Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Nissan Altima

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,099 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V242000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
294,166
Reported to NHTSA
2006-07-07
Owners notified
2006-09-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Safety risk

IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V455000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
630,000
Reported to NHTSA
2003-11-17
Owners notified
2003-12-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V251000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
377,000
Reported to NHTSA
2003-07-14
Owners notified
2003-08-18

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. AT EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE IN THE FUEL TANK COULD FREEZE AND FORM ICE CRYSTALS. THESE ICE CRYSTALS MAY OBSTRUCT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP.

Safety risk

THIS CAN PREVENT THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AT THE SUCTION OPENING OF THE FUEL PUMP TO PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM BLOCKING THE OPENING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-333-0829.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V084000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
338,000
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-11
Owners notified
2003-07-28

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.

Safety risk

EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling25678,281 mi
Engine117122,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine10667,000 mi
Structure: body94112,280 mi
Electrical system7574,280 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4097,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2867,214 mi
Unknown or other25110,000 mi
Structure22110,000 mi
Air bags21119,943 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1887,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1692,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1689,280 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1494,750 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1435,677 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1393,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1239,000 mi
Exterior lighting1174,000 mi
Steering11117,000 mi
Suspension10112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)952,000 mi
Power train9159,000 mi
Equipment889,296 mi
Seat belts774,000 mi
Air bags: frontal67,300 mi
Electrical system: ignition555,800 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)581,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline555,001 mi
Fuel system, other554,000 mi
Seats5106,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic591,315 mi
Structure: frame and members555,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module456,767 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner461,616 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump455 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4—
Service brakes487,900 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields4110,000 mi
Tires4109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control360,385 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights341,992 mi
Power train: manual transmission337,398 mi
Suspension: front376,119 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal34,660 mi
Visibility399,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls346,000 mi
Wheels3—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood246,703 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2108,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch221,900 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch237,800 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)223,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip245,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control247,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core218 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator119,500 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly111,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring146,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights198,254 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap142,038 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings140,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)122,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly119,058 mi
Power train: clutch assembly181,200 mi
Power train: driveline147,000 mi
Seat belts: front17,300 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler152,940 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor142,038 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1300 mi
Steering: rack and pinion161,616 mi
Structure: body: hood17 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut121,062 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Tires: valve1122,500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1177,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1106 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer150,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.