2003 Nissan Sentra: excessive oil consumption

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 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 Mar 9, 2011 · Engine · 97,939 miles · NE

The nissan 2003 sentra was bought from a private dealer in 2009 and was driven almost a year until it started consuming excessive amounts of oil. It also had a loud knocking noise when running. It was serviced twice until it was discovered there was a recall on this car by nissan for the exact symptoms it was having. The recall states that certain engine operating conditions may cause damage to the pre-catalyst. Material from inside a damaged pre-catalyst could enter the engine and result in increased oil consumption. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis and drops below the low level engine damage may occur which could result in a fire. This is a concern since this is my son's car and I do not want him in a car that could cause him harm. I have been in contact with nissan and they say there are no open recalls on this car and there is nothing they will do. The recall campaign was dated 7/29/2003. I have looked into this matter and many owners of sentra's and altima's were effected by this recall and apparently the fix for the recall was a band- aid for a major defect. The recall was to reprogram the emc card the problem is the damage was already done to the engine and a new motor and pre-catalytic converter was the fix for this defect.

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 Nov 23, 2006 · Engine · 48,000 miles · NC

The vehicle has very heavy oil consumption. The vehicle currently consumes 1qt per week. I did not notice the problem as it has progressed since 40,000 miles where it was only 2-3 quarts between changes. I have meticulously maintained the vehicle (I was trained by a master volvo technician). He has over seen the maintaining of my vehicle since mile 1. I noticed that oil consumption was becoming an issue around 65,000 miles. Nissan recall nos. R3007, r3014, r3015, r3016, r3017. I had this recall performed somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000 miles (cannot remember when exactly, nissan USA should have record). The catalytic converter of the vehicle was never removed - it has never been removed from the engine - there is no possible way to see internal damage without removal! The internal damage will not affect the emissions of the vehicle unless in very extreme cases! The bolts have no scaring what so ever to suggest that it was ever removed and inspected. However, the shield was removed and the dealership service department left the bolts on top of the shield loose. Many sentras (with 2.5l engines) owners are noticing very high oil consumption with their vehicles (I could easily find over 100 between 2 different message boards that do not cover the altima 2.5) even with the recall done. Many have called nissan USA and have been told they are not aware of the issue with the earlier models - nissan has proven to be very difficult to deal with even for those who still have factory warranty on the vehicle, often blaming the defect on "neglecting the vehicle". The people who are being told this are people who have a passion for their vehicles, and maintain them with the best products they know of; and consistently look for better products to replace "good products". Please look heavily into expanding the current oil consumption recall - nissan seems to be disregarding the safety of its buyers. If they continue to "slip by" with it, they will only continue.

Filed Oct 20, 2006 · Engine · 48,000 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated the engine burned 3/ 4 of oil in the tank every 2000 miles. The service dealer replaced two engines and changed an oil block to try to fix the issue, but the oil consumption has continued.