Both my catalytic converters stopped up st same time.
2003 Nissan Sentra engine problems
107 complaints (59% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,200. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 107
- of this car's complaints
- 59%
- typical mileage
- 70,200
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Engine17
- Exhaust system5
- Cooling system5
- Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor4
- Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
- Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
- Cooling system: fan1
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 Sentra engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Nissan Sentra engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Stalling 50Check engine light 48Won't start 15Engine failure 12Loss of power 8Misfire 7Oil consumption 7
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions, these variations in temperature can be large enough to cause a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
- Risk
- If the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 06V242000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain electric vehicles, the front suspension transverse link's ball joint bracket may break from stress concentration at a notch created by surface roughness and the shape of the material cut-line.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the bracket on these vehicles. Owner notification began december 15, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 03V511000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
- Risk
- This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.
Recall number 03V455000 · Recall details
What 2003 Nissan Sentra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The car quits as I’m driving it , The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I’m driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park .
Pcm ECM ecu engineering flaw. Engine kicks into safe mode while in operation or completely stalls, check engine light on, when restarts will misfire. Diagnosed with faulty control module (the second one in this vehicle since I have owned it)
Check engine light is always on, car suddenly cuts off, and does not restart immediately. Recalled other VIN's but not all 2003 nissan sentras. This is a problem with all sentras of those years. The problem seems to be the crankshaft position sensor failure/engine stall. It is very dangerous with as many of these cars that are out on the road for it to just keep shutting off while in traffic while driving. There needs to be a recall open to all sentras with this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan sentra. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that camshaft sensor one and two failed. The camshaft sensors were replaced, but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan sentra. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle hesitated, lost power, and stalled. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 407,000.
Purchased a vehicle from a used car dealer in boise, id. The vehicle had an un-addressed closed recall on the vehicle which caused the motor to blow up two months later. Now the used car dealer will not fix the car, or refund any of my money. Please contact me for any additional information.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that the check engine light illuminated after the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v4770000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan sentra. While driving at 35 MPH, a loud abnormal noise was heard and the engine stalled. The contact was concerned that the failure could result in a crash. The vehicle was unable to restart on the first attempt. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000. The VIN was not available. Ma 10/2 updated 11/03/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan sentra. While driving less than 10 MPH, a loud popping noise was heard from the engine. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle restarted after approximately five minutes and was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who confirmed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer to assist. The failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 09/10/15*lj updated 10/05/15*lj the consumer stated the vehicle stalled without warning. There were multiple problem codes that appeared on the diagnostic scanners. Updated 02/09/16
Questions about the 2003 Nissan Sentra engine
Does the 2003 Nissan Sentra have engine problems?
Owners have filed 107 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Nissan Sentra, 59% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Sentra engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,200 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Nissan Sentra engine?
Yes, 3 recalls: 06V242000, 03V511000, 03V455000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Sentra have bad engine?
The Nissan Sentra model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (153 complaints), 2001 (108 complaints) and 2003 (107 complaints).
Other 2003 Nissan Sentra problems
Electrical 35Fuel system 18Airbags 16Transmission 9Body 7Brakes 7Acceleration 6Lights 3Suspension 3Steering 2Visibility 2Seat belts 1Seats 1Tires 1
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