Nissan Altima Complaints (2003)

883 consumer complaints on file.

#10108109January 28, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
RIGHT FRONT STRUT ON MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS. MILEAGE IS HIGH ON MY ALTIMA, AT 40K DUE TO SEVERAL TRIPS FROM CALIFORNIA TO OREGON FOR FAMILY EMERGENCIES IN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I AM GETTING DEFECTIVE MCPHERSON STRUTS THAT ARE NOW MADE IN MEXICO. CAR HAS A VERY DISTINGUISHED PULL TO THE RIGHT EVERY SINCE FIRST FAILURE AT 6 MONTHS IN SERVICE. ALIGNMENTS AND NEW TIRES HAVE NOT HELPED THIS SITUATION. CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT THE DEALER, I WILL NOT LET THEM REPLACE THE STRUT AGAIN BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ASSURE ME THAT I WILL NOT GET ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. CAR IS VERY HARD TO HANDLE ESPECIALLY GOING OVER UNEASY ROADS, WHICH THERE ARE PLENTY OF IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107883January 25, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON 01/13/05, THE ENGINE OF MY '03 NISSAN ALTIMA SE STALLED. THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OVER THE ENGINE AND IT DID NOT START. I WAITED A FEW MOMENTS AND THEN TRIED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT STALLED AGAIN AFTER I DROVE APPROX. 100 FEET. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT BUT MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP. I WAITED IN THE CAR FOR APPROX. AN HOUR IN 9 DEGREE TEMPERATURE WITH MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER UNTIL I WAS PICKED UP BY A FAMILY MEMBER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE STALLING. WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION, I HAD THEM CONDUCT A 15,000K SERVICE (OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, ETC.). ON 01/23/05, I HEARD AN "ENGINE KNOCK" AND DISCOVERED OIL SPOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY FROM THE CAR. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FIRST THING THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ARE TELLING ME I NEED AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE. THEY ARE ALSO CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THEREFORE THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS, I BELIEVE THE ENGINE STALLING WAS A SAFETY PROCEDURE THAT INDICATED AN ENGINE PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, I BELIEVE THE FAILURE OF THE DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY,AND REPAIR, THE PROBLEM MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE DAMAGE THEY ARE REPORTING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110916January 6, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE HAD A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *NM *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109788December 1, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS PROBLEM WITH WOODPECKER NOISE. DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *BF THE NOISE IS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IDLING. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099166November 1, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT LENS MELTED OFF FROM THE LIGHT FIXTURE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PART WAS NOT ON A RECALL OR WARRANTY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097884October 27, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095595October 12, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TOOK THE CAR TO BAKER JACKSON NISSAN IN HOUSTON TO REPLACE A BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE BULB HAD MELTED TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $400 PLUS. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE IT UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $50 DEDUCTIBLE, BUT REFUSED TO RETURN THE MELTED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY STATING THAT IT HAD TO BE RETURNED TO NISSAN FOR THE WARRANTY. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD. BESIDES THE SAFETY ASPECT, THE ENGINEERING DEFECT COSTS CONSUMERS MORE THAN $400 TO REPLACE A HEADLAMP THAT SHOULD COST LESS THAN $20. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095183September 28, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE DEALER REFUSES TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE REGION SPECIFIED FOR REPAIRS. *NM RECALL# 03V251000. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090530September 7, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT MY 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AS I A DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 40-45 MPH WITHOUT ANY NOTICE WHATSOEVER. THE 1ST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS APRIL 29TH. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC CALED P0725 AND P1229 AND CALLED THE NISSAN TECH LINE BUT STILL HAD NO SUCH LUCK. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED AS I HAVE HAD MY 7 YEAR OLD CHILD WITH ME IN THE CAR BOTH TIMES. LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT HAD A ACCIDENT SO FAR, BUT IT IS A VERY SCARY FEELING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WITH YOUR CHILD AT A SPEED OF 40-45 MPH AND YOUR CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE OF YOUR THE DASH OF YOUR VEHICLE START FLASHING (IE. SERVICE ENGINE, OIL, GAS, LIGHTS, ETC. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089933August 27, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAD A HARD TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. DEALER STATED THAT THE STARTER WAS DEFECTIVE, AND PROBLEM EXISTED FOR A WHILE. *AK * TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089757August 25, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089545August 20, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SAFETY RECALL REGARDING FUEL PUMP.*MR THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER CORRECTING THE DEFECT IN SOUTHERN STATES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082988July 30, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
WE PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 ON 12/2002. ON 7/16/04 THE CAR WOULDN'T CRANK UNTIL THE THIRD TRY. AFTER STARTING HE WOULDN'T GO BUT 15 MPH. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THE THROTTLE CHAMBER WAS DEFECTIVE. IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS NOW AND THE PART HAS NOT COME IN BECAUSE THEIR TELLING ME ITS ON BACK ORDER. CALLED AND TALKED TO SEVERAL SERVICE GUYS AND REQUESTED A LOANER CAR UNTIL MY CAR GOT FIXED. WE DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE REPLIED ALL THE GUYS. SO I CALLED THE GM MANAGER AND LEFT A MESSAGE, HE CALLED BACK AND SAID HE WOULD CHECK ON A LOANER AND CALL ME BACK IN THE AM OF 7/30/04 BY 9AM. HE TOOK TO LONG SO I CALLED HIM AT 934AM WENT TO VOICE MAIL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072205July 7, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK *SC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081366July 6, 2004
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED TO BEND TOWARD THE BACK RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. AS TIME WENT BY THE SEAT BEGAN TO BEND MORE AND MORE. CURRENTLY, NOT ONLY IS THE SEAT TWISTED BUT, THERE IS A METAL BAR PROTRUDING FROM THE SEAT INTO THE CONSUMER'S BACK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078972June 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A FRAME AROUND THE STICK SHIFT TO HOLD DOWN THE PIECE OF MATERIAL THAT KEEPS FROM EXPOSING INSIDE THE GEAR. THE FRAME CAME UNGLUED AND GOT STUCK INSIDE THE GEAR, CAUSING MY GEAR TO LOCK AND FORCING ME TO SUDDENLY STOP ON THE FREEWAY ON 65 MPH TRAFFIC. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR WAS AT 37,000, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000 MILES. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE PARTS DEPARTMENT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON ON NISSAN ALTIMAS, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ON AN EMPTY HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULL THE FRAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE GEAR. THE AMOUNT THAT I'M BEING CHARGED FOR THE PARTS & LABOR ARE NOT MY CONCERN AT THIS TIME AND ARE MINIMAL, HOWEVER THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS IS PRICELESS. I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IF WE CAN AVOID SERIOUS DAMAGES IN THE FUTURE IT'S VERY WELL WORTH A RECALL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10076030June 8, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA SAFETY RECALL REGARDING DEFECT IN FUEL PUMP. *MR RECALL#03V251000. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER CORRECTING THE DEFECT IN SOUTHERN STATES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074467May 29, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TRAFFIC CRASH WITH EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. POINT OF IMPACT WAS TO FRONT END, TOWARDS DRIVER'S SIDE. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. FORTUNATELY, MY SON'S BELT RESTRAINTS PREVENTED INJURY. CONCERNED AS TO THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED. AS INDICATED ABOVE, IMPACT POINT WAS GENERALLY TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *LA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072736May 17, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
SHIFT LEVER EASILY SHIFTING THROUGH 1, 2, 3, N CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLIN TO A CANAL. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071777April 28, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM A STOP AND HIT TWO VEHICLES HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJUROES. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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