7th Feb 2005, 06:21
We also are having the same problem. Our Nissan '03 Altima won't start. The first time after the tow we paid $287 to have the injectors flushed. They couldn't find anything wrong. Today the car won't start again and I anticipate the garage saying the same thing.
10th May 2005, 15:24
My wife just started having the same problem with her car (2003 SL 4-cyl). I eventually got the car started by pumping the gas... felt like I was having to start my old '72 Cadillac. From reading the prior comments, it doesn't look like anyone's has found a solution.
27th Jun 2005, 16:45
My 2002 Nissan purchased in late February 2003 has died today at 54K miles. Left my wife stranded in a parking lot with my son... and me here at work. Emergency Brake light stays on after releasing the brake, and the battery light stays on... even after changing the battery.
The dealership is talking about a new alternator... but they are talking about me having to pay for this. Isn't this covered under warranty? This is still a new car as far as I am concerned... and I have had all the services done in a timely manner..ie- I have taken good care of it. Oh did I mention that I had to replace the entire computer for the car a couple months ago?
2nd Aug 2005, 01:20
I had the same problem. It happened twice in less than 5 days. I took it to the shop and they said it was the fuel and air pipe that had to be changed which was over $600. I decided to let the car rest for a couple of days and as soon I start driving it, it shuts off while I was on the freeway. It will be taken to the Nissan dealers tomorrow and from reading the comments they will find "something" wrong with it in order for me to pay. And knowing the REAL problem won't be solved.
9th Oct 2005, 09:10
I have an Altima 2003 2.5 with the same problem with car not starting. It seems to happen about twice a year. Pumping the gas pedal used to help before, some times I had to do it more than once. I can confirm at least a couple of times it happened after the car was running for less than 30 seconds as in one of the previous comments.
26th Oct 2005, 18:43
October 26, 2005 5:15 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S will not start; car has less than 26K miles. From reading the above comments I am concerned because I don't think I purchased the warranty. I have faithfully taken my car for oil change and checkup. I called headquarters trying to see if they had similar complaints; they responded that no this was new to them. Well, it sounds like this problem occurs more frequently than it is noted. We've posted comments, but we must also see about implementing legislative change. Meanwhile, I'm going to try to start my 2 year old car. What's truly tragic is prior to this vehicle I had a 14 year old car that ran great for the first 12 1/2 years--Of course, it was a different manufacturer.
12th Nov 2005, 22:36
For the problem with the Altima not starting after running it for less than 30 seconds, you need to force air down the intake to start the car.
Apparently, the engine is flooded with gas since all of it is not burned off in the 30 seconds. So by forcing air down into the intake will let the engine breath a little and start. Force air down the intake while cranking the engine. Think of a creative way.
12th Feb 2006, 21:51
2005 Altima 2.5 S - Hard Starting problems. I have the 30 second or less hard starting problem. Both times it was just to move the car into the garage. Then next day it took many cranks of the engine to finally get going. Lots of raw gas fumes from exhaust. Vehicle also is reluctant to start when warm too. Feels like like vapor-lock when that happens.
8th Mar 2006, 20:29
'03 Nissan Altima 2.5S with hard start problem as well. Coming up on 97K miles. Have they worked the bugs out yet? Are '05 or '06 models doing the same thing? Such a shame, a really nice car aesthetically, but it should run. I've owned the car for 2 years now and bought it at 37K. I do all highway miles and lots of them. The car did this the first week I owned it and I had it towed. Same response. "Dunno...Good luck with that." Anyone have luck using synthetic oil?
22nd Mar 2006, 10:00
We just purchased a 2006 2.5 Altima and it is not starting. This has happened 3 times. The dealer has it. Anger cannot describe the feeling when a brand new car won't start.
My Honda NEVER failed me. Please, give me back my Civic.
We didn't expect this from a Nissan Altima.
29th Mar 2006, 10:14
'03 Altima. Had the car for about three years and this morning was the fourth time it decided not to start-up. The first time it started back up after a few times of turning the key, the dealership took it for the weekend and had no problems with it, could not pin point problem. Second time I had it towed to a mechanic, when the car got there it started up right away, they couldn't pin point the problem. I gave up and now just give the car sometime and it usually will start up for me eventually. I have also had it lose power while driving on the highway. The speedometer goes crazy then the car comes too and is fine.
Crossing my fingers, every time!
29th May 2006, 20:20
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S - same problems with strting in addition too bad cam and crank sensors. Very dissappointed with Nissan customer service and will not buy another Nissan.
9th Jun 2006, 01:23
I hope it is not too late, but I am a mechanic (not a nissan dealer mechanic) and already repaired a number of Nissans with the same problem. It is a $21.99 part, the cam positioning sensor, from Autozone and it literally takes only 5 minutes to put in!!! it is on the driver side on the end of the head held on by one bolt. Really simple, but stupid problem!!!
1st Jul 2006, 16:18
My 2005 Altima has just failed to start for me for the second time in four months. The first time it failed to start in the evening after I had backed it out into the street to clear some brush. I tried it again the next morning, and it still would not start. Had it towed into the Dealer and they told me nothing was wrong with it. They gave me instructions on how to start it in cold weather. I live in South Texas. I was wearing shorts. Among many other annoyances, they also mentioned the flooding of the engine. It took them over a day to "research" the problem. I tried many ways of getting the service manager to admit that a new car ought to start. He did not agree.
Today it failed to start after a short drive for lunch... maybe a mile and two minutes driving. After sitting a couple of minutes, it did start after giving it a lot of gas. It also seems to know it's the weekend and that the service department is closed!!!
I may try replacing the cam positioning sensor, but this is certainly the last Nissan I will purchase.
2nd Feb 2005, 12:49
I have a 2002 Nissan Altima with the same problem. Called a tow truck to tow the car to dealership (it was dead in the driveway). When towing company came out, I was told the gas line was probably frozen, and to expect the problem to happen again (it was common with the "newer" altimas). Ironically, my neighbor had the same problem the day before, and was told the same thing by the towing company.