2003 Nissan Sentra: engine failure

Filed May 20, 2015 · Engine · 55,000 miles · NY

Purchased 2003 nissan sentra with 52,000 miles around august 2013. Vehicle was having trouble starting, mechanic needed to replace catalytic converter (front & rear), about 2-3 weeks later the car started going through about 1 quart of oil every 1-2 days. Our mechanic checked the vehicle and found a recall bulletin explaining that debris from this vehicle's catalytic converter gets ingested into the engine, which causes the piston rings to wear out and also causes excessive oil consumption. If the oil is not checked and filled constantly, it may cause engine failure and/or a fire in the engine. According to our nissan dealership, nissan has replaced engines in these affected vehicles. When our vehicle was brought to the dealership, nissan headquarters refused to repair our vehicle under the recall bulletin stating we are 14 months past the point that nissan would've fixed it. This seems to be a safety issue if it is possible that the vehicle engine could cause a fire while in use.

Filed May 20, 2015 · Engine · 55,000 miles · NY

Purchased 2003 nissan sentra with 52,000 miles around august 2013. Vehicle was having trouble starting, mechanic needed to replace catalytic converter (front & rear), about 2-3 weeks later the car started going through about 1 quart of oil every 1-2 days. Our mechanic checked the vehicle and found a recall bulletin explaining that debris from this vehicle's catalytic converter gets ingested into the engine, which causes the piston rings to wear out and also causes excessive oil consumption. If the oil is not checked and filled constantly, it may cause engine failure and/or a fire in the engine. According to our nissan dealership, nissan has replaced engines in these affected vehicles. When our vehicle was brought to the dealership, nissan headquarters refused to repair our vehicle under the recall bulletin stating we are 14 months past the point that nissan would've fixed it. This seems to be a safety issue if it is possible that the vehicle engine could cause a fire while in use.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 62,435 miles · NC

We bought this low mileage car from a family member but after buying this car it started getting plagued with the car suddenly and mysteriously shutting off in the middle of driving. Engine died unannounced car cuts off and the power steering and power brakes stop working. It would happen up to 5 to 7 times a week intermittently. We had taken it nissan two different times in april to complain about the situation they were unable to diagnose or solve the problem for us or reproduce the problem during test drives. In august took this car back in after it wouldn't run at all and they finally told me it was a camshaft positioning sensor. After replacing this part it runs fine now. After looking online on the federal safety agency website it seems this part is part of a recall for this make and model year however I was told it didn't apply to my VIN. I spoke to nissan headquarters and they again told me they wouldn't cover this as it is not part of a recall. This part looks like it is problematic in this model year and make and also for other cars across the nissan lineup. I explained that this was a serious problem and it resulted in some significant safety issues. Each time I was able to safely pull off the side of the road but if it stalled and I wasn't able to get off the highway, or it stalled at an intersection or pulling into traffic say the consequences could have been deadly. I was also lucky that the steering wheel didn't lock up turning the wheel with the car off. Our symptoms with this car were classic. I was very surprised that they could not diagnose this problem in april as the symptoms match they have for known recalls on this and other cars. I would like it covered but more importantly I think the recall should be extended to other vehicles and vins to save lives.

Filed Aug 16, 2014 · Engine · 78,000 miles · RI

My pre cat went out so took it to shop to have it replaced. Cost me 1000$. Since then it has been burning oil very bad up to a quart a tank. And white smoke if accelerate even remotely more than gentle. Nissan said my car isn't eligible for the pre cat recall. But it fits description as far as 2003 sentra with the 2.5l qr25de engine. If the don't want to replace the engine I would like them to buy the car for blue book. I am only second owner. It has roughly 87500 on it now.

Filed Sep 25, 2009 · Engine · 96,000 miles · MO

I have an 03 nissan sentra, there is a problem with the cat converter, I have taken it to the nissan dealer and they said the recall had been performed on my car, the car will still not pass my state emission testing and the engine has already been replaced once ( may of 08 ) due to losing oil and now the engine is blown again so I will again need a new engine.

Filed Aug 13, 2009 · Engine · 135,700 miles · IL

I have a 03 nissan sentra specv having the same issue repeat itself. The butterfly screw getting suck into the engine causing sudden lost of power. Engine light says cylinder misfire. 4 engine replacements have been done now its happening again 135k on car so kissable will not replace motor. I have all service records nissan should be forced to recall the specv. The car shut off while my 5 year old was with me. No steering or brakes only hand brake used to stop car. What will it take for this recall to move forward. Its hundreds of people with this problem.

Filed Jan 29, 2009 · Engine · 59,716 miles · GA

This is what has happened to date: 1.my wife was driving our ?03 sentra at 11 pm on january 22, 2008 when the engine suddenly quit. It would not restart. Fortunately, it happened on a side street with light traffic. 2.I had the vehicle towed to my usual mechanic, a firestone dealer in norcross, ga. 3.the next day the firestone mechanic informed me that the vehicle?s issue was a crank position sensor that was bad and that this was covered by recall #03v455000 for ?03 nissan sentras, among other nissan vehicles. It was recommended that I take the vehicle to a nissan dealer. 4.that next morning, the vehicle was towed to the capitol city (formerly peachtree) nissan.. The capitol city nissan service agent informed me that my vehicle was not covered by the recall. He showed me the document that indicated that the recall only applied to ?03 cars manufactured on or before 30 june 2002. Mine was apparently built in december of ?02 5.capitol city nissan also wasn't convinced the problem was the crank position sensor so insisted on running their own diagnostics to identify the problem. In the end, it was confirmed to be the crank position sensor. It is my contention that the failed sensor was defective and should have been covered by the recall. The defective sensor caused a sudden engine failure, exactly as described in recall notice 03v455000. Fortunately, the failure occurred while the car was moving slowly in light traffic. I brought this to nissan's attention. They have refused to correct the defect at their cost. It is my contention that the recall should be expanded to include all ?03 sentras as I have read of several of these occurrences to vehicles just outside the recall manufacturing period.

Filed Oct 6, 2008 · Engine · 95,000 miles · CT

Was told by nissan that my 2003 sentra se r spec v need a new engine. Engine failed because of defective catalytic material being ingested through exhaust valves. Thus scoring the cylinder walls, leading the car to consume oil. Without oil the engine will fail. The car was brought to the dealer concerning an oil consumption problem, dealer declared that it was within parameters and there was no problem. This was just before the 60,000 mile warranty was up. The car now has 95,000 and needs new engine. Nissan claims to know nothing of this problem, yet there are thousands of people with similar problems.

Filed Jul 8, 2008 · Engine · 99,000 miles · NJ

Re: 2003 nissan sentra spec-v. Several times the engine would stall while driving on the highway both at high speeds (starting around 50mph) and low speeds (while at full stop or low speeds), causing engine failure and steering wheel lock while driving. While driving on the highway I practically almost died trying to get over to the shoulder when the engine stalled. I researched online for possible causes, and found this website regarding the recalls for my vehicle. I dropped the car off to a nissan dealership service dept in the morning and informed the service technician re: the recalls. They inspected the vehicle and informed me that the ECM had to be reprogrammed. Once they reprogrammed the ECM, they called me back and informed me that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced as well, which was the possible cause of the engine failures. Once they completed all repairs, they told me that the ECM reprogramming was free of charge, but I had to pay for the crankshaft replacement because it was not VIN specific. Even with all these services performed, the service engine soon light is still on. I called nissan consumer affairs.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Engine · 65,000 miles · VA

Car started idling rough, skipping. Check engine light came on and was flashing. Found a damaged spark plug, the gap had been smashed shut and could see where something was pounding on the plug repeatedly. I did some research and found out about the butterfly (power valve) issue of the assembly falling into the 2.5l engines. Using an extendable magnet I was able to collect all of the pieces of the butterfly assembly and extract them from the engine. One of the screws was unrecognizable, looked like a brass bb from a bb gun because it had been smashed up so bad. The butterfly itself was also damaged around the edges. I went to the nissan dealership to see about ordering a new butterfly assembly and they informed me of the recall for these engines in the 04-05 sentra spec v's. They recommended I talk to the service dept about having it repaired by nissan under recall. Nissan service looked up my VIN # and discovered that 03 models did not have a recall for the butterfly screws but a new engine was recently replaced for the precat recall issue only 20,000 miles ago.. They recommended that I call corporate and file a claim regarding the butterfly screw problem since they had just recently worked on the engine and should have tightened those screws. So I did. I paid $150.00 to have the car towed to the nearest dealership, they waived the $96 diagnostic and confirmed that the butterfly screws did damage to the engine. It took about 3 months of getting escalated up the corporate nissan pyramid. Finally I made it to the top just to be denied. They said that my vehicle was 5,000 miles out of warranty and that the recall was not for 03 models only 04-05. However it is the same exact engine, so I don't know why 03 is not covered. The fact that I had only put 20,000 on the new engine that they installed didn't seem to matter to them. I am no rocket scientist but I am pretty sure a 4 cyl engine should be able to run for more that 20,000 miles.

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Engine · 90,000 miles · AZ

(1) events leading up to the failure, normal driving. Pulled up to stop sign and engine died. Will crank, but not start. (2) failure and its consequences, and car is inoperable. No damage or injuries. Error code is 0340. Crankshaft position sensor (3) what was done to correct the failure; I.e, parts repaired or replaced (and if old part is available) called power nissan dealership at 1 888 295 7489, advised service personnel of, was told the federal safety agency campaign 03v455000 does not apply to vehicle.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 50 miles · NY

Ac will not turn off front end makes a juttering sound dealer hears it but can't fix it. Windows fog up all the time most of the paint is missing from the front end, am told this is stone chips factory recall for exhaust system which can cause engine failure/fire has not been fixed after 4 attempts.