2003 Nissan Altima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 4%of 883 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 883 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I note some Nissan altimas havr recalls on camsensor and speedsensonsor. This vehicle has same problems. Vehicle shuts off on the road cam sensor was changed but was good for a couple years does the same mechanic says faulty plastic clip. Also vehicle gets stuck in low gear while driving and the car will have to be pulled iver restarted to get it to reset otherwise car will run in low gear at high rpms.. I noticed recalls on the Nissan Altima for for these sensors. However not this model according to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #11405159, filed 2021-03, 60,000 miles“I was driving to work on the hwy going about 55 and my gas pedal stopped working for about 15 seconds. I pulled into a parking space at a nearby apartment complex and sat there for another 10 seconds pumping the gas pedal. It started working after that and I drove to work to no further issues, but this could possibly lead to an accident or even a possible death(s).”
NHTSA complaint #10336359, filed 2010-06, 58,000 miles“Car stalled two times within 20 minutes when slowing car down to make a turn. Meineke and paul miller Nissan of fairfield, ct identified that parts 23731-al61a (crankshaft/camshaft sensor) and 23731-6j90b (camshaft position sensor) need to be replaced. These sensors were part a recall for the same make, year and model of car that I own. Nissan n.a. Claims that my VIN was not a part of the recall. 630,000+ vehicles were affected by this recall but my vehicle does not apply. …”
NHTSA complaint #10705426, filed 2015-04, 159,000 miles“Takta recall. Hello, I have purchased a Nissan Altima 2.5 s 2003. My entire carextremely shakes from the moment I start my car until I turn it off. When I'm driving the car , the car at times drives like it's going to fail. Multiple times when driving, the car would stopped opereating properly. When my car is turned on gas/fuel like fumes through the ventilation system and throughout my vehical making it difficult to breathe at times. The door on the driver side, out of knkwhere shifted to where I can't shut my door completely. …”
NHTSA complaint #11016417, filed 2017-08, 168,374 miles“I was driving and my car just slowed down and eventually cut off. I put the car in park and started it back up. When I arrived at my destination and cut the car off and tried to cut it back on it would not start.”
NHTSA complaint #10551842, filed 2013-11, 191,431 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 9% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 11% |
| 2017 | 133 | 34% |
| 2016 | 235 | 42% |
| 2015 | 161 | 17% |
| 2014 | 209 | 19% |
| 2013 | 506 | 22% |
| 2012 | 149 | 35% |
| 2011 | 68 | 28% |
| 2010 | 73 | 19% |
| 2009 | 95 | 6% |
| 2008 | 80 | 8% |
| 2007 | 62 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 10% |
| 2005 | 115 | 11% |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 4% |
| 2002 | 39 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 7% |
| 1996 | 7 | 8% |
| 1995 | 27 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Altima
450 complaintsBody and structure
126 complaintsEngine
117 complaintsElectrical system
89 complaintsFuel system
50 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 30, 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