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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.

About this comparison →

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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38,450 miles · Dec 19, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

UPDATE TO ODI 10176518. POWER VALVE SCREWS WERE FOUND MISSING. SCREWS WERE INGESTED INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176614

38,500 miles · Dec 18, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

SLOWED VEHICLE AND SEES LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. VEHICLE DIED. RESTARTED VEHICLE. SES LIGHT ON CONSTANT. VEHICLE 'PULSES' - LIKE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176518

3,200 miles · Dec 14, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA IN OCTOBER 2002. IT HAD 4 MILES ON IT FROM MY TEST DRIVE. MY FIRST OIL CHANGE WAS SIX WEEKS LATER BECAUSE I WAS WORKING 100 MILES ROUND-TRIP TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP INITIALLY LEFT THE CAP OFF MY RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SMOKE AND SPUTTER WHEN I PICKED IT UP. IN FEBRUARY 2003, I WAS DRIVI…

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I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA IN OCTOBER 2002. IT HAD 4 MILES ON IT FROM MY TEST DRIVE. MY FIRST OIL CHANGE WAS SIX WEEKS LATER BECAUSE I WAS WORKING 100 MILES ROUND-TRIP TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP INITIALLY LEFT THE CAP OFF MY RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SMOKE AND SPUTTER WHEN I PICKED IT UP. IN FEBRUARY 2003, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY CAB FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THE CAR RAN HOT. THE DEALERSHIP DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE RADIATOR. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE "HOSES" BECAUSE RODENTS HAD EATEN THROUGH THE HOSES THAT CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK. I ASKED FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT THEY REFUSED. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED EVERY HOSE ON THE CAR. I HAD TO BUY A NEW RADIATOR, HEATER COIL (THE CAR WOULD BLOW COLD AIR WHEN SITTING STILL), AND RIGHT NOW I'M WAITING ON A COMPRESSOR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PIECE OF JUNK SINCE I MADE THE PURCHASE. I HAVE OWNED 2 MAXIMAS, AND CURRENTLY HAVE AN OLDER MODEL PATHFINDER AS WELL. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THE OTHER ONES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ALTIMA. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176165

54,000 miles · Nov 29, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

HAD THE ECM REPROGRAM DONE A FEW WEEKS AGO. COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER RESET THE ECM AGAIN. PAST WEEK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. DEALER NOW SAYS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR IS BAD. WE HAD THE "STALLING ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING" ISSUE IN NOV 2003. AT THAT TIME AND UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE FROM…

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HAD THE ECM REPROGRAM DONE A FEW WEEKS AGO. COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER RESET THE ECM AGAIN. PAST WEEK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. DEALER NOW SAYS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR IS BAD. WE HAD THE "STALLING ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING" ISSUE IN NOV 2003. AT THAT TIME AND UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE FROM ME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK AND CAMSHAFT POSITION...STALLING PROBLEM SOLVED. HERE WE ARE 3 YEARS LATER BACK TO THE BAD CRANK POSITION SENSOR AGAIN AND DEALER IS SAYING MY VIN IS NOT IN THE RANGE OF THE SENSOR RECALL AND I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IN MY OPINION, NISSAN IS TRYING TO PROGRAM THE ECM TO HIDE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SENSORS AND IT'S MADE IT MORE PRONOUNCED. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO SOFTEN THE BLOW A BIT BY KNOCKING SOME OFF THE CHARGES, BUT I'M STILL HAVING TO COUGH UP $184 FOR A WELL KNOWN, WELL DOCUMENTED AND AGING DEFECT. COME ON NISSAN, FIX THE PROBLEM....IT'S A DANGEROUS ONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174733

62,000 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE AIR FLOW FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. A NHTSA RECALL, #06V242000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE C…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE AIR FLOW FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. A NHTSA RECALL, #06V242000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE ENGINE HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10174606

69,750 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S. CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR A CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION AND ENGINE SPEED INPUT CIRCUIT CAUSING THIS STALLING. THERE'S A RECALL FOR 2002 MODELS, BUT NOT FOR 2003 AND THIS IS DANGEROUS. *…

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2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S. CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR A CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION AND ENGINE SPEED INPUT CIRCUIT CAUSING THIS STALLING. THERE'S A RECALL FOR 2002 MODELS, BUT NOT FOR 2003 AND THIS IS DANGEROUS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174504

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

COURTESY COPY RE DEFECTIVE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. SHE IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM NISSAN. *TS THE VEHICLE STALLED WEATHER THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE CRANK CASE REPLA…

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COURTESY COPY RE DEFECTIVE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. SHE IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM NISSAN. *TS THE VEHICLE STALLED WEATHER THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE CRANK CASE REPLACED, THROTTLE SENSOR ADJUSTED, FUEL INJECTION FLUSHED, POWER STEERING FLUSHED, AND BRAKE FLUID FLUSHED. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND RECALL 06V242000 IN REFERENCE TO FAULTY ENGINE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE FELL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THE RECALL BUT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THEREFORE THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO CHECKED THE RECALLS. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY CHAMBER. THE FAULTY CHAMBER RESULTED IN A THROTTLE CHAMBER REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10174302

65,600 miles · Oct 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN 1N4AL11D33C2XXXXX WAS DISPLAYING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WITH A CODE OF P0 507- IDLE SYSTEM TOO HIGH.....THIS APPEARED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS FOLLOWING THE R0606 RECALL FOR A ECM RE-PORGRAM FOR A CRANK ENGINE SENSOR. THE INTRESTING THING, MY SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR, DID THE SAME RECALL AROUND THE SA…

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MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN 1N4AL11D33C2XXXXX WAS DISPLAYING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WITH A CODE OF P0 507- IDLE SYSTEM TOO HIGH.....THIS APPEARED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS FOLLOWING THE R0606 RECALL FOR A ECM RE-PORGRAM FOR A CRANK ENGINE SENSOR. THE INTRESTING THING, MY SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR, DID THE SAME RECALL AROUND THE SAME TIME AND HAD THE SAME SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEAR THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME CODE. SEARCHING THE WEB, IT APPEARS MANY FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I PAID ABOUT $140 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND WANT NISSAN TO REFUND MY MONEY, HOWEVER 6 CALLS TO THEM HAS GOTTEN ME NO WHERE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172037

47,500 miles · Oct 18, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CRANK SENSOR ON MY 03 NISSAN ALTIMA, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ON A HEAVY TRAVELED ROAD. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL RESULT IN A ACCIDENT POSSIBLY INJURING ME. I TRIED TO HAVE THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FIX THIS PROB UNDER THEIR RECALL AND THEY REFUSED STATING IT…

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I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CRANK SENSOR ON MY 03 NISSAN ALTIMA, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ON A HEAVY TRAVELED ROAD. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL RESULT IN A ACCIDENT POSSIBLY INJURING ME. I TRIED TO HAVE THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FIX THIS PROB UNDER THEIR RECALL AND THEY REFUSED STATING IT WAS ONLY FOR THE 02 MODELS. MANY OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING IF YOU SEARCHED ON WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM YOU WOULD SEE NUMEROUS ENTRIES OF THE SAME THING. I JUST WANT THIS FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171286

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsSuspension

I HAVE BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY,NOT STAYING IN THE ROAD, PULLING AWAY FROM ME. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH 2 HANDS TO KEEP IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE WRONG WITH MY CAR. WHEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY,NOT STAYING IN THE ROAD, PULLING AWAY FROM ME. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH 2 HANDS TO KEEP IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE WRONG WITH MY CAR. WHEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MAINTENANCE SHOP JUST TO MAKE SURE I WAS BEING TOLD THE TRUTH. AFTER 30 MIN OF HAVING MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD BY A GOODYEAR MANAGER THAT I HAVE 3X THE WRONG SIZE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE 205/65/16 TIRES ON MY CAR AND I HAVE 225/60/16 TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. I AM FURIOUS BECAUSE I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH THOSE TIRES ON MY CAR AND HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN THERE SEVERAL TIMES TO BE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE AND THEY KNEW THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. MY CAR IS NOT A STEADY VEHICLE I FEEL UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY HOLD IT STILL IN THE ROAD. WHEN IT RAIN I FEEL LIKE I WRECK AT ANYTIME. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND IT HURTS ME TO KNOW THAT I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN THERE SEVERAL TIMES AND NOT ONE TIME HAVE THEY SAID ANYTHING ABOUT MY TIRES. I HAVE HAD THOSE TIRES ALIGNED AND BALANCE BUT THE TECH TOLD ME IT WOULD DO ME NO GOOD BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE 3 TIMES TO BIG. PLEASE HELP I THINK THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY TIRES WITH THE RIGHT SIZE. ALSO MY SEAT BELTS ON THE CAR WILL NOT EXTRACT I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WILL PULL THEM OUT BUT WHEN I LEAVE AFTER ABOUT 4 TO 5 DAYS MY BELTS WILL GET STUCK AGAIN I ALSO HAD MY SEAT BELTS CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS AND NISSAN WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME FLAT OUT IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM I CAN NOT PULL A SEAT BELT. I HAVE TO LET MY DAUGHTER RIDE IN THE BACK AT TIMES WITHOUT A SEAT BELT UNTIL I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELTS ARE GETTING HUNG FROM THE CORE OF THE ENTRANCE BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. **NM

NHTSA ODI #10171263

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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