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2003 Nissan Altima engine complaints

Page 4 of 20: complaints 71 to 100 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 Aug 7, 2014 · Engine · 130,000 miles · AL · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department extinguished the flames, but the vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2014 · Engine · 76,000 miles · NJ

I pulled out of a parking spot onto a busy street when the car suddenly shut off while I was driving.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Engine · 171,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the cam shaft position sensor and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling) and the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Engine · 121,044 miles · TX

In nov 2013 the car would stall (engine dies) while driving. The car would not start sometimes and the check engine light came on. Vehicle was taken to a nissan dealership where the oem was reprogrammed. I was also told the cam position sensor had an internal failure. The oem reprogramming was covered by a recall but not the sensor which was VIN specific, as told by nissan. I replaced the sensor. This year the car has been jerking and would not start several times (seems the problem re-appears every summer). I again took the car for repairs and was told it is the crank and cam position sensor. I have again replaced the sensor and called nissan. I was told my car is not covered by the recall as it is VIN specific.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Engine · 103,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle jerked violently. The contact stated that the crank shaft sensor was replaced twice before but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer advised the vehicle was not included in recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 188,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2014 · Body, Engine · PA

In may 2014 I started to run my AC unit and was getting a very bad smell from the AC unit- the AC unit was replaced last year. I took the car back to the mechanic that replaced the AC unit last year and he found dead mice up in the AC unit so he replaced the AC filter and sprayed out the car good. My husband went underneath the car yesterday to find that the floor boards on both sides of the car are rotted and they are two large holes. We looked online at 2003 nissan altima's to find out that it is a car defective and we are not the only ones experiencing this problem. I plan on contacting nissan tomorrow to make them aware of this issue as well. There is a 99.9% that nissan's floor boards rot out over time for it is manufacturers flaw. Nissan should recall all nissan's and replace all their floor boards.

Filed May 28, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 89,000 miles · MS

I drove my car from ms to ga. When I reached my hotel and turned my car off and tried to leave again the service engine light came on and the car would not start. I had the light checked the next the and it came back reading the crank position sensor. When I made it back to ms I got the part replaced and the check engine light was turned off. 8 months later my car started cutting off at red lights and not starting again. The check engine light came back on. When I had it checked again the mechanic said it was reading for the crank position sensor again. Once I explained to him that I just had that fixed he figured it was something else. Replaced my battery, battery cables, alternator, and starter. Cars still shuts off and wont crank. When I called nissan they said my VIN wasn't included in the recall. My car stalls on me daily and shuts off at red lights.

Filed May 23, 2014 · Engine · 137,095 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact made several attempts before the vehicle would start. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage were 137,095.

Filed May 8, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 90 miles · NY

While at a red light, the car unknowingly stopped! I didn't even know until the light turned green and I attempted to pull off. I put the car in park and resterted the car with no issue. A couple days later the engine started a slight shake and each day the shake became more intense and the engine would shut off when driven for a while & while my feet is on the break the meter would jump from 0 to 2 and shut off wen it hit 0. Also while attempting to pull off the car feels like it's stuck then it'll shoot off.

Filed Apr 16, 2014 · Engine · 113,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times. On one visit, the ECM was reprogrammed and the failure persisted. The dealer was currently replacing the camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor. There was a recall related to the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2014 · Engine · 120,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, an unusual noise emitted and the engine stalled without prior warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted and resumed normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the crank position sensor and camshaft position sensor both would need to be replaced. There was a recall related to the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v4550000 (engine and engine cooling), however the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2014 · Engine · 180,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the cam position sensor had failed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Engine · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Engine · 128,560 miles · AR

When I slowed down to take a right turn, my nissan altima stalled all of a sudden. My steering and brakes got locked. I could not start it immediately.. Behind me was a cargo truck however at a more gap distance so that he could bring his truck to a halt before rear bumping me. I could have been killed if it was on a highway or if the speeds were higher. This car has given me starting problems. Nissan told that my VIN is not covered in any recall campaign, so I had get the cam shaft sensor & crank position sensor replaced at a local mechanic. After that I still face stalling problems, engine starting problems. My battery health is good and the engine cranks, but does not fire. Pissed off with this car.

Filed Feb 11, 2014 · Engine · 97,000 miles · MO

Driving down highway and motor stopped in fast line of hwy 60 in southeast missouri and almost got rearended by on coming traffic, thank god they stopped . Had car towed in and came to find out it blew a rod, have been told by a number of mechanic that this was a problem motor and should have been recalled years ago due to all problems these motors have caused people. You cant get a replacement motor anywhere only found one and they want 2000.00 I feel nissan needs to make this right. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 20, 2013 · Engine · 105,000 miles · CA

Crankshaft sensor not on recall yet 1000's have this problem.

Filed Dec 2, 2013 · Engine · 148,200 miles · NY

I am a collage student and I bought a 2003 nissan altima I always like this car but I got a shock in my life the first week to school I saw the engine light blinking when I check there is no oil I odd 3 quart and it fill to the h level the next week it went to below low level I only got this car 3 weeks only and I almost used one gal oil can any one do any thing about the problem the car do not smoke it just burn the oil.

Filed Nov 15, 2013 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 131,000 miles · NY

I was sitting at a red light and when it turned green I went to go and my car stalled out. My check engine light came on and it's due to cam and crankshaft sensors. Drove the car to work today the car stalled out again completely shut itself off. Once again had to pull over on the side of the rode the best I could turn the car off and thankfully it turned back on. Called nissan today spoke with a consumer affairs supervisor named [xxx] and they are telling me that my VIN # is not included in the recall for this claim on crankshaft sensors and that they would be able to forward my information to a regional office for consumer affairs and see if they can get them to pay for the parts but in the mean time I have to get a diagnostics report done on the car at a nissan dealership and I have to pay for the diagnostics report and they will not waive it for me and in order to get approval for the parts I have to get the diagnostics report. So they transferred me to a dealership in albany ny a nissan dealership service department spoke with a guy named ed he said they would need my car for 24-48 hours and can not provide me with a rental, can not waive the diagnostics fee and they wouldn't be able to get my car in until aweek from now. This is outrageous. People are going to end up being seriously injured if not killed by this malfunction. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 12, 2013 · Engine · 92,000 miles · TN

While my son was driving, the engine began missing and started to smoke. At the same time the heater quit producing heat. The check engine light came on. Engine diagnostics indicated cylinder # 4 misfire. Took to independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine was destroyed by failed catalyst in the pre- catalyst. Oil had fouled the missing cylinder's spark plug. The engine oil level was full and there had no previous indication of oil consumption, but the oil was found to contain coolant. These cars are popular for parents to purchase for teenagers and appear to be hazardous. The federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v084000 indicated that this pre-catalyst issue was a fire hazard back in 2003. It appears whatever was done in this recall did not solve the problem. This failure seems to be fairly common occurrence.

Filed Nov 11, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 191,431 miles · TX

I was driving and my car just slowed down and eventually cut off. I put the car in park and started it back up. When I arrived at my destination and cut the car off and tried to cut it back on it would not start.

Filed Nov 5, 2013 · Engine · 122,000 miles · CA

Crank camshaft sensor was replaced due to having problems starting vehicle. Vehicle still continues to have problems starting. Always need multiple attempts to start. I am afraid vehicle will completely shutoff in traffic since I commute so much on highways. There is a high chance of an accident. Nissan refuses to include my VIN number on recall list. This is completely absurd.

Filed Nov 3, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

This problem started gradually it would just turn off while I was driving without any warning.in the middle of traffic it was scary. Thank god it would turn back on right away. I decided to see if doing a oil change spark plugs and air filter would help it didn't . One saturday on september 21 of this year on lunch break I need to come home really quick it stopped before I made it home it would not turn back on at all! I called the tow truck he was able to make it turn back on. I took it to auto zone they said my battery was bad so I bought a new one. It continued to stop on me. It would run for a few days without stopping at all until just a few days ago it didn't want to start at all thought it was the fuel pump. Now that has been checked off the list. The engine light has then turned on and the codes that is being read out is for a recall that was issued in december 22 of 2003 r 3022 / infiniti what can I do?

Filed Sep 20, 2013 · Engine · 147,655 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed, which located the failure at the camshaft sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure and current mileage was 147,655.

Filed Aug 28, 2013 · Engine · 132,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had been consuming oil excessively before the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the catalytic converter was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle had been repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling ). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 132,000 and the current mileage was 133,931.

Filed Aug 23, 2013 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NM

My vehicle suddenly stalled while traveling about 55 miles per hour. It was diagnosed as a bad camshaft sensor...the sensor was replaced. It works for a while then the same problem happened about 6 months later, then again about 6 months later and again 6 months later. In one case I only narrowly avoided a crash because my car stalled in the middle of a busy street. Now 4 years later we have replaced the cam shaft sensor 6 times and have the same problem. My mechanic did research and found vehicle of my same make and model were part of a recall for this problem recall 01v357 and follow up recall 33411. Nissan keeps telling me my car isn't affected. I seriously feel it should be. This is obviously the problem I am having. Despite repeated calls to nissan they will not look at my car without charging me or consider adding it to the recall. My car is no longer operable because it stalls so violently, I am afraid I will crash and put my family in danger. Please help!

Filed Aug 21, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 93,500 miles · NJ

When I was came home from shopping I stop car and switch off and go home after about 15 min going to some where but car take time to start after few second car start. Try 3 times same. Next day going to work and same starting problem start car and going about 1 mile drive power cut off and luckily no one behind me able to go on side because can not do anything no brake no gas god help me after one mint start car and rich work about 2 mile . At work we have mechanic he has software for car diagnosis he check and told me code p0340 for camshaft position sensor we change one bought from dealer after 2 hr going home same problem starting. Mechanic reset and go home next day going to work same thing happened power shutoff about 1 and 1/2 able to park onside and start again and drop to repair shop. He called me and told me you have to change another camshaft sensor after wok fine for up to now. But they recall some car before for this problem if I was in highway then what happened do you think I will able to write now or die. Can you check on this and do something otherwise some one die. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 10, 2013 · Engine · 112,386 miles · IL

Check engine light came on. After running diagnostics the crank shaft sensor has been identified as faulty. I have read that there is a recall on the crank shaft sensor but not for my VIN #. Thought it appropriate to flag that there are other nissan's with faulty crank shaft sensors.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Engine · 85,000 miles · AL

Car stalls at red light twice. Later, stalls but doesn't go dead. Gas won't work. Month later crankshaft sensor, transmission oil, fluid and screen was replaced, but when driven afterwards it stalled again.

Filed Jul 24, 2013 · Engine · 120,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the engine service light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the camshaft position. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 03v084000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure and current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Engine · 162,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact also mentioned that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted approximately one hour later and was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to a private mechanic where it was determined that the crankshaft position sensor had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 162,000.

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