NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
450 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THIS COULD OF CAUSED SERIOUS HARM TO ME AND MY CHILDREN. REVIEWED RECENT RECALLS AND THERE ARE OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. CONCERN FOR MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS A PRIORITY AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENE…
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WHILE ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THIS COULD OF CAUSED SERIOUS HARM TO ME AND MY CHILDREN. REVIEWED RECENT RECALLS AND THERE ARE OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. CONCERN FOR MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS A PRIORITY AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE FIRST TIME I HAD A $300.00 PLUS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217303
25,000 miles · Feb 4, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND BELOW, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER TEN MINUTES AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENG…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND BELOW, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER TEN MINUTES AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY AFTER THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10216887
7,435 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN 2003, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND THE RADIATOR AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN 2003, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND THE RADIATOR AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE THE TIME HAD EXPIRED. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,435. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THEN SHOOTS FORWARD. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215697
49,000 miles · Jan 21, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE CRANK SENSOR DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215516
43,000 miles · Jan 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WHEN STOPPING FOR A LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER CRANKSHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WHEN STOPPING FOR A LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER CRANKSHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,136 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,136.
NHTSA ODI #10214282
70,000 miles · Jan 7, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 NISSAN. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2003 ALTIMA, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WILL SPORADICALLY NOT START. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES EARLY ON, THE PLUGS WERE ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS MISFIRING, THE BRAKES WERE SQ…
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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 NISSAN. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2003 ALTIMA, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR WILL SPORADICALLY NOT START. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES EARLY ON, THE PLUGS WERE ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS MISFIRING, THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, THE AC AND THE HEATER DID NOT WORK (AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THEM), WATER SLOSHING SOUNDS, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ROOTER. AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED STOPPING SPORADICALLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD FIXED IT. ON MY DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY, (3 MONTHS LATER) THE CAR STALLED ON US ON THE ROAD AND SHE MISSED HER OWN 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY (LESS THAN 3 YEARS FROM THE TIME IT WAS REPLACED). 2 WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, I WAS ON THE ROAD WITH MY 11 MONTH OLD INFANT, MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED!!! THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS JUST INCHES AWAY FROM REAR-ENDING ME WITH MY INFANT IN THE BACK SEAT FACING BACK. I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND MYSELF IN THE CAR. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT WE DRIVE ON ONE OF THE BUSIEST FREEWAY IN THE COUNTRY (CA ? 405). MY CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE IN DANGER EACH TIME I DRIVE THEM IN THIS CAR. I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT CAR FROM NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO THAT. THIS VEHICLE IS MY MAIN MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR. I FEAR BEING KILLED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR; THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHY HAS NISSAN REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING KILLED IN THEIR POORLY BUILT-MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214004
102,427 miles · Jan 4, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 102K MILES ON THE 2.5LITER WAS DRIVEN ONLY ABOUT 8 MILES WHEN ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND STALLED WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. ALL VEHICLE SERVICE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED. UNTIMATELY MY EXPENSE TO REBUILT THE ENGINE WAS $2.2K WITH NISSAN REFUSING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. …
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MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 102K MILES ON THE 2.5LITER WAS DRIVEN ONLY ABOUT 8 MILES WHEN ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND STALLED WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. ALL VEHICLE SERVICE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED. UNTIMATELY MY EXPENSE TO REBUILT THE ENGINE WAS $2.2K WITH NISSAN REFUSING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. HAVE OTHERS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE? DID NISSAN ALSO NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS? *CN
NHTSA ODI #10213743
93,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE PURCHASE D…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10213459
76,000 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY AND MADE A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; HOWE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY AND MADE A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10212449
71,000 miles · Dec 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED TWICE AND CURRENT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED TWICE AND CURRENTLY NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,675 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NHTSA ODI #10212058
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 ↗