NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
883 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILED. RECENTLY, TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILED. RECENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/03/12*LJ UPDATED 01/05/12
NHTSA ODI #10242257
55,500 miles · Sep 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. IT CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON ONE OCCASION DUE TO THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. IT CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON ONE OCCASION DUE TO THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL STATES THAT THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FOR FREE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THEY WILL DO MORE. SHE IS ABLE TO FAX OR SEND THE NOTICE SHE RECEIVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,500.
NHTSA ODI #10241944
50,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES THE ENGINE STOPPED ON RED LIGHT. THE LAST TIME WAS TODAY 09/11/2008. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM. IN SOME WAY 2003 OWNERS WILL BENEFIT FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241896
58,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002, 2005, AND 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S, BUT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002, 2005, AND 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S, BUT NONE PERTAINING TO THE 2003 MODEL. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURES, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 2003 MODEL; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10241889
50,000 miles · Sep 9, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THE SENSORS TO MAKE THE LIGHT DIM. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE BRAKE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THE SENSORS TO MAKE THE LIGHT DIM. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE BRAKE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS HESITANT TO TOUCH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RUST AND FEARED THAT SOMETHING WOULD FAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10241612
65,000 miles · Sep 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE CAR SEEMS TO NOT START ONCE IT RAN FOR A SHORT TIME. EXAMPLE I DRIVE TO THE SUPERMARKET TURNS ON FINE, ONCE I LEAVE IT IS HARD TO START. ALMOST SEEM TO BE FLOODED. IT USE TO DO IT ONCE A WEEK KNOW ITS DOING IT EVERYDAY. JUST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING AND IT TURNED OFF ON ME. FROM THE NISSAN BLOGS IT LOOKS LIKE THIS YEAR HAS …
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THE CAR SEEMS TO NOT START ONCE IT RAN FOR A SHORT TIME. EXAMPLE I DRIVE TO THE SUPERMARKET TURNS ON FINE, ONCE I LEAVE IT IS HARD TO START. ALMOST SEEM TO BE FLOODED. IT USE TO DO IT ONCE A WEEK KNOW ITS DOING IT EVERYDAY. JUST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING AND IT TURNED OFF ON ME. FROM THE NISSAN BLOGS IT LOOKS LIKE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN GIVING PROBLEMS. ANOTHER COMPLAIN IS THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS THEY ARE FADED OR STAIN FROM INSIDE, THIS COULD CAUSE A VISIBILITY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241139
98,000 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TLA*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NIACIN ALTON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE IS BURNING INEFFICIENTLY. SHE MUST CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 500 MILES. BEFORE THE OIL IS CHANGED, IT RESEMBLES BLACK SLUDGE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, LOST POWER, AND WOULD NOT RESTART QUICKLY. THE DEALER REBUILT THE ENGIN…
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TLA*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NIACIN ALTON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE IS BURNING INEFFICIENTLY. SHE MUST CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 500 MILES. BEFORE THE OIL IS CHANGED, IT RESEMBLES BLACK SLUDGE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, LOST POWER, AND WOULD NOT RESTART QUICKLY. THE DEALER REBUILT THE ENGINE AT THE COST OF $2,500, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR 30 DAYS AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10241121
88,000 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECM MODULE NEEDE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,432 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10241085
54,000 miles · Sep 4, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
I HAVE A 2003 ALTIMA (ALMOST 55,000 MILES). THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALL THE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE WAS AND IS UP TO DATE. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS OFTEN A SLIGHT PULL/STALL LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. IT WAS CHECKED NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. SERVICE ENGINE LIKE CAME ON. HAD THE DIAGNOSTICS DONE IT SH…
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I HAVE A 2003 ALTIMA (ALMOST 55,000 MILES). THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALL THE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE WAS AND IS UP TO DATE. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS OFTEN A SLIGHT PULL/STALL LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. IT WAS CHECKED NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. SERVICE ENGINE LIKE CAME ON. HAD THE DIAGNOSTICS DONE IT SHOWED SOMETHING WRONG WITH STARTER. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH STARTER, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS STARTING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL 2003 ALTIMAS ARE COMING UP WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS WHEN THEY ARE FAIRLY NEW, SHUTTING OFF WITH OUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. NISSAN DOESN'T APPEAR TO NO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ERRORS WITH THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT THERE FOR THE REASON THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HOWEVER, REPLACING THIS HAS NOT PROVED TO BE THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240915
79,000 miles · Sep 3, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 20003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS RECURRING STALLING PROBLEM WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED BY NISSAN EVEN THOUGH IT HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR VEHICLES OF MY TYPE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240839
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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