Nissan Altima / 2003
2003 Nissan Altima problems
Owners have filed 1,099 complaints about the 2003 Nissan Altima with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 43.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of structure at 11.6%.
Complaints1,099
Crashes61
Fires16
Injuries34
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 43.1% · 474
Structure 11.6% · 128
Engine 10.6% · 117
Electrical system 8.2% · 90
Power train 3.1% · 34
Vehicle speed control 3.0% · 33
Air bags 2.6% · 29
Fuel system, gasoline 2.5% · 28
Severity
Of those complaints, 61 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire, 34 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Nissan Altima in this data, 2003 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 22 in the last three years against 45 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 86,300 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. While driving 5 mph, the service engine light illuminated and the vehicle began to stall when stopping for a light or pulling into a parking space. The dealer stated that the upper and lower crankshaft sensors needed to be replaced. Nhtsa campaign id number 06v242000 (engine and engine cooling) was referenced. The current mileage was 47,136 and failure mileage was 46,136. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the gear shift locked and prevented her from restarting the vehicle. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the unified meter control failed. As of september 19, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 75,578 and current mileage was 75,560. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 75,560 miles
Own 2003 Altima. While driving, car stopped running and would not restart. After several attempts, got car restarted and check engine light came on. Took the car to Nissan dealer to have looked at and serviced and dealer replaced crankcase sensor. Inquired about a recall for same part on other years of Altima and was told that there was no service bulletin or recall for the 2003 Altima models for that part. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 70,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…