2003 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 13%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Nissan Sentra, 13% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My pre cat went out so took it to shop to have it replaced. Cost me 1000$. Since then it has been burning oil very bad up to a quart a tank. And white smoke if accelerate even remotely more than gentle. Nissan said my car isn't eligible for the pre cat recall. But it fits description as far as 2003 Sentra with the 2.5l qr25de engine. If the don't want to replace the engine I would like them to buy the car for blue book. I am only second owner. It has roughly 87500 on it now.”
NHTSA complaint #10625757, filed 2014-08, 78,000 miles“Recently while on the highway my car died for about 3 - 5 seconds while driving 60 MPH on the highway then resumed. My car has stalled a few times in the past but usually while accelerating in first or second gear so it wasn't much of a concern. But if my car just dies while driving 60 -70 MPH I think there are some safety issues and it should be taken care of. Research indicates it is an issue with the crank sensor and there is a recall for it. For some reason my VIN is not included.”
NHTSA complaint #10628838, filed 2014-08, 110,000 miles“We bought this low mileage car from a family member but after buying this car it started getting plagued with the car suddenly and mysteriously shutting off in the middle of driving. Engine died unannounced car cuts off and the power steering and power brakes stop working. It would happen up to 5 to 7 times a week intermittently. We had taken it Nissan two different times in april to complain about the situation they were unable to diagnose or solve the problem for us or reproduce the problem during test drives. …”
NHTSA complaint #10630028, filed 2014-09, 62,435 miles“Pcm ECM ecu engineering flaw. Engine kicks into safe mode while in operation or completely stalls, check engine light on, when restarts will misfire. Diagnosed with faulty control module (the second one in this vehicle since I have owned it)”
NHTSA complaint #11053772, filed 2017-12, 140,000 miles“Check engine light is always on, car suddenly cuts off, and does not restart immediately. Recalled other VIN's but not all 2003 Nissan sentras. This is a problem with all sentras of those years. The problem seems to be the crankshaft position sensor failure/engine stall. It is very dangerous with as many of these cars that are out on the road for it to just keep shutting off while in traffic while driving. There needs to be a recall open to all sentras with this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11006689, filed 2017-07, 150,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10148768Oct 9, 2018Free Oil Change Specific Vehicles Subject to the Takata Recall *****Detailed Information***** To help accelerate repair completions on specific populations of vehicles recalled…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 15% |
| 2022 | 7 | 9% |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 9 | 4% |
| 2019 | 20 | 9% |
| 2018 | 22 | 12% |
| 2017 | 48 | 21% |
| 2016 | 48 | 18% |
| 2015 | 69 | 20% |
| 2014 | 62 | 16% |
| 2013 | 87 | 14% |
| 2012 | 39 | 22% |
| 2011 | 30 | 21% |
| 2010 | 35 | 24% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 19 | 16% |
| 2005 | 33 | 19% |
| 2004 | 26 | 13% |
| 2003 | 24 | 13% |
| 2002 | 27 | 9% |
| 2001 | 16 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Sentra
86 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Nissan Sentra
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