2003 Nissan Altima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 450about this part
- Share
- 51%of 883 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 450 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 51% of the 883 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,500 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Crank camshaft sensor was replaced due to having problems starting vehicle. Vehicle still continues to have problems starting. Always need multiple attempts to start. I am afraid vehicle will completely shutoff in traffic since I commute so much on highways. There is a high chance of an accident. Nissan refuses to include my VIN number on recall list. This is completely absurd.”
NHTSA complaint #10550978, filed 2013-11, 122,000 miles“Car engine light came on, had checked, it was a 335 code camshaft sensor, took to mechanic, he checked for my Nissan model recalls and found one on this exact code. My Nissan dealership says its voluntary and they will charge me up to $300. The car keeps cutting off on me when driving almost causing me to wreck.”
NHTSA complaint #10448409, filed 2012-02, 174,000 miles“My husband and I bought this car in feb 2011 with around 118000 from a buy here pay here and two months later the motor went out on it. We drove it to church and turned it off and it didn't want to turn on again my husband checked the spark plugs and they had water in it. I have read that this car have bad motor problems, our mechanic checked it and said we need a new motor”
NHTSA complaint #10404978, filed 2011-06, 122,277 miles“My 2003 Nissan Altima uses 4 quarters of oil in less than 50 miles of highway driving. The dealer service rep. Said that the engine is damage by the cat. Filter material. However, there is water on the oil cap of the engine as if the head is cracked or head is warped. I feel that is a design defect and something needs to be done about this product.”
NHTSA complaint #10266546, filed 2009-04, 148,000 miles“I own a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5s. The car has a low idle and suddenly dies without warning while at stop signs and red lights. I've taken great care of this car but can't seem to pinpoint the problem. Then I read here and all over the internet that this is a common problem. Could it be a bad sensor? I called Nissan but they do not recognize this problem. Unbelievable.”
NHTSA complaint #10332467, filed 2010-05, 151,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V242000Jul 7, 2006On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions…Covers: Nissan Altima 2003–2004, Sentra 2003–2004
- 03V455000Nov 17, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder…Covers: Nissan Altima 2002–2003, Sentra 2000–2003, Maxima 2002–2003 +6 more
- 03V084000Mar 11, 2003On 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…Covers: Nissan Altima 2002–2003, Sentra 2002
Related service bulletins
- 10019613Mar 31, 2006Mil on with dtc u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
- 10019626Mar 30, 2006Engine oil cooler gasket available.
- 10019300Feb 8, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 3% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 | 8 | 0% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 44 | 9% |
| 2006 | 189 | 23% |
| 2005 | 259 | 24% |
| 2004 | 109 | 39% |
| 2003 | 450 | 51% |
| 2002 | 594 | 57% |
| 2001 | 59 | 37% |
| 2000 | 49 | 31% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 11% |
| 1997 | 7 | 6% |
| 1996 | 8 | 9% |
| 1995 | 28 | 16% |
| 1994 | 11 | 10% |
| 1993 | 16 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Altima
126 complaintsEngine
117 complaintsElectrical system
89 complaintsFuel system
50 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology