Is the 2003 Nissan Altima a bad year?
883 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 499, 12× a quiet Altima year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2003 Nissan Altima were filed between 59k and 115k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Altima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 84,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 478 (54%) | 60k–116k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 126 (14%) | 84k–138k miles · around this mileage | — |
| ExhaustSTANDS OUT | 81 (9%) | 78k–120k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 89 (10%) | 50k–96k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 50 (6%) | 54k–110k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 34 (4%) | 29k–112k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 33 (4%) | 49k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 28 (3%) | 50k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 25 (3%) | 33k–97k miles · around this mileage | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Equipment | 17 (2%) | 64k–111k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 17 (2%) | 49k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (2%) | 24k–112k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (2%) | 30k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (1%) | 49k–126k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 84,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 883 complaints: 41 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 22 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I own a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5S. My vehicle's check engine light recently illuminated with a "P420" Code. When I went to smog my vehicle, I was informed the vehicle would fail smog due to the check engine light.
1. The failing of the engine was sudden and unexpected. 2. Symptoms and diagnosed problem were identical to NHTSA recall id #03V4550.
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 s is part of the recall campaign surrounding the catalytic pin. My Altima stopped functioning on last year after two weeks of stopping, stalling, smoking, engine knocking, etc.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 84,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Nissan Altima: 10
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain eagle eyes headlamp assemblies, p/nos. DS517-B001L and DS517-B001R, sold for use as replacement equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain anzo aftermarket headlights, p/n 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, sold for use on 2002-2004 Nissan Altima vehicles. During production the lamp housing shape deformed distorting the assembly angle of the reflector and influenced the aiming position. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 315-1145L-AS and 315-1145R-AS, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. During production the lamp reflector shape deformed changing the shape of the optic surface. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions, these variations in temperature can be large enough to cause a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor. If the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition…
Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process. This could cause the "Service engine soon" Warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota… This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.
On 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 main catalyst. Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 29
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Nissan Altima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
The Service Procedure provided in this bulletin is for the installation of Repair Plates on vehicles that have rust in the floor pan area
Identify: A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty
Power steering hose service part change
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine stall - crank position sensor
Neighbouring years
2002 Altima: 1,046 complaints, consider selling · 2004 Altima: 276 complaints, consider selling.
Every Nissan Altima year
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Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Nissan Altima a bad year?
883 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 499, 12× a quiet Altima year. At 84,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2003 Nissan Altima were filed between 59k and 115k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Altima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (478), body structure (126), exhaust (81), electrical system (89), fuel system (50). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 59k–115k miles.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Altima have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E074000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E063000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E054000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.