The Lemon Index2003 Nissan Altima.
The 2003 Nissan Altima is worse than average by owner complaints: 191 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 116, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 19 to 23 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 883 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Altima year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 57K to 120K miles on the car (725 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 57K–102K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 83K–139K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 48K–95K miles
Recalls 10
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN ANZO AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS, P/N 02-AZ-NA02-B-A, SOLD FOR USE ON 2002-2004 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES.
Show all 10 recalls
- lights 2007
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 315-1145L-AS AND 315-1145R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- engine 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- engine 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX…
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
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, MONTAN…
- engine 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Buzz noise from engine compartment area at 2500-2700 rpm, moderate load
- Hesitation on acceleration with manual transmission
- Alternator noise after engine shut off.*mr
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stall - crank position sensor2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving 55 mph vehicle stalled. Driver was unable to restart vehicle, had it towed to a dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
2003 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 10117384
More owner reports
2003 Nissan Altima engine cut off while driving and the consumer was unable to restart the engine.
NHTSA complaint 10124747
Dt the crank position sensor failed, and had to replace it. Contacted Nissan. There was a recall but for crank position sensors a month ago. This happened on 6-24-2005.
NHTSA complaint 10130487
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Nissan Altima reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 116; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan Altima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (53%), electrical (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Altima have?
10 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Altima get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 57,000 and 120,000 miles. The middle report was at 84,900 miles, from 725 complaints.
Does the 2003 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Nissan Altima have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works