MYRModel Year Report

2003 Nissan Altima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Nissan Altima
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
883
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

54% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 883 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2013 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2018 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 883 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2014: 1,114 complaints 2014 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2017 2018: 226 complaints 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint 2026
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1995 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2001 2002: 1,047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 883 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2007 2008: 1,029 complaints 2009: 1,547 complaints 2009 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2013 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2015 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2017 2018: 226 complaints 2019: 231 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2021 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint

2003: 883 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1993125
1994113
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021,047
2003883
2004276
20051,091
2006824
2007471
20081,029
20091,547
2010381
2011241
2012426
20132,310
20141,114
2015954
2016553
2017391
2018226
2019231
2020178
202170
202230
202329
202441
20256
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

54% · 474 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Structure

14% · 128 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I had to replace the steering at 84000 miles because the steering had a knocking sound everytime you turn it left or right,or when you go over a bump,,,,it was very slack and eventually it felt as though it would fall out at anytime.....was advised...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-23

Also filed under Exterior lighting and steering

Engine

13% · 117 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I have received several recalls from Nissan and mossy Nissan el cajon refused to repair: most recent today for airbags

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-03

Also filed under Air bags and fuel/propulsion system

Electrical system

10% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and module.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

4% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I had my car in park. I went to close my garage door and heard a noise from the car all of a sudden it started going in reverse. I could not stop the car and got pined under and the car took me with it about 15 feet.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-23

2003 Nissan Altima with 3,539 miles on jan 17TH my wife drove it out for the grocery shopping.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-29

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 883 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-07-28Engine and engine cooling03V084000 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. Also on 2002 Altima and…

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-08-18Fuel system, gasoline03V251000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a screen at the suction opening of the fuel pump to prevent ice crystals from blocking the opening. Owner notification began on August 18, 2003. Owners should contact Nissan…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2003-12-22Engine and engine cooling03V455000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(S), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(S). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01V357, are…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2006-02-22Recall queryClosed 2006-07-18 Engine stall - crank position sensor
  6. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 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…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-09-20Engine and engine cooling06V242000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on August 21, 2006. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2007-07-16Exterior lighting07E054000 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…

    Remedy: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on July 16, 2007. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2007-09-10Exterior lighting07E063000 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…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant lamps. The recall began on September 10, 2007. Owners can contact anzo at 909-628-1440.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2007-12-11Exterior lighting07E074000 Certain eagle eyes headlamp assemblies, p/nos. Ds517-B001L and DS517-B001R, sold for use as replacement equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. The opticel surface of the reflector is…

    Remedy: Eagle eyes will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on December 11, 2007. Owners may contact eagle eyes at 1-800-568-1098.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 474 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 128 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 117 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 03V084000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 03V251000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 03V455000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V242000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 07E054000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E063000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E074000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Altima have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.