Nissan Altima Complaints (2003)

883 consumer complaints on file.

#10368058November 28, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS LARGE RUST, BUBBLING AREA UNDER PASSENGER SEAT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR IS GARAGED. WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION NEXT TIME. THIS IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT ONLINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367773November 24, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED 2,000 MILES PRIOR TO THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GET ANOTHER OIL CHANGE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED; THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MOST LIKELY OIL CONSUMPTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367695November 23, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BODY UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED THROUGH (7"X3" HOLE) DUE TO AN OBVIOUS IMPROPERLY SEALED HOLE IN THE STRUCTURE. SAME HOLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEALED AND BODY APPEARS TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO RUST. DEALER QUOTE TO REPAIR IS $1100, OR $3000 TO REPLACE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD. DEALER STATED THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF SAME ISSUE IN LAST MONTH ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF CAR. FILED COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN, BUT THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MANUFACTURING ISSUE OR OFFER ANY COMPENSATION FOR REPAIR. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN NHTSA DATABASE ECHO SAME ISSUES. WEAKENED/RUSTED THROUGH FLOORBOARD CAN BE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO COMPROMISED BODY STRUCTURE AND POTENTIAL POINT OF ENTRY OF FUMES INTO PASSENGER AREA. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED 01/27/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366951November 20, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
FLOOR BOARD PANELS ON 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ON PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE RUSTING THROUGH FROM INSIDE OUT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, CAR HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 02/03/11 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364988November 8, 2010
STRUCTURE
PASSENGER SIDE DRAIN PLUG ON THE FLOOR WAS NOT SEALED FROM FACTORY ON 02-04 NISSAN ALTIMA MODELS, THE FLOOR RUSTS OUT VERY PREMATURELY LEAVING A LARGE HOLE FOR A FOOT TO GO THROUGH, OR WORSE EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE CAR DOING A SEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WHICH NISSAN DOESN'T NOT WANT TO ADDRESS AND DOES NOT COVER. SEE HERE HTTP://WWW.NISSANFORUMS.COM/GENERAL-ALTIMA-STANZA-DISCUSSION/137783-ALTIMA-RUST-SHOCKER.HTML AND HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2002-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-DISCUSSION-2-5-3-5/287928-FLOORBOARD-RUST-PROBLEM.HTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364101November 5, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I SUSPECTED THAT MY CAR DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS CONFIRMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CRACKED. I FOUND OUT THAT PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN 2002-2003 ALTIMAS WERE ADDRESSED IN NISSAN VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN #R3007 (NHTSA #03V-084). THE WORK PERTAINING TO THAT RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MY CAR ON 07/31/2006 BUT THE DEFECTIVE CATALYST HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AS INSTRUCTED ON PAGE 5 OF NISSAN RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN #NTB03-070C. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE CATALYST AS PART OF THE RECALL #R3007 (NHTSA #03V-084), BUT THEY REFUSED SINCE THE RECALL HAS BEEN RECORDED AS PERFORMED. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, BUT MY REQUEST TO COMPLETE THE RECALL WORK WAS DENIED. I CONTACTED CEO OF NISSAN, CARLOS GHOSN, AND EXECUTIVE VP OF NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, CARLOS TAVARES. THEY ALSO REJECTED MY REQUEST TO PROPERLY SERVICE MY CAR AS NISSAN PROMISED IN ITS RECALL #R3007 (NHTSA #03V-084). THE CATALYST DEFECTS DESCRIBED IN NISSAN RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN #NTB03-070C ARE VERY SERIOUS. THE DEBRIS FROM CATALYST MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE WHICH CAN RESULT IN FIRE. I KINDLY REQUEST THAT YOU INVESTIGATE WHETHER NISSAN'S REMEDY (RECALL #R3007, NHTSA #03V-084) IN THIS CASE OF DEFECTIVE CATALYST WAS ADEQUATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364044November 4, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLS WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I GO IN REVERSE AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE CAR CONTINUES TO GO IN REVERSE. STALLS WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT SPEEDS UP WHEN I STEP ON THE BREAKS, I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY SLAM MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO AVOID HITTING CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON, WHEN IT DOES THE CAR STALLS EVEN MORE. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY GAVE IT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY STATED THAT THEY ENTERED A CODE FOR THE SENSORS, BUT WERE NOT SURE IF THAT WAS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS CAR TO NISSAN MECHANICS SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2007 AND IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING IN 2010. THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND IT CONTINUES TO STALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362442October 26, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AGAIN. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE BUT THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED SINCE THE OTHER DRIVER PAID FOR THE DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. HE REFERENCED RECALL 06V242000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING AND STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT SINCE HE DID NOT HAVE THE ECM REPROGRAMMED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362277October 25, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO MELT AROUND THE LOW BEAM BULB. DEALER GLENDALE NISSAN, GLENDALE HEIGHTS IL STATED THAT THEY CARRIED OUT A RECALL BY PUTTING GROUNDING PLATES IN 2006. NO GROUNDING PLATES WERE FOUND AND NO PHYSICAL MARK OF ANYTHING TOUCHING AND ABSORBING THE HEAT FROM THE BULB WAS FOUND. IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THIS RECALL ITEM WAS INADVERTENTLY OMITTED WHEN THE CAR WENT TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER RECALL WORK ON SUSPENSION ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362306October 25, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SCREW CAME OFF OF MANIFOLD INTAKE AND WENT INTO PISTON CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF FOUR RAILROAD TRACKS. SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN HEADQUARTER THEY SAID THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT BUT 2002 2004 2005 CERTAIN MODELS DID BUT BUY OUR VIN # THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I MYSELF TOOK THE MANIFOLD OFF AND FOUND THE SCREW HAD FELL OFF THE BUTTERFLY AND WENT IN TO THE ENGINE PISTON I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO TAKE A MAGNET AND FISH OUT THE SCREW. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR A FEW MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE NOT A CLUE WHAT THAT IS ABOUT. WE DONE FELL SAFE DRIVING THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ANYMORE,THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361076October 18, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF AN ENGINE TUNE UP AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN WHICH THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO INTERNAL DEFECTS WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360795October 16, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT
BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, CAR STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES HORRIBLY WHEN BRAKING ,BRAKES SQUEAL HORRIBLY WITH BRAKING (METALLIC) . ROTORS VERY CHEAP, HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES FOR $400.00. HAD COMPLETE REAR BRAKES, ROTORS DONE LAST AT 90000,THEN AT 121,000, METALLIC NOISE AGAIN AT 125,000-SERVICED, 130,000 SQUEAK AGAIN, 200 MILES LATER BRAKES BAD AGAIN, ROTOR TURNED, NOW AT 130,000 BRAKES SQUEAKING AGAIN, CAR VIBRATES WITH BRAKING AGAIN AND CARS BRAKES DON'T RESPOND AS WELL. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE DANGEROUS BRAKES, ROTORS, ETC .I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR NEED NEW ROTORS EVERY BRAKE JOB!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358246September 29, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR HAS TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING. YESTERDAY THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY A SCHOOL BUS. THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHEN I AM GOING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THE RPM NEEDLE GOES BACK AND FORTH THEN THE CAR JUST RUNS OUT OF POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHERE HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE ECM RECALL. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE CRANK & CAM SHAFT BEFORE THEY CAN REPROGRAM IT FOR THE RECALL. AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $317.00+TAX. I DON'T SEE WHY NISSAN WOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357885September 27, 2010
STRUCTURE
LARGE HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. MY MECHANIC WAS TOLD BY NISSAN DEALER THAT ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT NISSAN WONT DO ANYTHING TO FIX/RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357899September 27, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SEVERE ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH STALLING WHILE DRIVING! NISSAN DEALER STATES "POWER VALVE SCREW FAILURE" IN WHICH THE SCREW BECAME LOOSE, SHOT OUT , WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE AND WENT OUT THE EXHAUST. THIS CAUSED OVER $1200 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE AND HOPE THAT THERE IS NOT FURTHER DAMAGE THAT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN IDENTIFIED YET. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIR, MY PRIVATE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIR. APPARENTLY , NISSAN HAS A "VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN" FOR ONLY FOR SPECIFIC VIN# /YEARS AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT ! THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY/ACCIDENT HAD MY SON BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357916September 27, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357118September 23, 2010
STRUCTURE
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CARE ARE ROTTING THROUGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354656September 9, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2003 NISSAN SMOKING, BURNING OIL, SPUTTERING. DIAGNOSED (BY $95.00 DIAGNOSTIC I WAS REQUIRED BY NISSAN TO GET A NISSAN DEALERSHIP) AS CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD DUE TO OVERHEATING, THIS HAS CAUSED IT TO FALL APART AND GO INTO THE MOTOR. NOW NEEDS NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MOTOR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2003 ALTIMAS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM, A PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE A CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO NISSAN MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THEREFORE I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF IT BUT NOW I HAVE THE VERY ISSUES THAT THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT BUT THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THIS MAKES ME QUESTION IF THEY MISTAKENLY LEFT OUT SOME 2003 MODELS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND I HAVE BEEN RIDING AROUND ALL THIS TIME WITH THE CHANCE MY CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE, THIS IS SCARY. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO GET NISSAN TO RESPOND, I FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO GO BACK AND REVISIT THAT RECALL AND MAYBE ADD MORE CARS TO IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. I FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN YESTERDAY, IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS THEY CALLED BACK TO SAY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO FOR ME. NOT SURE HOW MUCH THEY LOOKED INTO THIS BECAUSE I CALLED IT IN AROUND 3PM YESTERDAY AND THEY CALLED ME BACK BEFORE 10AM THIS MORNING. THIS ISSUES NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT DUE TO THEIR CAR CATCHING ON FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353457September 2, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL; HE NOTICED REDUCED POWER FROM THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP ALTOGETHER. HE WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE MOST OF THE TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO START. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT BUT BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE CONTACT CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,477. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353465September 2, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
STARTED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS WON'T GO UP ALL THE WAY AND IF THEY DO THEN THEY ROLL DOWN ALL BY THEMSELVES. THEY GO UP AND DOWN AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY AND NITE. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS ITSELF WHETHER THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION OR NOT. YOU ALWAYS NEED TO HAVE TWO SETS OF KEYS BECAUSE IF THE WINDOW IS DOWN AND YOU REACH IN TO UNLOCK IT THE ALARM GOES OFF AS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO BREAK INTO THE CAR. DOOR THAT GOES OVER THE GAS CAP BENT DURING REGULAR USE AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. NISSAN SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS ITEM AND JUST TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND PAY TO GET IT FIXED. SAW SEVERAL OTHER ALTIMAS OF THE SAME VINTAGE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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