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)
2003 Nissan Sentra: engine stalls while driving
50 of the 180 complaints about the 2003 Nissan Sentra describe engine stalls while driving.
- owner complaints
- 50
- of this car's complaints
- 28%
- typical mileage
- 78,600
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 16 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Engine stalls while driving by model year
What owners say
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.
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
Car while in drive will stall and idle. Car also has completely shut off while driving and has continuously occurred intermittently. Multiple engine codes have came on and repairs have been completed but the issue continues. At this time crankshaft, and cam sensor have been replaced. It has been suggested that transmission be replaced and is currently in process. Reading up on this issue appears there is a recall for same issue for similar vehicles of the same year and make ( the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v455000) but my vehicle does not qualify for the recall. Issue is a major safety as car could cause accident and occurs at any time including high speeds. I have been fortunate to not drive and have vehicle towed to mechanic for further followup in hopes of resolution. Nissan needs to address as appears to be a repeat issue.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the crank sensor and the computer chip needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,846.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan sentra. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle stalled, but was able to be restarted and resume normal operation. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 73,000.
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.
Recently while on the highway my car died for about 3 - 5 seconds while driving 60 MPH on the highway then resumed. My car has stalled a few times in the past but usually while accelerating in first or second gear so it wasn't much of a concern. But if my car just dies while driving 60 -70 MPH I think there are some safety issues and it should be taken care of. Research indicates it is an issue with the crank sensor and there is a recall for it. For some reason my VIN is not included.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Free Oil Change Specific Vehicles Subject to the Takata Recall Detailed Information To help accelerate...
- Nissan: the engine cranks longer than 3 seconds when starting
- Nissan service campaign: voluntary emissions recall campaign - 2003-2005 sentra / 2005-2006 frontier ECM...
- Long engine crank time before start
- MIL on with DTC U1000 or U1010 stored in engine control unit
- Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code U1000 or U1010 stored in engine control unit
- Voluntary recall campaign catalytic converter/front tube replacement
- Alternator drive belt noise
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
Questions about the 2003 Nissan Sentra stalling
Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2003 Nissan Sentra?
50 of 180 owner complaints about the 2003 Nissan Sentra (28%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Nissan Sentra?
There are 3 recalls and 16 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Nissan Sentra
Check engine light 48Won't start 15Engine failure 12Fuel pump 10Loss of power 8Hesitation 7Misfire 7Oil consumption 7No deployment 6
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