← New search

2003 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

727 reports with mileage · 156 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 450 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

41 crash reports13 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

883 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2006
Electrical System

2003 ALTIMA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE. PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGA…

Read full complaint

2003 ALTIMA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE. PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THE TECH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CRANK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEY COULD NOT REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER WITHOUT REPLACING IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173278

65,600 miles · Oct 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN 1N4AL11D33C2XXXXX WAS DISPLAYING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WITH A CODE OF P0 507- IDLE SYSTEM TOO HIGH.....THIS APPEARED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS FOLLOWING THE R0606 RECALL FOR A ECM RE-PORGRAM FOR A CRANK ENGINE SENSOR. THE INTRESTING THING, MY SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR, DID THE SAME RECALL AROUND THE SA…

Read full complaint

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN 1N4AL11D33C2XXXXX WAS DISPLAYING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WITH A CODE OF P0 507- IDLE SYSTEM TOO HIGH.....THIS APPEARED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS FOLLOWING THE R0606 RECALL FOR A ECM RE-PORGRAM FOR A CRANK ENGINE SENSOR. THE INTRESTING THING, MY SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR, DID THE SAME RECALL AROUND THE SAME TIME AND HAD THE SAME SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEAR THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME CODE. SEARCHING THE WEB, IT APPEARS MANY FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I PAID ABOUT $140 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND WANT NISSAN TO REFUND MY MONEY, HOWEVER 6 CALLS TO THEM HAS GOTTEN ME NO WHERE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172037

47,500 miles · Oct 18, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CRANK SENSOR ON MY 03 NISSAN ALTIMA, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ON A HEAVY TRAVELED ROAD. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL RESULT IN A ACCIDENT POSSIBLY INJURING ME. I TRIED TO HAVE THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FIX THIS PROB UNDER THEIR RECALL AND THEY REFUSED STATING IT…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CRANK SENSOR ON MY 03 NISSAN ALTIMA, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ON A HEAVY TRAVELED ROAD. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL RESULT IN A ACCIDENT POSSIBLY INJURING ME. I TRIED TO HAVE THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FIX THIS PROB UNDER THEIR RECALL AND THEY REFUSED STATING IT WAS ONLY FOR THE 02 MODELS. MANY OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING IF YOU SEARCHED ON WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM YOU WOULD SEE NUMEROUS ENTRIES OF THE SAME THING. I JUST WANT THIS FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171286

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsSuspension

I HAVE BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY,NOT STAYING IN THE ROAD, PULLING AWAY FROM ME. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH 2 HANDS TO KEEP IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE WRONG WITH MY CAR. WHEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE…

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY,NOT STAYING IN THE ROAD, PULLING AWAY FROM ME. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH 2 HANDS TO KEEP IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE WRONG WITH MY CAR. WHEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MAINTENANCE SHOP JUST TO MAKE SURE I WAS BEING TOLD THE TRUTH. AFTER 30 MIN OF HAVING MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD BY A GOODYEAR MANAGER THAT I HAVE 3X THE WRONG SIZE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE 205/65/16 TIRES ON MY CAR AND I HAVE 225/60/16 TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. I AM FURIOUS BECAUSE I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH THOSE TIRES ON MY CAR AND HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN THERE SEVERAL TIMES TO BE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE AND THEY KNEW THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. MY CAR IS NOT A STEADY VEHICLE I FEEL UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY HOLD IT STILL IN THE ROAD. WHEN IT RAIN I FEEL LIKE I WRECK AT ANYTIME. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND IT HURTS ME TO KNOW THAT I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN THERE SEVERAL TIMES AND NOT ONE TIME HAVE THEY SAID ANYTHING ABOUT MY TIRES. I HAVE HAD THOSE TIRES ALIGNED AND BALANCE BUT THE TECH TOLD ME IT WOULD DO ME NO GOOD BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE 3 TIMES TO BIG. PLEASE HELP I THINK THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY TIRES WITH THE RIGHT SIZE. ALSO MY SEAT BELTS ON THE CAR WILL NOT EXTRACT I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WILL PULL THEM OUT BUT WHEN I LEAVE AFTER ABOUT 4 TO 5 DAYS MY BELTS WILL GET STUCK AGAIN I ALSO HAD MY SEAT BELTS CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS AND NISSAN WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME FLAT OUT IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM I CAN NOT PULL A SEAT BELT. I HAVE TO LET MY DAUGHTER RIDE IN THE BACK AT TIMES WITHOUT A SEAT BELT UNTIL I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELTS ARE GETTING HUNG FROM THE CORE OF THE ENTRANCE BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. **NM

NHTSA ODI #10171263

49,868 miles · Oct 17, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

2003 ALTIMA THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. CHAMBER ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL SHE RECEIVED FOR THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172229

62,000 miles · Oct 14, 2006
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN CRANK ITS ENGINE. AFTER 10 MINS THE ENGINE CRANKED AND STARTED, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND EXPLAINED OF A RECALL THAT STATED, " THAT SOME 2003 ALTIMAS MIGHT STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A PROBLEM BETWEEN …

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN CRANK ITS ENGINE. AFTER 10 MINS THE ENGINE CRANKED AND STARTED, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND EXPLAINED OF A RECALL THAT STATED, " THAT SOME 2003 ALTIMAS MIGHT STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ECM". WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED ME BACK, THEY STATED THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE POSITION SENSOR REPLACED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET. WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT ON THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD RECEIVED IT CLEARLY STATED THAT "IF ANY ONE HAD TO PAY TOP HAVE THE ISSUE RESOLVED IN BEFORE THE CAMPAIGN THAT THEY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPEATED THAT REPLACING THE SENSOR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, OUT OF POCKET. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170812

92,300 miles · Oct 14, 2006
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S AND MY OIL IS JUST DISAPPEARING FROM THE ENGINE. I DO NOT SEE LEAKING, BUT IT IS BEING CONSUMED SOMEHOW. THERE IS A RECALL SPEAKING OF THIS ISSUE. BUT NISSAN SAYS THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, AND YEAR SO I BELIEVE IF MY…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S AND MY OIL IS JUST DISAPPEARING FROM THE ENGINE. I DO NOT SEE LEAKING, BUT IT IS BEING CONSUMED SOMEHOW. THERE IS A RECALL SPEAKING OF THIS ISSUE. BUT NISSAN SAYS THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, AND YEAR SO I BELIEVE IF MY VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING, THEN SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BLOW UP THE ENGINE, BECAUSE IF I DRIVE ANYWHERE, ALL THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WILL BE GONE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170803

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I'VE FILED WITHIN THE SPAN OF 30 DAYS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING STALLING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE ENGINE WOULD COMPLETELY STOP DURING LOW SPEEDS AND AT STOP (4 TIMES AT A STOP AND ONCE DURING A TURN). I HAVE ALREADY HAD ISSUES WITH MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SERVICING …

Read full complaint

THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I'VE FILED WITHIN THE SPAN OF 30 DAYS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING STALLING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE ENGINE WOULD COMPLETELY STOP DURING LOW SPEEDS AND AT STOP (4 TIMES AT A STOP AND ONCE DURING A TURN). I HAVE ALREADY HAD ISSUES WITH MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SERVICING MY RECALLS. FIRST I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR SO I DROVE IT HOME. THEN I WENT BACK AGAIN AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS INDEED A RECALL FOR THE ECM. SO I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THEM THE REPORTS. THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO REPROGRAM MY ECM (AS THE RECALL STATES) AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE THAT COULD BE CAUSING THE STALLS. HOWEVER, JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALLS, MY CAR ENGINE DIES AGAIN. I CALLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR ENGINE AND ONCE MORE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ONLINE REPORTS OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WHERE THEY COMPLAINED OF THE SAME SITUATION- EVEN AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM, THE ENGINE STILL STALLS. SO NOW I HAVE MY CAR BACK BUT STILL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO TAKEN MY CAR TO AN NON-NISSAN MECHANIC AND HE TOO COULD LOCATE THE PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN VEHICLES, OR AT LEAST BE ABLE TO LOCATE AND FIX THE PROBLEMS WHEN IT OCCURS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENGINE STALLING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE ADVISE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170467

60,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Seat BeltsInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, A CHILD LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME CAUGHT IN THE SEAT BELT. THE CHILD BEGAN TO YELL BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHTENING WHICH CAUSED THE CHILD TO CHOKE. THE CHILD WAS CUT OUT OF THE SEAT BELT WITH SCISSORS. ON MANY OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT TIGHTENED SO BAD THE …

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, A CHILD LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME CAUGHT IN THE SEAT BELT. THE CHILD BEGAN TO YELL BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHTENING WHICH CAUSED THE CHILD TO CHOKE. THE CHILD WAS CUT OUT OF THE SEAT BELT WITH SCISSORS. ON MANY OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT TIGHTENED SO BAD THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO UNLATCH THE SEAT BELT TO ESCAPE BEING CHOKED ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #10170365

72,000 miles · Oct 2, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WORK #06V242000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 10/06. THREE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN IDLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IDENTIFIED THAT THE IDLE WAS OFF AND NEEDED TO BE RELEARNED, WHICH WAS PE…

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WORK #06V242000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 10/06. THREE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN IDLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IDENTIFIED THAT THE IDLE WAS OFF AND NEEDED TO BE RELEARNED, WHICH WAS PERFORMED. 12 MILES AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING WORST THAN IT DID BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE COMPUTER WAS BAD BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE RELEARNING OF THE IDLE. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. FOUR DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPED AND TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY AND STARTER. THEY ALL TESTED NORMAL TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PROBABLY NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10169723

Official recalls

4

06V242000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jul 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.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

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.

03V251000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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.

03V084000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ06001 · Engine Stall - Crank Position Sensor

Opened Feb 22, 2006 · Closed Jul 18, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems