2003 Nissan Altima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 2%of 883 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,887miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 2% of the 883 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,887 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We live in pa. We took our 2003 Nissan Altima in for inspection and were told the driver and the passenger side floor panels were rusted though to the car. The car was bought new, has been garage kept, and our winters have been mild. Nothing ever has been spilled in the car and the carpet have never been wet. Had 4 local body shops give estimates (from $900 to $1500), all that said that this shouldn't happen to a 10 year old car and the rest of the car looks good. Spoke with Nissan customer affairs who had us take it to a Nissan affiliated body shop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10510244, filed 2013-05, 137,500 miles“I purchased a brand new 2003 Nissan. The first time I heard about a recall issue with the 2003 Altima, I took it back to the dealership and they told me there was nothing wrong. The car will sporadically not start. I have had to replace the tires early on, the plugs were also replaced because it was misfiring, the brakes were squeaky at about 20,000 miles, the AC and the heater did not work (at about 30,000 miles and we had to replace them), water sloshing sounds, and had to replace the rooter. At about 55,000 miles the car started stopping sporadically. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214004, filed 2008-01, 70,000 miles“Consumer stated windshield had some distortion. Dealer notified. They were like heat waves in the windshield. This caused a distraction to the driver and passenger. The salesmen noticed it on the second day along with other new Altima's on the lot. The consumer didn't notice it until the second day. The dealership was contacted but nothing was done at that time.”
NHTSA complaint #10031255, filed 2003-08, 106 miles“When using the heater the vents blew hot as long as the vehicle was moving. As soon as the vehicle stopped, the vents blew out cold air. Vehicle had been to the dealer four times trying to find the cause of the problem. The dealer finally informed the consumer that the temperature change was normal.”
NHTSA complaint #10053310, filed 2004-01, 18 miles“2003 Nissan Altima recall on the engine customer states that the car is not safe and Nissan has not fixed the problem**nar**cc the dealer stated the driver side window was inoperable, the window regulator was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10194352, filed 2007-06, 57,887 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001191Apr 30, 2024WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192677Nov 16, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION Windshield "foreign material" that is on the surface of the glass in some cases can be cleaned off with a very particular type and grade of steel wool. * Most…
- 10012843Feb 25, 2005Auto-dimming electrochromic (ec) mirror diagnosis.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 11 | 6% |
| 2019 | 15 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 2% |
| 2015 | 31 | 3% |
| 2014 | 25 | 2% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 18 | 4% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 28 | 7% |
| 2009 | 48 | 3% |
| 2008 | 188 | 18% |
| 2007 | 12 | 3% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 1% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 10 | 8% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Altima
450 complaintsBody and structure
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 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 28, 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