2003 Nissan Altima engine problems

559 complaints (63% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 86,000. 9 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 559
of this car's complaints: 63%
typical mileage: 86,000
crashes: 9
recalls: 3

Which part fails

Engine
106
Exhaust system
40
Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
16
Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
14
Cooling system
13
Cooling system: radiator assembly
12
Exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
9
Engine: gasoline
5

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Nissan Altima engine problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Nissan Altima engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 246 Check engine light 182 Won't start 55 Engine failure 51 Oil consumption 45 Loss of power 44 Overheating 13 Knocking 12 Misfire 12

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported July 7, 2006 · 294,166 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.

Recall number 06V242000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported November 17, 2003 · 630,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.

Recall number 03V455000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported March 11, 2003 · 338,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.

Recall number 03V084000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Engine stall - crank position sensorOpened February 22, 2006, closed July 18, 2006

On june 28, 2006 nissan submitted to the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.

RQ06001

What 2003 Nissan Altima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 23, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · GA

Faulty crankshaft and camshaft sensors UNKOWN

Filed Nov 23, 2021 · Engine · 187,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle had to be pushed to the side of the road and jump-started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the CAM Sensor. The contact stated a day later the vehicle stalled and shut-off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · WA

I note some nissan altimas havr recalls on camsensor and speedsensonsor. This vehicle has same problems. Vehicle shuts off on the road cam sensor was changed but was good for a couple years does the same mechanic says faulty plastic clip. Also vehicle gets stuck in low gear while driving and the car will have to be pulled iver restarted to get it to reset otherwise car will run in low gear at high rpms.. I noticed recalls on the nissan altima for for these sensors. However not this model according to the dealer.

Filed Nov 2, 2020 · Engine · 150,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while drive at various speeds, the vehicle check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the rear and front catalytic converters and the oxygen (o2) sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle then was taken to bosak nissan (220 verplank rd, burns harbor, in 46304 (219) 787-1777) to be inspected. The contact was informed that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2020 · Engine · 147,500 miles · PA

I bought this car last year may 2019 and within a month the engine blew. I replaced the engine and now it has issues with the catalytic converter. It says it needs to be replaced.

Filed Jul 6, 2020 · Engine, Steering · 110,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the shoulder of the roadway, waited for about 10 minutes due to the steering wheel being difficult to maneuver. The vehicle resumed normal operation after 10 minutes. The vehicle was taken to palmetto 57 nissan (16725 nw 57th ave, miami gardens, fl 33055) but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · CA

Engine overheats while driving.. When heater is on car power fails when driving at high and low speeds. Battery dies and battery drains when car is off

Filed Jan 31, 2020 · Engine · 147,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the ECM (engine control module) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to (royal nissan of cortland 3901 west rd, cortland, ny 13045(607) 753-9774) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs were fouled and also that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 147,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2019 · Engine · 122,875 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 45 MPH, the engine seized and the vehicle powered down. The vehicle could not be restarted. In addition, the engine made an abnormal wrapping noise. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact called darling honda nissan (114 sylvan rd, bangor, me 04401, (207) 941-1460), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in a recall; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v251000 (fuel system gasoline). The failure mileage was 122,875.

Filed Jun 2, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 175,000 miles · AZ

Takata recall while sitting in idle the car just shut off randomly. I was able to start the car back up after a few seconds, but it's been happening to often while in idle

Questions about the 2003 Nissan Altima engine

Does the 2003 Nissan Altima have engine problems?

Owners have filed 559 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 63% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Altima engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 86,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Nissan Altima engine?

Yes, 3 recalls: 06V242000, 03V455000, 03V084000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Altima have bad engine?

The Nissan Altima model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (682 complaints), 2003 (559 complaints) and 2005 (395 complaints).