NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
883 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 5, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER CHARGED HER $190.13 TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. SHE THOUGHT THE COST WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL AND FELT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN I…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER CHARGED HER $190.13 TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. SHE THOUGHT THE COST WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL AND FELT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10195369
50,000 miles · Jul 3, 2007
Power Train
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE WITH A 5SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT MY CLUTCH WILL LOSE PRESSURE AND FALL TO THE FLOOR. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, CAN BE IN ANY GEAR, GOING ANY SPEED. USUALLY PULLING THE CLUTCH UP AND "PUMPING" IT WILL "SOLVE" THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBABLY HAPPENS TWICE A MON…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE WITH A 5SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT MY CLUTCH WILL LOSE PRESSURE AND FALL TO THE FLOOR. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, CAN BE IN ANY GEAR, GOING ANY SPEED. USUALLY PULLING THE CLUTCH UP AND "PUMPING" IT WILL "SOLVE" THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBABLY HAPPENS TWICE A MONTH, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 12/31/2006. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SPOKE TO OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MANY HAVE HAD FOR YEARS SINCE THEY HAVE OWNED THEIR CARS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE MECHANIC SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIX EASILY, BUT I AM LEFT WONDERING WHY SO MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IT MAY BE A POSSIBLE DESIGN ISSUE THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE ADDRESSING DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10195218
21,900 miles · Jun 29, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
DRIVER'S DOOR INSIDE LATCH RELEASE BECAME INOPERATIVE, CAUSING INABILITY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO EXIT TH EVEHICLE KEY HAD TO INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, WINDOW LOWERED AND DOOR LATCH RELEASED WITH OUTSIDE HANDLE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN EMERGENCY SITUATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10194949
10,000 miles · Jun 19, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR WORK PERFORMED UNDER RECALL # 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). SHE WAS NOT DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED HER PAPERWORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SUB…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR WORK PERFORMED UNDER RECALL # 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). SHE WAS NOT DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED HER PAPERWORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SUBMITTED THE PAPERWORK SEVERAL TIMES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,458 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10193723
57,887 miles · Jun 15, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA RECALL ON THE ENGINE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND NISSAN HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM**NAR**CC THE DEALER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE, THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10194352
81,700 miles · Jun 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S DIED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE CAR WOULD THEN NOT START UP UNTIL COOLED OFF AND THEN STALLED AT SEVERAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON THE WAY HOME. THE CAR HAD HALF AS MUCH POWER AS NORMAL AND CONTINUED …
Read full complaint
THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S DIED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND I HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE CAR WOULD THEN NOT START UP UNTIL COOLED OFF AND THEN STALLED AT SEVERAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON THE WAY HOME. THE CAR HAD HALF AS MUCH POWER AS NORMAL AND CONTINUED TO STALL. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I TOOK IT TO NISSAN WHERE THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I HAD IT REPLACED AND NOW THE CAR IS FINE. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A SERIOUS RISK TO INJURY TO THE DRIVER OF THE CAR AND OTHER CARS AROUND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10193429
55,800 miles · Jun 9, 2007
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
ON SEVERAL INSTANCES THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. EVENTUALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED ME OF RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. ALSO, THEY FOUND ERROR CODES P0725 AND P0335. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO REPLACE MY CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSO…
Read full complaint
ON SEVERAL INSTANCES THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. EVENTUALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED ME OF RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. ALSO, THEY FOUND ERROR CODES P0725 AND P0335. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO REPLACE MY CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR (AT MY COST -- THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL). AFTER THE DEALER COMPLETED THE RECALL WORK, THE CAR STILL STALLED THAT VERY DAY ON THE WAY HOME. TOOK THE CAR TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CLEARED BY MECHANIC AND HAS NOT LIT UP AGAIN, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN. THIS SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SYMPTOMS WHICH LED TO THE RECALL OF THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN DECEMBER 2002, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2002 RECALL. THE 2003 RECALL ONLY CONSISTED OF REPROGRAMMING THE ECM -- WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS THE VEHICLE STILL CUTS OUT AT RANDOM TIMES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE -- THIS IS SIMILAR TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS UNDER 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S THAT I FOUND READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE -- PLEASE CONNECT THE DOTS AND MAKE NISSAN OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10192821
82,198 miles · May 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 LITER ENGINE. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THERE IS "THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT STOP RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THIS MAY ALSO RESULT IN THE …
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 LITER ENGINE. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THERE IS "THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT STOP RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THIS MAY ALSO RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMING ON. IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVINE, THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING." THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DID COME ON, AND THE CAR BEGAN HESITATING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IT ALSO WAS DIFFICULT TO START AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER CALLING THE NUMBER ON THE NOTICE, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE NEXT DAY THE PROBLEMS RE-OCCURRED. WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THE SENSOR MUST HAVE GONE OUT, AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $140.00. HE CALLED NISSAN, WHO SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR $40 LESS THAN NISSAN QUOTED. I FEEL THAT NISSAN PLACED A FEW DOLLARS ABOVE THE WELL BEING OF THEIR CLIENTS. I DID NOT THINK TO ASK FOR THE OLD PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10191819
76,975 miles · May 24, 2007
Electrical System
TWO DAYS AGO, MY CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION SINCE I AM SIX MONTHS PREGNANT AND UNABLE TO PUSH A CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO NISSAN OF ELK GROVE, WHERE THE NEXT DAY THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I WAS UPSET, BECA…
Read full complaint
TWO DAYS AGO, MY CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION SINCE I AM SIX MONTHS PREGNANT AND UNABLE TO PUSH A CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO NISSAN OF ELK GROVE, WHERE THE NEXT DAY THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I WAS UPSET, BECAUSE I HAD THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR REPLACED LAST YEAR AFTER MY CAR STARTING CUTTING OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE SAME DEALER DETERMINED THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. I HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR YESTERDAY AND ASSUMED THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT, MY CAR STALLED AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. I PROMPTLY INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR NISSAN OF ELK GROVE, AND HE MANAGED TO START MY CAR AFTER WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. HE DROVE IT AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR ALMOST "CUT-OUT" ON HIM A FEW TIMES AND THAT THE RPM NEEDLE WAS "STIIF" AND "ACTING STRANGE". PRESENTLY, MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER WHILE I AWAIT AN UPDATE ON THE CAUSE.
NHTSA ODI #10191660
69,000 miles · May 22, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA S CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HAS FAILED. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ONE WEEK AGO AND SMOKE ASCENDED FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN, THEY DID NOT OFFER AN E…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA S CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HAS FAILED. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ONE WEEK AGO AND SMOKE ASCENDED FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN, THEY DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION OTHER THAN POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING ANY SOLUTIONS TO THE FAILURES AND DID NOT STATE WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #10191468
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 ↗