2003 NISSAN ALTIMA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,099
Owner Complaints
10
Recalls
25
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
The 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA has received a total of 1,099 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 10 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 25 technical service bulletins have been issued by Nissan North America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (256 complaints), Engine (117 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (106 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
NHTSA has recorded 10 recalls for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, potentially affecting up to 1,972,040 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 07E074000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 11,300 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
View full details →Recall 07E063000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 130 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND INFLUENCED THE AIMING POSITION. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ANZO AT 909-628-1440.
View full details →Recall 07E054000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 9,145 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 315-1145L-AS AND 315-1145R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP REFLECTOR SHAPE DEFORMED CHANGING THE SHAPE OF THE OPTIC SURFACE. THIS WILL CHANGE THE OPPOSITE POSITION OF LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM OPTICSAND CHANGE THE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND ILLUMATED LOCATION WHICH FAILS TO...
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
View full details →Recall 06V242000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 294,166 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Recall 06E023000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 292,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
View full details →Recall 03V455000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 630,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V251000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 377,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 03V084000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
| 338,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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,...
View full details →Recall 06E064000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 4,029 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
1,099 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent 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
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.
Safety Rating for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
Nissan North America, Inc. has issued 25 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
NTB05-057c — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2002 â 2003 ALTIMA; HALOGEN HEADLAMP GROUND PLATE KIT Service Campaign ID # PB135 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # PB135. ï· Please discard all previous versions of NTB05-057.
NTB15059 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SERVICE INFORMATION The Service Procedure provided in this bulletin is for the installation of Repair Plates on vehicles that have rust in the floor pan area. See this bulletin for further detail.
05057 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING SERVICE CAMPAIGN NTB05-057 - LOW BEAM HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB ILLUMINATION FAILURE DUE TO POOR GROUND CONTACT. *TT CSC WAS RECEIVED. UPDATED 3/21/08. *NJ
05114B — SUSPENSION:REAR
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN REAR SUSPENSION MEMBER REPLACEMENT/BUSHING REPLACEMENT AND SEALING. *AK
03035 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0102/P1102 STORED. *SCC DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0100 STORED AS WELL. *TT
04055 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ESSENTIAL TOOL - J-47010 TAMPER RESISTANT TORX PLUS 25IPR BIT. *TT
04016 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ALTERNATOR NOISE AFTER ENGINE SHUT OFF.*MR
04015 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
UNABLE TO MAINTAIN IDLE OR LOW/ROUGH IDLE AT START.*MR
03102 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION CONSOLE BOOT DAMAGED. *TT
03094 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BUZZ SOUND FROM METER CLUSTER AFTER IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF / TURN SIGNAL AND WARNING CHIME DO NOT SOUND. *TT
Showing 10 of 25 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA.
Investigation RQ06001 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Closed
Opened:
ENGINE STALL - CRANK POSITION SENSOR
Other Model Years of the NISSAN ALTIMA
- 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA — 141 complaints
- 1999 NISSAN ALTIMA — 110 complaints
- 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA — 199 complaints
- 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA — 202 complaints
- 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA — 1,321 complaints
- 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA (current)
- 2004 NISSAN ALTIMA — 334 complaints
- 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA — 1,360 complaints
- 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA — 1,043 complaints
- 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA — 595 complaints
- 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA — 1,375 complaints
Other NISSAN Models
- NISSAN PATHFINDER — 10,111 total complaints
- NISSAN ROGUE — 9,608 total complaints
- NISSAN MAXIMA — 8,834 total complaints
- NISSAN SENTRA — 8,129 total complaints
- NISSAN MURANO — 7,410 total complaints
- NISSAN VERSA — 4,436 total complaints
- NISSAN FRONTIER — 4,425 total complaints
- NISSAN TITAN — 4,412 total complaints