Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired at an independent mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that there was rusting on the front driver's side floor pan. The contact also noticed that the front driver's side floorboard was soft to the touch and a fuel odor was detected while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine will not start. If I get the engine to start the car may act as if it wants to cut off in traffic. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Engine may stop while in traffic possibly resulting in someone hitting me in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No the dealership service department are refusing to service or even inspect my car. At first he lied like there wasn't a recall. Now because we are in MS he is refusing to provide service because we are not in a cold state. I called Nissan to verify this information prior to speaking with the dealership and Nissan specifically stated that for my VIN there is an open campaign for a fuel pump screen. …
One year into the ownership of the vehicle, while driving, the car would simple shut off. If you were moving at the time it would eventually come back on to the running position. If you happened to be at a stop sign or a light and the "stutter" would happen it would completely shut off then you would have to try and start the car again. It would turn over but sometimes it would take several tries to start the car again. This car was purchased in 2003 as a new car. Because of these instances of the car shutting off there have been two different accidents. Thank the lord none with any personal injuries. These occasions of the car shutting off became more and more prevalent, happening everyday almost all the time towards the end of the life of the car. The car is now not drivable because it literally caught on fire while driving it. It was towed home and there it sits. …
Takta recall. Hello, I have purchased a Nissan Altima 2.5 s 2003. My entire carextremely shakes from the moment I start my car until I turn it off. When I'm driving the car , the car at times drives like it's going to fail. Multiple times when driving, the car would stopped opereating properly. When my car is turned on gas/fuel like fumes through the ventilation system and throughout my vehical making it difficult to breathe at times. The door on the driver side, out of knkwhere shifted to where I can't shut my door completely. The door sensor light stays on when I turn my car off and it drains my battery because my door doesn't shut completely, and the door sensor stays on. Also, out of knowwhere the gas tank door, has shifted out of know where to where I can't shut the gasoline door completely. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance and they cleared the code however, the failure progressed and the vehicle stalled more than five times. The contact had to wait a brief moment and was able to restart the vehicle. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V251000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the dealer stated that the recall did not apply to the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Everything I have had to replace/repair on this car is linked to recalls, but Nissan is denying this & refusing to help. They said my vehicle was not part of any recalls but everything that's failing is related. It has died on me in the middle of highway traffic w/ my child in the car several times. This car is defective & no one from Nissan is concerned!!!! Butterfly screw/valve issues, cam/crank shaft issues--related to engine cooling, high oil consumption; alternator failing; oil leaking
03v-251 recall date: July 14, 2003 manufacturer recall number: p3142 recall status: recall incomplete , I requested to replace a fuel pump to jim johnson Nissan in bowling green ky they refused ! During winter I have problems driving my vehicle...scary to drive it...twice happened to turn off engine without warning..driving from ky to nc last christmas. I want you to call dealer here in bowling green ky,to schedule an appointment for my vehicle, to solve this problem!
My gas tank has a four to five inch split on the seam of the gas tank. There is no damage to the tank I believe the part is defective and is extremely dangerous. I am in the process of asking Nissan corporate to warranty the gas tank as it should not have a large split on the seam. There May be other tanks like this and will catch fire, I currently drive with a fire extinguisher on my front seat because I have to drive it to work.
This situation has happened a few times; I park my car (turn engine off) do groceries, shopping, etc, come back, I turn the car on and the car is like stalling, like its idle but you can feel the shaking on the steering wheel. I didn't want to drive on this situation. I turned the engine off, turn it back on and still the same situation. I have to wait 3-5 minutes with engine off, then I turn it on and the car starts working normal. There is no "service engine soon" light on the dashboard. This is happening time to time. At first I thought it could be someting with the gasoline in the tank, that is not the case because I left my tank almost to empty and load a new tank, different gas station and still does the same. I called the dealer where I bought it, asked for any recalls on my car's model/year. They say no recalls for this year/model. …
My vehicle stopped running on a highway almost causing a severe deadly crash. When I had the car looked at by my mechanic it was determined it was the crank shaft sensor. My mechanic replaced the crank shaft sensor and the car is now fine. Upon investigation I found that their was a recall on 2003 Nissan Altima's for the sensor. I contacted Nissan and was told that my VIN was not part of the recall. Obviously their selection criteria is incorrect since my car was impacted by this recall. I asked Nissan to include my VIN and pay for the replacement of the sensor and was told not since my car was over 7 years old and had more then 100,000 miles. I am sure their are other 2003 altimas with this issue and it can be fatal. Nissan needs to correct this in all 2003 Altima's. Furthermore I want Nissan to reimburse me the 200.00 dollars I incurred for the replacement of the crank shaft sensor.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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, utah,…
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 at 1-800-333-0829.
Fuel System complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 6% of the model year's 883 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan Altima fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-251 (tank assembly, Jul 14, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Altima fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.