Page 4 of 18 · complaints 151–200 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 →

Engine
Filed Aug 7, 201476,000 milesNJ

I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT ONTO A BUSY STREET WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Aug 7, 2014130,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2014171,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2014121,044 milesTX

IN NOV 2013 THE CAR WOULD STALL (ENGINE DIES) WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WOULD NOT START SOMETIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THE OEM WAS REPROGRAMMED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. THE OEM REPROGRAMMING WAS COVERED BY A RECALL BUT NOT THE SENSOR WHICH WAS VIN SPECIFIC, AS TOLD BY NISSAN. I REPLACED THE SENSOR. THIS YEAR THE CAR HAS BEEN JERKING AND WOULD NOT START SEVERAL TIMES (SEEMS THE PROBLEM RE-APPEARS EVERY SUMMER). I AGAIN TOOK THE CAR FOR REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE CRANK AND CAM POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE AGAIN REPLACED THE SENSOR AND CALLED NISSAN. I WAS TOLD MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AS IT IS VIN SPECIFIC. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 11, 2014220,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD WAS ENTIRELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 8, 2014103,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE BEFORE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

Structure
Filed Jun 29, 2014PA

IN MAY 2014 I STARTED TO RUN MY AC UNIT AND WAS GETTING A VERY BAD SMELL FROM THE AC UNIT- THE AC UNIT WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE AC UNIT LAST YEAR AND HE FOUND DEAD MICE UP IN THE AC UNIT SO HE REPLACED THE AC FILTER AND SPRAYED OUT THE CAR GOOD. MY HUSBAND WENT UNDERNEATH THE CAR YESTERDAY TO FIND THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE ROTTED AND THEY ARE TWO LARGE HOLES. WE LOOKED ONLINE AT 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS A CAR DEFECTIVE AND WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I PLAN ON CONTACTING NISSAN TOMORROW TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS WELL. THERE IS A 99.9% THAT NISSAN'S FLOOR BOARDS ROT OUT OVER TIME FOR IT IS MANUFACTURERS FLAW. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL NISSAN'S AND REPLACE ALL THEIR FLOOR BOARDS. *TR

Structure
Filed May 29, 201490,726 milesMI

I HAVE THE NOTORIOUS FLOORBOARD RUST PROBLEM. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE. I HAVE A FOOT SIZE HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. IT IS RUSTED OUT ALL THE WAY TO THE INTERIOR CARPET. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM NISSAN NEEDS TO PAY TO FIX. NOT THE CONSUMERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT ON HOW THE CAR WAS MADE. *TR

Engine
Filed May 28, 201489,000 milesMS

I DROVE MY CAR FROM MS TO GA. WHEN I REACHED MY HOTEL AND TURNED MY CAR OFF AND TRIED TO LEAVE AGAIN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE LIGHT CHECKED THE NEXT THE AND IT CAME BACK READING THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. WHEN I MADE IT BACK TO MS I GOT THE PART REPLACED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF. 8 MONTHS LATER MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OFF AT RED LIGHTS AND NOT STARTING AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS READING FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AGAIN. ONCE I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I JUST HAD THAT FIXED HE FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. REPLACED MY BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. CARS STILL SHUTS OFF AND WONT CRANK. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN THEY SAID MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR STALLS ON ME DAILY AND SHUTS OFF AT RED LIGHTS. *TR

Engine
Filed May 23, 2014137,095 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 137,095.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 8, 201490 milesNY

WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR UNKNOWINGLY STOPPED! I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW UNTIL THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTERTED THE CAR WITH NO ISSUE. A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE STARTED A SLIGHT SHAKE AND EACH DAY THE SHAKE BECAME MORE INTENSE AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE & WHILE MY FEET IS ON THE BREAK THE METER WOULD JUMP FROM 0 TO 2 AND SHUT OFF WEN IT HIT 0. ALSO WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S STUCK THEN IT'LL SHOOT OFF. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2014113,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES. ON ONE VISIT, THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER WAS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 13, 2014163,400 milesMA

NOTICED THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. DATE NOTICED WAS 4/13/2014. THIS ISSUE WAS FIRST NOTICED AT LEAST A YEAR AGO BUT THE FLOOR PANEL WAS NOT YET COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY. IT WAS JUST A SIMPLE CASE OF SURFACE RUST. IT WAS TREATED WITH RUSTOLEUM BLACK PRIMER TO TRY AND SLOW THE RUST DOWN. THIS IS A WELL KNOW ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN AND NOT JUST THROWN AWAY. *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 11, 2014120,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BOTH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V4550000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2014180,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 21, 2014200,000 milesGA

SAME FLOOR ROT/RUST AS REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. CONTACT NISSAN AND THEY SEND YOU TO DEALER TO VERIFY PROBLEM. ONCE IT'S VERIFIED THEY SAY IT'S TOO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. SOME PEOPLE GET ASSISTANCE AFTER FILING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS BUT MOST OF US GET THE DENIAL AND RUNAROUND. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2014VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2014128,560 milesAR

WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN, MY NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED ALL OF A SUDDEN. MY STEERING AND BRAKES GOT LOCKED. I COULD NOT START IT IMMEDIATELY.. BEHIND ME WAS A CARGO TRUCK HOWEVER AT A MORE GAP DISTANCE SO THAT HE COULD BRING HIS TRUCK TO A HALT BEFORE REAR BUMPING ME. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF IT WAS ON A HIGHWAY OR IF THE SPEEDS WERE HIGHER. THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME STARTING PROBLEMS. NISSAN TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED IN ANY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SO I HAD GET THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR & CRANK POSITION SENSOR REPLACED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC. AFTER THAT I STILL FACE STALLING PROBLEMS, ENGINE STARTING PROBLEMS. MY BATTERY HEALTH IS GOOD AND THE ENGINE CRANKS, BUT DOES NOT FIRE. PISSED OFF WITH THIS CAR. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 11, 201497,000 milesMO

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND MOTOR STOPPED IN FAST LINE OF HWY 60 IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND ALMOST GOT REARENDED BY ON COMING TRAFFIC, THANK GOD THEY STOPPED . HAD CAR TOWED IN AND CAME TO FIND OUT IT BLEW A ROD, HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A NUMBER OF MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM MOTOR AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO DUE TO ALL PROBLEMS THESE MOTORS HAVE CAUSED PEOPLE. YOU CANT GET A REPLACEMENT MOTOR ANYWHERE ONLY FOUND ONE AND THEY WANT 2000.00 I FEEL NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 5, 2014NY

FLOOR BOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS ROTTING WHICH LEFT A SIZABLE HOLE. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND ALLOWS DEBRIS FROM STREET TO ENTER VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 201487,900 milesWI

IN MORNING, STARTED CAR, DROVE DOWN ROAD SHORT DISTANCE,WENT TO STOP AT STOP SIGN AT HIGHWAY AND BRAKES WERE HARD, WOULDN'T DECOMPRESS AT ALL, SLID ONTO HIGHWAY. TOOK TO DEALER, CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT WAS IN WI, WAS COLD OUTSIDE,PARKED OUTSIDE AT NIGHT. THIS ALSO HAPPENED LAST YEAR IN WINTER, HAD IT HAPPEN TWICE, ONCE BACKING UP AFTER WORK AND ANOTHER AT STOP SIGN IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING CAR WHERE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FROZEN AND CAR WOULDN'T STOP. NARROWLY AVOIDED ACCIDENTS IN THESE CASES. SEEMS TO WORK BETTER AFTER CAR WARMS UP FOR A BIT. LAST YEAR, NISSAN DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND CLOSURE VALVE WHICH COST ME OVER 617.00 AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL THIS YEAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES TO ME. I COULD'VE BEEN IN VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR DIED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 20, 2013105,000 milesCA

CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NOT ON RECALL YET 1000'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2013148,200 milesNY

I AM A COLLAGE STUDENT AND I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA I ALWAYS LIKE THIS CAR BUT I GOT A SHOCK IN MY LIFE THE FIRST WEEK TO SCHOOL I SAW THE ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING WHEN I CHECK THERE IS NO OIL I ODD 3 QUART AND IT FILL TO THE H LEVEL THE NEXT WEEK IT WENT TO BELOW LOW LEVEL I ONLY GOT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS ONLY AND I ALMOST USED ONE GAL OIL CAN ANY ONE DO ANY THING ABOUT THE PROBLEM THE CAR DO NOT SMOKE IT JUST BURN THE OIL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 15, 2013131,000 milesNY

I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I WENT TO GO AND MY CAR STALLED OUT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT'S DUE TO CAM AND CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. DROVE THE CAR TO WORK TODAY THE CAR STALLED OUT AGAIN COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF OFF. ONCE AGAIN HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE RODE THE BEST I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND THANKFULLY IT TURNED BACK ON. CALLED NISSAN TODAY SPOKE WITH A CONSUMER AFFAIRS SUPERVISOR NAMED [XXX] AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CLAIM ON CRANKSHAFT SENSORS AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FORWARD MY INFORMATION TO A REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SEE IF THEY CAN GET THEM TO PAY FOR THE PARTS BUT IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE TO GET A DIAGNOSTICS REPORT DONE ON THE CAR AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS REPORT AND THEY WILL NOT WAIVE IT FOR ME AND IN ORDER TO GET APPROVAL FOR THE PARTS I HAVE TO GET THE DIAGNOSTICS REPORT. SO THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO A DEALERSHIP IN ALBANY NY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT SPOKE WITH A GUY NAMED ED HE SAID THEY WOULD NEED MY CAR FOR 24-48 HOURS AND CAN NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A RENTAL, CAN NOT WAIVE THE DIAGNOSTICS FEE AND THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR IN UNTIL AWEEK FROM NOW. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO END UP BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THIS MALFUNCTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 12, 201392,000 milesTN

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN MISSING AND STARTED TO SMOKE. AT THE SAME TIME THE HEATER QUIT PRODUCING HEAT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED CYLINDER # 4 MISFIRE. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED BY FAILED CATALYST IN THE PRE- CATALYST. OIL HAD FOULED THE MISSING CYLINDER'S SPARK PLUG. THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL WAS FULL AND THERE HAD NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF OIL CONSUMPTION, BUT THE OIL WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN COOLANT. THESE CARS ARE POPULAR FOR PARENTS TO PURCHASE FOR TEENAGERS AND APPEAR TO BE HAZARDOUS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 INDICATED THAT THIS PRE-CATALYST ISSUE WAS A FIRE HAZARD BACK IN 2003. IT APPEARS WHATEVER WAS DONE IN THIS RECALL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 11, 2013191,431 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STARTED IT BACK UP. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND CUT THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO CUT IT BACK ON IT WOULD NOT START. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 5, 2013122,000 milesCA

CRANK CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING. ALWAYS NEED MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START. I AM AFRAID VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTOFF IN TRAFFIC SINCE I COMMUTE SO MUCH ON HIGHWAYS. THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT. NISSAN REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER ON RECALL LIST. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 3, 2013AZ

THIS PROBLEM STARTED GRADUALLY IT WOULD JUST TURN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING.IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IT WAS SCARY. THANK GOD IT WOULD TURN BACK ON RIGHT AWAY. I DECIDED TO SEE IF DOING A OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS AND AIR FILTER WOULD HELP IT DIDN'T . ONE SATURDAY ON SEPTEMBER 21 OF THIS YEAR ON LUNCH BREAK I NEED TO COME HOME REALLY QUICK IT STOPPED BEFORE I MADE IT HOME IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON AT ALL! I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TURN BACK ON. I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY SAID MY BATTERY WAS BAD SO I BOUGHT A NEW ONE. IT CONTINUED TO STOP ON ME. IT WOULD RUN FOR A FEW DAYS WITHOUT STOPPING AT ALL UNTIL JUST A FEW DAYS AGO IT DIDN'T WANT TO START AT ALL THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. NOW THAT HAS BEEN CHECKED OFF THE LIST. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS THEN TURNED ON AND THE CODES THAT IS BEING READ OUT IS FOR A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 22 OF 2003 R 3022 / INFINITI WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Oct 6, 2013140,000 milesPA

I TOOK MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA TO GET A PA INSPECTION AND WAS SHOCKED THAT THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR HAD RUSTED OUT. THERE IS NO OTHER VISIBLE RUST ON THE CAR AND I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH SHOULD BE REMEDIED AT NISSANS EXPENSE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 30, 201380,000 milesTX

A FEW YEARS AGO APPROX. 2009 OR SO I NOTICED A WHOLE IN MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. IT SEEMED LIKE IT CAME OUT OF NO WHERE. IT IS A VERY LARGE RUSTED OUT WHOLE UNDER THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHERE YOUR FEET WOULD BE. I HAVE NO OTHER RUST ON OR UNDER THE VEHICLE BUT IN ONE SPOT!!! MY MECHANIC LOOKED INTO IT AND SAID THAT WHEN NISSAN MADE THESE VEHICLES THEY POSITIONED A TUBE THAT CARRIES LIQUID TO IN THE CAR VERSUS OUT OF THE CAR. I THEN CALLED AND WENT TO NISSAN AND SPOKE WITH THEM. THERE A MAN TOLD ME THAT IT IS A BIG ISSUE WITH 2003-2005 ALTIMAS BUT NISSAN WOULD NOT RECALL IT SO IT WOULD COST $1600 FOR A NEW FLOOR BOARD. WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE! AND QUITE THE SAFETY CONCERN. THERE IS A WHOLE IN HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES IF NOT THOUSANDS AND NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WOULD LOVE FOR SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE FALLS THROUGH A MOVING VEHICLE. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT LOOK UNDER THEIR CAR ON A MONTHLY OR BI MONTHLY BASIS AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. MY HOPE IS THAT IF EVERYONE WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE FINDS OUT ABOUT THIS THEY WILL TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR PASSENGERS ARE SAFE. AND ALSO SHAME ON NISSAN FOR NOT CARING ENOUGH OF THEIR CUSTOMERS TO NOT WANT TO ADMIT THEIR MISTAKES!! *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 24, 201352,000 milesVA

THE FLOOR STRUCTURE UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE RUSTED OUT. THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN FOR MODELS 2002 - 2006 ALTIMAS. NISSAN AND DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. I INITIALLY COMPLAINED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 52,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING THAN NOW AT 120,000 IT TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND WON'T PASS INSPECTION. PLEASE COMPLAIN. *JS

Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2013147,655 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,655.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 17, 2013MD

PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALER IN 2011. THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE PUTTING NEW BRAKES, RIMS AND TIRES NOTICED THE WHOLE UNDER CARRIAGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS RUSTED OUT AND FALLING A PART IN CHUNKS. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP TO GET A REPAIR ESTIMATE, IT WILL BE $2,700.00 TO FIX IT. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IS NOT MUCH HELP AND THE NISSAN SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT NOT WILLING TO HELP OR HAVE A RECALL. I LIVE IN MARYLAND WHERE A STATE MANDATED INSPECTION IS REQUIRED BEFORE I CAN SELL OR TRADE IN THIS CAR. THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 17, 2013159,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. ...UPDATED 12/03/13 *BF UPDATED 12/05/2013 *JS

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 11, 2013126,000 milesIL

IN EARLY AUGUST 2013, I NOTICED A RUSTED PIECE OF METAL HANGING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. DURING A RECENT OIL CHANGE, I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO LOOK AND SEE WHERE THE PIECE OF METAL WAS COMING FROM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S FLOOR PANEL ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH LEAVING A GAPING HOLE THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL IN FRONT OF WHERE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS LOCATED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM COVERING 3 MODEL YEARS, 2003 THRU 2006 AND HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF ALTIMAS. MY 2003 ALTIMA WAS A "CERTIFIED USED CAR" THAT WAS PURCHASED AT ARLINGTON NISSAN, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL IN 2006. IT'S CURRENT MILEAGE IS 126,000. THERE IS NOT ONE SPOT OF RUST ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I CALLED ARLINGTON NISSAN ON 9-11-13, TO ASK IF THERE HAD BEEN SOME SORT OF RECALL ON THE VEHICLE ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, NO RECALL HAD BEEN INITIATED BY NISSAN CORPORATE. THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION WHO THEN INSTRUCTED ME TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A DIAGNOSTIC REPORT COMPLETE WITH ESTIMATED REPAIR COSTS FROM ARLINGTON NISSAN. NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION WOULD THEN TURN THE CLAIM OVER TO THE REGIONAL OFFICE THAT OVERSEES ARLINGTON NISSAN. THAT OFFICE WOULD GET BACK TO ME WITH A DECISION ON REPAIRING THE DEFECT. THERE WAS NO PROMISE OF THEM FIXING THE PROBLEM AT NO COST O

Structure
Filed Sep 4, 2013122,000 milesIL

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA (122,000 MILES) - PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS ARE COMPLETED RUSTED. NISSAN IS NOT HELPING WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 29, 2013108,000 milesCA

MY TRUNK LATCH WILL RANDOMLY POP OPEN. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. THE SECOND TIME, I CAME OUT OF A STORE TO FIND MY TRUNK OPEN. IT KEEPS POPPING OPEN EVERY TIME I DRIVE NOW. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY TO SUDDENLY HAVE YOUR TRUNK FLY UP BLOCKING YOUR VIEW TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU. I HAVE JIMMY RIGGED IT WITH A BUNGEE CORD INSIDE SO THAT IT ONLY POPS UP ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO WHEN THE LATCH POPS. I WOULD JUST DUCT TAPE IT, BUT I NEED ACCESS TO MY DAUGHTER'S STROLLER. I ALSO UNPLUGGED THE INTERIOR TRUNK LIGHT SO THAT MY BATTERY WOULD NOT BE WORN OUT. THE WEIRD THING TOO IS THAT THE DOOR OPEN LIGHT DID NOT GO ON WHEN THE TRUNK OPENED. HOPING MY HUSBAND CAN FIX THIS DURING THE WEEKEND.

Engine
Filed Aug 28, 2013132,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CONSUMING OIL EXCESSIVELY BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,931.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 28, 2013127,000 milesPA

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA (127,000 MILES) - PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS ARE COMPLETED RUSTED. NISSAN IS NOT HELPING WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS BEFORE NHTSA GETS INVOLVED? OVER 70 REPORTS ON THE THIS SITE AND HUNDREDS MORE IF YOU PERFORM A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH. *TT

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Aug 26, 2013159,000 milesNY

WE NOTICED OVER THE WEEKEND THAT THE FLOORBOARDS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED. I COULD HAVE BEEN WALKING MY CAR LIKE THE FLINTSTONES ANYTIME SOON. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Aug 23, 201373,000 milesPA

I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING AT 84000 MILES BECAUSE THE STEERING HAD A KNOCKING SOUND EVERYTIME YOU TURN IT LEFT OR RIGHT,OR WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP,,,,IT WAS VERY SLACK AND EVENTUALLY IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WOULD FALL OUT AT ANYTIME.....WAS ADVISED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED NO EXPLANATION COULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN . THIS WAS DONE YESTERDAY 08/22/2013. NOW THERE IS A VERY HUGE RUST HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE CAR ...THIS CAR IS 10YRS OLD WITH 84000 MILES AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR..I BOUGHT IT IN 2006 WITH ABOUT 25000 MILES. THE HOLE IS ABOUT TWELVE INCHES BY SIX INCHES. THE LIGHTING IS SO POOR MOST TIMES AT NIGHT I ALWAYS HAVE TO USE MYHIGH BEAM ....WORST CAR I EVER HAD...THERE WERE SO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH IT . THIS CAR SPENT MANY WEEKS AT THE DEALERSHIP. .. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2013100,000 milesNM

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD CAMSHAFT SENSOR...THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IT WORKS FOR A WHILE THEN THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, THEN AGAIN ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER AND AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. IN ONE CASE I ONLY NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. NOW 4 YEARS LATER WE HAVE REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR 6 TIMES AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC DID RESEARCH AND FOUND VEHICLE OF MY SAME MAKE AND MODEL WERE PART OF A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM RECALL 01V357 AND FOLLOW UP RECALL 33411. NISSAN KEEPS TELLING ME MY CAR ISN'T AFFECTED. I SERIOUSLY FEEL IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING. DESPITE REPEATED CALLS TO NISSAN THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT MY CAR WITHOUT CHARGING ME OR CONSIDER ADDING IT TO THE RECALL. MY CAR IS NO LONGER OPERABLE BECAUSE IT STALLS SO VIOLENTLY, I AM AFRAID I WILL CRASH AND PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 201393,500 milesNJ

WHEN I WAS CAME HOME FROM SHOPPING I STOP CAR AND SWITCH OFF AND GO HOME AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN GOING TO SOME WHERE BUT CAR TAKE TIME TO START AFTER FEW SECOND CAR START. TRY 3 TIMES SAME. NEXT DAY GOING TO WORK AND SAME STARTING PROBLEM START CAR AND GOING ABOUT 1 MILE DRIVE POWER CUT OFF AND LUCKILY NO ONE BEHIND ME ABLE TO GO ON SIDE BECAUSE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING NO BRAKE NO GAS GOD HELP ME AFTER ONE MINT START CAR AND RICH WORK ABOUT 2 MILE . AT WORK WE HAVE MECHANIC HE HAS SOFTWARE FOR CAR DIAGNOSIS HE CHECK AND TOLD ME CODE P0340 FOR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WE CHANGE ONE BOUGHT FROM DEALER AFTER 2 HR GOING HOME SAME PROBLEM STARTING. MECHANIC RESET AND GO HOME NEXT DAY GOING TO WORK SAME THING HAPPENED POWER SHUTOFF ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 ABLE TO PARK ONSIDE AND START AGAIN AND DROP TO REPAIR SHOP. HE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME YOU HAVE TO CHANGE ANOTHER CAMSHAFT SENSOR AFTER WOK FINE FOR UP TO NOW. BUT THEY RECALL SOME CAR BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM IF I WAS IN HIGHWAY THEN WHAT HAPPENED DO YOU THINK I WILL ABLE TO WRITE NOW OR DIE. CAN YOU CHECK ON THIS AND DO SOMETHING OTHERWISE SOME ONE DIE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 10, 2013112,386 milesIL

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAULTY. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR BUT NOT FOR MY VIN #. THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO FLAG THAT THERE ARE OTHER NISSAN'S WITH FAULTY CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 9, 2013132,000 milesOH

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN INSIDE THE VEHICLE SHE SAW AN OBJECT DANGLE FROM THE FLOOR. SHE WENT TO RETRIEVE THE OBJECT AND DISCOVERED A HOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.- LL

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 9, 2013140,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 8, 201385,000 milesNJ

I PURCHASED MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM THE DEALER 16 MONTHS AGO AND JUST LEARNED THAT MY FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS WALKING UP TO THE CAR AND NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDERNEATH BENT DOWN TO LOOK UNDER THE CAR AND SOON REALIZED IT WAS RUST. THE FLOOR WAS RUSTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND TRY REFUSED TO FX IT. I HAVE 4 MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR A CAR THAT I WILL SOON NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I HAVE LEARNED THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR CAR AND NISSAN SHOULD BE LIABLE. *TR

Structure
Filed Aug 1, 2013100,498 milesNH

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A YEAR AGO STILL PAYING ON THE CAR AND UPON STATE INSPECTION PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS ON A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA RUSTED THROUGH. FAILURE MILEAGE IS 100,498

Engine
Filed Jul 29, 201385,000 milesAL

CAR STALLS AT RED LIGHT TWICE. LATER, STALLS BUT DOESN'T GO DEAD. GAS WON'T WORK. MONTH LATER CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, TRANSMISSION OIL, FLUID AND SCREEN WAS REPLACED, BUT WHEN DRIVEN AFTERWARDS IT STALLED AGAIN. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2013120,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

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.

Full record for the 2003 Nissan Altima → · Every Altima year → · How the figures are calculated →