Page 17 of 18 · complaints 801–850 of 883

2003 Nissan Altima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 29, 200561,000 milesCO

DT: THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL OPERATED POORLY. THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT IT DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MAY, THEY WERE ABLE TO JIGGLE THE THROTTLE, AND IT WOULD START WORKING, BUT IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. CURRENTLY, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE FOUR ON BACK ORDER AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 28, 200550,000 milesSC

DT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILED, AND HAD TO REPLACE IT. CONTACTED NISSAN. THERE WAS A RECALL BUT FOR CRANK POSITION SENSORS A MONTH AGO. THIS HAPPENED ON 6-24-2005. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 26, 200570,000 milesVA

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SL - MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN. WHEN SHE CAME TO A STOP AT THE STOP SIGN THE ENGINE CUT OFF, BUT ALL ELECTRICAL REMINED OPERATING. SHE COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NO CLEAR ANSWER HAS BEEN DETERMINED FOR WHY THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING, EVEN WHEN DRIVEN BY DEALERSHIP MECHANICS. I JUST FOUND A RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE FOR THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR ON 2002 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THE CONSEQUENCES LISTED IN THIS RECALL ARE SIMILAR TO THE ONE I AM EXPERIENCING. I AM GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK MINE. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO WHETHER THIS CRICUIT BOARD PROBLEM IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA CAUSING THAT CAR'S ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHILE OPERATING.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jul 21, 200516,000 milesAL

JUNE 01, 2005 I PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ON APRIL 14,2005 FROM CROWN NISSAN IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA. ON MAY 22, 2005 THE VEHICLE STALLED/ STOPPED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. ON MONDAY MORNING I AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. MRS. DREW TOLD ME THE TECHNICIANS THAT CHECKED OUT MY CAR HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED THERE MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, AND IF THE COMPUTER CANNOT PICK UP ANYTHING, THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. ON THAT DAY MAY 23, 2005 I WENT TO PICK THE CAR UP FROM CROWN NISSAN, AND DROVE IT HOME. ON MAY 27, 2005 WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON ME AGAIN. MY CAR ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 AM. AFTER LEAVING THREE VOICE MESSAGES, AND SEVERAL PHONE CALLS, I FINALLY REACHED MR. DAN AT 2:16 PM WHO THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE HAZARD LIGHTS BEING ON. DAN CONTACTED THE SALES DEPARTMENT WHO AGREED TO GIVE ME CAR TO DRIVE OVER THE WEEKEND; HE STATED HE WOULD CHECK MY CAR AGAIN ON TUESDAY MAY 31, 2005 TO SEE IF HE FOUND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HE THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS SOMEONE OUT DRIVING MY CAR THEN AND THEY HAD REPLACED A ''CRANK SWITCH'' IN THE CAR HE EXPLAINED WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD KEEPS THE CAR FROM STARTING OR MAKES THE CAR CUT OF WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF IT BEING ON, MR. DAN SAID HE WOULD TRY TO HAVE MY CAR READY FOR ME ON THAT DAY. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT EVENING TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE, AND TURNED IN THE

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 20, 200550,000 milesCA

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA . THE ENGINE FAILED, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID COME ON BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. CONSUMER CITED A RECALL #03V455000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THIS VEHICLE WAS DOING THE SAME THING, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDEDIN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. ALSO, TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. HE HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 8, 200547,200 milesTX

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WIFE HIT A SMALL PIECE OF ROADWAY DEBRIS, THOUGHT TO BE A PIECE OF TIRE DEBRIS, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO CRACK AND LEAK FUEL FROM TANK. DAMAGE WAS NOT DISCOVERED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. RUPTURE POSED A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD IF THERE HAD BEEN AN IGNITION SOURCE. GIVEN THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A SMALL PIECE OF ROAD DEBRIS, THE TANK, MADE OF FIBERGLASS/COMPOSITE MATERIAL, DOES NOT SEEM AS SUITABLE AS A STEEL TANK IN A MAJOR COLLISION. DEALER (NORTH TEXAS NISSAN) WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY OR PASS COMPLAINT TO MANUFACTURER, SO I HAD TO PAY OVER $700 IN REPLACEMENT COSTS. DATE OF INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE.

Structure
Filed Jun 28, 2005NJ

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS TWO DESIGN FLAWS. ONE FLAW IS THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR IS TOO SHORT. THE SECOND DESIGN FLAW WAS WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE FULLY ILLUMINATED,THE HEADLIGHTS LOOKED AS IF THEY WERE ON WHEN THEY WERE NOT. *MR *SC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Jun 13, 2005VA

NISSAN ALTIMA'S RADIATORS NEED TO BE RECALLED. I HAVE A 2003 V6 AND I DO EVERY MAINTENCE POSSIBLE. THE RADIATOR LEAKED AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGED. I CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE AND NOONE SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED EVEN THOUGH THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. I BROKE DOWN ON THE INNERSTATE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT FROM THE BACK BY ANOTHER CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER JEFF EVANS AT HALL NISSAN IN NEWPORTNEWS, VA 757 369-6600 SAYS HE HAD TO REPLACE A RADIATOR IN ONE ALTIMA THREE TIMES. I DON'T KNOW WHY NO ONE HAS RECALLED THIS BUT I HOPE THIS MESSAGE GETS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THE NEW ALTIMA MAY LOOK NICE BUT THAT'S ABOUT ALL IT'S WORTH. IT'S JUST EYE CANDY AND THEY OBVIOUSLY SPENT MORE TIME ONE THE OUTSIDE INSTEAD OF WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT "THE INSIDE". WHO WANTS TO RIDE AROUND IN A CAR WITH THEIR KIDS THAT IS SUBJECT TO BREAK DOWN? MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND IT WILL COST MY OUT OF MY POCKET $2500. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND GET THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE IT MAY AFFECT. ALSO I WANT TO ADD THAT NOONE FROM NISSAN WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I THINK THEY DON'T WANT TO RECALL THE PART BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO BUSY TRYING TO SELL THE NEW 2005 MODEL. THANKS!

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jun 10, 200551,000 milesMA

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S. THE GAS DOOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I GO GAS ONE DAY A MONTH AGO AND THE DOOR OPENED PERFECTLY. WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE IT, IT WOULDN'T SHUT. IT LOOKS LIKE THE HING ISN'T LINED UP CORRECTLY. I HAD TO FORCE IT SHUT AND IT GETS WORSE EACH TIME I USE THE DOOR.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Jun 6, 200522,000 milesFL

DT: THIS WEEKEND TRIED TO PARK TO ENTER STORE. ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FROM DRIVE TO PAR, BUT THIS GEAR BECAME STUCK IN NEUTRAL. CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK. LAST NIGHT WENT TO PARK AND WHEN STARTING TO LEAVE WOULD NOT MOVE FROM TO PARK TO DRIVE. AGAIN, CONSULTED OWNER,S MANUAL. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 3, 200546,568 milesGA

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE.*MR WHILE PASSING A VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE'S AIR FLOW METER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

Air Bags
Filed May 31, 2005CA

I PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ON 5/13/2005. AFTER THE PURCHASE IT WAS SENT FOR DETAILING WHILE I FINISHED THE FINANCE PAPERWORK. WHEN I RETURNED HOME (ABOUT 11PM) I SHOWED MY WIFE THE CAR. SHE NOTICED A DENT ON THE DASHBOARD COVERING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS DENT WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I IMMEDIATELY INFORMED THE PERSON WHO SOLD ME THE CAR AND HE SAID THAT WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN ON MONDAY IT WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. HOWEVER IT IS NOW 18 DAYS SINCE PURCHASE AND WE ARE STILL ARGUING WITH THEM TO TAKE CARE OF IT, THEIR REASON BEING THAT BECAUSE IT WAS A USED VEHICLE IT WAS SOLD AS IS AND I DID NOT INFORM THEM OF THE DENT UNTIL AFTER I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. THAT IS NOT MY MAIN CONCERN. I WISH TO KNOW IF THIS "DENT" CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT TECHNICIAN THAT THIS DENTED PANEL IS AN ENTIRE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY AND NOT A SEPARATE PART. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD INVESTIGATE WHETHER THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN (MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT) OR IF IT IS SIMPLY A DENT. IF YOU FIND THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIRBAG "COULD" FAIL AS A RESULT OF THIS DENT, DOES THE DEALER HAVE TO REPLACE THE PART? THE CAR STILL HAS SOME OF THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY AND I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. SINCE WE ARE WITHOUT THIS CAR AT THE MOMENT (FOR ANOTHER REASON ENTIRELY) AND ARGUING WITH THE DEALER TIME IS AN ISSUE. IF YOU COULD GET BACK TO ME ASAP, I (AND MY WIFE) WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 11, 200560,850 milesMD

AT ABOUT 60,850 MILEAGE - 850 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, MY CAR STARTED TO STALL WHILE IN MOTION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH AND AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT NISSAN HAD RECALLED 2002-2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS (ALOMST 75,000 OF THEM) BUT ONLY IN CANADA. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THESE PARTS IN AMERICA. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. THE CAR TENDS TO SHUT OFF AND LOSE ALL POWER WHILE IN MOTION. MYSELF BEING A COMMUTER TO AND FROM WORK ON HIGHWAYS, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THAT NISSAN HAD PUT A BULLETAN OUT ON THIS PART STATING THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. AGAIN, PLEASE ADVISE ME WHY THIS SERIOUS SITUATION HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED IN AMERICA.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 10, 200538,000 milesNC

ENGINE FAILURE ON 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REFUSES TO PROVIDE SAFE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE UNTIL CAR IS REPAIRED, UNDER WARRANTY. SINGLE FEMALE HAS ALREADY BEEN LEFT STRANDED ON HIGHWAY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 6, 200540,000 milesCA

CRANK SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY ASSISTANCE. *AK ENGINE SHUT OFF AND SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. *BF *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Apr 14, 2005CA

AFTER APPROXIMATELY 49,000 PLUS MILES ON MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, 3.5 SE, I NOTICED OOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THE NEW TYPE OF RADIATORS INSTALLED ON THESE CAR MODELS HAVE PLASTIC TOPS AND ONCE RUPTURED OR DAMAGED, CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I WAS JUST WONDERING HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN WITH MY VEHICLE THAT HAS 49,000 PLUS MILES IN IT. I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY FOR THE RADIATOR EXPIRED AFTER 36,000 MILES. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AS SUGGESTED BY THE NISSAN SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND HAD TO PAY A HEFTY PRICE FOR A NEW ONE PLUS LABOR. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Apr 4, 2005NY

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 9, 2005NJ

THE RECALL CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING OTHER REPAIRS MADE. FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. *NM *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 24, 2005NY

NISSAN ALTIMA 2003, WITH SEVERAL FAILURES, LEAKING GASKET, ETC. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP FAILED, THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED, THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK, THE RADIATOR CAP AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED AND THE WHEELS RUSTED. *JB

Power Train › Axle AssemblyCrash
Filed Feb 21, 200519,058 milesDC

I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. THIS MORNING I I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I TURNED RIGHT AND MY AXLE JUST SNAPPED IN HALF. WITHOUT WARNING.

Suspension › Front › Macpherson Strut
Filed Jan 28, 200521,062 milesCA

RIGHT FRONT STRUT ON MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS. MILEAGE IS HIGH ON MY ALTIMA, AT 40K DUE TO SEVERAL TRIPS FROM CALIFORNIA TO OREGON FOR FAMILY EMERGENCIES IN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I AM GETTING DEFECTIVE MCPHERSON STRUTS THAT ARE NOW MADE IN MEXICO. CAR HAS A VERY DISTINGUISHED PULL TO THE RIGHT EVERY SINCE FIRST FAILURE AT 6 MONTHS IN SERVICE. ALIGNMENTS AND NEW TIRES HAVE NOT HELPED THIS SITUATION. CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT THE DEALER, I WILL NOT LET THEM REPLACE THE STRUT AGAIN BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ASSURE ME THAT I WILL NOT GET ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. CAR IS VERY HARD TO HANDLE ESPECIALLY GOING OVER UNEASY ROADS, WHICH THERE ARE PLENTY OF IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 25, 200524,900 milesNV

ON 01/13/05, THE ENGINE OF MY '03 NISSAN ALTIMA SE STALLED. THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OVER THE ENGINE AND IT DID NOT START. I WAITED A FEW MOMENTS AND THEN TRIED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT STALLED AGAIN AFTER I DROVE APPROX. 100 FEET. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT BUT MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP. I WAITED IN THE CAR FOR APPROX. AN HOUR IN 9 DEGREE TEMPERATURE WITH MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER UNTIL I WAS PICKED UP BY A FAMILY MEMBER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE STALLING. WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION, I HAD THEM CONDUCT A 15,000K SERVICE (OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, ETC.). ON 01/23/05, I HEARD AN "ENGINE KNOCK" AND DISCOVERED OIL SPOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY FROM THE CAR. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FIRST THING THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ARE TELLING ME I NEED AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE. THEY ARE ALSO CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THEREFORE THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS, I BELIEVE THE ENGINE STALLING WAS A SAFETY PROCEDURE THAT INDICATED AN ENGINE PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, I BELIEVE THE FAILURE OF THE DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY,AND REPAIR, THE PROBLEM MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE DAMAGE THEY ARE

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 6, 2005NC

THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE HAD A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *NM *TC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2004DC

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS PROBLEM WITH WOODPECKER NOISE. DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *BF THE NOISE IS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IDLING. *TC

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Concealment Devices
Filed Nov 1, 2004NC

THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT LENS MELTED OFF FROM THE LIGHT FIXTURE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PART WAS NOT ON A RECALL OR WARRANTY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Oct 27, 2004CA

WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 12, 200430,000 milesTX

TOOK THE CAR TO BAKER JACKSON NISSAN IN HOUSTON TO REPLACE A BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE BULB HAD MELTED TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $400 PLUS. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE IT UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $50 DEDUCTIBLE, BUT REFUSED TO RETURN THE MELTED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY STATING THAT IT HAD TO BE RETURNED TO NISSAN FOR THE WARRANTY. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD. BESIDES THE SAFETY ASPECT, THE ENGINEERING DEFECT COSTS CONSUMERS MORE THAN $400 TO REPLACE A HEADLAMP THAT SHOULD COST LESS THAN $20. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 28, 2004NC

THE DEALER REFUSES TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE REGION SPECIFIED FOR REPAIRS. *NM RECALL# 03V251000. *SC

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 7, 2004CA

THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AS I A DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 40-45 MPH WITHOUT ANY NOTICE WHATSOEVER. THE 1ST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS APRIL 29TH. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC CALED P0725 AND P1229 AND CALLED THE NISSAN TECH LINE BUT STILL HAD NO SUCH LUCK. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED AS I HAVE HAD MY 7 YEAR OLD CHILD WITH ME IN THE CAR BOTH TIMES. LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT HAD A ACCIDENT SO FAR, BUT IT IS A VERY SCARY FEELING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WITH YOUR CHILD AT A SPEED OF 40-45 MPH AND YOUR CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE OF YOUR THE DASH OF YOUR VEHICLE START FLASHING (IE. SERVICE ENGINE, OIL, GAS, LIGHTS, ETC. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Aug 27, 200411,900 milesGA

CONSUMER HAD A HARD TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. DEALER STATED THAT THE STARTER WAS DEFECTIVE, AND PROBLEM EXISTED FOR A WHILE. *AK * TC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 2004TX

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 20, 2004GA

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SAFETY RECALL REGARDING FUEL PUMP.*MR THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER CORRECTING THE DEFECT IN SOUTHERN STATES. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 30, 200436,650 milesNC

WE PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 ON 12/2002. ON 7/16/04 THE CAR WOULDN'T CRANK UNTIL THE THIRD TRY. AFTER STARTING HE WOULDN'T GO BUT 15 MPH. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THE THROTTLE CHAMBER WAS DEFECTIVE. IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS NOW AND THE PART HAS NOT COME IN BECAUSE THEIR TELLING ME ITS ON BACK ORDER. CALLED AND TALKED TO SEVERAL SERVICE GUYS AND REQUESTED A LOANER CAR UNTIL MY CAR GOT FIXED. WE DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE REPLIED ALL THE GUYS. SO I CALLED THE GM MANAGER AND LEFT A MESSAGE, HE CALLED BACK AND SAID HE WOULD CHECK ON A LOANER AND CALL ME BACK IN THE AM OF 7/30/04 BY 9AM. HE TOOK TO LONG SO I CALLED HIM AT 934AM WENT TO VOICE MAIL.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Jul 7, 20044,660 milesTX

WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK *SC

Seats
Filed Jul 6, 200434,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED TO BEND TOWARD THE BACK RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. AS TIME WENT BY THE SEAT BEGAN TO BEND MORE AND MORE. CURRENTLY, NOT ONLY IS THE SEAT TWISTED BUT, THERE IS A METAL BAR PROTRUDING FROM THE SEAT INTO THE CONSUMER'S BACK.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 28, 200437,398 milesCA

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A FRAME AROUND THE STICK SHIFT TO HOLD DOWN THE PIECE OF MATERIAL THAT KEEPS FROM EXPOSING INSIDE THE GEAR. THE FRAME CAME UNGLUED AND GOT STUCK INSIDE THE GEAR, CAUSING MY GEAR TO LOCK AND FORCING ME TO SUDDENLY STOP ON THE FREEWAY ON 65 MPH TRAFFIC. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR WAS AT 37,000, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000 MILES. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE PARTS DEPARTMENT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON ON NISSAN ALTIMAS, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ON AN EMPTY HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULL THE FRAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE GEAR. THE AMOUNT THAT I'M BEING CHARGED FOR THE PARTS & LABOR ARE NOT MY CONCERN AT THIS TIME AND ARE MINIMAL, HOWEVER THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS IS PRICELESS. I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IF WE CAN AVOID SERIOUS DAMAGES IN THE FUTURE IT'S VERY WELL WORTH A RECALL. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 8, 2004GA

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SAFETY RECALL REGARDING DEFECT IN FUEL PUMP. *MR RECALL#03V251000. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER CORRECTING THE DEFECT IN SOUTHERN STATES. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 29, 20047,100 milesFL

TRAFFIC CRASH WITH EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. POINT OF IMPACT WAS TO FRONT END, TOWARDS DRIVER'S SIDE. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. FORTUNATELY, MY SON'S BELT RESTRAINTS PREVENTED INJURY. CONCERNED AS TO THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED. AS INDICATED ABOVE, IMPACT POINT WAS GENERALLY TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock SwitchCrash
Filed May 17, 2004NM

SHIFT LEVER EASILY SHIFTING THROUGH 1, 2, 3, N CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLIN TO A CANAL. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 28, 2004AR

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM A STOP AND HIT TWO VEHICLES HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJUROES. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 21, 200418,875 milesNM

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN I COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE HIT WAS FULL FRONT AND ONLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND PASSENGER PRETENSIONER DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE DRIVER SIDE PRETENSIONER DID NOT DEPLY. NISSAN IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING BUT FROM THE LOOKS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS AS THOUGH OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT INJURED BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IF I WAS GOING FASTER OR IF THE ACCIDENT WAS MORE SERIOUS, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD PROTECTION FROM A THE STANDARD DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG... E.G. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Apr 20, 200417,000 milesFL

THE OIL IN THE ENGINE EVAPORATED AND WHITE AND BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES, TWICE DUE TO THE DEBRIS/FIRE RECALL 03V084000. BUT, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK NISSAN HAD NOT AUTHORIZED THE SERVICE TO PLACE A NEW ENGINE IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *SC *JB

Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Apr 19, 20047 milesNY

I PURCHASED MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 05, 2003 AND IT HAD A DEFECT IN THE PAINT ON THE HOOD. I ASKED THE DEALER DORSCHEL AUTOMOTIVE FOR A NEW HOOD AND THEY REFUSED AND SAID THEY COULD PAINT IT. THE PAINT JOB WAS ABSOLUTLEY TERRIBLE AND WAS REPAINTED FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES. ALMOST THE ENTIRE CAR HAS BEEN PAINTED AND NOW THE FRONT NOSE/SPOILER AREA IS ALL CHECKED AND CRACKED AND NEEDS TO PAINTED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 10,000 MILES. I WANT A NEW VEHICLE OR MY MONEY REFUNDED FOR THIS VEHICLE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Apr 4, 2004FL

ENGINE NOISE (KNOCK, CLACK OR CLATTER) AT IDLE. NISSAN AMERICA HAS PUBLISHED SEVERAL BULLETINS/RECALLS/ALERTS REGARDING NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUTO-TENSIONER, PRE-CATALYST AND/OR VALVES BUT THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER NOW CLAIM THE "NOISE" IS NORMAL. ALSO, THE CAR STILL HAS A RATTLE IN DOME LIGHT THAT THE INSULATION KIT (TAPE) FAILED TO FIX. SERVICE MANAGER STATED RATTLE WAS NOT HEARD WHILE DRIVING THE CAR FOR 10 MILES BUT IF THE RATTLE COULD BE DUPLICATED AT 40,000 MILES HE WOULD REPAIR. OF COURSE, I HEARD THE KNOCK AND RATTLE WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR ONLY HAS 12,500 MILES. THE RADIATOR WAS ALSO REPLACED WHICH IS WHEN I BEGAN NOTICING THE KNOCK. THIS IS A SOUR DEAL! *VEB. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Mar 1, 2004FL

ON DECEMBER 14, 2003 CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V084000, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED. DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Feb 23, 2004MA

CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR, AND ASKED IF VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE BEFORE REPAIR DATE, DEALER SAID YES. 2 DAYS BEFORE REPAIR DATE, VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. *LA VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN A QUARTER OF GAS ON IT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT THAT ICE BUILD-UP ON THE FUEL LINE WHICH CAUSED THE STALLING. PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND DEALER ASSURED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. ANOTHER RECALL THAT NEEDED REPAIR ON VEHICLE'S PRE-CATALYST. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT REPAIR COULDN'T BE DONE IN A MONTH AND A HALF DUE TO PARTS RESTRICTION. *LA

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Feb 19, 2004NY

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHICH STATED THAT CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PRE-CATALYST. THE CONSUMER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT, THE APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. *LA *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 17, 200411,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Feb 4, 2004IL

WHILE DRIVING A BURNING SMELL/ODOR CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Feb 3, 20043,000 milesPA

IN MY NEW NISSAN ALTIMA 2003, THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE FOR DEVELOPING A CRACK. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, BUT THE DEALER REFUSES TO ADMIT THE RADIATOR IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THEY HAVE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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