Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Car began to idle roughly and was hard to start. Replaced oxygen sensors which did not cure symptoms. Was told that the 2 pre-cats (catalytic converters) needed replaced. Motor mounts also recommended. Replaced and problem persisted. Hard to start, runs rough now shutting down while driving. Ran codes myself with OBD-ii tool and found crankshaft and camshaft position sensors to be faulty. I heard of a recall for this very issue; even described my symptoms exactly. Even though my year model and car was recalled the Nissan of fort worth service desk told me my VIN # was not covered. My car has the exact same engine as all of the other nissans made in this year range and the same faulty crankshaft and camshaft sensors but for some unknown reason mine are not covered by this. How is this even possible. …
Car stalled two times within 20 minutes when slowing car down to make a turn. Meineke and paul miller Nissan of fairfield, ct identified that parts 23731-al61a (crankshaft/camshaft sensor) and 23731-6j90b (camshaft position sensor) need to be replaced. These sensors were part a recall for the same make, year and model of car that I own. Nissan n.a. Claims that my VIN was not a part of the recall. 630,000+ vehicles were affected by this recall but my vehicle does not apply. On line complaints suggests that the exact same complaint keeps recurring but Nissan has not expanded there VIN registry to include all cars that are affected. Spoke with Nissan n.a. Case expediter who stated my vehicle VIN was not on the affected list although my complaint was the same as those vehicles on the list. …
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. …
I note some Nissan altimas havr recalls on camsensor and speedsensonsor. This vehicle has same problems. Vehicle shuts off on the road cam sensor was changed but was good for a couple years does the same mechanic says faulty plastic clip. Also vehicle gets stuck in low gear while driving and the car will have to be pulled iver restarted to get it to reset otherwise car will run in low gear at high rpms.. I noticed recalls on the Nissan Altima for for these sensors. However not this model according to the dealer.
There is no interlock on ignition to prevent removal of the ignition key if shifter is not placed in park position. Car was parked and automatic transmission shifter was in neutral when key was removed. Car rolled out of parking lot down embankment and crashed into tree then proceeded across street into a lower parking lot hitting guard rail before coming to a complete stop. This lack of a safety feature was unknown to owners and consider this a defect safety risk to the public.
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. I know the cars gears sliped it could not have happened any other way.
2003 Nissan Altima with 3,539 miles on jan 17th my wife drove it out for the grocery shopping. When she came back she parked the car on the drive way in 'p' with the engine running as she was to go out after unloading the shopping bags from the trunk. She got off from the car and opened the trunk and unloaded the shopping bags and took them to the kitchen through the garage. She took few bags each time to the kitchen so she traveled few times from the car to the kitchen. Then she walked to the mailbox and then took the last bag from the trunk and after closing the trunk walked to the kitchen. Soon later she opened the kitchen door and walked into the garage when she noticed that the car was coming toward her. It happened so fast and as she looked at the car she got paralised and the car bumped into the water heater base and stopped with the engine running and in 'p'. …
We purchased a 2003 Nissan Altima s on November 12, 2002. We noticed a rough vibration when we are sitting at a traffic light in drive and when we have it in park. We took it back to the dealership the next day to be checked and we were told it was normal. We wanted to exchange the vehicle for another Altima of same value because we have friends with 2002-2003 altimas and they are not having this problem. We have taken it back several times but they still continue to say it is normal. Also, we are having a problem with acceleration on this vehicle. When you take off it hesitates before it picks up speed and the transmission doesn't seem to be changing out smoothly. We aren't having any luck with the dealership we purchased it from. It seems as though they don't care about the customers after they get your $20,000 + check. …
I have a 2003 Nissan Altima with a manual transmission. There is a frame around the stick shift to hold down the piece of material that keeps from exposing inside the gear. The frame came unglued and got stuck inside the gear, causing my gear to lock and forcing me to suddenly stop on the freeway on 65 MPH traffic. When I contacted the dealership, and I was told that my car was no longer under warranty because my car was at 37,000, and the warranty expired at 36,000 miles. I was also informed by the parts department that the problem was common on Nissan altimas, which leads me to believe that I am not the first person that had this problem. I was lucky to have been on an empty highway and was able to get off the road and pull the frame from underneath the gear. …
I have a 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5se with a 5spd manual transmission. I have a recurring problem that my clutch will lose pressure and fall to the floor. This will happen while driving, can be in any gear, going any speed. Usually pulling the clutch up and "pumping" it will "solve" the problem. This probably happens twice a month, and has been happening since I bought the car 12/31/2006. I have done research on the internet and spoke to other Altima owners and have discovered that this is a common problem that many have had for years since they have owned their cars. I understand that this is something that the mechanic should be able to fix easily, but I am left wondering why so many have had the same problem and that it May be a possible design issue that Nissan should be addressing due to safety concerns.
Transmission complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 4% of the model year's 883 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan Altima transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Nissan Altima, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Altima transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.