Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Nissan Altima engine problems

566 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2003 Nissan Altima, which is 52% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
566 52% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
86,000 miles 492 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
8 and 8
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2003 Nissan Altima Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 86,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 11 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 26 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 74 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 104 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 101 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 57 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 58 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 35 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 10 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 9 complaints 200k+ miles: 7 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 86,000 miles
Based on 492 complaints that include mileage. 23% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles11
20k to 40k miles26
40k to 60k miles74
60k to 80k miles104
80k to 100k miles101
100k to 120k miles57
120k to 140k miles58
140k to 160k miles35
160k to 180k miles10
180k to 200k miles9
200k+ miles7

What the data shows

Of the 492 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 86,000 miles, and 23% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 8 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

One year into the ownership of the vehicle, while driving, the car would simple shut off. If you were moving at the time it would eventually come back on to the running position. If you happened to be at a stop sign or a light and the "stutter" would happen it would completely shut off then you would have to try and start the car again. It would turn over but sometimes it would take several tries to start the car again. This car was purchased in 2003 as a new car.

Reported at 88,000 miles, May 2006 Fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer confirmed spark plugs needed to be replaced along with the engine. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the VIN failed to qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number:03v084000 ( engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). The vehicle was not repaired.

Reported at 109,000 miles, February 2012

Other problems reported for the 2003 Nissan Altima

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Nissan models