2003 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
The 2003 Nissan Altima has 883 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (590 complaints) and body (175 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Altima, consider the 2025 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 99% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Nissan Altima dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 LA...
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 WARNIN...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Reported Jul 7, 2006
Get notified if a recall hits this car.
We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2003 Nissan Altima. No spam, no marketing.
Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 50 | 12 | 42 | 62 | 10 |
| 2001 | 58 | 5 | 35 | 69 | 5 |
| 2002 | 187 | 27 | 108 | 717 | 23 |
| 2003 | 175 | 8 | 90 | 590 | 20 |
| 2004 | 79 | 8 | 34 | 144 | 11 |
| 2005 | 455 | 31 | 104 | 419 | 82 |
| 2006 | 300 | 19 | 70 | 371 | 63 |
| 2007 | 198 | 71 | 92 | 87 | 50 |
| 2008 | 593 | 84 | 187 | 88 | 72 |
| 2009 | 806 | 37 | 493 | 125 | 86 |
| 2010 | 141 | 25 | 98 | 59 | 57 |
| 2011 | 82 | 12 | 40 | 47 | 60 |
| 2012 | 110 | 16 | 88 | 82 | 127 |
| 2013 | 663 | 38 | 956 | 198 | 443 |
| 2014 | 296 | 21 | 509 | 97 | 183 |
| 2015 | 252 | 21 | 446 | 86 | 136 |
| 2016 | 130 | 9 | 112 | 103 | 190 |
| 2017 | 107 | 17 | 92 | 56 | 109 |
| 2018 | 78 | 44 | 64 | 15 | 22 |
| 2019 | 82 | 29 | 46 | 58 | 8 |
| 2020 | 66 | 16 | 37 | 41 | 12 |
| 2021 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 2023 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2003 Nissan Altima stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine will not start. If I get the engine to start the car may act as if it wants to cut off in traffic. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Engine may stop while in traffic possibly resulting in someone hitting me in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No the dealership service department are refusing to service or even inspect my car. At first he lied like there wasn’t a recall. Now because we are in MS he is refusing to provide service because we are not in a cold state. I called Nissan to verify this information prior to speaking with the dealership and Nissan specifically stated that for my VIN there is an open campaign for a fuel pump screen. Then they were the ones who referred me to the nearest dealership which is Gray Daniels Nissan North in Jackson. MS.
Faulty crankshaft and camshaft sensors UNKOWN
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 65-75 MPH, the sunroof detached from the vehicle. There were no reported injuries. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle had to be pushed to the side of the road and jump-started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the CAM Sensor. The contact stated a day later the vehicle stalled and shut-off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired at an independent mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that there was rusting on the front driver’s side floor pan. The contact also noticed that the front driver’s side floorboard was soft to the touch and a fuel odor was detected while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
I NOTE SOME NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVR RECALLS ON CAMSENSOR AND SPEEDSENSONSOR. THIS VEHICLE HAS SAME PROBLEMS. VEHICLE SHUTS OFF ON THE ROAD CAM SENSOR WAS CHANGED BUT WAS GOOD FOR A COUPLE YEARS DOES THE SAME MECHANIC SAYS FAULTY PLASTIC CLIP. ALSO VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN LOW GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE PULLED IVER RESTARTED TO GET IT TO RESET OTHERWISE CAR WILL RUN IN LOW GEAR AT HIGH RPMS.. I NOTICED RECALLS ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA FOR FOR THESE SENSORS. HOWEVER NOT THIS MODEL ACCORDING TO THE DEALER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THE OXYGEN (O2) SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO BOSAK NISSAN (220 VERPLANK RD, BURNS HARBOR, IN 46304 (219) 787-1777) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR MAY 2019 AND WITHIN A MONTH THE ENGINE BLEW. I REPLACED THE ENGINE AND NOW IT HAS ISSUES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, WAITED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALMETTO 57 NISSAN (16725 NW 57TH AVE, MIAMI GARDENS, FL 33055) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
MY EXHAUST SYSTEM IS TO LOW THAT IT HITS EVERY BUMP EVEN WHEN DRIVING SLOW ,WHEN THEY LIFTED THE CAR UNDERNEATH THE CAR THERE'S A YELLOW MARK FROM ALL THE SPEED BUMPS .ALSO THE DOOR HANDLES FROM THE DRIVERS N PASSENGER SNAP OFF WHEN I TRY TO ENTER MY VEHICLE .THE SHOCKS DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS WHY THE CAR IS SO LOW .
ENGINE OVERHEATS WHILE DRIVING.. WHEN HEATER IS ON CAR POWER FAILS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. BATTERY DIES AND BATTERY DRAINS WHEN CAR IS OFF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO (ROYAL NISSAN OF CORTLAND 3901 WEST RD, CORTLAND, NY 13045(607) 753-9774) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED AND ALSO THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL WRAPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED DARLING HONDA NISSAN (114 SYLVAN RD, BANGOR, ME 04401, (207) 941-1460), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V251000 (FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,875.
TAKATA RECALL WHILE SITTING IN IDLE THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF RANDOMLY. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR BACK UP AFTER A FEW SECONDS, BUT IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO OFTEN WHILE IN IDLE
NHTSA SHOWS 10 RECALLS FOR MY CAR, WENT TO NISSAN BRIDGEWATER AND THEY ONLY FOUND ONE RECALL TO REPROGRAM ECM AND PERFORM IDLE AIR VOLUMN LEARNING PROCEDURE, AFTER THIS 2 DAYS LATER SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT, NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY 140 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SEE THAT MY CAR HAS 10 RECALLS AND TO LOOK INTO THOSE ISSUES, THE CAR HAS NO POWER WHILE DRIVING IN ON THE HIGHWAY, HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING ON AND OFF, THE GAS GAGE FLUCTUATES, THE CAR GOES THROUGH GAS REAL FAST, NISSAN BRIDGEWATER NEEDS TO FIX THESE ISSUES, IF NOT I WILL REPORT NISSAN BRIDGEWATER DEALER TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THIS CAR HAS 90,403 MILES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. FRED ANDERSON NISSAN OF ASHEVILLE (629 BREVARD RD, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806, (828) 348-6850) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR MONTHS, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,000.
AFTER ABOUT TWO MONTHS OF HAVING MY VEHICLE TO REPAIR RECALLS, MY SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMS ME THAT THE RECALLS WILL NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF A SPECIFIC CODE. I WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALLS AND THE RISKS THEY CREATE WITHOUT REPAIR; HOWEVER, NISSAN IS STILL REFUSING TO DO THEM. THIS SPECIFIC RECALL CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING OPERATION WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A CRASH. I HAVE BEEN COMPLIANT AND PATIENT WITH NISSAN, AND I FEEL TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND MY SERVICE ADVISOR HAVE BOTH SEEN THE PROBLEMS FIRST-HAND WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THEMSELVES. AFTER SPEAKING WITH CORPORATE NISSAN, NISSAN STILL WANTS ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO DRIVE UNTIL THE CODE APPEARS. HAVING COMMON SENSE, AND A TODDLER, I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A SMART OR SAFE DECISION. I WOULD LIKE THE RECALLS COMPLETED AS I WAS ORIGINALLY PROMISED.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION STARTING AT 94,000 MILES. NO LEAKS OR EXHAUST SMOKE. HAVE READ CATALYTIC CONVERTORS WERE POORLY DESIGNED RESULTING IN LOW OIL LEVEL AND ENGINE DAMAGE. CAR STILL RUNS WELL BUT CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY. NISSAN FORUMS FULL OF SIMILAR COMMENTS INCLUDING NISSAN'S AWARENESS OF THE DEFECT AND LACK OF ACTION. CAR HAS DIED IN TRAFFIC ON A FEW OCCASIONS BUT RUNS WELL OTHERWISE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED TO REACH HER DESTINATION. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER (NISSAN OF MOBILE, 1015 EAST INTERSTATE 65, SERVICE RD S, MOBILE, AL 36606) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,286.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED JERKING AND SPUTTERING UNTIL THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN OF MOBILE (1015 EAST INTERSTATE 65 SERVICE RD S, MOBILE, AL 36606) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE COIL PACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF CORINTH (813 S PARKWAY ST, CORINTH, MS 38834) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,286.
883 total