23rd Mar 2010, 11:15
OMG!!! I have 03 Altima; changed cam and crankshaft sensors, replaced spark plugs. Check engine light still on and still has starting problems. Seems to run fine - if you can get it running LOL.
22nd Apr 2010, 19:57
Just before lunch time, I had to move my car out of the parking lot so a cleaner could clean the floor. About 45 minutes later, I returned back in.
Both were less than 30 seconds.
Around 4:15PM, I had to drive to somewhere... then I got the problem you guys are describing here: it cranks, but won't start.
I wonder why don't we file a class lawsuit?
14th May 2010, 12:34
WOW!!! Everyone has the same exact problems almost, and Nissan has no idea what's going on?
Bought my car used at 176,00 miles! It was driving great for the first month, and then all of sudden wouldn't start. The next day it started, and then wouldn't start again a few days later. I have changed the crank position sensor and a fuel pump. I am going to change the cam shaft sensor to see if it might work. I was also told that I need a catalytic converter when they replaced the first sensor. The person I bought from said he never had a problem. (HARD TO BELIEVE after reading all these posts.) Nissan needs to step it up!
Needless to say I'm a young single mom and full time student stuck without a vehicle; it has been in my driveway for over a week and half, one of those days it started perfectly fine as if nothing was wrong, and the next day it wouldn't start again.
So yes, 2003 Nissan Altima = LEMON! After reading everything, it sounds like I need to get rid of it! And I guess I just lost 4 grand!
24th Jun 2010, 22:36
Hi, I also have a 2003 Nissan Altima.
I bought my car 3 years ago, and it never gave me in trouble until my car was hit by one of those armor vans, then my car started acting crazy; wouldn't start, would start and cut off, and then would not start for maybe 6 more hours...
Then it started working fine again, and now it's back to the same problems, not starting at all, or only in the morning. I am afraid to even cut my car off when I am able to go places... Does anybody have a clue on what it can be? Please help, I'm in need of help...
1st Jul 2010, 08:20
I have a 2003 Nissan Altima which shuts off while driving. We have replaced the crank sensor but it still does the same thing.
25th Jul 2010, 11:50
Wow... I thought I was the only one. I have a 2003 Altima, which I have not had many problems with up to now.
My Check Engine Soon light came on, so I took my car in to the dealer a week ago. At first they said they couldn't find anything wrong. Then they came back and said it was my ignition coil, which I had them replace. So I thought my problem was fixed, only to have my car die on me when I was at a stop. It wouldn't start up, so I had to have someone push my car out of the way. After a few minutes, it started up and I was able to drive home. If this is a common problem, you would think the dealer would know of this.
I'm a female, and know nothing about cars, so I have to depend on what they tell me. I don't know what to do. I do know that I'm not taking it back to the dealer.
31st Jul 2010, 18:32
Reading all these posts makes me feel better that I'm not alone, but also makes me so angry that I'm not all alone on this issue of the Altima just shutting off without warning!!
I bought the 2003 Altima and it is my first car. Lately I have had my car stall on me when I'm stopped at a light, and today when I was trying to back into a parking spot, the Service Engine Soon light went on, and I took it to Active Green and Ross where they were able to determine that there was a possible recall. I took it to a Nissan dealership, where they did "reprogramming" at no cost, but told me that the crank sensor had to be replaced. The crank sensor wasn't under the "recall" and apparently is "unrelated". How is it unrelated if they have to fix that before "reprogramming"?! I'm not impressed with Nissan service departments, as I feel that they try and take advantage of me because I'm a girl.
As much as I love my Altima, I really don't think I will ever by another Nissan. It's so bad because I think the new Altimas look awesome.
3rd Aug 2010, 11:31
Can't believe there are so many people with the same problem.
2 months ago I took my 2003 3.5 SE Altima, manual, to Nissan because it started shutting off and not starting while at a red light or stalling while driving and sucking gas while having the engine light on at all times. I told them I tried a diagnostic test, but the plug was dead. So they said they would look at it and called me saying both cam sensors were bad, but it will take them 30 days to get parts and will cost me $500.
I said I would pick up the car and buy the cam sensors from Autozone or something. They cost me $120 bucks and my dad changed it for me (retired mechanic) in 10 minutes. This morning I dropped off my car at Nissan, as it is doing the same thing and again I tried to run the diagnostic test but plug was dead (I thought they looked at that problem). Let's see how much it will cost this time, without them taking any responsibility for these problems that obviously have been caused by them and faulty cars.
I loved my car, so fast and roomy and comfy, but now I just want to get rid of it.
27th Feb 2010, 09:25
O.K. it is my turn. I appreciate this website because I realize I am not alone. Where to begin?
My family bought a 2003 Altima 2.5 in 2003, our first new car. We loved the car. Oil changes every 3000 miles, etc.
The first year it would not start, so they told us to hold the gas pedal down, vapor lock. This was a common thing, and we did it for years.
Two years ago, it shut off while slowing down for a light. I put it in neutral, held the pedal down and drove home. This happened once a month at speeds less than 20 mph. Recently it would shut off 3 times in five miles. Then while driving the car at 50-70 mph, the car would jerk extremely hard. This started two years ago, and happened at least once a week.
We towed to the dealer in year one, and every time a new issue presented itself. The dealer talked as if they have never seen this before. They could not fix it unless it happened to them, and they could never recreate the symptom. We took it to another mechanic/friend and he replaced the throttle body and it ran better. Two weeks later it started shutting off while driving. Again the dealer could not help. The dealer never once fixed a problem.
I discovered this website after googling and it has helped. I asked the dealer if they have heard of these issues with Altimas and they said no. I think they are trying to avoid a lawsuit.
Grand Rapids, MI.