2003 Nissan Altima: gas smell in the cabin

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 Nov 26, 2011 · Body · 73,390 miles · PA

Drivers side floor rusting through from inside to outside , was told it would need to be repaired in order to pass state inspection. Was told eventually exhaust fumes may leak inside of vehicle through rotted floor. Car only has 73,000 miles on it . Worried that corrosion will work its way to the seat support and will fall through.

Filed Jun 22, 2011 · Body · OH

Passenger floorboards completely rusted through opening a 16in long by 8 in wide hole in passenger floor. No other rust anywhere else found on vehicle. Appears rust originated around floor plug. Exhaust fumes can enter the cabin of the car.

Filed Mar 31, 2011 · Engine · 91,050 miles · RI

The car would intermittently stall and sometimes would lurch when driving. We replaced spark plugs and a coils, but periodically the check engine light would still come on. I was driving around town and was stopped at a stop light. As I took off from the light, the car stalled and suddenly stopped. I tried to restart the vehicle, the engine revved and smoke filled the interior of the vehicle and a strong burning oil/gas smell. I then had to have the car towed as it would not turn over. The person behind me nearly ran into me since the car stopped so suddenly. The mechanic replaced the crank position sensor and the pre catalyst and catalytic converters. It was discovered at that time that the vehicle had used about 2.5 qts of oil and no oil light came on. Today, I drove the car for the 2nd time since the repair and it is losing power and lurching while on the highway. There is a ticking noise in the engine, and the car shudders like it is going to stall. It is being brought back to the mechanic today. The engine light started flashing and then turned solid. Clouds of smoke began coming out of the exhaust. I'm afraid that the car will turn off while I'm driving on the highway and cause a crash. This problem has been ongoing for 2 years (begin around 65,000 miles) and occurs at various speeds from stopped to 65mph.

Filed Dec 8, 2010 · Body · 105,000 miles · KY

Upon inspection of the undercarriage, a hole about the size of a softball had rusted through the floorpan on the passenger side. The vehicle is kept in a garage and is regularly cleaned and waxed. The corrosion problem seems to be a systemic issue with altimas based on the federal safety agency complaints and internet searches. Nissan chooses to ignore the issue which could present a safety issue if exhaust fumes get into the passenger compartment

Filed Nov 8, 2010 · Body · 50,000 miles · 00

Passenger side drain plug on the floor was not sealed from factory on 02-04 nissan altima models, the floor rusts out very prematurely leaving a large hole for a foot to go through, or worse exhaust fumes to enter the car doing a search online this seems to be a very common issue which nissan doesn't not want to address and does not cover. See here http://www.nissanforums.com/general-altima-stanza-discussion/137783-altima-rust-shocker.html and http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/2002-2006-nissan-altima-discussion-2-5-3-5/287928-floorboard-rust-problem.html.

Filed Aug 21, 2009 · Body · 96,337 miles · NY

I own a 2003 nissan altima that was purchased brand new. The car has never been in an accident and has always been well maintained...washed and waxed regularly. I was changing the oil on 7/28/09 and noticed something hanging from the passenger side floor which turned out to be the remains of said floor. There is a rust hole approximately 2 foot long and 6 inches wide in the passenger side of this 6 year old car. After doing some research online I see this is a fairly common failure for this generation altima and nissan will do absolutely nothing to help with the repair since the perforation warranty is over as of 10/08. I have had the car into the dealership for recall work and nobody from the dealership ever mentioned the hole in this vehicle which at that time would have been covered by warranty. Nissan flat out denies to do anything to help with the repair regardless of the fact that this shouldn't be happening to a 6 year old car in the first place. It's an obvious safety issue with a giant hole in the floor that exhaust fumes can enter but nissan refuses to acknowledge the design flaw in this vehicle. Please help me to force nissan to admit the problem exists and get it fixed at their cost.

Filed Mar 9, 2007 · Engine · 79,720 miles · CA

Tl *- the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving at 40 MPH the contact attempted to accelerate and the vehicle lost power. The check engine light illuminated. This failure occurred 8 times. The contact smelled exhaust fumes in the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who incorrectly diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, who was aware of the related recall #06v242000, for the ECM. The dealer stated that they were unable to repair the vehicle without authorization from the manufacturer. The contact was advised by the customer service department to leave a message for the regional representative, and after 3 attempts she hasn't received a response. The contact was aware that she could be eligible for reimbursement. The current and failure mileage was 79,720.

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Engine · 105,750 miles · CO

1) the power valve screws located in the engine intake valve on my 2003 nissan altima 2.5s have started to come loose, causing power loss in the engine. One of the power valve screws actually came loose and was sucked into the engine, damaging the cylinders, thus ruining the engine. The exhaust manifold, o2 sensor and other components in the engine compartment have been damaged also. This has resulted in several thousand dollars worth of damage, anywhere between $1500 to $7500+ worth of damage. 2) the failure is that these power valve screws have come loose and started being sucked into the engine causing high dollar value damage to the vehicle. More important is that the loss of power and the destruction of the engine during driving almost caused a fatal crash that would have resulted in my death and the death of other individuals on the highway. Additionally, exhaust is escaping the engine as a result of this problem because the power valve screw, after being sucked into the engine and causing damage, went into the exhaust manifold and cracked it. Exhaust fumes were leaking from the crack in the exhaust manifold polluting the environment and causing me personal damage from the fumes and other complications. Nissan north america is already aware of this exact issue in their 2004 and 2005 nissan altimas with the same engine as mine, which is the 2.5s engine. They are in the midst of conducting a service recall related to this issue. However, they are not addressing the issue in my 2003 nissan altima. 3) nissan has done nothing to correct this issue. My dealer, woodmen nissan of colorado springs has worked to communicate with nissan north america to make them aware of the issue and add the 2003 model to the recall. However, nissan north america has declined both my and the dealerships request to address this costly and seriously dangerous/fatal flaw in the automobile.

Filed Dec 24, 2003 · Fuel system · MO

Gasoline smell around vehicle due to leak on exhaust pipes. *la the dealer suggested that the leaking was due to faulty fuel tank gas valves. *sc