Check a VIN

2003 Nissan Altima engine complaints

Page 17 of 20: complaints 461 to 490 of 559, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Nissan Altima engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Dec 18, 2006 · Engine · 38,500 miles · CA

Slowed vehicle and sees light began to flash. Vehicle died. Restarted vehicle. Ses light on constant. Vehicle 'pulses' - like not getting enough fuel.

Filed Dec 14, 2006 · Engine · 3,200 miles · AR

I bought a 2003 nissan altima in october 2002. It had 4 miles on it from my test drive. My first oil change was six weeks later because I was working 100 miles round-trip to work. The dealership initially left the cap off my radiator which caused the car to smoke and sputter when I picked it up. In february 2003, I was driving to work and my cab filled up with smoke. I had to pull over because the car ran hot. The dealership denied any responsibility and refused to pay for repairs to the car. There was something wrong with the radiator. They told me they had to replace the "hoses" because rodents had eaten through the hoses that caused the fluid to leak. I asked for another vehicle, but they refused. I have since replaced every hose on the car. I had to buy a new radiator, heater coil (the car would blow cold air when sitting still), and right now I'm waiting on a compressor. This car has been a piece of junk since I made the purchase. I have owned 2 maximas, and currently have an older model pathfinder as well. I have never had any problems like this with the other ones. I will never buy another altima.

Filed Nov 29, 2006 · Engine · 54,000 miles · TN

Had the ECM reprogram done a few weeks ago. Couple of weeks later, check engine light came on, dealer reset the ECM again. Past week, check engine light came on again. Dealer now says the crank position sensor is bad. We had the "stalling engine without warning" issue in nov 2003. At that time and under severe pressure from me, the dealer replaced the crank and camshaft position...stalling problem solved. Here we are 3 years later back to the bad crank position sensor again and dealer is saying my VIN is not in the range of the sensor recall and I have to pay to have it replaced. In my opinion, nissan is trying to program the ECM to hide a known problem with the sensors and it's made it more pronounced. The dealer is trying to soften the blow a bit by knocking some off the charges, but I'm still having to cough up $184 for a well known, well documented and aging defect. Come on nissan, fix the problem....it's a dangerous one.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Engine · 62,000 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the engine, the vehicle was difficult to start, and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the air flow filter needed to be replaced. Afterwards, the problem persisted. A the federal safety agency recall, #06v242000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the engine however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair under the recall. The manufacturer was alerted.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Engine · 69,750 miles · AK

2003 nissan altima 2.5 s. Car stalls while driving on highway. Searched online and found that many, many people have had the same problem with the crankshaft position sensor a circuit malfunction and engine speed input circuit causing this stalling. There's a recall for 2002 models, but not for 2003 and this is dangerous.

Filed Nov 14, 2006 · Acceleration, Engine · NV

Courtesy copy re defective 2003 nissan altima. She is seeking reimbursement from nissan. *ts the vehicle stalled weather the vehicle was acceleration from a stop or while driving at various speeds. The check engine light illuminated the vehicle was taken to a dealer who indicated that the vehicle needed the crank case replaced, throttle sensor adjusted, fuel injection flushed, power steering flushed, and brake fluid flushed. The consumer did some research and found recall 06v242000 in reference to faulty engine crank angle sensor. The consumer vehicle fell within the range of the recall but the consumer was told by the dealer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. Therefore the consumer had to pay for the replacement of the sensor. Several months later the check engine light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to another dealer who checked the recalls. The dealer replaced a faulty chamber. The faulty chamber resulted in a throttle chamber replacement.

Filed Oct 28, 2006 · Engine · 65,600 miles · MA

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2006 · Engine · 47,500 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2006 · Engine, Seat belts · SC

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. *

Filed Oct 17, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 49,868 miles · FL

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.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Oct 2, 2006 · Engine · 72,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2006 · Engine · 52,000 miles · AZ

Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle operated at a reduced speed, and the engine stalled without warning. Afterwards, the check light illuminated, and the engine was easily restarted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the crank position sensor needed to be replaced. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 03v455000, regarding the engine and engine cooling. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was notified.

Filed Sep 25, 2006 · Engine · 102,000 miles · GA

I have a 2003 nissan altima 2.5 s. As I have researched and seen posted in other complaints, my car wouldn't start 2 months ago and before then for a few months it would cut off in traffic while I was driving, I have taken it to a nissan dealership thinking that it was my crank angular sensor (most recent recall). However the dealership service notified me that it is my "crank position sensor" that is causing the problem. Like others, I noticed that this was a recall on the 2002 models, but not on 2003. Like another complaint stated, 2003 and 2002 models are not that much different (if at all) and if nissan was having this problem before, then they should make the recall on the 2003 models as well. Now I am being told to fix this problem will cost $243. Nissan should really do some further investigation on their 2003 models to find out if this really needs to be recalled, in my opinion with so many other people complaining about the same problem, it should be.

Filed Sep 23, 2006 · Engine · CA

Recently I have been having problems with my 2003 nissan altima, more specificity, the engine has stopped running without warning while driving at a low speed. I researched this issue and found a recall on the nissan website for the crank angle sensor on all 2002 altimas, but nothing for 2003 altimas. However, while researching on the web I found several reports, including the federal safety agency website (campaign # 06v‑242), indicating that a few 200,000 2003 altimas/sentras (2.5 liter) were being recalled for the same crank angle problem. I brought this issue up with the nissan service department (cerritos) and was thoroughly disappointed with the support and service from the technicians. First, I was informed that my car was not under the recall. Then, I was informed that not all recalls are listed in the website and I would have to get my car serviced first and only after could they determine whether or not my car is under the warranty. And I would need to pay for whatever repairs that was needed to be done. I do not have an issue with paying for the repairs if it is not a recall issue; however, shouldn't the nissan's technicians know exactly what is under recall by looking into the VIN number or the parts number? Also, the recall is not listed or announced on the nissan website but is reported in several articles. It should have been nissan's responsibility to inform the public of this safety issue, even if it is only a small number of vehicles. And the dealerships responsibility to check into the problem, especially since there have been other instances with this particular car. I have yet to receive any correction for this issue and am hoping you will be of some assistance to me with this problem since I have had no luck with the dealership. Cindy lin.

Filed Sep 22, 2006 · Engine · 59,000 miles · MI

Purchased new 2003 nissan altima 2.5s in july 2003. Car taken to dealer for routine checks and oil changes. At 59k, dealer advised that radiator had corroded and needed replacing. Dealer attributed problem to being in a "salt" state. However, nissan recalled other parts because I live in a salt state, but not this one. After several phone calls, filed complaint with nissan because I felt this was a part that should be replaced due to technical bulletins published regarding radiator cap replacement and why would a radiator need replacing after only 3 years? Nissan advised to take to another dealership. Second dealership performed pressure test, found a leak in the radiator. Clamps also corroded. This dealership advised that radiator caps should be replaced on nissans every 30k. Nissan customer service claims that they are not responsible, they will not replace at their cost. Very disappointed in nissan customer service, they do not stand behind their product. Nissan customer service also bad at returning calls, not forwarding your calls and have to repeat every thing you say multiple times, and condescending towards customer. Will never buy another nissan again and will tell everyone I know of the problems. Replaced radiator with after market part, cost $600 out of pocket. Shop that replaced part advised that nissan radiators are on national backorder and that he gets numerous calls to replace this part on nissans. Every shop that I call was surprised that I wanted to replace the radiator since the car was so new.

Filed Sep 18, 2006 · Engine · 47,750 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at a traffic light the vehicle stalled and the service engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined the engine crank sensor needed to be replaced. While waiting for an estimate the contact received a recall letter #06v242000 regarding engine and engine cooling. The recall remedy was to reprogram the ECM sensor however after the ECM sensor was reprogrammed the problem persisted. To fix the problem the dealer recommended the crank sensor be replaced which would be an additional charged. The manufacturer was also alerted.

Filed Sep 16, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 46,703 miles · HI

I was at a stop light ready to turn left onto another street when suddenly my car stalls out right in the middle of the intersection. It took me a few times to get my car started again and when it fired up again I started driving away but my car would be having a hard time going as if it was starting to bog out. I later did a diagnostics test and got the code p0335 which ended up being the crankshaft position sensor. A few weeks before this happened, my car had the same symptoms but it wasn't as bad. It would just bog down like once in 2 weeks but this was the worst case scenario!.

Filed Sep 15, 2006 · Engine · 55,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the engine shut down while driving 35 MPH as well as when idling. The dealer replaced the crank position censor due to fuel leaking on the censor. The service dealer stated this was due to normal wear and tear on the vehicle. Updated 08/14/08

Filed Sep 11, 2006 · Engine · 60,385 miles · OH

I was making a left-hand turn at an intersection at 12:00 midnight on a sunday and depressed the accelerator pedal nearly to the floor and as the car down shifted, the car lurched. The check engine light illuminated and immediately noticed that the transmission seemed crippled. I was able to drive home, but the engine would not rev over 2300 RPM and the transmission had a difficult time shifting. We took the car to a nissan dealer and were told that the mass air flow sensor had failed. After doing some research, we found that the failure of the mass air flow sensor on nissan altima's and maxima's is not uncommon. The repair bill was over $1300 for diagnostics of the problem, labor and parts. I am extremely displeased that this issue is much too common to be overlooked as being a recall item. Luckily, there was no traffic around me at the time of the incident, otherwise, there could have been a car accident as that intersection is a high-volume intersection.

Filed Aug 31, 2006 · Engine · 46,908 miles · IL

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle hesitated and suddenly stalled without warning while driving at various speeds. The "service engine soon" light illuminated. The dealership determined the crank sensor needed to be replaced and reprogrammed the ECM. The contact received a recall notice in the mail regarding the federal safety agency recall # 06v242000; engine and engine cooling; crank sensor and ECM; however the dealer and manufacturer determined the vehicle's VIN was not included. The vehicle hesitated and lurched forward and the "service engine soon" light illuminated soon after the above repairs were made. The contact was charged for the above repairs even though the recall notice indicates the VIN as being included. The dealership treated the crank sensor and ECM repairs as two separate repairs, but the recall notice indicated the two were correlated together as one.

Filed Aug 29, 2006 · Engine · 106,000 miles · FL

Service engine light came on all of a sudden with no warning and car stopped in middle of road. I put it back into gear and started it again - it did this 4 times within a 2 mile range. My brother put some transmission fluid in it which seemed to help a little bit. Luckily an auto parts store was near by and I made it over there for them to run a diagnostic check on it. Came back with bad crank position sensor. I finally made it home and made arrangements to get it serviced the next day. Made it to dealership with a lot of prayer because it was 15 miles away. I guess the transmission fluid helped a bit too. They replaced the crank position sensor at $170 and a whole day out of work. Today I got a recall notice on it - 5 months later. Yeah.

Filed Aug 29, 2006 · Engine · 51,000 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at low speeds the engine stalled without warning. After the failure there was a couple minute delay before the engine restarted. This only occurred during warm weather. There is a the federal safety agency recall, #06v242000, regarding the engine and engine cooling. The dealership has not inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a service shop for diagnostic testing however no codes displayed. The manufacturer was alerted and determined the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN

Filed Aug 9, 2006 · Engine · 61,000 miles · OR

Car stalls and dies without notice.

Filed Aug 9, 2006 · Engine · 68,000 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled suddenly while stopped at a stop light. The vehicle stalled in different situations but usually while stopped. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 06v242000, regarding the engine and engine cooling. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Aug 7, 2006 · Engine · 53,000 miles · MS

My 2003 nissan altima has the engine install issue.... I have called the headquarters and the dealership and have been told I must wait until the recall notices are mailed to out on 8/21.... I hope I don't have a wreck between now and then!

Filed Aug 6, 2006 · Engine · 48,570 miles · TX

Service engine soon light came on, engine stop without warning while driving. This happened to me 3 times, fortunately I was not on the freeway. I know this is a part of the recall on all 2002 vehicles, recall day was nov 04 2003. My car is 2003 but I bought it on nov 15th 2003. Nissan should do the recall on all 2003 also. I brought the car to nissan dealer, on the first service, they charged me for $872.73, I talk to the service director and showed him all the documents about the safety recall, he said my car is 2003, and also said this is a different problem. I said ok and paid the service by credit card. When I brought the car home, the car won't last longer than 24 hrs, this time I was driving on the freeway while exiting the freeway, I am very lucky I am still alive. The same problem that happened before I brought the car to dealer: service engine light came on, car stopped while driving without warning. This time the service director took care of the problem by fixing the problem that I showed him one day earlier: that is replace the crank position sensors, camshaft position, which all included in the recall on 2002, the federal safety agency campaign id number. The worst thing was the dealer tried to charge me for 2nd service that is almost $300.00, I'm so upset and bring up to the service director, he voided the charge but still charged me for the part = $37.84 includes tax. I'm in the process to work with my credit card to dispute about all the charge.

Filed Aug 6, 2006 · Engine · 48,570 miles · TX

Service engine soon light come on, engine stopped while driving could have resulted in a crash.

Filed Jul 27, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 61,000 miles · NC

The engine shuts off in stop and go traffic. Loss of power on highways and interstates. Will not crank after a failure. The engine has to be turned over several times before cranking. The problem is gradually getting worse.

Filed Jul 27, 2006 · Engine · 85,070 miles · OK

My 2003 nissan altima stalls at intersections for no apparent reason. I'll come to a stop, and it will die. I'll get the vehicle started, try to go and it will stall. I blocked traffic momentarily, and made some other drivers fairly irritated. The car is going into the shop next week to hopefully correct the problem.

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