What are the problems with a 2003 Nissan Altima?

The engine issues in the 2003 Nissan Altima deal with the engine burning too much oil, the cam and crankshaft sensor failing, the engine failing, the check engine light coming on, the car stalling while driving, and the timing chain failing.

Why is my Nissan Altima battery draining while driving?

If it is draining while your Altima is off, it’s usually caused by something that is drawing current that shouldn’t be. If the battery is draining while you’re driving, that is probably going to be the alternator or battery. There are other situations as well. We’ll cover those for you below.

What causes a Nissan Altima to have a misfire code?

Failing ignition coils will mean misfire trouble codes related to a specific cylinder and symptoms can include bucking, jerking, rough idle, poor performance and poor fuel economy. While you really shouldn’t drive with a failing ignition coil as it can cause more damage, they are easy to replace.

What causes a crank position sensor to fail on an Altima?

The symptoms of a failed crank position sensor are usually a check engine light, vibrations, poor performance, stalling, hard starting and misfires. On the Altima, the CPS fails early due to improper soldering at the factory, where they used too much flux, causing a weak point over the years and miles of vibrations.

What kind of oil does a Nissan Maxima use?

Many Nissan owners have reported excessive oil consumption for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 models like Maxima, Altima, Pathfinders, etc., without being able to determine the root cause.

What causes excessive oil consumption in a Nissan Sentra?

The problem with excessive oil consumption that became noticeable at around 70,000 miles, eventually took my engine out. Luckily, I removed it from the Nissan dealership where it was towed and had it taken to a garage – owned by a Nissan trained mechanic – previously trained at that same dealership. He recognized the underlying cause.

Why did my Nissan Altima catalytic converter fail?

This created a comet like substance that created excessive internal engine wear. As engine oil was drawn into areas it should not be and burned off, it further accelerated the catalytic breakdown process. IMPORTANT: This was a known failure by the Nissan designed catalytic converters.

Many Nissan owners have reported excessive oil consumption for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 models like Maxima, Altima, Pathfinders, etc., without being able to determine the root cause.

Why does my Nissan Maxima burn so much oil?

Once the sand gets inside and causes wear, it causes more oil to burn. Then, the more oil that is burned, gets scrubbed by the CATs, causing faster deterioration. Once this cycle is happening, engine failure can come fast. Testimonials about this are all over the web.

Why does my Nissan Altima stop while driving?

I ended up taking it to the dealership. its the crankshaft sensor. I started doing a little research and it seems that a lot of people are having issues with this sensor. Its even caused some cars to just stop while driving. The sad part is that most of the stories i read resulted in having to keep taking the car back to the shop for the same part.

What causes a Nissan Altima engine to jerk and backfire?

Be sure to check all vacuum hoses and especially the hose between the throttle body and the air breather compartment for cracks and small holes,,,Any type of outside air getting in will also cause the engine to jerk and backfire.. 9 people found this helpful. My car died the same it’s a 2006 Nissan altama.

Is there a recall on the Nissan Altima?

Its even caused some cars to just stop while driving. The sad part is that most of the stories i read resulted in having to keep taking the car back to the shop for the same part. Its obviously a defective item but no recall. If anyone hears of a recall let me know.

What kind of car is the Nissan Altima?

The Nissan Altima is a mid-size automobile manufactured by Nissan, and is arguably a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1957. I had my valve cover gasket fail and it leaked oil into my spark plug well.

Why does my Nissan Altima not start up?

We said f**k it and called wrench.com and won the lottery. A 35+ year nissan mechanic came out and figured out the problem. The coil packs are wired in behind the intake plenum and tend to wear out causing 2 of the coil packs to have a higher resistance which tricks the computer into thinking the cars being stolen and activates anti-theft mode.

Can a Nissan Altima stall at any time?

Stalls can happen at any time, and it can be incredibly jarring when it does happen. Before troubleshooting any automotive issue, including stalling issues with the Altima, make sure that you check the vehicles trouble codes with an OBD2 scanner.

Do you have to do a Relearn on a Nissan Altima?

Whenever you disconnect the battery or replace the computer or throttle body, you must perform a relearn procedure. The process involves some steps with a cold engine and others with a warmed-up engine.

How to contact Nissan Altima owner’s manual?

If your vehicle is a 2004 or earlier model, please call 1-800-247-5321 Monday through Friday, between the hours of of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern standard Time. If you have any questions, please email us:

When to release the pedal on a Nissan Altima?

Release the pedal within three seconds after the light becomes solid. Start the engine and let it idle, wait 20 seconds, then rev the engine a few times and make sure the idle returns to normal idle speed.

Is there a forum for the Nissan Altima?

Celebrating over 27 years of the Altima, Nissan’s best-selling passenger car. A General Discussion forum for Altima owners, and a great place to introduce yourself if you are new to the NICOclub Altima Forums! Last post Re: Where to get clips like t…

What kind of engine does a Nissan Altima have?

Still offering the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder or the 3.5-liter, V6 engines, this generation of Altima’s sees many improvements, including a classy exterior, well-equipped cabin, improved braking, enhanced suspension and improved fuel economy. The Altima Coupe, unfortunately, was discontinued in 2014.

When did the second generation Nissan Altima come out?

The second generation Altima rolled out in 1998 in the United States only, but it wasn’t until 2000 that the Altima featured a four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and an updated suspension system. The third-generation Altima debuted in 2002 as a larger midsize vehicle that could hold five passengers comfortably.

Why does my Nissan Altima shut off at low speeds?

There is a recall for reprogramming the ecm because the engine will shut off at low speeds randomly… But no recall on the crankshaft position sensor that when oil leaks into the electrical connection will cause the car to randomly shut off at low speeds.

What to do if your Altima engine is vibrating?

To check for engine-mount problems, the mechanic may try shifting from “neutral” to “drive” and back, while the engine is running. If the vibrations disappear or reduce dramatically in “neutral,” it’s likely that you need new engine mounts.

How much does it cost to have a Nissan Altima engine inspected?

Nissan Altima Engine is shaking, pulsating or vibrating Inspection at your home or office. Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM. Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now. Nissan Altima Engine is shaking, pulsating or vibrating Inspection costs $89 on average.

Why does my Altima not move when I press the gas pedal?

Altima QR too. Good question…..if the motor was not revving up and the car won´t move, seems the TPS at the acc pedal assembly, is faulty..but the SES light should be on. This experience was with a friend’s car of mine…

Why does my car shake at 65 mph?

car begins to shake when accelerating…becomes rather violent at 65+mph. if you get up to speed and let off the gas, the shaking stops and the car rides smooth. I did not notice any broken/deteriorated motor mounts.

How to troubleshoot the air conditioning in a Nissan Altima?

Before making a costly and time-consuming trip to the dealer or a mechanic, give troubleshooting the problem a shot. Take a few easy steps to try and determine the problem in your Nissan Altima. Start the engine and let it to run for a few minutes to allow the air to cool. Double check the controls to make sure the correct buttons are selected.

Where is the fuse box on a Nissan Altima?

Find the fuse box on the interior of the car. The fuse box is located under a small rectangular trim panel on the dashboard on the passenger side. Use a screwdriver or chisel that’s end is covered with tape to avoid scratching the trim to pry off the panel. There is a fuse diagram on the inside of the cover.

What to do if you lost your Nissan manual?

If you’ve lost or misplaced your manual and your vehicle is a 2005 or newer model, please contact Nissan Consumer Affairs at 1-800-NISSAN-1 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST/CST/PCT, Monday through Friday.

How is the value of a 2002 Nissan Altima determined?

The value of a 2002 Nissan Altima, or any vehicle, is determined by its age, mileage, condition, trim level and installed options.

Is the Nissan Altima a good car to buy?

Edmunds’ expert review of the Used 2002 Nissan Altima provides the latest look at trim-level features and specs, performance, safety, and comfort. At Edmunds we drive every car we review, performing road tests and competitor comparisons to help you find your perfect car. Read the full in-depth review of the Used 2002 Altima at Edmunds.

When was the last time I serviced my Nissan Altima?

1st owner drove an estimated 0 miles/year • 2nd owner drove an estimated 3,982 miles/year • 3rd owner drove an estimated 0 miles/year. Last serviced at 78,547 miles in Doral, FL on 06/04/18 • Vehicle serviced.

How many miles does a Nissan Altima drive?

1st owner purchased on 01/10/02 and owned in WA until 05/12/09 • 2nd owner purchased on 05/12/09 and owned in WA until 08/23/11 • 3rd owner purchased on 08/23/11 and owned in WA until 01/19/21. 1st owner drove an estimated 6,859 miles/year • 2nd owner drove an estimated 10,035 miles/year • 3rd owner drove an estimated 4,619 miles/year.

Why does my Nissan Altima hesitate at 2000 rpm?

I have a problem with my car, 3 months ago the engine started with a hesitation or stumble when reaching 2000 rpm. First, my husband did the tune up (the only thing he didn’t do was changing the fuel filter, as in Autozone he was told that it was only sold together the fuel pump).

What are the symptoms of a Nissan Altima misfire?

Beside the check engine light annoying you, your Altima or Sentra may also experience one or several of the following symptoms: Misfire codes that light up the check engine light (CEL) on your instrument cluster. Engine misfire that DOES NOT light up the check engine light (CEL). Smell of unburned gasoline coming out of the tailpipe.

Why does my Altima not have a check engine light?

Are there any problems with a 2002 Nissan Altima?

CarComplaints.com Notes: Here’s a disturbing trend for the 2002 Nissan Altima: the engine starts burning oil like crazy, the catalytic converter goes bad, the head gasket blows and eventually the entire engine needs replacement. Sound familiar? Like a script from a horror film, these Altimas seem doomed to fail around 95k miles.

Why does my Nissan Altima not accelerate properly?

Have. 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5l..just changed camshaft sensors and 02 sensor, now the car doesnt accelerates correctly. Im deaf and cant hear any noise in/from the engine. The car accelreated fine before the sensors replacement….should i reuse the old sensors or is the acceleration a new problem.

When does a Nissan Altima engine turn over?

Like a script from a horror film, these Altimas seem doomed to fail around 95k miles. No one has added a helpful site for this 2002 Altima problem yet. Be the first!

What’s the average price of a Nissan Altima?

Nissan Altima Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection costs $89 on average. It can be frustrating for any driver to expect certain acceleration from their vehicle only to find that the vehicle seems to be hesitant while speeding up.

How many miles can you get on a Nissan Altima?

The Nissan has a long standing history of reliability, and the Altima is no exception. Looking over the past few decades of Altimas, you can easily find them on the used car market with incredibly high mileage, upwards of 200,000 miles or more and still in good, running condition. RELATED: H ow Reliable Is The Nissan Altima?

of the 2003 Nissan Altima. Base trim shown. Body Type: Sedan See similar vehicles. Combined MPG: 23-26 Combined MPG. Engine: 175-hp, 2.5-liter I-4 (premium) Drivetrain: Front-wheel Drive. Transmission: 5-speed manual w/OD. View more specs.

Which is the worst year for a Nissan Altima?

The worst category regarding the Nissan Altima problems is the engine problems, with the 2013 Nissan Altima having the most overall complaints and being ranked as the worst model year, due to the severity of the repairs, the onset of the problems, and the average mileage at which the Altima problems started to occur.

What to do if your Nissan Altima has problems?

The main solutions that car owners took for those Nissan Altima problems was to replace the engine, replace the catalytic converter, replace both the engine and converter, or get new sensors.

What kind of reliability does Nissan Altima have?

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2013 Nissan Altima owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle. Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What kind of gas mileage does Nissan Altima get?

Among its virtues are a roomy rear seat and good fuel economy. That said, with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder, we measured an impressive 31 mpg overall. There are 12 recalls on this vehicle.

What’s the average reliability of a Nissan Altima?

A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Nissan score is 17.06 while the Altima comes in at 63.62. We’ve pulled together a list of the problems Altima owners.

Which is the worst complaint about a Nissan Altima?

Worst Complaints About the Nissan Altima Switch to a different model Altima owners are having the most trouble with the engine (27%), transmission (16%), and the steering (13%). We’ve listed the most common owner complaints below. The full listis available on CarComplaints.com.

What to do if your Altima doesn’t start?

If your car isn’t starting at all, and you hear the fuel pump prime that is usually a good indication that the pump is working to some capacity. Testing your Altima’s fuel pressure on each side of the pump would be the best way to diagnose this problem.

A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Nissan score is 17.06 while the Altima comes in at 63.62. We’ve pulled together a list of the problems Altima owners.

Why is my AC not working on my Nissan Altima?

Luckily, this is actually a pretty rare cause of Nissan Altima AC problems. It is also the most expensive on this list to repair. The most common sign of a bad air compressor is that it no longer blows out cool air. Of course, this is also a sign of the other problems on this list.

What’s the price of a Nissan Altima engine hesitates?

Nissan Altima Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection costs $85 on average. It can be frustrating for any driver to expect certain acceleration from their vehicle only to find that the vehicle seems to be hesitant while speeding up.

Where was the first generation Nissan Altima made?

The first through fourth generation cars were manufactured exclusively in the United States and officially sold in North and South America, along with the Middle East and Australia. For other markets, Nissan sold a related midsize sedan called the Nissan Teana which was between the Altima and Maxima in terms of size.

Can a Nissan Altima transmission be replaced after 74, 000 miles?

Took it to Nissan dealership and they said transmission needed to be replaced with 74,000 miles on it. Nissan Consumer Affairs would not cover the cost of the transmission failure even though they found the CVT fluid was burned which it is not suppose to burn.

When does a Nissan Altima start to fail?

Like a script from a horror film, these Altimas seem doomed to fail around 95k miles. Click on a category below for details. Help? Loading Curious how the 2003 Altima compares to other years?

Is the 2003 Nissan Altima still for sale?

None for sale nearby. Instead: I just felt the need to give special props to my 2003 Nissan Altima that is not at (372 THOUSAND MILES) yes I had to spell it out so no one would think it was a typo. She needs a new catalytic converter, but other than that she is still the greatest money maker I have every had.

How many miles does a Nissan Altima have?

Update: My Altima has 151000 miles on it now, with no major issues. The engine still has a lot of power, but it is a bit noisier and burns a little oil. Was this review helpful? (12) (0) Bought the car with 28,000 miles on it and my wife put 40,000 miles on it in about 7 years.

What’s the ZIP code for a 2002 Nissan Altima?

Enter your zip code: our 2002 Nissan Altima up till now has been a great vehicle. But a couple months age we started having starting problems, We had the check engine light code checked and it said to replace the crank position sensor

Why does my Nissan Altima engine not start?

In March of 2007 the engine light came on and the car started to not want to start on the first time. In April the dealer had already told me that the problem was the catalytic convertor and the pull shaft.. So I had it replaced. Worked fine for a week. Then the light came on again.

Is there a way to donate a 2002 Nissan Altima?

Donate your old car in minutes through the CarTalk Vehicle Donation Program. CarComplaints.com Notes: Here’s a disturbing trend for the 2002 Nissan Altima: the engine starts burning oil like crazy, the catalytic converter goes bad, the head gasket blows and eventually the entire engine needs replacement. Sound familiar?

Why does my Nissan Altima shut off intermittently?

The car turns on normal, everything is normal, except that little thing. It doesnt shut off frequently only when it wants to i guess. When it shuts off and try to turn it back on i have to turn it 3 times for it to come back on. My dad took it to firestone and they said it could be a sensor problem. But they werent sure.

How much does it cost to fix a 2003 Altima?

1 Engine Burns Oil 2003 Altima Average Cost to Fix: $3,300 Average Mileage: 117,000 mi 2 Engine Failure 2003 Altima Average Cost to Fix: $3,200 Average Mileage: 118,000 mi 3 Horrible Shaking And Check Engine Yellow Light Is On 2003 Altima

How much does a Nissan Altima no start cost?

The average cost for a Nissan Altima No Start Diagnosis is between $88 -$111. Learn More Slowed in traffic to approx. 20 mph. engine stopped. Restarted and continued.

What was the problem with my Nissan Altima?

I took it to another mechanic, the oil pump was fine, he suggested that it could be a lubrication line that might be obstructed, and that we could also try fixing the chain tensioner. What would this imply? I had the same problem, they checked the camshaft and timing kit, which was replaced.

What makes a Nissan Altima stall at 2000 rpm?

Timing belt Fuel pump Fuel filter Catalytic converter Check engine light Oil light I have a problem with my car, 3 months ago the engine started with a hesitation or stumble when reaching 2000 rpm.

Why does my Nissan Altima make a noise when I start it?

I bought my car 4 months ago and everything was fine, then 2 months ago I did an oil change and a noise appeared (as if the engine was diesel). This was a couple of minutes after starting it, once it warmed up. I took it to the mechanic to change the timing kit but the noise is still there.

Why does my Nissan Altima Jerk when I accelerate?

When I tried to accelerate rpms did not go beyond 1500rpm, as if it choked. The first time it was due to the MAF sensor and the second time was 7 months after that. At the beginning I thought It was the same sensor again, so I even bought a new one, but it turned out to be a different new problem.

The ’90s Altima earned enthusiast “street cred” with its KA24DE 2.4L engine, shared with the Nissan 240SX, a popular choice for racing, drifting, and later, stance builds.

Why does my Nissan Altima have a blown head gasket?

Normally, when the head gasket fries in your Nissan Altima’s (or Frontier, Xterra), the coolant will mix with the engine oil, but not always. This is why one or maybe two more tests are needed to make sure that the head gasket is really blown or not.

The ’90s Altima earned enthusiast “street cred” with its KA24DE 2.4L engine, shared with the Nissan 240SX, a popular choice for racing, drifting, and later, stance builds.

Why was the Nissan Altima a good car?

Nissan averaged selling over a quarter million third-generation Altimas each year because it was a great value for the price. Part of that sales success was the excellent options available in engine and transmission choices.

How many miles does a 2002 Nissan Altima have?

My ’02 Altima has over 200,000 miles on it with little more than normal repairs. Like most Altimas my crankshaft sensor failed around 150k miles. The frame of the car is 100% rust free, except for the floor panels right under the drivers side and passenger side front seats.

When did the Nissan Altima 2nd generation come out?

For 2001, the first Limited Edition model was introduced, which would become an important part of Altima’s value pricing strategy in the years that followed. The second generation (chassis model L30) was an American market-only version, again styled by Nissan’s California design center.

What are the trim lines on a Nissan Altima?

Trim lines were the entry XE, volume-selling GXE, sporty SE, and luxury-trimmed GLE. The SE can be distinguished by its body-color grille, fog lights, rear spoiler, alloy wheels, and white-faced gauges. In this generation of Altima, all GLEs had leather seats standard. The majority of changes came for the 2000 model year.

When did Nissan Altima start having transmission problems?

The Nissan Altima had their worst transmission problems between 2007-2011. The problems that individuals were facing were a slight hesitation or surge when they were driving. They would feel their car hesitate when they tried to accelerate from speeds between 10 and 45 mph. They would also feel the engine occasionally rev.

What causes a Nissan Altima to stall out?

Fuel issues are one of the most common reasons that a vehicle would stall out, that includes your Nissan Altima. Bad gas- can cause an engine to stall out. Water in the gas tank can also cause gas to not fire properly.

What happens if you have a transmission problem in a Nissan?

Auto Repairs Are EXPENSIVE. The transmission allows the car to move forward when it’s moved into gear. If you start experiencing Nissan transmission problems, you could be facing some very expensive repair costs. Additionally, if this goes on for too your car could completely shut down.

What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?

Created with Sketch. Tap the to learn more about the most common Nissan Altima problems. The engine may stall when the engine is warmed up. The AC compressor may seize resulting in loss of cold air from the AC vents.

Like a script from a horror film, these Altimas seem doomed to fail around 95k miles. No one has added a helpful site for this 2002 Altima problem yet. Be the first!

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