NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
450 reportsClear category filter32,955 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON JULY 3, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING SLOWLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE IS NO RECALL AVAILABLE; THER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON JULY 3, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING SLOWLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE IS NO RECALL AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND RADIATOR WILL BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $815. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,955. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10233413
86,000 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT AND/OR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER HAS REFUSED TO FIX, STATING THAT THIS VEH WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS E…
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THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT AND/OR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER HAS REFUSED TO FIX, STATING THAT THIS VEH WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE SENSORS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE RECALL TO PROGRAM THE ECM WAS COMPLETED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233363
79,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT HESITATED. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO A DRAINED BATTERY. WHEN SHE FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED ITS EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT HESITATED. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO A DRAINED BATTERY. WHEN SHE FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED ITS EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN JUNE OF 2007. THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT BECAUSE THE DEALER ONLY REPROGRAMMED, INSTEAD OF COMPLETELY REPAIRING THE FAILURE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR THE REPROGRAMMING ANNUALLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/29/08
NHTSA ODI #10232434
114,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STRUGGLE TO ACCELERATE AND TAKE LONGER TO START. ON JUNE 20, 2008, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH AND CHANGING LANES, THE VEHICLE STA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STRUGGLE TO ACCELERATE AND TAKE LONGER TO START. ON JUNE 20, 2008, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH AND CHANGING LANES, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY MOVED OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. FROM THAT POINT ON, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STUTTER AND STALL. ON JUNE 17, 2008, HE BEGAN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 23, 2008, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER'S 03V455000, 03V084000, AND 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA ODI #10232371
93,000 miles · Jun 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL PUMP EXPLODED INTO PIECES INSIDE THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT BEING REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10231606
85,000 miles · Jun 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE LIGHT PERIODICALLY FLASHED ON/OFF. WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT A NISSAN DEALER WHICH COST $1000. 3 MONTHS LATER,WE SPENT $300. FINALLY,2 MONTHS LATER THE MOTOR GOES OUT AND WE SPEND $5000 TO REPLACE IT IN A CAR LESS THAN 4YRS OLD(BOUGHT BRAND NEW -NOT A USED VEHICLE). FURTHERMORE,THE CAR WOULD JUST SLOW DOWN AND ST…
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THE ENGINE LIGHT PERIODICALLY FLASHED ON/OFF. WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT A NISSAN DEALER WHICH COST $1000. 3 MONTHS LATER,WE SPENT $300. FINALLY,2 MONTHS LATER THE MOTOR GOES OUT AND WE SPEND $5000 TO REPLACE IT IN A CAR LESS THAN 4YRS OLD(BOUGHT BRAND NEW -NOT A USED VEHICLE). FURTHERMORE,THE CAR WOULD JUST SLOW DOWN AND STOP PERIODICALLY(NO MATTER IF YOU WERE ON THE INTERSTATE OR NOT). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231584
100,000 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR SUDDENLY DIES WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET OR HIGHWAY. WILL NOT START. NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AS A CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR PROBLEM AND RECALLED 2002 AND SOME 2003 MODELS. HOWEVER THEY ARE EXCLUDING OTHER 2003 MODELS THAT EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231447
1,000 miles · Jun 13, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2002, THE CONTACT HAS SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR. THE OIL LEVEL WAS CONSISTENTLY LOW WHENEVER HE WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2002, THE CONTACT HAS SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR. THE OIL LEVEL WAS CONSISTENTLY LOW WHENEVER HE WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. ON JUNE 12, 2008, THE CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA ODI #10230953
62,924 miles · May 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AT THE COST OF $373.57. THE DEALER ALSO REPROGRAMMED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AT THE COST OF $373.57. THE DEALER ALSO REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AS STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,976 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,924. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10229211
58,650 miles · May 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
1. THE FAILING OF THE ENGINE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. 2. SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WERE IDENTICAL TO NHTSA RECALL ID #03V4550. 3. THE FAILED PART ("CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR") WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228840
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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