MyCarTSB

2003 Nissan Altima Electrical Problems

62 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

62
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
Jan 2007Dec 2011
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (62)

highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2020

Your engine overheats while driving, and when you turn on the heater, your car loses power at both high and low speeds. Your battery also drains quickly when the car is off and dies during normal driving.

NHTSA #: 11319647
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS (BEDFORD NISSAN, 18115 ROCKSIDE RD, BEDFORD, OH 44146, (855) 981-4531) AND (GANLEY'S MAYFIELD NISSAN, 6060 MAYFIELD RD, MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH 44124, (440) 449-9500). BOTH DEALERS STATED THAT THEY COMPLETED RECALL REPAIRS, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONDITION WAS THE SAME AS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A DIAGNOSIS TO REMEDY THE FAILURE FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TUNE-UP BUT, MONTHS LATER, IT CONTINUED TO FAIL TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS, VIN, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 11062115
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2016

EVERYTHING I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE/REPAIR ON THIS CAR IS LINKED TO RECALLS, BUT NISSAN IS DENYING THIS & REFUSING TO HELP. THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALLS BUT EVERYTHING THAT'S FAILING IS RELATED. IT HAS DIED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC W/ MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE & NO ONE FROM NISSAN IS CONCERNED!!!! BUTTERFLY SCREW/VALVE ISSUES, CAM/CRANK SHAFT ISSUES--RELATED TO ENGINE COOLING, HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION; ALTERNATOR FAILING; OIL LEAKING

NHTSA #: 10923988
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2016

NISSAN ALTIMA RECALL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AN MY 03 NISSAN DIED AN WOULD NOT START BACK IT DOESN'T TURN OVER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10920176
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2016

LOSS OF ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA #: 10839225
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2015

LIKE MANY OTHERS MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. IT READS NO CODES. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN HAVING TRAFFIC. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY STATE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A PROBLEM TO THIS AFFECT AND IT WAS ALREADY FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE IN 2007. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN. UNBELIEVEABLE! ALSO LIKE MANY OTHER MY FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED. I HAD A PATCH REPAIR TO PASS INSPECTION. THIS CAR IS A SAFTEY HAZORD. AFTER READING NUMEROUS REPORTS THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SITUATIONS OF CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC! I HAVE NOT READ ANY FATALITIES YET THANK GOODNESS! RECALL THIS CAR BEFOR SOMEONE IS KILLED!

NHTSA #: 10759338
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Feb 2015

I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY HUSBAND AND 3 GRANDCHILDREN AFTER HAVING DINNER NOTICED SMOKE AND EXITED THE ROAD WAY TO FIND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER HOOD, THE INSIDE OF CAR FILLED UP WITH SMOKE BEFORE WE COULD EXIT, WE CALLED 911 AND THEY RESPONDED, THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED FROM AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WAS ALL WE WERE TOLD, THEY TOWED THE CAR AWAY WITH OUT ANY INVESTIGATION, WAS WONDERING IF ANY RECALLS HAVE CAUSED THIS? THE CAR IS AT LAUZONS TOWING IN MALONE NY, ALL WE COULD THINK OF AT THE TIME WAS TO GET THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE COLD AND OFF THE HIGHWAY THEN TO SEEK WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS. IM WRITING IN HOPES TO MAYBE GET SOME ANSWERS AS TO WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. HOPING TO HEAR BACK FROM SOMEONE SOON ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10689995
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT TO TRY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA #: 10658542
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2013

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

NHTSA #: 10552448
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2012

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE MAKING THIS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS TO KEEP THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, REACH OUT AND OPEN THE DOOR, THEN CLOSE WINDOW, SHUT OFF CAR, AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY IT WILL BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THIS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN FURTHER INJURY OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10486280
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2011

VEHICLE HAS STALLED - ENGINE STOPPED - IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS ARE THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL THESE PARTS. IT IS ABSURD THAT THE SAME PARTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR OTHER ALTIMAS BUILT IN THE SAME YEAR, YET SEVERAL VINS, INCLUDING MINE, WERE EXCLUDED. THE RECALL FOR MY VIN WAS TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER TO PREVENT THE FAILED PARTS FROM TELLING THE COMPUTER TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. THIS RECALL HAS DONE NOTHING TO PREVENT THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY BUT ALSO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE INTERNET BY OTHER DRIVERS. WHEN WILL THE NHTSA STAND UP FOR THE CITIZENS IT WAS CREATED TO PROTECT? *TR

NHTSA #: 10440506
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2010

CAR WAS SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THE CAM SENSORS REPLACED SEVERAL DAYS AGO. I HAVE RESEARCHED BRIEFLY ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. OTHER MODELS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COVERED ON A RECALL; HOWEVER, NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 2.5S APPARENTLY IS NOT RECALLED IN THIS AREA. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10357916
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,TIRES
Filed: Aug 2010

I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES ON MY 2003 ALTIMA IT HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES ON IT . I ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY 5,000 MILES THE TIRES SOUND LIKE THEY ARE COMING APART. THE HEADLIGHT LENS ARE TURNING FOGGY AND YELLOW CUTTING DOWN ON THE HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. MOTOR BUSING WENT BAD CAR WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AT 50,000 MILES. DRIVER DOOR HINGE IS BAD WANT STAY OPEN IF CAR IS A LITTLE UNEVEN. HAD TO REPLACE CRANK SENSOR CAUSE CAR WOULDN'T START AT AROUND 65,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALL ON ANY THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10349537
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Jun 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TAP THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE JUST ACCELERATED FASTER. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A DITCH AND FINALLY LANDED IN A CANAL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES INCLUDING OPEN WOUNDS, FRACTURED RIBS, TWO CRACKED DISKS, HEAD INJURY AND INCIDENTS OF LOOSING CONSCIOUSNESS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. UPDATED EVOQ 07/20/10.*JB THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN HE FOUND AN ELECTRIC CROSSOVER CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AND MAY HAVE BEEN COMPUTER RELATED. UPDATED 11/23/10. *JB UPDATED 12/07/10. *JB UPDATED 12/21/10*LJ UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/10/11. *JB UPDATED 01/12/11. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS A CLEAR DAY AND TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT. HE HAD JUST LEFT HIS HOME AND WAS LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM HIS HOME, DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN HIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE TAPPED THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES; EACH TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FASTER. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER A DITCH AND FINALLY LANDED IN A WATER-FILLED IRRIGATION CANAL. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 01/13/11 *JB

NHTSA #: 10336473
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Mar 2010

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5L V6 SE - THE DOOR LOCKS KEEP LOCKING REPEATEDLY. WILL DO THIS WHILE I AM IN AND OUT OF THE CAR REGARDLESS OF KEY FOB USE. MY HAZARD LIGHTS FLASH EACH TIME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER A WEEK AND HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND DURATION. IT IS NOW CONSTANT - GOING ON EVERY 3-5 SECONDS. I HAD TROUBLE GETTING MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR KEPT LOCKING ON ME. I WORRY ABOUT THE ABILITY TO GET OUT QUICKLY IF NEEDED. IT BRINGS ATTENTION TO MY CAR THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON MANY LEVELS. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT MAY BE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10317156
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Oct 2009

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE, 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, AT A LOW SPEED, WHEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE VEHICLE DIED. IT WAS DURING THE EVENING HOURS. I WAS LUCKY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME DIDN'T RUN INTO ME. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, AND DRIVE OFF. THE CAR DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN, BUT A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS A CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. IT WAS FAULTY AND THAT'S WHY MY CAR DIED, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I FOUND OUT THAT, NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC AND SPOKE TO A PERSON NAME DAVID. DAVID CONFIRMED THAT THEY DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE SENSOR BUT IT WAS ONLY ON CERTAIN YEARS FOR THE ALTIMA. I TOLD DAVID THAT MAYBE ALL THE ALTIMA'S WITH THIS SENSOR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND A OWNER NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN TELLING ME THAT MY ALTIMA, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT STOP RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND ECM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER RECEIVING THEIR NOTICE. THE DEALER REPROGRAM THE ECM UNIT, BUT NEVER REPLACED THE SENSOR. I TOLD DAVID AT NISSAN THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE SENSOR AT THE TIME WHEN THEY REPROGRAM THE ECM. IT WAS VERY SCARY WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED SUDDENLY. I WAS VERY LUCKY I DIDN'T GET HURT. I AM LETTING YOU KNOW BECAUSE I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL THEIR VEHICLE EQUIP WITH THIS SENSOR. I WAS VERY VERY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I TOLD DAVID AT NISSAN THAT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10287321
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2009

WE HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AND THEN IT WENT OFF. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WE HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE CODE INDICATED IT WAS ELECTRICAL, BATTERY, OR CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. SAME DAY WE GOT IT DIAGNOSED WE WENT TO START THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE CALLED AAA TO HAVE CAR TOWED. WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK WE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED. WE STARTED DRIVING CAR TO GET IT TO BE REPAIRED AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND MY DAUGHTER HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND EVERYTHING. SHE PULLED INTO SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY. WE CALLED AND HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS AND IT INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SALEM, NH AND SPOKE TO A GENTLEMAN IN SERVICE AND EXPLAINED ABOUT THE RECALL. HE ASKED FOR THE VIN NUMBER AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS. I DISPUTED IT WITH HIM AND HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO AND THAT IT WOULD COST APPROX $100 DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE AND APPROX $125.00 PER HOUR TO REPLACE PLUS PARTS. I THEN CALL NISSAN CONSUMER SERVICE AND THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I AGAIN DISPUTED AGAIN THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I THEN HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR (THE RECALLED PART). WE PICKED UP THE CAR DROVE DOWN THE STREET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER RELATIONS AGAIN ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY STATED THERE IS STILL NO RECALL FOR THE SENSOR ON MY VIN. SHE SAID THAT SHE COULD HELP US BY REFUNDING THE REPAIR COSTS. SHE ASKED WHERE I HAD IT REPAIRED AND I TOLD HER AT A LOCAL REPAIR CENTER. SHE SAID I CANT HELP YOU BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET IT REPAIRED AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY SHOULD OF TOLD ME THIS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10280207
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2009

2003, NISSAN ALTIMA, 3.5L, 60,000 MILES. JANUARY 2009, TRAVELING IN SOUTH FLORIDA TRAFFIC, ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR STALLS. CAR RESTARTS, HARD, AND IS DRIVEN TO FT LAUDERDALE DEALERSHIP. $100 DIAGNOSTIC REVEALS CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND 2 CAM SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. OUR SON, SERVICE WRITER FOR NISSAN IN TEXAS, TELLS US THE DEALERSHIP HAS DOUBLED THE ESTIMATE AND TO KEEP LOOKING FOR A MECHANIC (SINCE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY). TELLS US THE MAXIMA FOR THIS YEAR HAS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT NOT THE ALTIMA WITH 3.5L. WE DRIVE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC,STALLING SEVERAL MORE TIMES, IN RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC, HE ESTIMATES $600+/- AND WE LEAVE CAR FOR REPAIR WHILE I ENTER THE HOSPITAL FOR BREAST CANCER SURGERY. CAR IS REPAIRED WHEN I LEAVE HOSPITAL, HUGE BILL COMES OUT OF MY POCKET, AND NISSAN WILL NOT CONSIDER REIMBURSEMENT, ALTHOUGH MANY HUNDREDS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS! NO RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED, NO NOTICE OF THE ECM RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND THE CAR IS NOW SLUGGISH ON ACCELERATION. CAR IS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED, USES ONLY PREMIUM GAS AND OTHERWISE A GOOD VEHICLE TO OWN. NISSAN'S REFUSAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND DEALERSHIPS GOUGING CUSTOMERS MAKES THIS SITUATION EVEN MORE DISTASTEFUL! *TR

NHTSA #: 10269849
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2009

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ALMOST WAS HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME. SOMETIMES IT WON'T CRANK SO I'VE HAD THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT ALL THE 2003 ALTIMAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10267781
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2009

I HAVE HAD THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON AND TWICE I HAVE HAD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. PERIODICALLY MY CAR WILL STALL, SOMETIMES WHEN I AM MOVING, AND OTHER TIMES IT IS REALLY HARD TO START. I HAVE ONLY 42000 MILES ON MY CAR. I WROTE A LETTER TO NISSAN AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND ASKED HER ABOUT THE 2006 RECALL I FOUND ON LINE AND SHE TOLD ME MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL AND THE PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING WERE COINCIDENTAL. THAT DOESN'T EVEN BEGIN TO MAKE SENSE TO ME. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HAVE THIS ONGOING PROBLEM RESOLVED? IT'S OBVIOUS IT IS HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10254312
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2008

I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 3.5 WITH 60,000 MILES AND IT JUST TURNED OFF ON ME AND WHEN I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON IF WONT DRIVE MORE THAN 5 MILES LEFT IT UNUSED AND WHEN THE MECHANIC CAME HE TURNED THE CAR ON TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE AND THEY SAID ITS THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE MILES FOR THIS PART TO BE DAMAGED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10245193
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2008

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED AND WOULD NOT START IN TRAFFIC AT 40MPH. WOULD NOT START FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES. SITUATION WAS DANGEROUS BUT NO ONE HIT US. COMPUTER CODES SAY CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. IF CODES ARE CLEARED (AND AFTER VEHICLE COOLS) THEY REAPPEAR IMMEDIATELY AT THE STALL POINT. TIME TO STALL VARIES APPARENTLY WITH HEAT. 2003 NISSANS ARE UNDER VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN SAYS THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10238916
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2008

CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES, CAR WILL START AND NOT IDLE PAST 1500 RPM'S OR DRIVE OVER 5 MILES AN HOUR. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON. FIRST I WAS TOLD THE ANTI THEFT IN THE CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, NEXT I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER DID NOT RE-LEARN THE SETUP. NEXT I WAS TOLD IT IS A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. TIRED OF THE SAME PROBLEM BEING BLAMED ON DIFFERENT THINGS AND THEN RE-OCCURRING. THIS PROBLEM DO TO THE SPEED OF THE CAR CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HAZARDS BY NOT HAVING THE POWER TO MAINTAIN THE SPEED LIMITS ! *TR

NHTSA #: 10235080
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2008

I HAVE HAD MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 SINCE MAY OF THAT YEAR. STARTING A YEAR AGO I BEGAN TO NOTICE SIGNALS ON MY DASH INDICATING CHECK ENGINE. I THEN WAS PULLED OVER FOR A NON WORKING TAIL LIGHT. I HAD IT FIXED AND A DAY LATER THE BULB BLEW LATER. I CHANGED THE BULB THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY ISSUED A RECALL ON THAT WIRE. SOON THERE AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN NOW THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE SITTING AT THE LIGHT. I THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ON THE COMPUTER CHIP WHICH CAUSES A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE STARTER. I TOOK THAT IN TO GET FIXED. A MONTH LATER THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS MOVING. I TOOK IT BACK INTO NISSAN, THEY EXCLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. AFTER THE SAME OCCURENCE CONTINUED I THEN TOOK IT TO OTHER MECHANICS WHO WOULD SEE THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I PAID ABOUT $1,800 IN REPAIRS AND STILL THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I BECAME SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE SEVERITY. I THEN CALLED CUSTOMER CARE FOR NISSAN WHICH EXCLAIMS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THEM , PAY $80.00 AGAIN TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG. THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA, PERTAINING TO THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO RUN. THEY DENY THIS AND I AM LEFT PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, BUT I HAVE MET OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10233141
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2008

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT WHEN DRIVING WILL CUT OFF. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS UNDER RECALLED. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A DIAGNOSTIC SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CODES MATCHED THE RECALLED PART. NISSAN DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 2207 WAKE FOREST ROAD, REFUSE TO MAKE THE REPAIR TO THE RECALLED PART. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST STATED THAT THE CAR WAS CUTTING OFF BECAUSE OF THE RECALLED PART AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIR CLAIMING THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FIRST AND THEN THEY WOULD MAKE THE REPAIR JUST IN CASE OTHER CODES ARE FOUND AND IF OTHER CODES ARE FOUND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM RESET BEFORE THEY WOULD FIX THE RECALLED REPAIR. I HAVE A DAUGHTER ( 3 YEARS OF AGE) AND I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL GET HIT CAUSING BOTH OF US INJURY.

NHTSA #: 10232482
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CrashFiled: Mar 2008

ON OR ABOUT JAN. 20, 2006 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLES' CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. WE TOOK IT TOOK IT TO FONTANA NISSAN FOR REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US ON JAN. 28, 2006. MAYBE 2 - 3 HRS. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE, WE WERE DRIVING TO L.A. AREA AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE CALLED THE SERVICE MGR. AT FONTANA NISSAN AND HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT ON THE FOLLOWING MON. WELL, WE NEVER MADE IT BACK BECAUSE WHILE WE WERE IN ROUTE HOME (FONTANA) I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS SHUTTING OFF ON THE 91 FWY. TO THE 605 INTERCHANGE. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE EXTERNAL DAMAGES (BODY WORK) BUT THE INTERNAL WAS NOT FIXED. THEN IN JUNE 2006 WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE CAR CUT OFF AGAIN. FONTANA NISSAN SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. SO WE PURCHASED A BATTERY. I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT THE NEXT TIME WE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. IN JAN. 2007 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WE HAD AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE CRASH. WE WERE BEING REPRESENTED BY A LAW FIRM BUT AS TIME PASSED OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHICH I HAVE NOT DRIVEN SINCE 2006. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE SOMEONE'S HELP IN THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10220195
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2008

THE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS TIMING STARTED TO FAIL. THE ENGINE WOULD STOP FOR A SECOND, AND THEN START AGAIN. THE DEALER DETERMINED VIA A DIAGNOSTIC PRINTOUT THAT THE MODULE WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FAIL. WHEN I ASKED HOW THE FAILURE MIGHT IMPACT ON SAFETY, HE SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COULD STOP DEAD WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA #: 10215485
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2007

MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WITH NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10211533
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2007

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CODE WAS CRANK SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR STOPS RUNNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10210365
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2007

IN JANUARY 2006 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING STALLING EPISODES WITH MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD WITHOUT WARNING STALL. THIS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND TWICE HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO WORK ON I95. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE UNTIL FEB 2007 (IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE THIS UNSAFE CAR). IN FEB 2006 A SENSOR WAS REPLACED THAT HAD BEEN CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I PAID CLOSE TO $2,000 IN UNNECESSARY REPAIRS AND WAS CHARGED FOR A RENTAL CAR. I FOUND TODAY THAT NISSAN IS OFFICIALLY REPORTING MY 2006 ISSUE AS A RECALL. WHILE I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED OR HAD A CAR CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ANYONE ELSE BEING HURT BY THE UNIDENTIFIED RECALL AT THE TIME OF MY EXPERIENCE I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THE FUNDS THAT I PAID AND I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU PLACE A PRICE TAG ON THE CAR STALLING SEVERAL TIMES AND 2 OF THOSE TIMES BEING ON 195. I HAVE RECEIVED TO DATE AFTER MONTHS OF WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NISSAN AND PRIOR TO TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT FINALLY THAT NISSAN IS RECOGNIZING MY ISSUE AS A RECALL AND HOPEFULLY SAVING SEVERAL FUTURE ACCIDENTS AND/OR FATALITIES A SMALL CHECK FOR $550.11. WHICH COMES NOWHERE NEAR COVERING THE MONETARY LOSE I SUFFERED FORGET THE MENTAL ANGUISH OF THE CAR STALLING WITH NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10209958
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2007

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL ECM RE PROGRAM , AFTER THAT DOWN HILL , DEALER TOLD ME THE CODE ALSO CALLED FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER , THE CAR STALLED 15 TIMES, ONE TIME I HAD TO STAY OVER NIGHT ON A FAST FOOD PLACE. NEXT DAY A MECHANIC CHANGED THE CRANK POS SENSOR , THEN CALLED FOR ANOTHER SENSOR SIMILAR ON SHAPE , THEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME THE CAR ACCELERATES FOR NO REASON , THEY TRY TO CHARGE ME FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC(FOR CATALYTIC AGING) THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (AND I HAVE THAT IN WRITING) THAT I NEED A THROTTLE ? CHAMBER 959+ TAX. FINALLY I THINK I MAKE A MISTAKE GOING IN ON THE FIRST PLACE OR THE SAME ISSUES THE 2002 ALTIMA HAD IS REPEATING ON THE 2003 AND NISSAN IS WAITING FOR SOMETHING REAL BAD TO HAPPEN, BY THE WAY , I CALL THEM ABOUT 6 TIMES AND NO REAL SOLUTION JUST PASSING THE BUCK. *JB

NHTSA #: 10206263
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS IN HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK, AND THE DRIVER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS REPAIRED IN JANUARY OF 2007. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD NO ELECTRICAL FAILURES BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

NHTSA #: 10204830
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Jul 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS ON HER VEHICLE ARE GETTING JAMMED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MUST PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND QUICKLY ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE NISSAN DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE HER $400 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE HER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 08/07/07. *JB

NHTSA #: 10196678
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER CHARGED HER $190.13 TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. SHE THOUGHT THE COST WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL AND FELT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.

NHTSA #: 10195369
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Jun 2007

ON SEVERAL INSTANCES THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. EVENTUALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED ME OF RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. ALSO, THEY FOUND ERROR CODES P0725 AND P0335. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO REPLACE MY CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR (AT MY COST -- THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL). AFTER THE DEALER COMPLETED THE RECALL WORK, THE CAR STILL STALLED THAT VERY DAY ON THE WAY HOME. TOOK THE CAR TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CLEARED BY MECHANIC AND HAS NOT LIT UP AGAIN, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN. THIS SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SYMPTOMS WHICH LED TO THE RECALL OF THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN DECEMBER 2002, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2002 RECALL. THE 2003 RECALL ONLY CONSISTED OF REPROGRAMMING THE ECM -- WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS THE VEHICLE STILL CUTS OUT AT RANDOM TIMES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE -- THIS IS SIMILAR TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS UNDER 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA'S THAT I FOUND READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE -- PLEASE CONNECT THE DOTS AND MAKE NISSAN OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10192821
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2007

TWO DAYS AGO, MY CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION SINCE I AM SIX MONTHS PREGNANT AND UNABLE TO PUSH A CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO NISSAN OF ELK GROVE, WHERE THE NEXT DAY THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I WAS UPSET, BECAUSE I HAD THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR REPLACED LAST YEAR AFTER MY CAR STARTING CUTTING OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE SAME DEALER DETERMINED THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. I HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR YESTERDAY AND ASSUMED THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT, MY CAR STALLED AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. I PROMPTLY INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR NISSAN OF ELK GROVE, AND HE MANAGED TO START MY CAR AFTER WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. HE DROVE IT AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR ALMOST "CUT-OUT" ON HIM A FEW TIMES AND THAT THE RPM NEEDLE WAS "STIIF" AND "ACTING STRANGE". PRESENTLY, MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER WHILE I AWAIT AN UPDATE ON THE CAUSE.

NHTSA #: 10191660
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2007

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA DIES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROA COULD VERY WELL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE REPLACED CAM SHAFT SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, AND IT STILL WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. WE LEFT THE DEALER AFTER GETTING IT FIXED AND IT DIED ON THE WAY HOME GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR! *AK

NHTSA #: 10191424
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2007

THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA RECENTLY STARTED STALLING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. INITIALLY IT HAPPENED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THEN PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION THERE WAS MINIMAL RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. THEN YESTERDAY AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR HESITATED BRIEFLY BEFORE ACCELERATING AND THEN WITHIN SECONDS ALL POWER WAS LOST. IT TOOK NEARLY 15 TRIES TO RESTART, AT WHICH POINT, I PARKED IT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO WA STELLING ME THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THE CRANK SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS WHAT I WAS TOLD WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM), AND THEREWAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO IF THEY CAN'T GET IT TO REPEAT WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. A MONTH AGO, I HAD II AT DEALER WHEN THIS PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM IN ABOUT 85% OF THE CASES. I' WAS AT A LOSS. I HAVE ONLY ONE CAR AND I NEED IT TO BE RELIABLE. I COULD NOT TAKE A CHANCE OF BEING ON THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR IN A CAR THAT MIGHT DECIDE TO STALL ON ME. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE ,AND WAS WONDERING WHY NO ONE SEEMED TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. ANY HELP YOU COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA #: 10190928
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2007

I HAD A RECALL ON MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. RECALL CASE # R0606. RECALL PROBLEM BEING CAR ENGINE STOPS WHILE DRIVING. MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW. I WAS GLAD TO SEE THIS RECALL! BECAUSE I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IT WAS NEVER FIXED. I TOOK MY NISSAN INTO ROBERT WOODALL NISSAN ON FRIDAY MARCH 2ND TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE. NO LESS THAN 24HRS LATER MY NISSAN WAS BACK DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, AND I'M HESITANT TO DRIVE MY CAR MUCH BECAUSE IN THE RECALL IT STATES THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE GIVE ME ANY HELP YOU CAN.*JB

NHTSA #: 10184238
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2007

MY WIFE'S 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY 8 YEAR SON TRYING TO STEER THE CAR. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN I ARRIVED I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SINCE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ON. WHILE CROSSING THE INTERSECTION TO GET INTO THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT, THE CAR DIED ON ME. I HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO COAST THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND UP TO ENTRANCE TO THE PARKING LOT. THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE ADVISOR FOR THE DEALERSHIP CALLS ME AND TELLS ME THE CAR NEED 2 RECALLS ( ONE OF WHICH I KNEW ABOUT -HEADLIGHTS, THE OTHER WAS TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. THEY WOULD HAVE TO ALSO REPLACE THE CAM & CRANK SENSORS FOR $213 WHICH OF COURSE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 3.5 YEARS AND IT HAS 33,174 MILES ON IT. AFTER READING THAT THE RECALL INVOLVING THE ECM REPROGRAM WAS TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ECM - ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. IT STATED THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COULD COME ON, THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING AND THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING! I CALLED 1-800-NISSAN1 AND LOGGED MY COMPLAINT THAT MY WIFE (OR MYSELF) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THE VERY LEAST THAT NISSAN COULD DO WAS COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM SOME KIND OF ENGINEER TYPE GUY WHO GAVE ME THE 20 MINUTE TECHNICAL VERSION OF WHY NISSAN WAS SORRY BUT TOUGH CRAP ON US COVERING THIS. I DEMANDED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ELSE AND WAS GIVEN YOUR WEB ADDRESS. I STILL SAY NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD HAVE MADE A STRONGER ANNOUNCEMENT SOONER TO GET THIS CORRECTED. THEY SHOULD BE ON THE HOOK HERE NOT ME!! *NM

NHTSA #: 10182993
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2007

WELL I HAVEN'T NECESSARILY "CRASHED" YET. I TOOK MY CAR INTO TOWN NORTH NISSAN OFF 183 DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE THAT WAS SENT TO MY HOME. I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK, AS THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NEED IT FOR AT LEAST A DAY, 2 1/2 HOURS LATER. I NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IMMEDIATELY THE FOLLOWING DAY. NOBODY WAS WILLING TO HELP ME. SO LATER THAT EVENING I TOOK MY CAR TO THE AUTO ZONE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS SCAN DONE ON IT. SURE ENOUGH THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. IT STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING WHICH WAS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE PROBLEM AS THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY TURNED ITSELF OFF ON MY WHILE DRIVE (HOWEVER THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION). *NM

NHTSA #: 10181898
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2007

WHILE DRIVING ON THE PA TURNPIKE MY ENGINE CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT. IT DID RESTART, I DROVE A FEW MORE MILES AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE ON THE TURNPIKE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *JB

NHTSA #: 10177922
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2006

2003 ALTIMA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE. PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THE TECH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CRANK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEY COULD NOT REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER WITHOUT REPLACING IT. *NM

NHTSA #: 10173278
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2006

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S AND MY OIL IS JUST DISAPPEARING FROM THE ENGINE. I DO NOT SEE LEAKING, BUT IT IS BEING CONSUMED SOMEHOW. THERE IS A RECALL SPEAKING OF THIS ISSUE. BUT NISSAN SAYS THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, AND YEAR SO I BELIEVE IF MY VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING, THEN SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BLOW UP THE ENGINE, BECAUSE IF I DRIVE ANYWHERE, ALL THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WILL BE GONE. *NM

NHTSA #: 10170803
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2006

MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN CRANK ITS ENGINE. AFTER 10 MINS THE ENGINE CRANKED AND STARTED, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND EXPLAINED OF A RECALL THAT STATED, " THAT SOME 2003 ALTIMAS MIGHT STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ECM". WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED ME BACK, THEY STATED THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE POSITION SENSOR REPLACED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET. WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT ON THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD RECEIVED IT CLEARLY STATED THAT "IF ANY ONE HAD TO PAY TOP HAVE THE ISSUE RESOLVED IN BEFORE THE CAMPAIGN THAT THEY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPEATED THAT REPLACING THE SENSOR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, OUT OF POCKET. *NM

NHTSA #: 10170812
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2006

RECALL ON 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L - ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BETWEEN THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR AND THE ECM. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - I TOOK THE CAR TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP (CENTRAL CAROLINA NISSAN - SANFORD NC) AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CRANK ANGLE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS FREE OF CHARGE W/ THIS RECALL AND STATED THESE PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF APPRX. $600 BEFORE THEY COULD PERFORM THE UPGRADE. I REFUSED TO PAY THIS FEE AND TOOK THE CAR HOME AND THE NEXT DAY IT CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO STEER IT OFF THE HIGHWAY W/OUT INCIDENT. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR HOME AND CALLED: NCA DEPT. NISSAN N.A. INC. AND WAS PROMISED A CALL BACK BY MON. 9/25/6 - REF. # 5477581. NO ONE CALLED AND I'VE SPENT A COUPLE OF HOURS TODAY 9/26/6 TRYING TO GET RESOLUTION AND HAVE NOW BEEN PROMISED A CALL BACK BY THE END OF THE DAY 9/27/6 FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE. I'M HOLDING MY BREATHE AND I'M STILL NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. RICKEY COLLINS PHONE: (919)770-9670. *NM

NHTSA #: 10169302
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST BEFORE ALL POWER FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAPPENED 25 TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED DURING THE POWER LOSS. AFTER 45 SECONDS THE ENGINE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR SERVICE. ON A PRIOR VISIT THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA #: 10167642
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2006

1) EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ARE THAT MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS TURNED ON AND MY CAR HAS TURNED OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD. IT HAS BEEN DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY. THE A/C HAS STOPPED WORKING ALSO. MY CAR IS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL. 2.) I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PRICE IS TO HAVE MY VEHICLE CHECKED AND ITS TOO HIGH. FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND THAT I AM STILL PAYING ON I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ONE OF THE AUTO PARTS TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT ITS THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BUT THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE ANYTHING. I WENT AHEAD AND ORDERED THE PARTS AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO FIND A MECHANIC THAT IS NOT TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA #: 10167308
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
Filed: Aug 2006

FAULTY DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS. WHEN THE CAR IS LOCKED, APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER, THE HEADLIGHTS BLINK ONCE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AUTOMATICALLY ROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN. *JB

NHTSA #: 10166282
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2006

THE VEHICLE WILL STALL DURING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING OPERATION. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR IS FAULTY. *NM

NHTSA #: 10157578
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2006

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT A WEEK AGO WITH NO WARNING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST LOSS POWER AND DIED IT WAS SO SUTTLE I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS THINKING THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. ALL ALONG STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH A 4 AND A 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. IN THE PAST WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE LUCKILY JUST IN MY SUBDIVISION. ABOUT FOR MONTHS AGO I WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING AND NISSAN SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR GONE BAD HAD IT REPLACED NOW PROBLEM IS BACK. IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE IT NEEDS TO BE BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT WITH THESE CARS JUST SHUTTING OFF WITH NO WARNING. ALL MY SYMPTOMS SEEM TO POINT TO CRANK POSITION SENSOR THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT . NOW IM GOING TO HAVE TO FORK OVER 5-600 HUNDRED BUCKS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T BE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW!!!! *NM

NHTSA #: 10157477
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2006

MY CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *NM

NHTSA #: 10155455
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2006

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR OR AT IDLE SPEED, IT WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, HOT OR COLD. I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND HAVE FOUND THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10153613
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE PRESENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 02/26/06. *JB

NHTSA #: 10147259
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2005

DO NOT REALLY KNOW? I FOUND OUT ONLY AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCHING AND MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP. THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM. RECALLED ON OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT ON 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. SAME ISSUE AS WITH THE 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA. THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. *NM

NHTSA #: 10136252
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2005

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

NHTSA #: 10117384
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Mar 2005

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

NHTSA #: 10115601
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2004

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

NHTSA #: 10089933
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2004

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

NHTSA #: 10063436
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2004

THE DEBRIS/FIRE RECALL 03V084000 WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED BOTH TIMES. *NM

NHTSA #: 10055799
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2003

WHENEVER I TRY TO START MY ENGINE THE ENGINE DOESN'T RESPOND. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM BUT THE IGNITION DOESN'T SEEMS TO WORK SOMETIME. I HAD THIS PROBLEM ALMOST 3 TIMES AND THE CAR IS VERY NEW. I BOUGHT THE CAR THIS YEAR DURING FEB. *LA

NHTSA #: 10045123
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2003

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS NOW FAILED TWICE, THE SECOND TIME THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING! FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A BIG-RIG FOLLOWING ME, OR MOST LIKELY I WOULD NOT BE ALIVE TODAY. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP WITH THE PART ON BACK ORDER, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THEY (NISSAN) ARE HAVING LOTS OF FAILURES WITH THIS PART. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND FELL THAT A RECALL ON THIS ITEM SHOULD AT LEAST BE INVESTIGATED. THANKS, RONALD J. COLFER. *NLM

NHTSA #: 10032547

Other 2003 Nissan Altima Issues