NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
117 reportsClear category filter151,000 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Engine
I HAD JUST BOUGHT MY VEHICLE IN MARCH 2010 FOR $4200. A FEW WEEKS AFTER I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING THROUGH OIL EVERY FEW DAYS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE TUNE UP I NOTICED IT STARTED TO RUN ROUGH ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHILE ON THE HIGHW…
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I HAD JUST BOUGHT MY VEHICLE IN MARCH 2010 FOR $4200. A FEW WEEKS AFTER I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING THROUGH OIL EVERY FEW DAYS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE TUNE UP I NOTICED IT STARTED TO RUN ROUGH ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN, NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO GLIDE TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE HOPING AND PRAYING I WOULD MAKE IT AND NOT GET HIT. SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN. I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT SEEING AS I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 6 MONTHS EARLIER. SO I THEN PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I HAD THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT($2000). ONCE I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE 2 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. I TAKE IT BACK INTO THE MECHANIC AND HE TELLS ME ITS THE RADIATOR. I REPLACE THE RADIATOR ($200). A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. THE MECHANIC TELLS ME ITS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THAT HE'S DONE ATLEAST THREE NISSANS IN THE PAST MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL AND TO CONTACT NISSAN. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF I TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE LIKE THAT IT WOULD BLOW THE MOTOR AGAIN BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT CAUSED IT TO BLOW INITIALLY. AFTER TAKING IT TO A NISSAN DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOT "OPEN" RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER JUST AN ECM RESET AND THE HALOGEN LIGHT RECALL. THEY DID TELL ME THE CATALYTIC GONE DUE TO A CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE BUT THAT WAS NOT COVERED BY THEM. I THEN CALLED NISSAN DIRECTLY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL PREVIOUS FOR THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT IT WAS NOT AN OPEN RECALL AND THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEND ME THAT INFORMATION. IF I WANTED THAT INFORMATION I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH CAR FAX. THIS WAS FROM THEIR UPPER MANAGEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644282
150,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, CRANK POSITION SENSOR, AND THE TIMING KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, CRANK POSITION SENSOR, AND THE TIMING KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/2/14*CN *JS
NHTSA ODI #10643395
190,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING LEGAL SPEED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH FROM MERIDIAN MS TO SLIDELL LOUISIANA. CAR STARTED USING OIL EVERY 20 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IT WS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO ASK FOR THEM TO REPAIR …
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DRIVING LEGAL SPEED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH FROM MERIDIAN MS TO SLIDELL LOUISIANA. CAR STARTED USING OIL EVERY 20 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IT WS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO ASK FOR THEM TO REPAIR UNDER RECALL #03V084000. THIS RECALL STATES THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE. NISSAN DECLINED TO FIX MY CAR. I CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THEY DID NOT HELP. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10640385
168,365 miles · Sep 30, 2014
EngineSteering
WAS DRIVING 45MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF, AND I HAD TO MANEUVER TO SAFETY. TRIED REPEATEDLY TO TURN ON THE CAR, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN THE CAR TURNED ON NORMALLY. I HAVE A FAMILY OF NISSAN OWNERS AND THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS EVER HAPPEN…
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WAS DRIVING 45MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF, AND I HAD TO MANEUVER TO SAFETY. TRIED REPEATEDLY TO TURN ON THE CAR, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN THE CAR TURNED ON NORMALLY. I HAVE A FAMILY OF NISSAN OWNERS AND THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS EVER HAPPENING. I JUST WANT NISSAN TO HELP FIX THIS, OR RISK LOOSING A VALUED CUSTOMER TO ANOTHER CAR BRAND. CONSIDERING INFINITY JUST LOST 2 CEO'S TO OTHER BRANDS MAKES ME (AS A CONSUMER) UNCERTAIN ABOUT THIS BRANDS FUTURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10640363
116,000 miles · Sep 14, 2014
Engine
ON JUN 29, 2014 OUR FAMILY OF FOUR (ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS) WERE IN THIS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT AROUND 55MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STOPPED. PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT DO ANYTHING. CARS WERE ALL OVER THE EXPRESSWAY, ZIPPING THROUGH AT A HIGH SPEEDS. A VERY SCAR…
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ON JUN 29, 2014 OUR FAMILY OF FOUR (ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS) WERE IN THIS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT AROUND 55MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STOPPED. PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT DO ANYTHING. CARS WERE ALL OVER THE EXPRESSWAY, ZIPPING THROUGH AT A HIGH SPEEDS. A VERY SCARY SITUATION. SOMEHOW, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE EXPRESSWAY WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY FATAL TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY. ONCE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, I CALLED MY INSURANCE CO. TO SEND US A TOW TRUCK. WHILE I WAS PLACED ON HOLD, AFTER A FEW MINS WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. NEXT DAY, I CALLED NISSAN COMPANY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY INCIDENT AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND OUT THAT CAM SHAFT SENSOR WAS BAD AND THEY REPLACED IT AT MY COST. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN AS TO HOW MY CAR IS NOT PART OF RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE JUST CUT OUT WITH OUT ANY WARNING PUTTING MY FAMILY AT GREAT DANGER (POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH) AND NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633058
130,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10620646
76,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Engine
I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT ONTO A BUSY STREET WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10620644
171,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
NHTSA ODI #10614530
121,044 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Engine
IN NOV 2013 THE CAR WOULD STALL (ENGINE DIES) WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WOULD NOT START SOMETIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THE OEM WAS REPROGRAMMED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. THE OEM REPROGRAMMING WAS COVERED BY A RECALL BUT NOT THE SEN…
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IN NOV 2013 THE CAR WOULD STALL (ENGINE DIES) WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WOULD NOT START SOMETIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THE OEM WAS REPROGRAMMED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. THE OEM REPROGRAMMING WAS COVERED BY A RECALL BUT NOT THE SENSOR WHICH WAS VIN SPECIFIC, AS TOLD BY NISSAN. I REPLACED THE SENSOR. THIS YEAR THE CAR HAS BEEN JERKING AND WOULD NOT START SEVERAL TIMES (SEEMS THE PROBLEM RE-APPEARS EVERY SUMMER). I AGAIN TOOK THE CAR FOR REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE CRANK AND CAM POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE AGAIN REPLACED THE SENSOR AND CALLED NISSAN. I WAS TOLD MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AS IT IS VIN SPECIFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611213
103,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE BEFORE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE BEFORE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
NHTSA ODI #10608873
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 ↗