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2003 Nissan Altima fuel system problems

50 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 87,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
50
of this car's complaints
6%
typical mileage
87,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Storage: tank assembly
    4
  • Delivery: fuel pump
    4
  • Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    2
  • Storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
    1
  • Storage: fuel gauge system
    1

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 fuel system problems in other years

1993199520002005201020152025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Nissan Altima fuel system

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

Fuel smell 10Fuel pump 9

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported July 14, 2003 · 377,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 03V251000 · Recall details

What 2003 Nissan Altima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 28, 2022 · Fuel system · MS

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine will not start. If I get the engine to start the car may act as if it wants to cut off in traffic. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Engine may stop while in traffic possibly resulting in someone hitting me in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No the dealership service department are refusing to service or even inspect my car. At first he lied like there wasn’t a recall. Now because we are in MS he is refusing to provide service because we are not in a cold state. I called Nissan to verify this information prior to speaking with the dealership and Nissan specifically stated that for my VIN there is an open campaign for a fuel pump screen. Then they were the ones who referred me to the nearest dealership which is Gray Daniels Nissan North in Jackson. MS.

Filed Aug 24, 2021 · Body, Fuel system · 87,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired at an independent mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that there was rusting on the front driver’s side floor pan. The contact also noticed that the front driver’s side floorboard was soft to the touch and a fuel odor was detected while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

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

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

The federal safety agency shows 10 recalls for my car, went to nissan bridgewater and they only found one recall to reprogram ECM and perform idle air volumn learning procedure, after this 2 days later service engine light went, now they want me to pay 140 for diagnostic test, they didn't want to see that my car has 10 recalls and to look into those issues, the car has no power while driving in on the highway, headlights keep going on and off, the gas gage fluctuates, the car goes through gas real fast, nissan bridgewater needs to fix these issues, if not I will report nissan bridgewater dealer to the better business bureau, this car has 90,403 miles

Filed Nov 3, 2017 · Airbags, Engine · 50,000 miles · CA · crash

I have received several recalls from nissan and mossy nissan el cajon refused to repair: most recent today for airbags

Filed Aug 20, 2017 · Body, Fuel system · 168,374 miles · PA

Takta recall. Hello, I have purchased a nissan altima 2.5 s 2003. My entire carextremely shakes from the moment I start my car until I turn it off. When I'm driving the car , the car at times drives like it's going to fail. Multiple times when driving, the car would stopped opereating properly. When my car is turned on gas/fuel like fumes through the ventilation system and throughout my vehical making it difficult to breathe at times. The door on the driver side, out of knkwhere shifted to where I can't shut my door completely. The door sensor light stays on when I turn my car off and it drains my battery because my door doesn't shut completely, and the door sensor stays on. Also, out of knowwhere the gas tank door, has shifted out of know where to where I can't shut the gasoline door completely. Also, my car"a windshields gets very foggy rapidly after I clean them, making visibilty difficult.

Filed Mar 25, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · AL

Takata recall my car seems like it won't crank up or like it is not getting gas

Filed Dec 9, 2016 · Fuel system · 55 miles · KY

Vin: [xxx] year: 2003 make: nissan model: altima 2.5 s number of open recalls: 1 the federal safety agency recall number: 03v‑251 recall date: july 14, 2003 manufacturer recall number: p3142 today ,december 09, 2016 @ 8:30 am , I had an appointment with[xxx] dealer regarding case #[xxx] . At 1:54pm they did call to pick up my car. After over 5 hours,they changed filter -fuel tank only ,but not fuel pump ! Customer copy # [xxx] (invoice #[xxx]) show that has been replaced part #17275-8j025 ,which is filter -fuel tank(not fuel pump which is open recall (just to remind you,this part cost only about $10,00 ,( after replacement a new fuel pump ,it should be replaced anyway)! Part# 170408j005 - fuel pump altima; 2.5l (cost about $456,00 )which is open recall, is not done ! They replaced filter-fuel tank only!(because of low cost , just to close this case...)! Again,attached document (refreshed dec.9 ,2016), shows that open recall is: fuel pump ! The manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle, replacing a fuel filter ,does not mean solving problem/ problem is fuel pump(which still as open recall, I have received many phone calls from manufacturer to tell me that problem is solved (replacing a fuel filter! And fuel pump is not necessary to be replaced ! ,this case is not closed for me ,is not replaced a new fuel pump(has been replaced fuel filter only,because of low cost/ about $10,00 only! Fuel pump and fuel filter-tank are 2 different things!!! This car is unsafe to drive during winter !!! ,this case is not closed for me ,is not replaced a new fuel pump(has been replaced fuel filter -tank only,because of low cost/ about $10,00 only! ,just to close this recall and this case!!!!!!!!! Fuel pump and fuel filter tank are 2 different things!!! I do not accept a phone calls,emails only ! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 25, 2016 · Fuel system · KY

I received a phone call from nissan (615‑725‑7000) regarding my complain (open recall)...and the person says that nissan can't perform for free that issue since this vehicle is registered in kentucky! That's mean ,because of safety reason I will be unable to drive this car to other states ! And the only option I have is to forward this case to the court and solve this problem by law !

Filed Nov 21, 2016 · Fuel system · KY

Vin: [xxx] year: 2003 make: nissan model: altima 2.5 s number of open recalls: 1 the federal safety agency recall number: opens new window takes away from VIN lookup section>03v-251recall date: july 14, 2003 manufacturer recall number: p3142 this recall data last refreshed: nov 20, 2016 recall status: recall incomplete the manufacturer(and nissan dealer in bowling green ky) has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle. They refused to fix this issue! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Questions about the 2003 Nissan Altima fuel system

Does the 2003 Nissan Altima have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 50 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 6% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Altima fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 87,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Nissan Altima fuel system?

Yes, 1 recall: 03V251000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Altima have the most fuel system problems?

The Nissan Altima model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2002 (56 complaints), 2003 (50 complaints) and 2013 (49 complaints).

Other 2003 Nissan Altima problems

Engine 559Body 126Electrical 89Transmission 34Acceleration 33Airbags 28Lights 17Suspension 15Visibility 14Steering 13Brakes 12Seat belts 9Seats 6Driver assistance 5Tires 5Wheels 5Locks 4

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