Nissan Altima Complaints (2003)

883 consumer complaints on file.

#10352839August 30, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING LOW ON OIL. THE CONTACT FILLED THE OIL RESERVOIR AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OIL LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM WAS WIDESPREAD WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE BEFORE THEY COULD ESCALATE HER CASE TO A REGIONAL SPECIALIST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE; THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE RELATED TO RECALL 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS TOO HIGH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000. UPDATED 12/02/10 *BF UPDATED 12/08/10*JB UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF UPDATED 12/07/11 *BF UPDATED 12/12/11 UPDATED 12/30/11 *CN UPDATED 06/27/12. *JB UPDATED 01/29/14
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352179August 26, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 143000. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM WAS THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR. UPDATED 12/13/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351480August 24, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RUSTED OUT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351343August 23, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL, IN APPROXIMATELY 2008 FEBRUARY, MY CAR STOPPED ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAD THE WORK DONE AT BUENA PARK NISSAN THEN I REALIZED THAT THE CAR HAD ALSO STARTING BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN OIL PAN LEAK, HAD THAT WORK DONE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS LATER, THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN, HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED AT THE NISSAN DEALER SHIP IN ANTIOCH, CA, WAS ADVISED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, I WAS FRUSTRATED WITH THE CAR AND I CONTACTED NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICAN, AND THE DEALERSHIP IN BUENA PARK WHO BOTH DENIED ME ANY HELP. I WAS GIVEN A REFERENCE NUMBER OF 6594593 WHEN I CALLED FOR A SOLUTION IN 2009. NOW, 8/2010, I AM HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES AGAIN, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, MY ANTIFREEZE IS EVAPORATION ALONG WITH THE ENGINE OIL EVERY 300 MILES. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AGAIN TODAY AND SPOKE WITH LISA BYRNE AT EXTENSION 41661 WHO TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING NISSAN WOULD DO AT THIS POINT BECAUSE MY PREVIOUS CLAIM HAD ALREADY BEEN DENIED. I AM REPLACING OIL ON A WEEKLY BASIS AS WELL AS THE ANTIFREEZE. I CALLED NISSAN AGAIN TODAY, REF # [XXX]. I ASKED HER WHO COULD I CONTACT OTHER THAN THE REGIONAL OFFICE AND SHE STATED NO ONE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING NISSAN WAS GOING TO DO TO RIGHT MY SITUATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350515August 19, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RAPIDLY CONSUMING OIL AND OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V084000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/ HEADER/ MUFFLER/ TAIL PIPE) YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A PRE-CATALYST AND OXYGEN SENSOR BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AFTER A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BEFORE THEY WOULD DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350205August 18, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED MY NISSAN ALTIMA OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO GET IT CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. I GOT THE OIL AND FILTER CHANGED AND A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEW ENGINE. THE REPAIRS COST IS 3,000 THAT I DON'T HAVE. I'VE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THEIR ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD SO MUCH EXHAUST COMING FROM MY CAR THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349537August 16, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TIRES
I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES ON MY 2003 ALTIMA IT HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES ON IT . I ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY 5,000 MILES THE TIRES SOUND LIKE THEY ARE COMING APART. THE HEADLIGHT LENS ARE TURNING FOGGY AND YELLOW CUTTING DOWN ON THE HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. MOTOR BUSING WENT BAD CAR WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AT 50,000 MILES. DRIVER DOOR HINGE IS BAD WANT STAY OPEN IF CAR IS A LITTLE UNEVEN. HAD TO REPLACE CRANK SENSOR CAUSE CAR WOULDN'T START AT AROUND 65,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALL ON ANY THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349686August 16, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL AND THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND HIT THE CURB AND BLEW OUT MY TIRE AND DAMAGED MY RIM. THIS COST ME ABOUT $500 OUT OF MY POCKET, WHICH REALLY WAS DISAPPOINTING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349299August 14, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 4 CYL. AUTOMATIC . FRONT END UNDER BODY ALL THE STEEL PARTS AR RUSTED . THE OIL PAN IS RUSTED SO BAD IT WAS LEAKING OIL ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD TO REMOVE THE OIL PAN NOT TO MENTION THE RUSTED BOLTS HOLDING THE PAN. UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER THE FLOOR IS STARTING TO RUST SO FAR IS ONLY A SIZE OF 1/2 A DOLLAR. WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS . PLEASE DO SOMETHING THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS . NISSAN IS DENYING THERE IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348304August 9, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO CONSUME OIL EXCESSIVELY. WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 6895246 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347913August 7, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN# [XXX] . LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING AT LOW SPEED. OBD CODES SHOW P0725 AND P0335 WHICH ARE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COVERED BY PREVIOUS RECALL RQ06001 OR 06V24200 HOWEVER NISSAN DENIES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346939August 2, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL RUSTING OUT. EVENTUALLY SOMEONE WILL PUT THEIR FOOT THROUGH THE FLOOR. NOT CORRECTED YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346176July 29, 2010
STRUCTURE
I WAS ON THE INTERNET JUST LOOKING UP THINGS ABOUT MY CAR (NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 V6 3.5) AND FOUND ALTIMA OWNERS POSTING IN FORUMS ABOUT RUST OCCURRING UNDER THE FRONT FLOOR PANS (EITHER DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER) AND I PROCEEDED TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE AND FOUND A RUST HOLE ABOUT 7"X7" IN SIZE. THE CAR IS OUT OF ITS 5 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD AND NISSAN IS NOT ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344222July 20, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN STOPPED OR MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, BETWEEN 1-15 TIMES A MONTH IN NORMAL DRIVING. THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL (06V242000) THAT MATCHES MY PROBLEM BUT MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH THOSE BEING RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343686July 16, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THERE WAS THEN A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO STALL. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL EVERY WEEK. UPDATED 10/27/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343069July 13, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I AM ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 2.5 ENGINE. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP KEPT TELLING ME THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR WHEN I WOULD TAKE IT IN FOR THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. COSTING 91.00 EACH TIME YOU HAVE THAT TEST DONE. I WAS TOLD AFTER MANY TIMES OF THE CAR STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IT THAT IT NEEDED A COIL #3 WELL THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM THE AT ALL DRIVING THE CAR THE DAY THAT WE WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE COIL THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. SO BECAUSE I AM AT 89,000 MILE AND THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT I AM BASICALLY OUT OF LUCK IS WHAT THEY SAID AND THEY AREN'T RESPONSIBLE. SO HERE I AM WITH A 2003 ALTIMA THAT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE CAUSE THE OF THE FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SO WHY WE WERE NEVER TOLD THE MANY TIMES WE WENT IN THAT THIS COULD BE THE PROBLEM IS WHAT I AM SO CONFUSED ABOUT. I AM A SINGLE MOM THAT STILL OWES A YEAR ON THIS CAR AT 400 A MONTH AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS IS CRAZY ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING AND NISSAN IS NOT BEING ACCOUNTABLE AT ALL. AND THIS PROBLEM COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS ALSO IF YOU WERE IN TRAFFIC AND YOUR CAR JUST SHUT OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342600July 12, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND JERK VIOLENTLY AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342643July 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVING 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ON TWO-LANE COUNTRY ROAD, WEATHER CLEAR, NO TRAFFIC. CAR SPED UP, DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, CAR SPED FASTER, DRIVER REPEATEDLY & FIRMLY APPLIED BRAKES. CAR OVERCORRECTED TO THE LEFT, CROSSED ROADWAY, CROSSED ONE DRY DITCH AND MADE IMPACT WITH INSIDE WALL OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH FULL OF WATER. DRIVER RECEIVED INITIAL CARE AT THE SCENE AND WAS TAKEN TO EMERGENCY ROOM VIA AMBULANCE. DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN BACK, HEAD AND EYE TRAUMA, BROKEN RIB, DISLOCATED SHOULDER JOINT, MULTIPLE CUTS REQUIRING STITCHES, GLASS EMBEDDED INTO SKIN. DRIVER SPENT SEVERAL DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL AND WAS DISCHARGED UNDER CONTINUOUS FAMILY CARE. CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10342438July 10, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAD TROUBLE STARTING MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS AGO AFTER RETURNING FROM SHOPPING. IT STARTED A FEW HOURS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEN WENT OFF. ON MY WAY TO WORK LAST WEEK DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 65MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON. THE AIR FILTER WAS CLOGGED AND CHANGED. MY CAR STARTED AND I DROVE TO WORK 2 DAYS LATER WITHOUT A PROBLEM, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER RETURNING HOME THAT DAY. CODE READER STATED CODE P0340 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CAR STARTED HE NEXT DAY AND WE CHECKED CODES AGAIN WITH CAR RUNNING AND RECEIVED THE SAME CODE. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED NO CURRENT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. ESTIMATED $281 FOR DIAGNOSTIC, LABOR AND PART REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340378June 28, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
RUSTED PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD IN 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SL. SAFETY ISSUE AS CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH A HOLE IN THE FLOOR. CAR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES. IN READING FORUMS ON SIMILAR SITUATIONS IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR, NISSAN HAS NOT TAKEN ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS IT IS OCCURRING IN NUMEROUS MODELS OF THE SAME CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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