2003 Nissan Altima: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 29, 2018 · Engine · 149,286 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 45 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle suddenly started jerking and sputtering until the engine turned off. The vehicle had to be towed to nissan of mobile (1015 east interstate 65 service rd s, mobile, al 36606) where they replaced the coil pack. The contact stated that the same failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to nissan of corinth (813 s parkway st, corinth, ms 38834) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 149,286.

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 Aug 22, 2011 · Engine · 111,463 miles · CA

As I was driving on the freeway during rush hour, my 2003 nissan altima began to jerk back and forth, as if it was misfiring. The check engine light came on and then started flashing. At the next exit I got off the freeway to drive to a safe place to stop the car. Getting off the freeway, my car stalled in a busy intersection (all red lights came on and there was no power to my car). I could not restart it and was stranded just past the busy intersection near the center divide. I put on my emergency lights and was almost hit several times, and I am very lucky to not have been hurt. After about 30 seconds I was able to restart the car, pull over to the side in a safer area and had my car towed by aaa straight to the nissan dealership, who had performed an oil change on the car a day before. It took them 2 days to figure out that a power valve screw failed and was sucked up into the engine, causing irreversible damage to the engine -the piston top, cylinder walls, spark plugs, valves and catalyst. Nissan recommends a long block replacement with new exhaust manifold with converter ($4500). After much research and speaking with the nissan service manager, I have found that this was an issue with all altimas (manufacturer's defect) until the screws were redesigned for the 2006 model year. I have also found that there was a recall for 2004 nissan sentras and 2004-2005 altimas with the 2.5 l engine for this reason. But the 2003, which has the same engine, was not part of this recall. I have been told by nissan that since I am past the warranty period that this is not covered, even though it is a known defect. I am thankful I was not hurt, and I am very upset that nissan knew about this defect and did nothing about it for my model year. I have seen other similar complaints on-line and hope that they will be analyzed as well for possible recall & compensation.

Filed Aug 8, 2011 · Engine · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that the mass air flow sensor was replaced a total of three times. The contact also stated that the vehicle would lose power and stall when the failure occurred. In addition, the vehicle would jerk and would not accelerate beyond 45 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer after each failure, but after the final failure, the contact was informed that the part was not available. The dealer also stated that the mass air flow sensor for the 2004 infiniti i35 would correct the failure, but the manufacturer would not allow them to place that part on the 2003 nissan altima. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 55,000.

Filed May 1, 2011 · Engine · 106,000 miles · TX

I own a 2003 nissan altima. Back in september of 2010, I was driving on my way to work. About 4 miles from my home. (my car is right under 107k miles at the time). I was driving normal, or correctly. All of a sudden my car shuts off! I have to jerk my wheel to the right and break my car before I caused an accident. I am so thankful I was not on the freeway when this happened. My life and the lives of others were put at risk that day because of this problem with your car. There is a recall for your car, actually quite a few, but the one I'm most interested in getting fixed is the one that determines my lively hood. All I am asking is you please fix this. I can go without the AC or having weak headlights to drive at night with. I just can't depend on this car to not kill me one day. Please, I am begging you. Once again for my life & the lives of many others that will be involved. Please fix this problem! I cannot afford to pay for a new engine for the altima out of pocket. Recalled on : 7/7/2006 influenced by: office of defects investigation recalled for: engine and engine cooling.

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 Feb 16, 2011 · Airbags, Engine · GA

2003 nissan altima. Consumer expresses concern that other 2003 nissan altima vehicles were not identified or included in campaigns related to the airbag/driver control module, airbag sensor and the crankshaft position sensor *tgw the consumer stated her vehicle was serviced at the dealer due to the continuous flashing of the air bag light. The dealer informed the consumer the air bag sensor was defective. As a result, the entire unit needed to be replaced. The consumer stated her vehicle was excluded from the air bag recall even though the vehicle was manufactured in 2002. On january 15, 2010 the vehicle began displaying problems such as difficulty cranking, sudden jerks while accelerating and loss of power. On january 16, 2010 the service engine light later illuminated. Testing revealed a defective crankshaft sensor. Also, the o2 sensor and catalytic converter had to be replaced.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Engine · 93,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH when the vehicle began to jerk abnormally and then stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle as it operated as normal.the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was told that the oxygen, crank shaft and cam shaft sensors would need to be replaced. The sensors were replaced yet the failure persisted after repairs. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the engine would need to be replaced. The authorized dealer told the contact they could not perform the recall remedy associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling) due to the failure of the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,000 and the current mileage was 95,602.

Filed Jul 12, 2010 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk violently as the contact attempted to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the mechanic stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 98,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2010 · Engine · 121,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While the contact was driving approximately 25 MPH the engine completely stalled without warning. The engine restarted and resumed normally for less than one mile. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle exhibited a jerking motion with a decrease in engine power after the recall remedy repair was performed. The vehicle was in the process of being taken back to the authorized dealership for diagnosis. The failure mileage was 121,000. Updated 04/15/11*lj updated 05/02/11

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Engine · 145,000 miles · MI

2003 nissan altima, car jerks violently while traveling 30 - 70 MPH. Car shuts off while slowing down to make a turn. It will operate correctly for weeks then shut off three times in 10 miles. Taken to dealer two years ago and could not diagnose since check engine light did not come on and save a code. Paid my $100 and drove away. Told can't diagnose without a code so next time it stops tow it in if I survive. Told there are 25 things that can cause this so which one do you want to pick and how much do you want to spend?