2003 Nissan Altima problems
NHTSA has received 1,099 complaints about the 2003 Nissan Altima, and 52% of them involve engine. After that come body & structure (12%) and electrical system (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,099 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 52% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 61 and 16
- Injuries and deaths
- 34 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 86,000 miles 881 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 46 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 47 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 131 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 171 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 160 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 95 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 102 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 70 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 24 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 17 |
| 200k+ miles | 18 |
What the data shows
Among the 881 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 86,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 86,000 miles (492 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 61 complaints mention a crash; 16 complaints mention a fire; 34 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 32 model years of the Nissan Altima with enough data (472 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I had my car in park. I went to close my garage door and heard a noise from the car all of a sudden it started going in reverse. I could not stop the car and got pined under and the car took me with it about 15 feet. I know the cars gears sliped it could not have happened any other way.
There was an initial right passenger door impact, and front bumper impact by a hit and run driver. Followed by a cement barrier impact on the drivers door and front left bumper. The final impact was via a palm tree placed at 20 feet by cal trans on the 101 freeway south bound oxnard, ca at rose avenue exit. The final impact occurred on the front left bumper. Front left quarter panel, and left front drivers door. Chemistry professor [xxx]. Was killed. The air bag failed to deploy.
While driving approximately 25 MPH during inclement weather consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle. Passenger's side air bag deployed and caught on fire. Driver's side air bag also deployed, but the driver sustained an injury to the head.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan altima. While driving 45 MPH, the engine seized and the vehicle powered down. The vehicle could not be restarted. In addition, the engine made an abnormal wrapping noise. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The failure mileage was 122,875.