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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

What owners actually said

883 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE CYLINDER 1 MISFIRED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET CONSUMING 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 4000 MILES AND RUNNING TERRIBLY ROUGH. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HER VEHICLE WAS AMONG THE HUNDRE…

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2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE CYLINDER 1 MISFIRED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET CONSUMING 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 4000 MILES AND RUNNING TERRIBLY ROUGH. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HER VEHICLE WAS AMONG THE HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHERE IT DETERIORATES AND BECOMES SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE, SCORCHING THE CYLINDERS CAUSING MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION THEN FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10266888

36,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE SERVICE ENGINE, BATTERY, AND BRAKE WARNING IND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE SERVICE ENGINE, BATTERY, AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10266223

66,000 miles · Apr 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 66K MILES ON IT 6 MONTHS AGO FROM WILSONVILLE NISSAN. THEY PROMISED THIS CAR WAS IN PERFECT RUNNING ORDER, EVEN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE TEST DRIVE, BUT THE TECHNICIANS THERE INSISTED THAT THEY JUST FORGOT TO RESET THE COMPUTER AFTER THEY PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. AS I HAV…

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I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 66K MILES ON IT 6 MONTHS AGO FROM WILSONVILLE NISSAN. THEY PROMISED THIS CAR WAS IN PERFECT RUNNING ORDER, EVEN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE TEST DRIVE, BUT THE TECHNICIANS THERE INSISTED THAT THEY JUST FORGOT TO RESET THE COMPUTER AFTER THEY PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. AS I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT, SES LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ON ALTIMAS FOR THIS REASON, BUT AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND MULTIPLE PROBLEMS AROSE, WE RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND CYLINDER 1 WAS MISFIRING. THERE ARE MANY MORE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE NOW, INCLUDING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKET, CONSUMING 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 400 MILES, AND RUNNING TERRIBLY ROUGH. THERE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THESE SAME PRE-CAT RELATED ISSUES IN THEIR 02-06 ALTIMAS. THE PRECAT DETERIORATES AND IS SUCKED UP INTO THE ENGINE, SCORCHING THE CYLINDERS, CAUSING MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, AND THEN FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH AND THEN DYING. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO WILSONVILLE NISSAN AND THEY REFUSED TO GIVE THE PRECAT A VISUAL INSPECTION. THEY CLAIMED THAT SINCE THE COMPUTER DID NOT THROW A CODE CONCERNING THE PRECAT, THEY HAD NO REASON TO LOOK AT IT. INSTEAD, THEY CHARGED US $110 TO TELL US THAT THE COMPUTER WAS GIVING A CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE CODE. WE ALREADY KNEW THAT AND WE TOLD THEM THAT BEFORE THEY TOOK THE CAR IN. UNDER THE FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY, NISSAN HAS TO PAY FOR ALL COSTS TO DIAGNOSE, REPAIR, AND REPLACE ALL PARTS THAT ARE RUINED BY ANY FAULTY EMISSIONS PART UNDER 80,000 MILES. THE PRECAT FALLS UNDER THIS CATEGORY, AND THE ENGINE SHOULD ALSO BE REPLACED BY NISSAN AS ITS PROBLEMS ARE A DIRECT RESULT FROM THE PRECAT FALLING APART AND GETTING SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. RECALL ID# 5450 REQUIRES THEM TO TEST AND LOOK AT THE PRE-CAT, AND IF THERE IS ANY DAMAGE TO THE CAT, THEN THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE. NISSAN WILL NOT COOPERATE AND WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE PRECAT. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265913

148,246 miles · Apr 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE 148,246 MILES ENGINE IN THE NISSAN ALTIMA IS BLOWING OIL OUT THE EXHAUST AT A RATE OF 4 QUARTS WITH IN 20-40 MILES OF DRIVING. I WAS TOLD THE CAT. FILTER CAME APART AND THE MATERIAL WAS SUCKED INTO THE INTAKE OF THE CYLINDER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER WALL TO THE DEGREE WHERE AS AN ENGINE AND CAT. FILTER NEED TO BE REPLA…

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THE 148,246 MILES ENGINE IN THE NISSAN ALTIMA IS BLOWING OIL OUT THE EXHAUST AT A RATE OF 4 QUARTS WITH IN 20-40 MILES OF DRIVING. I WAS TOLD THE CAT. FILTER CAME APART AND THE MATERIAL WAS SUCKED INTO THE INTAKE OF THE CYLINDER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER WALL TO THE DEGREE WHERE AS AN ENGINE AND CAT. FILTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265368

100,000 miles · Apr 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDERGONE AN OIL CHANGE AND ALL OF THE OIL HAS SUDDENLY LEFT OUT OF THE ENGINE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD IGNITE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDERGONE AN OIL CHANGE AND ALL OF THE OIL HAS SUDDENLY LEFT OUT OF THE ENGINE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD IGNITE INTO FLAMES DUE TO THE BURNING OIL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10265328

33,094 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING LESS THAN 2 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING LESS THAN 2 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER HIS INSURANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 33,094.

NHTSA ODI #10263977

78,500 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM), WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), WHICH STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD REPROGRAM THE ECM FOR FREE. O…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM), WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), WHICH STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD REPROGRAM THE ECM FOR FREE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING LESS THAN 15 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO VERIFIED THAT THE ECM FAILED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL A SECOND TIME. THE RECALL STATED THAT IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE SENSOR IS SO BRIEF, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 78,500.

NHTSA ODI #10263959

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS CAP REMAINS OPEN AND I HAVE SEEN IT ON MANY OF THE SAME MODEL ALTIMA. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS? THE GAS CAP DOOR DOES NOT SHUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263802

130,000 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECALL NO. R0606 - PART REPLACED 2 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. ONCE AGAIN, THE CAR IS STOPPING WHILE DRIVING, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE PART IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP ME TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION AND OBTAIN A RELIABLE VEHICLE. THANKS, *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263026

81,000 miles · Mar 16, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND A RAILROAD CROSSING MY CAR SUDDENLY SEEMED TO HAVE LOST ALL POWER. MY CAR REMAINED ON. THINKING IT WAS JUST THE ROAD CONDITIONS. LATER SAME NIGHT ALSO IN A BUSY INTERSECTION ONCE AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME COMPLETELY JUST SHUT DOWN. NO POWER COASTED QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE OFF ROAD. TRIED…

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WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND A RAILROAD CROSSING MY CAR SUDDENLY SEEMED TO HAVE LOST ALL POWER. MY CAR REMAINED ON. THINKING IT WAS JUST THE ROAD CONDITIONS. LATER SAME NIGHT ALSO IN A BUSY INTERSECTION ONCE AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME COMPLETELY JUST SHUT DOWN. NO POWER COASTED QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE OFF ROAD. TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR BUT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN AND MY CAR STRUGGLED TO TURN ON BUT DID TURN ON. MY CAR BEING A PREOWNED CERTIFIED CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED FROM LANCASTER HONDA DEALERSHIP I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR MY CAR AND I AM A VERY UPSET CONSUMER. BROUGHT MY CAR TO BE SERVICED FROM THE DEALER AND THEY WANT $294.00 TO REPLACE MY CAM SENSOR AND CRANK SENSOR. I REFUSED THE WORK TO MY CAR AND WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND RECALLS FOR THE ECM AND I AM SHOCKED TO SEE MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH MY SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY FELT AS IF CAR LOST POWER. I NOTICED ALSO ALOT OF HEAT COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF MY CAR VENTS AND THE TEMP. GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING ACCURATELY. I TURNED THE VENT FULL BLAST TO BE ON SAFE SIDE. AFTER CALLING NISSAN CONSUMER COMPLAINTS THEY ADVISED MY TO BRING MY CAR NOW TO NISSAN DEALER NEXT CITY OVER AND THEY WILL REPLACE/REPROGRAM MY ECM FREE OF CHARGE BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ALSO CHARGING ME $95.00 DIAGNOSIS CHARGE AND WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THEM REPLACING THE TWO SENSORS AS WELL FREE OF CHARGE THEY SAID IF AFTER RUNNING THE DIAG. AND IF IT BE THAT THE SENSORS WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT THEN IT WILL ALSO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262086

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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