Nissan Sentra Complaints (2003)
180 consumer complaints on file.
- #10881929June 30, 2016ENGINE
PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN BOISE, ID. THE VEHICLE HAD AN UN-ADDRESSED CLOSED RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR TO BLOW UP TWO MONTHS LATER. NOW THE USED CAR DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE CAR, OR REFUND ANY OF MY MONEY. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10748160August 12, 2015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V4770000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10733243July 10, 2015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 10/2 UPDATED 11/03/2017*CN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10731705July 2, 2015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/05/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEM CODES THAT APPEARED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC SCANNERS. UPDATED 02/09/16*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10730607June 26, 2015SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUT TOWER FAILED AND THE TIRE NEARLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 12/1/2015 *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10730320June 25, 2015AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A TRUCK FAILED TO OBEY A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE TRUCK. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,325.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10717520May 20, 2015ENGINE
PURCHASED 2003 NISSAN SENTRA WITH 52,000 MILES AROUND AUGUST 2013. VEHICLE WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING, MECHANIC NEEDED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (FRONT & REAR), ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS LATER THE CAR STARTED GOING THROUGH ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1-2 DAYS. OUR MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A RECALL BULLETIN EXPLAINING THAT DEBRIS FROM THIS VEHICLE'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETS INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSES THE PISTON RINGS TO WEAR OUT AND ALSO CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE OIL IS NOT CHECKED AND FILLED CONSTANTLY, IT MAY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND/OR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO OUR NISSAN DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HAS REPLACED ENGINES IN THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES. WHEN OUR VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HEADQUARTERS REFUSED TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BULLETIN STATING WE ARE 14 MONTHS PAST THE POINT THAT NISSAN WOULD'VE FIXED IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHILE IN USE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10717521May 20, 2015ENGINE
PURCHASED 2003 NISSAN SENTRA WITH 52,000 MILES AROUND AUGUST 2013. VEHICLE WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING, MECHANIC NEEDED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (FRONT & REAR), ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS LATER THE CAR STARTED GOING THROUGH ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1-2 DAYS. OUR MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A RECALL BULLETIN EXPLAINING THAT DEBRIS FROM THIS VEHICLE'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETS INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSES THE PISTON RINGS TO WEAR OUT AND ALSO CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE OIL IS NOT CHECKED AND FILLED CONSTANTLY, IT MAY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND/OR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO OUR NISSAN DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HAS REPLACED ENGINES IN THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES. WHEN OUR VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HEADQUARTERS REFUSED TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BULLETIN STATING WE ARE 14 MONTHS PAST THE POINT THAT NISSAN WOULD'VE FIXED IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHILE IN USE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10693115March 9, 2015ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR WHILE IN DRIVE WILL STALL AND IDLE. CAR ALSO HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HAS CONTINUOUSLY OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. MULTIPLE ENGINE CODES HAVE CAME ON AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUES. AT THIS TIME CRANKSHAFT, AND CAM SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED AND IS CURRENTLY IN PROCESS. READING UP ON THIS ISSUE APPEARS THERE IS A RECALL FOR SAME ISSUE FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000) BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY AS CAR COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT AND OCCURS AT ANY TIME INCLUDING HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO NOT DRIVE AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC FOR FURTHER FOLLOWUP IN HOPES OF RESOLUTION. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS APPEARS TO BE A REPEAT ISSUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10679772January 29, 2015ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR AND THE COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,846.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10650748October 28, 2014AIR BAGS
CAN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION ON IF THIS VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAGS!!! NOT EVEN THE WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV SITE GIVES ME ANY INFORMATION!!!!! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10640776October 2, 2014ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10637725September 20, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT MY CAR AND THE DASHBOARD DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME. IT SUDDENLY STOPS AND GIVE 0 INFORMATION ABOUT SPEED, GAS, AND HEAT. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 1000$ WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD. I THINK THIS IS A CAR PROBLEM NOT MY PROBLEM AND I WANT THEM TO FIX IT. CAN YOU HELP FOR MY SAFETY? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10630028September 2, 2014ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE BOUGHT THIS LOW MILEAGE CAR FROM A FAMILY MEMBER BUT AFTER BUYING THIS CAR IT STARTED GETTING PLAGUED WITH THE CAR SUDDENLY AND MYSTERIOUSLY SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. ENGINE DIED UNANNOUNCED CAR CUTS OFF AND THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES STOP WORKING. IT WOULD HAPPEN UP TO 5 TO 7 TIMES A WEEK INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAD TAKEN IT NISSAN TWO DIFFERENT TIMES IN APRIL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SITUATION THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR US OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM DURING TEST DRIVES. IN AUGUST TOOK THIS CAR BACK IN AFTER IT WOULDN'T RUN AT ALL AND THEY FINALLY TOLD ME IT WAS A CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. AFTER REPLACING THIS PART IT RUNS FINE NOW. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE IT SEEMS THIS PART IS PART OF A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR HOWEVER I WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T APPLY TO MY VIN. I SPOKE TO NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND THEY AGAIN TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T COVER THIS AS IT IS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THIS PART LOOKS LIKE IT IS PROBLEMATIC IN THIS MODEL YEAR AND MAKE AND ALSO FOR OTHER CARS ACROSS THE NISSAN LINEUP. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT RESULTED IN SOME SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT IF IT STALLED AND I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, OR IT STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION OR PULLING INTO TRAFFIC SAY THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I WAS ALSO LUCKY THAT THE STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T LOCK UP TURNING THE WHEEL WITH THE CAR OFF. OUR SYMPTOMS WITH THIS CAR WERE CLASSIC. I WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM IN APRIL AS THE SYMPTOMS MATCH THEY HAVE FOR KNOWN RECALLS ON THIS AND OTHER CARS. I WOULD LIKE IT COVERED BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VEHICLES AND VINS TO SAVE LIVES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10629529August 30, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL SHUTS OFF THEN COMES BACK ON REPEATEDLY, SPEEDOMETER, OIL GAUGE, RPMS, WATER TEMP., ETC. CAR STAYS RUNNING BUT YOU CAN'T TELL WHAT YOUR SPEED OR RPMS ARE. BROUGHT TO NUMEROUS SHOPS AND DEALERS KNOW ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10628838August 27, 2014ENGINE
RECENTLY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR DIED FOR ABOUT 3 - 5 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THEN RESUMED. MY CAR HAS STALLED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST BUT USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR SO IT WASN'T MUCH OF A CONCERN. BUT IF MY CAR JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING 60 -70 MPH I THINK THERE ARE SOME SAFETY ISSUES AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. RESEARCH INDICATES IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANK SENSOR AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR IT. FOR SOME REASON MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10625757August 16, 2014ENGINE
MY PRE CAT WENT OUT SO TOOK IT TO SHOP TO HAVE IT REPLACED. COST ME 1000$. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN BURNING OIL VERY BAD UP TO A QUART A TANK. AND WHITE SMOKE IF ACCELERATE EVEN REMOTELY MORE THAN GENTLE. NISSAN SAID MY CAR ISN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRE CAT RECALL. BUT IT FITS DESCRIPTION AS FAR AS 2003 SENTRA WITH THE 2.5L QR25DE ENGINE. IF THE DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE I WOULD LIKE THEM TO BUY THE CAR FOR BLUE BOOK. I AM ONLY SECOND OWNER. IT HAS ROUGHLY 87500 ON IT NOW. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10614482July 18, 2014ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 08/27/14*LJ UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10609613July 10, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PULLING THROUGH A SHOPPING CENTER, WHEN MY SENTRA STARTED STALLING. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NO LONGER START. I BOUGHT A CODE READER AND IT STATED A FEW CODES SUCH AS ECM, CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, AND ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. I HAD IT TOWED TO HUDSON NISSAN AND THEY STATED THAT THE ECU/ECM HAS SHORTED AND SHORTED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF I WERE TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED, OR IN TRAFFIC. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10588489May 15, 2014ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0