NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
450 reportsClear category filter62,000 miles · Oct 10, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED. LATER THAT WEEK, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED. LATER THAT WEEK, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE (ECM) NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM FOR THE THIRD TIME DUE TO CONSISTENT STALLING. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE STALLING RECURRED. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS SATISFIED AND THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHICH REVEALED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE REPROGRAMMING THE ECM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 10-30-08 *BF UPDATED 11/03/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10245067
88,523 miles · Oct 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON 1-95 AND WAS GOING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008. SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING, MY CAR STOPPED MOVING. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS NOT HIT AS A RESULT OF THIS. M…
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I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON 1-95 AND WAS GOING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008. SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING, MY CAR STOPPED MOVING. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS NOT HIT AS A RESULT OF THIS. MY MECHANIC CLAIMS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE MOTOR. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE DEALERS LOT WITH NO RESOLUTION SINCE SEPTEMBER 30TH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244515
60,570 miles · Sep 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES AND REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,570 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 222,000.
NHTSA ODI #10243989
82,000 miles · Sep 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S MODEL WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL OUT FOR THE 2002,2005,2006 MODELS REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO RECALL IS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2003 MODEL. IF THE 2003 MODEL IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002,2005,2006 WHY NO R…
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S MODEL WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL OUT FOR THE 2002,2005,2006 MODELS REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO RECALL IS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2003 MODEL. IF THE 2003 MODEL IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002,2005,2006 WHY NO RECALL WAS PUT OUT FOR THE 2003 MODELS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL THE SAME MAKE AND MODELS SHOULD BE RECALLED IF THE PROBLEMS ARE THE SAME. JUST BECAUSE THE YEARS ARE DIFFERENT DO NOT MEAN THE PROBLEMS ARE DIFFERENT. IT IS CLEAR THAT YOUR AIM IS TO PROTECT BIG BUSINESS. NOT THE CONSUMER WHO SPENT$ 15,000 ON A PRODUCT THAT IS DEFECTED. I AM SURE THAT IF YOU SPENT $15,000 ON A PRODUCT YOU WOULD WHAT IT TO WORK CORRECTLY. LETS BE FAIR! THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COST 20 BUCKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242975
127,000 miles · Sep 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. CURRENTLY EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CODE P0422 - REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PRE-CAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242902
52,000 miles · Sep 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND LOST TOTAL POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY SOMETIMES, BUT CAN TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO RESTART AT OTHER TIMES. ONCE IT RESTARTS, THE VEHICLE RUNS NORMALLY FOR THE NEXT DAY OR NEXT 30 D…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND LOST TOTAL POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY SOMETIMES, BUT CAN TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO RESTART AT OTHER TIMES. ONCE IT RESTARTS, THE VEHICLE RUNS NORMALLY FOR THE NEXT DAY OR NEXT 30 DAYS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE INTERNET STATES THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MODULE IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #10242719
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILED. RECENTLY, TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILED. RECENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/03/12*LJ UPDATED 01/05/12
NHTSA ODI #10242257
55,500 miles · Sep 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. IT CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON ONE OCCASION DUE TO THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. IT CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON ONE OCCASION DUE TO THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE RECALL STATES THAT THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FOR FREE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THEY WILL DO MORE. SHE IS ABLE TO FAX OR SEND THE NOTICE SHE RECEIVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,500.
NHTSA ODI #10241944
50,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES THE ENGINE STOPPED ON RED LIGHT. THE LAST TIME WAS TODAY 09/11/2008. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM. IN SOME WAY 2003 OWNERS WILL BENEFIT FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241896
58,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002, 2005, AND 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S, BUT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002, 2005, AND 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S, BUT NONE PERTAINING TO THE 2003 MODEL. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURES, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 2003 MODEL; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10241889
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 ↗