NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
117 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 8, 2015
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT AND THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT AND THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAM SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATE 1/13/16 LN INVALID VIN UPDATED 4/17/18*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #10780732
99,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Engine
CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE DOWN AND PARTICALS CAUSED INTERNAL WEAR TO THE MOTOR. THAT CAUSES THE MOTOR TO BURN OIL.
NHTSA ODI #10763859
38,000 miles · Sep 3, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. THE OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. THE OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10761284
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
LIKE MANY OTHERS MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. IT READS NO CODES. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN HAVING TRAFFIC. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY STATE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A PROBLEM TO THIS AFFECT AND IT WAS ALREADY FIXED ON THI…
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LIKE MANY OTHERS MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. IT READS NO CODES. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN HAVING TRAFFIC. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY STATE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A PROBLEM TO THIS AFFECT AND IT WAS ALREADY FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE IN 2007. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN. UNBELIEVEABLE! ALSO LIKE MANY OTHER MY FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED. I HAD A PATCH REPAIR TO PASS INSPECTION. THIS CAR IS A SAFTEY HAZORD. AFTER READING NUMEROUS REPORTS THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SITUATIONS OF CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC! I HAVE NOT READ ANY FATALITIES YET THANK GOODNESS! RECALL THIS CAR BEFOR SOMEONE IS KILLED!
NHTSA ODI #10759338
133,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
EngineSteering
WHIE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, STEERING WAS VERY HARD . TRIED TOO RESTART ENGINE,HARD TO RESTART. AT TIOMES THE CAR IS HARD TO START AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE. ENGINE ALSO STUMBLES,OR SEEMS TO MISS FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THIS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT. HAD THE SENSORS REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10732546
97,496 miles · Jun 29, 2015
Engine
THIS NISSAN IS BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY. IT STARTED IN JAN, 2015, ENGINE WAS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISE, OIL LEVEL CHECKED, COMPLETELY EMPTY. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN WHO SAID IT WASN'T A PROBLEM AND DID OIL CHANGE. THEN, JUST THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH THE CAR WAS HARD TO START AND SOUNDED LIKE METAL SO I TURNED IT OFF AND CHECKED THE OIL- C…
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THIS NISSAN IS BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY. IT STARTED IN JAN, 2015, ENGINE WAS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISE, OIL LEVEL CHECKED, COMPLETELY EMPTY. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN WHO SAID IT WASN'T A PROBLEM AND DID OIL CHANGE. THEN, JUST THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH THE CAR WAS HARD TO START AND SOUNDED LIKE METAL SO I TURNED IT OFF AND CHECKED THE OIL- COMPLETELY EMPTY AGAIN. WE HAD TO POUR 4 QUARTS IN!!! IT DOES NOT HAVE A LEAK, NOTHING IS EVER SEEN WHERE IT HAS BEEN PARKED. IT IS JUST BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY DUE TO SOME TYPE OF DEFECT FROM NISSAN THAT HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT ON LINE IF YOU GOOGLE NISSANS BURNING OIL... AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED . I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR AN ACCIDENT, PLEASE, PLEASE, LISTEN TO ALL OF US AND GET NISSAN TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100,000 ON IT AND I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3500 MILES WITHOUT FAIL. I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS ALONG WITH THE OTHER HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN IN THE PAST ON MY OTHER ALTIMA ABOUT THEIR AC THAT FAILS DUE TO IT ALWAYS RUNNING WITH DEFROSTER AND IT DOESN'T TURN OFF THEN SO IT'S ALWAYS RUNNING. ALSO, I SEE MANY OTHER RUSTED OUT FLOORBOARDS, CAUSING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO NOT BE BOLTED DOWN IN THIS SAME YEAR THAT I HAD HAPPEN TO ME 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD TO SPEND $2000.00 TO FIX THAT THEY SAID THE SAME, SORRY , THIS IS NOT OUR PROBLEM. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER WOULD'VE NOT BEEN PROTECTED WHEN THEIR SEAT FLEW OFF. PLEASE, PLEASE GO AFTER THEM ....THEY ARE TERRIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #10731072
28,000 miles · Jun 29, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHIFT POSITION SENSOR NEE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHIFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
NHTSA ODI #10730996
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2015
Engine
ENGINE OIL EXCESSIVELY BEING CONSUMED/BURNING. EXHAUST LEAKAGE. THERE IS A RECALL THAT ADDRESSES THIS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V084000 ) AND IT COVERS MY MODEL YEAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT COME UP ON THE DEALER'S COMPUTER SO THEY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10725745
134,023 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,023.
NHTSA ODI #10724201
160,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
CAR BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY AND WAS HARD TO START. REPLACED OXYGEN SENSORS WHICH DID NOT CURE SYMPTOMS. WAS TOLD THAT THE 2 PRE-CATS (CATALYTIC CONVERTERS) NEEDED REPLACED. MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO RECOMMENDED. REPLACED AND PROBLEM PERSISTED. HARD TO START, RUNS ROUGH NOW SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. RAN CODES MYSELF WITH OBD-II TOOL …
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CAR BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY AND WAS HARD TO START. REPLACED OXYGEN SENSORS WHICH DID NOT CURE SYMPTOMS. WAS TOLD THAT THE 2 PRE-CATS (CATALYTIC CONVERTERS) NEEDED REPLACED. MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO RECOMMENDED. REPLACED AND PROBLEM PERSISTED. HARD TO START, RUNS ROUGH NOW SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. RAN CODES MYSELF WITH OBD-II TOOL AND FOUND CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS TO BE FAULTY. I HEARD OF A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE; EVEN DESCRIBED MY SYMPTOMS EXACTLY. EVEN THOUGH MY YEAR MODEL AND CAR WAS RECALLED THE NISSAN OF FORT WORTH SERVICE DESK TOLD ME MY VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME ENGINE AS ALL OF THE OTHER NISSANS MADE IN THIS YEAR RANGE AND THE SAME FAULTY CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS BUT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON MINE ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS. HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE. I HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PRICEY PARTS ALL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY REPLACING THE SENSORS. EVEN IF I HAD TO PAY FOR THE CRANK AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BAD IF I HAD NOT PAID OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS TO OTHER STUFF THAT MAY NOT HAVE NEEDED REPLACING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713389
Official recalls
4Jul 7, 2006
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Nov 17, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Jul 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. AT EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE IN THE FUEL TANK COULD FREEZE AND FORM ICE CRYSTALS. THESE ICE CRYSTALS MAY OBSTRUCT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.
Mar 11, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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