NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
450 reportsClear category filter48,686 miles · May 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL AND SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED. THE FAILURE WAS FREQUENT AND OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER OF RE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL AND SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED. THE FAILURE WAS FREQUENT AND OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER OF RECALL 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,686.
NHTSA ODI #10402150
96,500 miles · May 18, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES; I PARK MY CAR (TURN ENGINE OFF) DO GROCERIES, SHOPPING, ETC, COME BACK, I TURN THE CAR ON AND THE CAR IS LIKE STALLING, LIKE ITS IDLE BUT YOU CAN FEEL THE SHAKING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE ON THIS SITUATION. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND STILL THE SAME…
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THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES; I PARK MY CAR (TURN ENGINE OFF) DO GROCERIES, SHOPPING, ETC, COME BACK, I TURN THE CAR ON AND THE CAR IS LIKE STALLING, LIKE ITS IDLE BUT YOU CAN FEEL THE SHAKING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE ON THIS SITUATION. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND STILL THE SAME SITUATION. I HAVE TO WAIT 3-5 MINUTES WITH ENGINE OFF, THEN I TURN IT ON AND THE CAR STARTS WORKING NORMAL. THERE IS NO "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS HAPPENING TIME TO TIME. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT COULD BE SOMETING WITH THE GASOLINE IN THE TANK, THAT IS NOT THE CASE BECAUSE I LEFT MY TANK ALMOST TO EMPTY AND LOAD A NEW TANK, DIFFERENT GAS STATION AND STILL DOES THE SAME. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, ASKED FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR'S MODEL/YEAR. THEY SAY NO RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL. I STARTED SEARCHING FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I READ A FEW ARTICLES THAT THE '02 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES, ALSO THAT THE SAME '03 MODEL IN CANADA HAS BEEN RECALLED AND SERVICED FOR SAME ISSUE. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT PROVE THAT WHAT I READ IS TRUE, I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CHECKED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP MAINTENANCE CENTERS SINCE THERE IS NO ALERT SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARDS.
NHTSA ODI #10401999
85,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING OIL FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE OIL ESCAPED INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO FAIL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING OIL FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE OIL ESCAPED INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO FAIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 7135820 BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA ODI #10398887
106,000 miles · May 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010, I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK. ABOUT 4 MILES FROM MY HOME. (MY CAR IS RIGHT UNDER 107K MILES AT THE TIME). I WAS DRIVING NORMAL, OR CORRECTLY. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SHUTS OFF! I HAVE TO JERK MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND BREAK MY CAR BEFORE I CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO THANK…
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I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010, I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK. ABOUT 4 MILES FROM MY HOME. (MY CAR IS RIGHT UNDER 107K MILES AT THE TIME). I WAS DRIVING NORMAL, OR CORRECTLY. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SHUTS OFF! I HAVE TO JERK MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND BREAK MY CAR BEFORE I CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO THANKFUL I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS WERE PUT AT RISK THAT DAY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR YOUR CAR, ACTUALLY QUITE A FEW, BUT THE ONE I'M MOST INTERESTED IN GETTING FIXED IS THE ONE THAT DETERMINES MY LIVELY HOOD. ALL I AM ASKING IS YOU PLEASE FIX THIS. I CAN GO WITHOUT THE AC OR HAVING WEAK HEADLIGHTS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH. I JUST CAN'T DEPEND ON THIS CAR TO NOT KILL ME ONE DAY. PLEASE, I AM BEGGING YOU. ONCE AGAIN FOR MY LIFE & THE LIVES OF MANY OTHERS THAT WILL BE INVOLVED. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM! I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE FOR THE ALTIMA OUT OF POCKET. RECALLED ON : 7/7/2006 INFLUENCED BY: OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION RECALLED FOR: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398415
85,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2003/ENGINE/ENGINE_BURNS_OIL.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398185
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED T FUNCTION NORMALLY AND WAS IMMEDIATELY DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHIC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED T FUNCTION NORMALLY AND WAS IMMEDIATELY DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING FOR THREE TO FOUR WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10396819
125,463 miles · Apr 12, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING, BURNING OIL QUICKLY DOING OIL CHANGES EVERY MONTH, NISSAN SERVICE STATION SAID CATALYTIC COVERTER. CAR STILL MAKING NOISE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM THEN ENGINE BLOWS DUE TO DEBRIS FROM CONVERTER GETTING INTO ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL
NHTSA ODI #10396343
101,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 LITRE ENGINE. BLOWING OIL OUT TAILPIPE WITH 101,000. MANY BLOGS REPORT SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL IN A SHORT TIME. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL REGARDING…
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2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 LITRE ENGINE. BLOWING OIL OUT TAILPIPE WITH 101,000. MANY BLOGS REPORT SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL IN A SHORT TIME. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, THE RECALL HAS SINCE CLOSED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ENGINE AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS DOCUMENTATION THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL IN 2003. HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNTIL 2010, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE RESURFACED. UPDATED IVOQ 08/07/12
NHTSA ODI #10394002
91,050 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL AND SOMETIMES WOULD LURCH WHEN DRIVING. WE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND A COILS, BUT PERIODICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STILL COME ON. I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. AS I TOOK OFF FROM THE LIGHT, THE CAR STALLED AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEH…
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THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL AND SOMETIMES WOULD LURCH WHEN DRIVING. WE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND A COILS, BUT PERIODICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STILL COME ON. I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. AS I TOOK OFF FROM THE LIGHT, THE CAR STALLED AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG BURNING OIL/GAS SMELL. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AS IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE PERSON BEHIND ME NEARLY RAN INTO ME SINCE THE CAR STOPPED SO SUDDENLY. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE PRE CATALYST AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. IT WAS DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD USED ABOUT 2.5 QTS OF OIL AND NO OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TODAY, I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE THE REPAIR AND IT IS LOSING POWER AND LURCHING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR SHUDDERS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. IT IS BEING BROUGHT BACK TO THE MECHANIC TODAY. THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THEN TURNED SOLID. CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I'M AFRAID THAT THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 2 YEARS (BEGIN AROUND 65,000 MILES) AND OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM STOPPED TO 65MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393823
100,000 miles · Mar 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 100,253. UPDATED 04/06/11*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10392874
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 ↗