Suddenly starting using 1 qt. Oil every 600 miles. No leaks, no smoke, no check engine light ever came on. Took it to my local Nissan dealership. They said oil consumption was from catalytic converter breaking down and getting sucked into engine absorbing the oil and scoring lower engine (cylinder block walls), thus causing oil blow by. They recommend catalytic converter and engine replacement at $5,000 dollars. There is a history of these converter failures from 2002 in Nissan products. My local dealer said my vehicle wasn't on recall. The biggest concern in this matter was that check engine light never came on and had I'd gone another 1000 miles this car could have seized up on the interstate.

- Naugatuck, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed a large amount of the oil that had recently been replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised the contact that the catalytic converter would have to be replaced. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 03V084000(engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 01/02/2013 updated 1/7/2013

- Romeoville, IL, USA

2003 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes in regards to a reimbursement for engine expense the consumer stated the catalytic converter failed, which caused damage to the engine. There was excessive smoke coming from the exhaust. According the invoice, there was possible ring wear, and possible damage to the pistons.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

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.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

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 the consumer stated the vehicle was consuming a large amount of oil every week. Updated 10/27/10

- Pumona, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. In 2006, the contact noticed that the heating system was not heating properly. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they cleaned the air pockets. Previously in 2003, the vehicle was serviced according to NHTSA campaign id number 03V084000 (engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system: Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). In 2007, at 77,000 miles, the catalytic converter was replaced. In addition, the contact noticed that the engine warning indicator was illuminated so she took the vehicle to the dealer. The diagnosis found that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced a second time. The head gasket also failed. She called the manufacturer and requested that they pay for the catalytic repair because the failures occurred after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer stated that they would not assist with the repair, although they may consider paying for the head gasket. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 94,000.

- Fredericksburg , VA, USA

Vehicle developed drive-ability issues, rough idle, stalling and odd smell from exhaust. Vehicle was taken to a private repair shop and was diagnosed with a miss-fire code. Dec 06, service light is back on and vehicle is running rough, stalling and hard starting. Scanned system and code P0507 (idle speed) was pulled. Was advised to take car to Nissan dealership to have a relearn performed on the computer. Dec 14, 2006, vehicle was taken to lithia Nissan, procedure was performed and sensors were-calibrated. Recommended a throttle body be replaced (cost $800). Vehicle running rough, service light on and stalling are occurring again. Scanned system, code P0302 miss-fire code on cylinder #2, code P0420 catalyst efficiency low bank 1. replaced throttlebody per Nissan recommendation. Nov 02, 2007 engine light on, vehicle running poorly, hard starting and stalling. Was informed by repair shop about possible recall issues relating to vehicle. Contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs after reading about recall for 2002, 2004-2005 vehicles similar to mine with same problems (reference #5962832 & 6071239). Talked to rep about the recall and the issues with my 2003 altman 2.5L and was basically told to take vehicle back to dealership to have another scan done. Feb 9, 2008 vehicle was taken to lithia Nissan to run a system scan. At this point the vehicle is running poorly, hard starts, stalling, rough idle. Dealership pulled four codes, P0420 catalyst bank 1, and P0335ckp sensor, P0302 cylinder 2 miss-fires and P0725 engine speed sensor. Was informed that the catalyst is bad and could not only be causing the miss-fire code but may also ruin my engine. Also the crankshaft sensor is bad. Approx cost of repair, $1000. I contacted matthew again about the results and was told that due to not having the vehicle regularly maintained at a 'Nissan' dealership, they were not able to track a maintenance record and that they were not going to do anything about my car.

- Eugene, OR, USA

I own a 2.5S 2003 Nissan Altima with just over 90,000 miles. My service engine soon light went on, I learned I need to replace my catalytic converter. In doing some research, I learned several owners of a 2002 and 2003 2.5S Altima have the same problem and also remembered a recall I had done when the car was new involving the pre-catalyst. It seems Nissan has a major defect with this car and this specific issue occurring shortly after the 80,000 mile coverage has elapsed on the emissions system. In calling Nissan on this I was told sorry you are out of luck. I expect some level of support from a car manufacturer when there are several reports of the same problem from several owners at the same mileage, especially when they issued a recall on this 5 years ago.

- Ashland, MA, USA

I purchased a brand new 2003 Nissan. The first time I heard about a recall issue with the 2003 Altima, I took it back to the dealership and they told me there was nothing wrong. The car will sporadically not start. I have had to replace the tires early on, the plugs were also replaced because it was misfiring, the brakes were squeaky at about 20,000 miles, the ac and the heater did not work (at about 30,000 miles and we had to replace them), water sloshing sounds, and had to replace the rooter. At about 55,000 miles the car started stopping sporadically. I took it to the dealership and they claimed they had fixed it. On my daughter's birthday, (3 months later) the car stalled on us on the road and she missed her own 3rd birthday party. I took it back to the dealership and they said it was the battery (less than 3 years from the time it was replaced). 2 weeks before christmas, I was on the road with my 11 month old infant, making a left turn at a busy intersection and the car just stopped!!! the driver behind me was just inches away from rear-ending me with my infant in the back seat facing back. I called Nissan headquarter and told them what happened. I explained to them that I fear for the safety of my 2 young children and myself in the car. I explained to them that we drive on one of the busiest freeway in the country (ca ? 405). My children's lives are in danger each time I drive them in this car. I requested a replacement car from Nissan and was told that they could not do that. This vehicle is my main means of transportation. I am very frightened about driving this car. I fear being killed with my children in this car; this car is a death trap just waiting to happen. Why has Nissan refused to take responsibility and do something to prevent someone from being killed in their poorly built-malfunctioning vehicle?

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

Under certain driving conditions my 2003 Nissan Altima's catalytic converter can have a failure that leads to destruction of the engine. Nissan has issued a voluntary recall to replace the defective catalytic converters, and in some cases replacement of the engine. It is my contention that Nissan has made the conditions of this recall impossible for most owners to meet therefore avoiding having to replace a great number of engines in a very popular car. When my vehicle suffered this damage in October of 2007 I took it to the dealer I had purchased it from. They informed me that one of the conditions of the recall is that the ECM (computer) in the vehicle report a specific trouble code. Without that code being present they are unable to proceed under the conditions of the recall. It is my contention that a vehicle suffering from this defect will never report the trouble code that Nissan is insisting it have. This defect causes material from the catalytic converter to be sucked into the engine resulting in major damage to the seals and rings inside the engine. This damage will result in an excessive amount of oil to exit the engine through the exhaust system clogging the oxygen sensors. Without functioning oxygen sensors the cars ECM will never report the malfunction of the catalytic converter which is determined by readings from the oxygen sensors. I assert that Nissan has deliberately placed this condition on the recall to avoid performance under it. The only condition of the recall should be a visual inspection of the catalytic converter to determine if the physical defects are present. This is covered in step 'd' of the recall which dealers never get to because they are stopped at step 'a' when they cannot get the ECM to generate the trouble code. The recall in question is ntb03-070.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

My pre catalyst failed at 80450 miles, just 450 miles over the federal mandate.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I have a 2003 Nissan Altima. The check engine light came on during a return trip of about 100 miles distance. The following day I reported to Nissan in greensboro, nc. The technician reported that the catalytic converter had failed allowing particles from the converter to enter the engine, causing the engine to fail. Diagnosis, engine/catalytic converter replacement. The vehicle had 108000 miles on it. The problem is that the vehicle was taken to the Nissan dealership the following year for inspection of said catalytic converter for a Nissan recall that was for this type of problem. Nissan knew this was a defective part, but allowed it to stay on the vehicle and cause 3500 worth of damage one year later.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

1) no event leading up to the failure. I enjoyed normal driving conditions. 2) on 5-18-2006 at approximately 10:00 pm my car stalled. The steering and the brakes locked up. The car was traveling at highway speeds of 75 mph in heavy traffic. After the car stalled in the middle of busy traffic. I was again able to get it started. I took the car to the Nissan service department the next day to be inspected. The "check engine light was now on" the light had not been on prior to the incident occurring. 3) the Nissan service center stated that the catalytic converter had broken apart inside the engine and was destroyed. The converter being destroyed also damaged the O2 sensor. The engine stalling and the brakes and steering almost locking up caused a near death experience in the midst of heavy traffic with severely limited ability to steer and brake. This is the second time that the car has caused this issue. The previous issue was when the car's power valve screws (also called butterfly valve screws) came loose and damaged the engine and caused the car to stall in heavy traffic. That incident too almost resulted in a fatal accident) the servicing Nissan service center for my automobile can attest to both of these incidents and there are pictures and car parts to prove both incidents.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

Check engine light was on & off, engine was consuming oil faster then normal. Started having engine noise, dealer mechanics said someone left oil cap off therefore oil was lost, engine needs to be replaced. Had car check out by outside mechanic said catalyst was found to be damage inside, which cause could oil to burn off. Now the engine in a 2003 Altima needs to be replaced. On Nissan web site they have recall on exhaust hanger pin which could cause problem to catalyst therefore could damage engine.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA