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Model Year Problem Record

Nissan Altima 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Nissan Altima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

883Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
77Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine591 complaints

591 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 03V084000, 03V455000, 06V242000.

Vehicle Structure128 complaints

128 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System90 complaints

90 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System51 complaints

51 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V251000.

Power Train34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V084000Reported March 11, 2003 - 338,000 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on March 11, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 338,000 vehicles across all affected models.

03V251000Reported July 14, 2003 - 377,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 14, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 377,000 vehicles across all affected models.

03V455000Reported November 17, 2003 - 630,000 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on November 17, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 630,000 vehicles across all affected models.

06V242000Reported July 7, 2006 - 294,166 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on July 7, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 294,166 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

RQ06001Opened February 22, 2006 - Closed July 18, 2006

ENGINE STALL - CRANK POSITION SENSOR. Resulted in recall campaign 06V242000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200326
200434
200540
200691
200796
200898
200981
201082
201158
201258
201348
201437
201560
201630
201720
201810
20192
20206
20213
20223
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.