALL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157487
104,000 miles · May 13, 2006
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT A WEEK AGO WITH NO WARNING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST LOSS POWER AND DIED IT WAS SO SUTTLE I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS THINKING THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. ALL ALONG STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH A 4 AND A 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. IN THE PAST WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE LUC…
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WHILE DRIVING ABOUT A WEEK AGO WITH NO WARNING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST LOSS POWER AND DIED IT WAS SO SUTTLE I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS THINKING THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. ALL ALONG STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH A 4 AND A 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. IN THE PAST WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE LUCKILY JUST IN MY SUBDIVISION. ABOUT FOR MONTHS AGO I WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING AND NISSAN SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR GONE BAD HAD IT REPLACED NOW PROBLEM IS BACK. IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE IT NEEDS TO BE BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT WITH THESE CARS JUST SHUTTING OFF WITH NO WARNING. ALL MY SYMPTOMS SEEM TO POINT TO CRANK POSITION SENSOR THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT . NOW IM GOING TO HAVE TO FORK OVER 5-600 HUNDRED BUCKS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T BE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW!!!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157477
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2006
Electrical System
MY CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155455
67,890 miles · Mar 24, 2006
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR OR AT IDLE SPEED, IT WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, HOT OR COLD. I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND HAVE FOUND THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153613
55,001 miles · Mar 23, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND REFUSING TO START UP. ONCE, IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY, SO COULD MANAGE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. MANAGED TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, AND THERE IS HARDLY ANY POWER WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCE…
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FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND REFUSING TO START UP. ONCE, IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY, SO COULD MANAGE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. MANAGED TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, AND THERE IS HARDLY ANY POWER WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND HE TOLD ME THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SYMPTOM, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, MY VIN # DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THAT IS SO STRANGE. I HOPE NISSAN REALIZES THAT THERE ARE OTHER ALTIMA'S FROM 2003 THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153556
19,500 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE PRESENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE PRESENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 02/26/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147259
Official recalls
4Jul 7, 2006
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Nov 17, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Jul 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. AT EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE IN THE FUEL TANK COULD FREEZE AND FORM ICE CRYSTALS. THESE ICE CRYSTALS MAY OBSTRUCT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.
Mar 11, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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