2003 Nissan Altima recalls and problems
The 2003 Nissan Altima has 4 safety recalls and 883 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2003 Nissan Altima vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2003 Nissan Altima recalls
Recall 06V-242: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions, these variations in temperature can be large enough to cause a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
Risk: If the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (Ecm) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Recall 03V-455: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
Risk: This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(S), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(S). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Recall 03V-251: Fuel System, Gasoline
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. At extremely cold temperatures, moisture in the fuel tank could freeze and form ice crystals. These ice crystals may obstruct the suction opening of the fuel pump.
Risk: This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a screen at the suction opening of the fuel pump to prevent ice crystals from blocking the opening. Owner notification began on august 18, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-333-0829.
Recall 03V-084: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: On certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate.
Risk: Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance that could result in oil spillage, heat shield(S) will be installed on the pre-catalyst and exhaust tube. Owner notification began on july 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Nissan recall nos. R3007, r3014, r3015, r3016, r3017. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate. If substrate particles enter the combustion chamber, they could score the cylinder walls, resulting in increased oil consumption. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis and drops below the low level, and the driver continues to operate the vehicle ignoring noticeable engine noise, engine damage may occur which could result in a fire. The pre-catalyst will be tested to ensure it is working properly and replaced if necessary. If damage is found inside the pre-catalyst, it will be necessary to replace the engine.
2003 Nissan Altima problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 474 | |
| Structure | 128 | |
| Engine | 117 | |
| Electrical System | 90 | |
| Power Train | 34 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 | |
| Air Bags | 29 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 28 | |
| Unknown or Other | 25 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 | |
| Suspension | 15 |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 106
- Structure › Body — 94
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 40
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe — 16
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 14
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor — 14
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 13
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly — 12
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 84,900 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2003 Nissan Altima complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Nissan Altima years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Nissan Altima: 06V-242 (engine and engine cooling), 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling), 03V-251 (fuel system, gasoline), 03V-084 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Nissan Altima?
Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (474 reports), followed by structure (128). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 84,900 miles.
Are Nissan recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.