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2003 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

727 reports with mileage · 156 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 450 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

41 crash reports13 fire reports22 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

450 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STARTED ACTING UP THEN SHUTTING DOWN. AT FIRST IT STALLS WHILE I SLOW DOWN ON STOP SIGNS, WHILE TURNING, BASICALLY AT LOW RPM. THAT'S WHEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP. THEN I GOT THAT CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD. SO, I GOT IT REPLACED. AFTER THAT MY OXYGEN SENSOR BURNT OU…

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ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STARTED ACTING UP THEN SHUTTING DOWN. AT FIRST IT STALLS WHILE I SLOW DOWN ON STOP SIGNS, WHILE TURNING, BASICALLY AT LOW RPM. THAT'S WHEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP. THEN I GOT THAT CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD. SO, I GOT IT REPLACED. AFTER THAT MY OXYGEN SENSOR BURNT OUT, GOT THAT REPLACED FOR $1K. EARLIER LAST WEEK MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR IS BURNT OUT AND I SAID, "AGAIN!!" THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME THING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE IF IT BURNT OUT TWICE, ALL THEY SAID WAS "WELL, THERE'S NO RE-CALL FOR IT". ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE PLENTY OF TIMES OVER FOR THIS PROBLEM. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE WITH THIS ESPECIALLY THERE'S A LOT OF 2003 ALTIMA OWNERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAN'T BE COINCIDENTAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256015

76,000 miles · Jan 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS STALLED OUT DURING OPERATION. SPEEDS RANGED FROM 5-15 MPH DURING STALL. CAR ALSO STUTTERS PERIODICALLY WHILE IN OPERATION, BUT DOES NOT STALL. TWO WEEKS AGO MY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. NOW VEHICLE TAKES 3-5 MINUT…

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SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS STALLED OUT DURING OPERATION. SPEEDS RANGED FROM 5-15 MPH DURING STALL. CAR ALSO STUTTERS PERIODICALLY WHILE IN OPERATION, BUT DOES NOT STALL. TWO WEEKS AGO MY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. NOW VEHICLE TAKES 3-5 MINUTES TO START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255464

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), WHICH STATED THAT A VARIATION IN TEMPERATURE OCCURS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), WHICH STATED THAT A VARIATION IN TEMPERATURE OCCURS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR IN THE ENGINE. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND THE ECM SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ONCE AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,540.

NHTSA ODI #10255019

85,000 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WAS BURNING AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WAS BURNING AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10254378

68,000 miles · Jan 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2003 ALTIMA 2.5S STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS THE DAY I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. THAT NIGHT MY ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS MASHED TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO WAY THEIR REPROGRAM COULD HAVE CAUSED TH…

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MY 2003 ALTIMA 2.5S STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS THE DAY I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. THAT NIGHT MY ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS MASHED TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO WAY THEIR REPROGRAM COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I NOTICED THAT WHEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS THE ENGINE WOULD RUN FINE, THIS BY THE WAY IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING OFF AND BACK ON. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS THERE IS A CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR PROBLEM THAT IS RECALLED ON 2002 2.5S ALTIMAS. IT CAME TO A HEAD THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND IT BOGGED DOWN ON ME WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND ABOUT GETTING ME AND MY KIDS KILLED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS SAME THING ON NISSAN FORUMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254327

72,800 miles · Jan 7, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA - THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET IN MY CAR. I AM WRITING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING ..MY COMPLAINT IS THE CRANKSHAFT - THE CAR SHUTS OFF IN LOW SPEED DRIVING - WHICH THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE)) - BUT NOT THE DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT IT IS ON THE 2002 MODEL BUT NOT THE …

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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA - THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET IN MY CAR. I AM WRITING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING ..MY COMPLAINT IS THE CRANKSHAFT - THE CAR SHUTS OFF IN LOW SPEED DRIVING - WHICH THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE)) - BUT NOT THE DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT IT IS ON THE 2002 MODEL BUT NOT THE 2003 BUT IT SHOULD THE SAME IS HAPPENING WITH BOTH MODELS . THE DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF AS WELL. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES IT SENDS A SIGNALS TO THE SENSOR THAT GOES TO THE ENGINE - WITHOUT THE SIGNALS THE ECM WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY - THE POINT IS THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2002 CRANKSHAFT AND NOT THE 2003. WHICH THE CRANKSHAFT IS DEFECTIVE IN BOTH NOT JUST THE 2002. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254144

84,000 miles · Jan 6, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. SEVERAL YEARS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. SEVERAL YEARS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN ERROR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $479.34 FOR THEM TO RELEASE HER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER STILL HAS POSSESSION OF HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10254011

131,000 miles · Dec 31, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER FOR HIS VEHICLE TO PASS EMISSION TESTING, HE MUST GET THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR LIGHT REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES AS A RESULT OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. THE CONTACT IS DISPLEASED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER FOR HIS VEHICLE TO PASS EMISSION TESTING, HE MUST GET THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR LIGHT REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES AS A RESULT OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. THE CONTACT IS DISPLEASED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ODI #10253335

99,403 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2003, NISSAN ALTIMA, 3.5L 6-CYLINDER. CAR HAS 99K MILES. CAR RECENTLY STALLED WITH NO WARNING AFTER WARMING UP. CAR STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY, SO I CONTINUED DRIVING. DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NOTHING. SO I CONTINUED DRIVING AND CAR STALLED (AGAIN WITH NO WARNING) ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MP…

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I HAVE A 2003, NISSAN ALTIMA, 3.5L 6-CYLINDER. CAR HAS 99K MILES. CAR RECENTLY STALLED WITH NO WARNING AFTER WARMING UP. CAR STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY, SO I CONTINUED DRIVING. DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NOTHING. SO I CONTINUED DRIVING AND CAR STALLED (AGAIN WITH NO WARNING) ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. DEALER NOW DIAGNOSED ISSUE AS A FAILED CAMSHAFT SENSOR, WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY 2003 6-CYLINDER ALTIMA. CLEARLY, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THE RECALL MUST BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL NISSAN ALTIMAS 2002-2003 (AT A MINIMUM). THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251992

52,000 miles · Dec 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR DIED OUT WHILE STUCK IN TRAFFIC. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF & TRIED TO START IT BACK UP ONLY FOR IT TO SHUT OFF AGAIN. I TRIED A SECOND TIME, AND AGAIN IT SHUT OFF. ON THE THIRD TRY I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD & PARK & LEFT THE CAR ON, ONLY FOR IT TO SHUT OFF AGAIN. I LET THE CAR SIT, SHUT O…

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MY CAR DIED OUT WHILE STUCK IN TRAFFIC. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF & TRIED TO START IT BACK UP ONLY FOR IT TO SHUT OFF AGAIN. I TRIED A SECOND TIME, AND AGAIN IT SHUT OFF. ON THE THIRD TRY I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD & PARK & LEFT THE CAR ON, ONLY FOR IT TO SHUT OFF AGAIN. I LET THE CAR SIT, SHUT OFF, TO LET IT COOL OFF. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY, BUT ONLY STAYING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOPING THAT IT WOULDN'T IDLE OFF & DIE OUT. I CALLED CORPORATE NISSAN THE NEXT DAY & EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT AN OPEN RECALL ON REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM EXISTED ON MY CAR & THAT WAS THE REASON WHY MY CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF. I TOOK THE CAR ON THURSDAY, 11/6/08 TO A NISSAN DEALER & HAD THE ECM REPLACED. AFTER THE RECALL, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR TOOK A WHILE TO ACCELERATE AND THAT THE RPM GAUGE WAS QUICKLY SHIFTING BACK & FORTH. ON SATURDAY, 12/6/08, MY CAR DIED OUT AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. I CALLED CORPORATE NISSAN & TOLD THEM THAT THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR IS STILL DYING OUT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT & HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTENANCE WITH THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY CAR WHICH HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. APPARENTLY THE CRANK SENSOR IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SENSOR ISN'T SENDING THE SIGNAL TO THE ECM. NISSAN HAS ONLY RECALLED THE ECM BECAUSE THE RECALLING OF THE SENSOR COSTS TOO MUCH TO RECALL. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE & THEN TO SUDDENLY HAVE THE CAR SHUT OFF. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN. IT'S A WORLD-WIDE KNOWN BRAND YET THEIR CARS ARE FAILING AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. IF AFTER THE ECM IS REPROGRAMMED, AND THE SENSORS ARE REPLACED, SOME CARS ARE STILL DYING & NISSAN RECOMMENDS NEW ENGINES. A CAR AT 60,000 DOES NOT NEED A NEW ENGINE. ENGINES ARE DESIGNED TO LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES NOT COMPLETELY DIE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251221

Official recalls

4

06V242000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jul 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.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

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.

03V251000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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.

03V084000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ06001 · Engine Stall - Crank Position Sensor

Opened Feb 22, 2006 · Closed Jul 18, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JUNE 28, 2006 NISSAN SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) A PART 573 REPORT ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 NISSAN SENTRA AND NISSAN ALTIMA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES WOULD BE RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V242. THE SUBJECT POPULATIONS OF THE RECALL ARE 14,587 NISSAN SENTRA VEHICLES AND 186,279 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IN ALTIMA AND SENTRA SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS DUE TO THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.IF THE INTERRUPTION IS BRIEF ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED. AS A REMEDY, NISSAN WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM TO PREVENT THE STALLING INCIDENTS DUE TO SIGNAL INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR.ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF THE RECALL QUERY, NISSAN WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR MY 2004 ALTIMA FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.NISSAN HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO THE MY 2003 AS COMPARATIVELY, THE MY 2004 COMPLAINT RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE COMPLAINT RATE OF THE MY 2004 ALTIMA. ACCORDINGLY THE RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

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