Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The car quits as I'm driving it , The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I'm driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park .
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. While driving less than 10 MPH, a loud popping noise was heard from the engine. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle restarted after approximately five minutes and was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who confirmed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer to assist. The failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 09/10/15 updated 10/05/15 the consumer stated the vehicle stalled without warning. There were multiple problem codes that appeared on the diagnostic scanners. Updated 02/09/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that the check engine light illuminated after the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03v4770000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
PCM ECM ECU engineering flaw. Engine kicks into safe mode while in operation or completely stalls, check engine light on, when restarts will misfire. Diagnosed with faulty control module (the second one in this vehicle since I have owned it)
I currently drive a 2003 Nissan Sentra gxe, 1.8l 4cyl. Car. (purchased in or around April 2003 from universal Nissan) almost a year after buy the Sentra I noticed that the car wouldn't start or if it did start it would take a while to start...meaning I would have to hold down the key while it tries to crank itself on. I do this all the time & at times when I finally get the car to start 3 to 5 seconds will go by and the car will turn off & I have to restart it. So I took the car into Nissan or orange, ca and they totally blew me off, telling me that they couldn't do anything because I didn't noticed if the engin light come on. Which leads me here today. My car is getting worst...I noticed a NHTSA campaign id #03V455000, Nissan recall #r3022 and a number for Nissan I call Nissan (jan. …
I have a 2003 Nissan gxe Sentra that continues have problems cranking. I have already taken the car in for service and Nissan replace the fuel pump. Nissan said it was not a recall, it was a bulletin. Now I'm having the same problem again. I have taken my car to the Nissan dealership in jackson, ms where I recieved it from. Gray daniels Nissan south jackson, ms. Every oil change I telled them about the problem I'm having. The last time I took my car for service was on a Friday morning, I advise them that I was pllanning to go out of time that day, before I left my car with them. I ask them specifically if they were gonna be able to service my car. They told me they would. I call back around lunch and Nissan said they still haven't got to my car yet, due to high volume of recalls for the Nissan murano. I advise Nissan again that I was planning on going out of town today. …
While driving in routine traffic, I felt a jolt, the service engine soon light came on and the rpms dropped resulting in the engine stalling. The first time this occurred I was able to pull over on the freeway to the shoulder. The 2nd time this occurred, I didn't pull over in time and the power steering and brakes went out making it difficult to stop the car to turn off. I am usually able to turn the car on after a moment without issue. At first it occurred once a week and Nissan dealership could not diagnose or "recreate" the issue. Then it didn't happen for several months, and now it's been happening extremely frequently and sometimes very difficult to start the car up. My safety is at risk because the engine will just stop, and I've found it difficult to get over to a shoulder, and on some parts of the freeway there is no shoulder. …
Check engine light came on after starting car after oil change at local shop. Mechanic checked code, problem with camshaft position sensor. Part replaced. Problem solved, check engine light stay off. After 1 week, check engine light came on and again, camshaft position sensor needs replaced. Car timing clearly off - when attempting to accelerate car jolts and shudders hard enough to slam driver into seatbelt. When vehicle warmed all the way up problem nonexistent. Camshaft position sensor changed again, problem reoocurs within a week or two. During fall/winter when cold weather occurs engine must be completely warm to avoid being shaken and jolted around while accelerating. Check engine light remains on. Dealer states "timing chain is out of time" and must be replaced. Nissan north America states car not on recall list, although recalls listed here seem to apply to my vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that there was a recall for the vehicle. He called the dealer and they stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V477000 (electrical system:ignition:modules). They further stated that the failures were due to a crack on the surface coating on one of the resistors inside the ECM. The gas could cause corrosion of the resistor, which could cause the malfunction indicator to illuminate. In addition, the failure could cause poor drivability (idle instability, poor acceleration) or the engine could stop running while the vehicle is in motion. Updated 12/16/08 at 32,000 miles the odometer was replaced the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle would shut off and the coast for a couple of seconds and the return to normal. Updated 12/18/08.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that when making both left and right turns, the vehicle would shut off without warning also, once the vehicle was already started and warmed up, she was unable to restart it again, without constantly depressing the accelerator pedal for about 10 seconds which was similar to NHTSA campaign number 03V477000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The dealer was notified who informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with her vehicle and that the ECU needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed and advised the contact that her vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 90,000. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. Updated 02/09/11 updated 05/09/11
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with the qg18de engine or qr25de engines, the foam material used for the interior lining of the electronic control module (ECM) box emits sulfur as it cures.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the inside lining material from the ECM box. Owner notification began on December 22, 2003. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Electrical complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Nissan Sentra, 19% of the model year's 180 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan Sentra electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-477 (module, Nov 14, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Sentra electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
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.