CarComplaints.com Notes: Here's a disturbing trend for the 2002 Nissan Altima: the engine starts burning oil like crazy, the catalytic converter goes bad, the head gasket blows and eventually the entire engine needs replacement. Sound familiar? Like a script from a horror film, these Altimas seem doomed to fail around 95k miles.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,905 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Nissan Altima engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #57

Oct 142010

Altima 4-cyl

  • 151,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had just bought my vehicle in March 2010 for $4200. A few weeks after I started to notice that the vehicle was burning through oil every few days. I took it to my mechanic and he stated it needed a tune up. A few days after the tune up I noticed it started to run rough on the highway on my way to work. While on the highway the car stopped running everything shut down, no power steering. I had to glide to the breakdown lane hoping and praying I would make it and not get hit. So I had the car towed to the mechanic who then told me that the motor was blown. I didn't have the money to fix it seeing as I had just bought the vehicle 6 months earlier. So I then parked the car in my driveway until I had the money to replace it($2000). Once I was able to replace the engine 2 months later the check engine light come on again. I take it back into the mechanic and he tells me its the radiator. I replace the radiator ($200). A few weeks later the check engine light comes on again. The mechanic tells me its the catalytic converter and that he's done atleast three Nissan in the past month with the same problem and that there is a recall and to contact Nissan. He also told me that if I to drive the vehicle like that it would blow the motor again because that is what caused it to blow initially. After taking it to a Nissan dealer they told me that there is not "open" recall on the catalytic converter just an ECM reset and the halogen light recall. They did tell me the catalytic gone due to a cylinder 2 misfire but that was not covered by them. I then called Nissan directly and they told me that there was a recall previous for the engine and catalytic converter but it was not an open recall and they were not allowed to send me that information. If I wanted that information I would have to go through car fax. This was from their upper management.

- Tiverton, RI, USA

problem #56

Aug 042014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on numerous occasions. The dealer stated that the camshaft position sensor, crank position sensor, and the timing kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling) and NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 12/2/14

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #55

Feb 152012

Altima

  • 190,000 miles
Driving legal speed on interstate highway 59 South from meridian ms to slidell Louisiana. Car started using oil every 20 miles. I have taken vehicle to Nissan dealer on 3 different occasions. It ws determined that the engine and catalytic converter is bad. I have contacted Nissan North America to ask for them to repair under recall #03V084000. This recall states that the catalytic converter will cause engine damage. Nissan declined to fix my car. I contacted the better business bureau and they did not help. I don't know what to do next.

- Meridian, MS, USA

problem #54

Sep 252014

Altima 4WD 6-cyl

  • 168,365 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving 45mph when the engine shut off, steering wheel got stiff, and I had to maneuver to safety. Tried repeatedly to turn on the car, but it didn't work. I came to a complete stop, waited a few minutes, and then the car turned on normally. I have a family of Nissan owners and this was the first incident of this ever happening. I just want Nissan to help fix this, or risk loosing a valued customer to another car brand. Considering infinity just lost 2 CEO's to other brands makes me (as a consumer) uncertain about this brands future.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #53

Jun 292014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 116,000 miles
On Jun 29, 2014 our family of four (along with my wife and 2 kids) were in this 2003 Nissan Altima driving on the expressway at around 55mph. All of a sudden, without any warning, the engine stopped. Pressing on the accelerator did not do anything. Cars were all over the expressway, zipping through at a high speeds. A very scary situation. Somehow, we were able to pull over to the side of the expressway without any incident, but it could have been very fatal to my entire family. Once pulled over to the side, I called my insurance co. To send us a tow truck. While I was placed on hold, after a few mins we were able to restart the car and were able to drive home. Next day, I called Nissan company and told them about my incident and they said there are no recalls on my car and they suggested that I take it to a mechanic. I took it to a mechanic and they ran diagnostic test and found out that cam shaft sensor was bad and they replaced it at my cost. I'm very disappointed with Nissan as to how my car is not part of recall even though the engine just cut out with out any warning putting my family at great danger (possibility of severe injuries or even death) and Nissan does not want to take responsibility.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #52

Aug 072014

Altima

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owned a 2003 Nissan Altima. While driving 60 mph, the front end of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department extinguished the flames, but the vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #51

Aug 062014

Altima 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I pulled out of a parking spot onto a busy street when the car suddenly shut off while I was driving.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #50

Jul 042014

Altima

  • 171,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the cam shaft position sensor and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling) and NHTSA campaign id number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.

- Pooler, GA, USA

problem #49

Jul 152014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 121,044 miles
In Nov 2013 the car would stall (engine dies) while driving. The car would not start sometimes and the check engine light came on. Vehicle was taken to a Nissan dealership where the oem was reprogrammed. I was also told the cam position sensor had an internal failure. The oem reprogramming was covered by a recall but not the sensor which was VIN specific, as told by Nissan. I replaced the sensor. This year the car has been jerking and would not start several times (seems the problem re-appears every summer). I again took the car for repairs and was told it is the crank and cam position sensor. I have again replaced the sensor and called Nissan. I was told my car is not covered by the recall as it is VIN specific.

- Little Elm, TX, USA

problem #48

Sep 012006

Altima

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle jerked violently. The contact stated that the crank shaft sensor was replaced twice before but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer advised the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 06V242000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 188,000.

- Grayson , GA, USA

problem #47

Feb 152013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I drove my car from ms to ga. When I reached my hotel and turned my car off and tried to leave again the service engine light came on and the car would not start. I had the light checked the next the and it came back reading the crank position sensor. When I made it back to ms I got the part replaced and the check engine light was turned off. 8 months later my car started cutting off at red lights and not starting again. The check engine light came back on. When I had it checked again the mechanic said it was reading for the crank position sensor again. Once I explained to him that I just had that fixed he figured it was something else. Replaced my battery, battery cables, alternator, and starter. Cars still shuts off and wont crank. When I called Nissan they said my VIN wasn't included in the recall. My car stalls on me daily and shuts off at red lights.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #46

May 082014

Altima

  • 137,095 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact made several attempts before the vehicle would start. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage were 137,095.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #45

Apr 032012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 90 miles
While at a red light, the car unknowingly stopped! I didn't even know until the light turned green and I attempted to pull off. I put the car in park and resterted the car with no issue. A couple days later the engine started a slight shake and each day the shake became more intense and the engine would shut off when driven for a while & while my feet is on the break the meter would jump from 0 to 2 and shut off wen it hit 0. also while attempting to pull off the car feels like it's stuck then it'll shoot off.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #44

Jun 072006

Altima

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times. On one visit, the ECM was reprogrammed and the failure persisted. The dealer was currently replacing the camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- Brentwood, MD, USA

problem #43

Mar 282014

Altima

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the cam position sensor had failed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Ft. Collins, CO, USA

problem #42

Mar 112014

Altima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #41

Feb 222014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 128,560 miles
When I slowed down to take a right turn, my Nissan Altima stalled all of a sudden. My steering and brakes got locked. I could not start it immediately.. behind me was a cargo truck however at a more gap distance so that he could bring his truck to a halt before rear bumping me. I could have been killed if it was on a highway or if the speeds were higher. This car has given me starting problems. Nissan told that my VIN is not covered in any recall campaign, so I had get the cam shaft sensor & crank position sensor replaced at a local mechanic. After that I still face stalling problems, engine starting problems. My battery health is good and the engine cranks, but does not fire. Pissed off with this car.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #40

Jul 172013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
Driving down highway and motor stopped in fast line of hwy 60 in southeast Missouri and almost got rearended by on coming traffic, thank god they stopped. Had car towed in and came to find out it blew a rod, have been told by a number of mechanic that this was a problem motor and should have been recalled years ago due to all problems these motors have caused people. You cant get a replacement motor anywhere only found one and they want $2000 I feel Nissan needs to make this right. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dexter, MO, USA

problem #39

Dec 202013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
Crankshaft sensor not on recall yet 1000's have this problem.

- Cameron Park, CA, USA

problem #38

Dec 022013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 148,200 miles
I am a collage student and I bought a 2003 Nissan Altima I always like this car but I got a shock in my life the first week to school I saw the engine light blinking when I check there is no oil I odd 3 quart and it fill to the H level the next week it went to below low level I only got this car 3 weeks only and I almost used one gal oil can any one do any thing about the problem the car do not smoke it just burn the oil.

- South Ozone Park, NY, USA

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