Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Nissan Altima
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Nissan Altima has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 883 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E074000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E063000 FMVSS 108/BROKEN AIMING MECHANISM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E054000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E064000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V242000 CRANK ANGLE SENSOR ENGINE STALL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E023000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V455000 NISSAN/CRANK/CAM POSITION SENSOR WELD NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V251000 NISSAN/FUEL TANK FREEZE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V084000 NISSAN/DEBRIS AND CATALYST SUBSTRATE/FIRE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 450 complaints
- Structure 126 complaints
- Engine 117 complaints
- Electrical System 89 complaints
- Power Train 34 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 33 complaints
Of the 883 complaints on file, 41 report a crash and 13 a fire; across all 883 complaints, owners report 25 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Nissan Altima has a below-average reliability rating due to a high number of complaints and several significant recalls. Engine and engine cooling issues are the most prevalent, with 450 complaints. Extensive recall campaigns, including engine component failures and exterior lighting issues, highlight potential reliability problems.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine cooling system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| Crank position sensor | 80,000–120,000 miles | $200–$600 | common |
| Exhaust and manifold | 70,000–110,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake system check
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant system inspection
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Tire rotation
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating engine
- Check engine light
- Rough idling
- Oil leaks
- Fuel odors in cabin
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Nissan Altima at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.