IllustrationCAR STALLS AND DIES WITHOUT NOTICE. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
490–25K
8325–50K
17350–75K
15775–100K
200100–150K
65150K+
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 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS BUT USUALLY WHILE STOPPED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V242000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS THE ENGINE INSTALL ISSUE.... I HAVE CALLED THE HEADQUARTERS AND THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD I MUST WAIT UNTIL THE RECALL NOTICES ARE MAILED TO OUT ON 8/21.... I HOPE I DON'T HAVE A WRECK BETWEEN NOW AND THEN! *NM
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE STOP WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES, FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. I KNOW THIS IS A PART OF THE RECALL ON ALL 2002 VEHICLES, RECALL DAY WAS NOV 04 2003. MY CAR IS 2003 BUT I BOUGHT IT ON NOV 15TH 2003. NISSAN SHOULD DO THE RECALL ON ALL 2003 ALSO. I BR…
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SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE STOP WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES, FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. I KNOW THIS IS A PART OF THE RECALL ON ALL 2002 VEHICLES, RECALL DAY WAS NOV 04 2003. MY CAR IS 2003 BUT I BOUGHT IT ON NOV 15TH 2003. NISSAN SHOULD DO THE RECALL ON ALL 2003 ALSO. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALER, ON THE FIRST SERVICE, THEY CHARGED ME FOR $872.73, I TALK TO THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AND SHOWED HIM ALL THE DOCUMENTS ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL, HE SAID MY CAR IS 2003, AND ALSO SAID THIS IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. I SAID OK AND PAID THE SERVICE BY CREDIT CARD. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR HOME, THE CAR WON'T LAST LONGER THAN 24 HRS, THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY, I AM VERY LUCKY I AM STILL ALIVE. THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAPPENED BEFORE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER: SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS TIME THE SERVICE DIRECTOR TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM BY FIXING THE PROBLEM THAT I SHOWED HIM ONE DAY EARLIER: THAT IS REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS, CAMSHAFT POSITION, WHICH ALL INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ON 2002, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER. THE WORST THING WAS THE DEALER TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR 2ND SERVICE THAT IS ALMOST $300.00, I'M SO UPSET AND BRING UP TO THE SERVICE DIRECTOR, HE VOIDED THE CHARGE BUT STILL CHARGED ME FOR THE PART = $37.84 INCLUDES TAX. I'M IN THE PROCESS TO WORK WITH MY CREDIT CARD TO DISPUTE ABOUT ALL THE CHARGE. *JB
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON, ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *JB
THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. WILL NOT CRANK AFTER A FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TURNED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRANKING. THE PROBLEM IS GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A NOISE PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE MOTOR MOUNTS AS THE SOURCE FOR THE NOISE, WHICH IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PART DEFECTIVE.*AK
MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I'LL COME TO A STOP, AND IT WILL DIE. I'LL GET THE VEHICLE STARTED, TRY TO GO AND IT WILL STALL. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC MOMENTARILY, AND MADE SOME OTHER DRIVERS FAIRLY IRRITATED. THE CAR IS GOING INTO THE SHOP NEXT WEEK TO HOPEFULLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S IS PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN SURROUNDING THE CATALYTIC PIN. MY ALTIMA STOPPED FUNCTIONING ON LAST YEAR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF STOPPING, STALLING, SMOKING, ENGINE KNOCKING, ETC. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) AT THE EXPENSE OF NISSAN. THE EXACT SAME SCENARIO OCCURRED TWO WEEKS AGO THIS YEAR AND THE…
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2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S IS PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN SURROUNDING THE CATALYTIC PIN. MY ALTIMA STOPPED FUNCTIONING ON LAST YEAR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF STOPPING, STALLING, SMOKING, ENGINE KNOCKING, ETC. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) AT THE EXPENSE OF NISSAN. THE EXACT SAME SCENARIO OCCURRED TWO WEEKS AGO THIS YEAR AND THE CAR AGAIN WAS TOWED TO OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME, THEY'RE REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THEY'RE CLAIMING THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE THIS TIME IS NOT RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC PIN. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE, ALTHOUGH THE OIL WAS CHANGED JUST 500 MILES PRIOR TO THE ENGINE LOCKING. AFTER READING OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS, I'VE LEARNED THAT THESE ALTIMA'S REQUIRE OIL ON A WEEKLY BASIS OR THIS IS THE RESULT. WHAT KIND OF CAR REQUIRES OIL WEEKLY? AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHERE IT WILL STAY BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY I CAN AFFORD TO BUY A NEW ENGINE AND PAY THE LENDER AT THE SAME TIME. *JB
COMPLAINT #10163230. *NM
Official recalls
406V242000 · 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
1RQ06001 · 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.