MyCarTSB

2003 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems

97 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

97
Complaints
3
Recalls
3
Crashes
1
Fires
Jan 2004Dec 2008
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Engine Recalls (3)

RECALLCampaign #06V242000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

RECALLCampaign #03V455000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

RECALLCampaign #03V511000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK'S BALL JOINT BRACKET MAY BREAK FROM STRESS CONCENTRATION AT A NOTCH CREATED BY SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND THE SHAPE OF THE MATERIAL CUT-LINE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Owner Complaints (97)

criticalENGINE
Filed: Jul 2017

Your check engine light stays on constantly, and your engine suddenly shuts off while driving without restarting immediately. This appears to be caused by a crankshaft position sensor failure. The engine stalling while you're driving in traffic creates a serious safety hazard, and you may need the sensor replaced.

NHTSA #: 11006689
highENGINE
Filed: Jun 2024

Both of your catalytic converters became clogged at the same time. This can cause your engine to run poorly, reduce fuel economy, and trigger a check engine light. The fix would involve having the converters cleaned or replaced.

NHTSA #: 11593594
highENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2017

Your engine stalled while driving at about 30 mph and your check engine light came on. A mechanic diagnosed that both camshaft sensors had failed and replaced them, but the problem continued even after the replacement. This issue occurred around 70,000 miles.

NHTSA #: 10948835
highENGINE
Filed: Aug 2016

Your car hesitated, lost power, and stalled while driving at low speeds. At highway speeds (65 mph), it jerked and the check engine light came on. A mechanic was unable to diagnose or repair the problem. This issue occurred at around 407,000 miles.

NHTSA #: 10896573
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2016

PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN BOISE, ID. THE VEHICLE HAD AN UN-ADDRESSED CLOSED RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR TO BLOW UP TWO MONTHS LATER. NOW THE USED CAR DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE CAR, OR REFUND ANY OF MY MONEY. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA #: 10881929
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 10/2 UPDATED 11/03/2017*CN

NHTSA #: 10733243
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/05/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEM CODES THAT APPEARED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC SCANNERS. UPDATED 02/09/16*JB

NHTSA #: 10731705
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2015

PURCHASED 2003 NISSAN SENTRA WITH 52,000 MILES AROUND AUGUST 2013. VEHICLE WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING, MECHANIC NEEDED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (FRONT & REAR), ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS LATER THE CAR STARTED GOING THROUGH ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1-2 DAYS. OUR MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A RECALL BULLETIN EXPLAINING THAT DEBRIS FROM THIS VEHICLE'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETS INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSES THE PISTON RINGS TO WEAR OUT AND ALSO CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE OIL IS NOT CHECKED AND FILLED CONSTANTLY, IT MAY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND/OR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO OUR NISSAN DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HAS REPLACED ENGINES IN THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES. WHEN OUR VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HEADQUARTERS REFUSED TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BULLETIN STATING WE ARE 14 MONTHS PAST THE POINT THAT NISSAN WOULD'VE FIXED IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHILE IN USE.

NHTSA #: 10717520
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2015

PURCHASED 2003 NISSAN SENTRA WITH 52,000 MILES AROUND AUGUST 2013. VEHICLE WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING, MECHANIC NEEDED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (FRONT & REAR), ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS LATER THE CAR STARTED GOING THROUGH ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1-2 DAYS. OUR MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A RECALL BULLETIN EXPLAINING THAT DEBRIS FROM THIS VEHICLE'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETS INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSES THE PISTON RINGS TO WEAR OUT AND ALSO CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE OIL IS NOT CHECKED AND FILLED CONSTANTLY, IT MAY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND/OR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO OUR NISSAN DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HAS REPLACED ENGINES IN THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES. WHEN OUR VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, NISSAN HEADQUARTERS REFUSED TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BULLETIN STATING WE ARE 14 MONTHS PAST THE POINT THAT NISSAN WOULD'VE FIXED IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHILE IN USE.

NHTSA #: 10717521
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

CAR WHILE IN DRIVE WILL STALL AND IDLE. CAR ALSO HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HAS CONTINUOUSLY OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. MULTIPLE ENGINE CODES HAVE CAME ON AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUES. AT THIS TIME CRANKSHAFT, AND CAM SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED AND IS CURRENTLY IN PROCESS. READING UP ON THIS ISSUE APPEARS THERE IS A RECALL FOR SAME ISSUE FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000) BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY AS CAR COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT AND OCCURS AT ANY TIME INCLUDING HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO NOT DRIVE AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC FOR FURTHER FOLLOWUP IN HOPES OF RESOLUTION. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS APPEARS TO BE A REPEAT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10693115
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR AND THE COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,846.

NHTSA #: 10679772
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA #: 10640776
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2014

RECENTLY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR DIED FOR ABOUT 3 - 5 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THEN RESUMED. MY CAR HAS STALLED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST BUT USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR SO IT WASN'T MUCH OF A CONCERN. BUT IF MY CAR JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING 60 -70 MPH I THINK THERE ARE SOME SAFETY ISSUES AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. RESEARCH INDICATES IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANK SENSOR AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR IT. FOR SOME REASON MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10628838
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2014

MY PRE CAT WENT OUT SO TOOK IT TO SHOP TO HAVE IT REPLACED. COST ME 1000$. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN BURNING OIL VERY BAD UP TO A QUART A TANK. AND WHITE SMOKE IF ACCELERATE EVEN REMOTELY MORE THAN GENTLE. NISSAN SAID MY CAR ISN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRE CAT RECALL. BUT IT FITS DESCRIPTION AS FAR AS 2003 SENTRA WITH THE 2.5L QR25DE ENGINE. IF THE DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE I WOULD LIKE THEM TO BUY THE CAR FOR BLUE BOOK. I AM ONLY SECOND OWNER. IT HAS ROUGHLY 87500 ON IT NOW. *TR

NHTSA #: 10625757
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 08/27/14*LJ UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS

NHTSA #: 10614482
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Filed: May 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA #: 10588489
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE POWERED OFF NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT SOME OF THE SPARK PLUGS WERE NOT FIRING. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE FUEL SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT AND ECU WERE REPROGRAM AND RESET TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE REMEDY FAILED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 10/17/13*LJ UPDATED 10/24/2013 *JS

NHTSA #: 10544187
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA #: 10542241
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND BOTH ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA #: 10461330
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION ONCE RESTARTED. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA #: 10460168
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA #: 10459888
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WAS FRACTURED WHILE PERFORMING THE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) OR 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA #: 10453993
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REPAIR BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT AND CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA #: 10450257
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR OIL CONSUMPTINO ISSUES WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MATERIAL FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD ENTERED THE ENGINE, DAMAGING IT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA #: 10426780
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2011

VEHICLE FAILED THE MIL/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DUE TO OBD COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP CODE READER ALSO UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ECM. POSSIBLE FAULTY ECM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10424625
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Aug 2011

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SER. FROM DAY 1, I HAVE HAD ISSUE AFTER ISSUE..I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. UPON MANY REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, ONE OF THEM WAS FOR THE ECM, YEARS LATER THE SAME ISSUE HAS COME BACK. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY STATE THAT THEY ALREADY FIXED IT WITH THE RECALL. BUT THEY DID NOT. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC HAS DETERMINED THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT EVEN SAFE AT THIS POINT TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WILL NOT ASSIST ME AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. IT WAS A RECALL THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE.. *TR

NHTSA #: 10418535
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) RECALL; YET, THE VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,500.

NHTSA #: 10410510
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2011

THE NISSAN 2003 SENTRA WAS BOUGHT FROM A PRIVATE DEALER IN 2009 AND WAS DRIVEN ALMOST A YEAR UNTIL IT STARTED CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. IT ALSO HAD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN RUNNING. IT WAS SERVICED TWICE UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR BY NISSAN FOR THE EXACT SYMPTOMS IT WAS HAVING. THE RECALL STATES THAT CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PRE-CATALYST. MATERIAL FROM INSIDE A DAMAGED PRE-CATALYST COULD ENTER THE ENGINE AND RESULT IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THIS IS A CONCERN SINCE THIS IS MY SON'S CAR AND I DO NOT WANT HIM IN A CAR THAT COULD CAUSE HIM HARM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH NISSAN AND THEY SAY THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS DATED 7/29/2003. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS MATTER AND MANY OWNERS OF SENTRA'S AND ALTIMA'S WERE EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND APPARENTLY THE FIX FOR THE RECALL WAS A BAND- AID FOR A MAJOR DEFECT. THE RECALL WAS TO REPROGRAM THE EMC CARD THE PROBLEM IS THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY DONE TO THE ENGINE AND A NEW MOTOR AND PRE-CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS THE FIX FOR THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA #: 10389408
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

2003 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8L HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT AROUND 75,000 MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY STARTING AND ROUGH IDLE SINCE SOON AFTER PURCHASE. THIS WAS RELAYED TO DEALERS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WERE TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. PROBLEM HAS WORSENED OVER THE YEARS AND VEHICLE RAN ROUGH. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND REPLACED IGNITION COIL #3. WEEK LATER PROBLEM IS STILL ACTIVE. RETURN TO DEALER WHERE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND ENGINE IS CONSUMING COOLANT. THIS VEHICLE HAD FAULTY GASKET OR HEAD DESIGN THAT WAS PUSHED OFF BY THE DEALER TO AVOID WARRANTY REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10372587
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING ALSO, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY STARTED AND WARMED UP, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT AGAIN, WITHOUT CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS WHICH WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V477000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH HER VEHICLE AND THAT THE ECU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 05/09/11

NHTSA #: 10371076
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2010

CAR STALLED OUT AND WAS RESTARTED AND STALED OUT AGAIN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND THAT ONE POWER VALVE SCREW HAD COME OUT AND THAT SOME OTHERS WERE LOOSE. I PAID THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE 2004 SENTRAS AND UP AND NISSAN IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 SENTRAS AND ALTIMAS WITH THE QR25 ENGINE BUT WILL NOT COVER THE 02 OR 03'S WITH THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10353461
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SPEC-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000-ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) YET HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ADD APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF QUARTER OF ENGINE OIL EVERY 2,000 MILES OR THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA #: 10350605
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE SLUGGISH AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 2,000 MILES OR WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD BECOME EXCESSIVELY LOUD. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED REPLACING. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE (ITEM NUMBER PE02078) BUT NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA #: 10350628
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITH AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND CONTINUED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,100.

NHTSA #: 10330876
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Mar 2010

THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

NHTSA #: 10321718
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2010

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 2003 SENTRA SER WOULD NOT START....ON THREE OCCASIONS I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT WOULD RESTART ...ON THE 4TH OCCASION I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALER HERE IN HARVEY , LA. WHERE IT SAT FOR 3 DAYS AND THE SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME THE CAR WOULD NOW START.A FIFTH OCCASION OCCURRED AND BY THIS TIME I HAD HEARD OF A RECALL WHICH I ASKED THE DEALER ON PHONE ABOUT AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING CAR IN SO AGAIN I TOOK CAR TO DEALER HOPING TO FIND PROBLEM...CAR SAT THERE AGAIN FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER WHICH IT WOULD START. THEY AGAIN TOLD ME NO FAULT FOUND WAS FOUND AND THAT THEY HAD PERFORMED RECALL...WHICH THEY DID NOT ...IT TOOK ME A COUPLE OF CALLS TO SERVICE WRITER BEFORE HE ADMITTED IT HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED. I READ HERE OF MANY SENTRA S WITH SAME PROBLEMS ...YOU WOULD THINK SOME ONE WOULD KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. MY SENTRA NOW RUNS TERRIBLE SOMETIMES NOT STARTING AND OTHER TIMES RUNS LIKE IT IS RUNNING ON 2 CYLINDERS WITH A BAD SMELL FROM EXHAUST. I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR , BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10321318
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. WHEN HE TOOK AN EXIT AND CAME TO AN YIELD SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY UNTIL HE STARTS TO DECREASE HIS SPEED TO 20MPH. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO HIM EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST 3 DAYS. THE CONTACT STATED HE DID CONTACT A DEALER AND HE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE RECALL BUT THEY SAID THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 120,000.

NHTSA #: 10317054
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2010

03 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINE, VEHICLE CONSUMES APPROX. 1QT OF OIL/WK, AND APPROX. 1 GALLON OF ANTI-FREEZE/MONTH. VEHICLE HESITATES AND JERKS WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL ENGINE COMPONENTS, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND NEVER RESPONDS BACK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10308565
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2009

PRE OWED VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A OXYGEN SENSOR DEFECTED CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP RUNNING AND HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE ENGINE TO RUN. ALSO AFFECTING THE PANEL SHOWING THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" COMES AND GOES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10296658
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2009

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R SPEC V AND WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHICH COULD OF CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT AND IT RESTARTED BUT DIDN'T WANT TO PICKUP SPEED. HAD TO GET TOWED OFF THE FREEWAY AND NOW DOES NOT WANT TO RESTART. I HAD MY DAUGHTER WITH ME, WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. SEVERAL MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT I NEED THE ENGINE REPLACE, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD AND MY CAR IS JUST SITTING THERE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10292363
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Oct 2009

DOCUMENTATION WILL FOLLOW UP AT HOME. FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR SHUTTING DOWN CAR EVERY 3 MINUTES ON 2003 NISSAN SENTRA - COULD HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE RESULT AS WE WERE HEADED TO INTERSTATE TO RETURN TO OK....DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN GREAT IN LEE SUMMIT, MO....NISSAN CORPORATION CONSUMER SERVICE IN PHILLIPINES HAS BEEN AWFUL......WE ARE GETTING ON THE ROAD TOMORROW 10/06/2009 IF CAR FAILS AND WE ARE IN MAJOR ACCIDENT WANT IT KNOWN THAT I'VE SPOKEN WITH NISSAN AND LET MY SON KNOW....NISSAN AMERICA HAS BEEN TERRIBLE TO DEAL WITH...THE FILE # IS 6622003. *TR

NHTSA #: 10286320
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2009

I HAVE AN 03 NISSAN SENTRA, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAT CONVERTER, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON MY CAR, THE CAR WILL STILL NOT PASS MY STATE EMISSION TESTING AND THE ENGINE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE ( MAY OF 08 ) DUE TO LOSING OIL AND NOW THE ENGINE IS BLOWN AGAIN SO I WILL AGAIN NEED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10285195
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2009

I HAVE A 03 NISSAN SENTRA SPECV HAVING THE SAME ISSUE REPEAT ITSELF. THE BUTTERFLY SCREW GETTING SUCK INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING SUDDEN LOST OF POWER. ENGINE LIGHT SAYS CYLINDER MISFIRE. 4 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE NOW ITS HAPPENING AGAIN 135K ON CAR SO KISSABLE WILL NOT REPLACE MOTOR. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS NISSAN SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THE SPECV. THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE MY 5 YEAR OLD WAS WITH ME. NO STEERING OR BRAKES ONLY HAND BRAKE USED TO STOP CAR. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THIS RECALL TO MOVE FORWARD. ITS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10280306
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SENSORS. THE REPAIR COST WAS $278.41. REPORT NUMBER 6531990 WAS FILED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,391 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,652.

NHTSA #: 10275617
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ONCE THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT RESTART UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

NHTSA #: 10275205
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jun 2009

I PURCHASED MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA FROM TOYOTA DIRECT IN COLUMBUS OHIO AND THE DAY I PURCHASED IT THAT EVENING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY TOOK IT TO GERMAIN NISSAN TWICE FOR SERVICE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, WELL THEY FIXED IT AS THEY THOUGHT (THE FUEL PUMP) BUT A YEAR LATER THE SAME PROBLEMS WERE OCCURRING SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT WAS WHAT NISSAN SAID SO I HAD IT FIXED AGAIN (FUEL PUMP) BUT NO ONE HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC. WELL NOW AGAIN THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE FIXED SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT SINCE HE HOOKED IT UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND HE FIXED IT, WELL HERE I AM 6 MONTHS LATER IM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.. I RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS HAD A RECALL BACK IN 2003 BUT I'M GETTING PEOPLE TELLING ME MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED, MY CAR IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING AS 630000 OTHER 2003 NISSIAN SENTRAS HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE.. I'M WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THIS AND MAKE IT GOOD AT THEIR COST AND NOT MINE. HERE IS WHAT I FOUND OUT: AUTO RECALL DATE: NOV 17, 2003 VEHICLE COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 630000 MODEL AFFECTED 2003 NISSAN SENTRA 2003 NISSAN SENTRA DEFECT SUMMARY: 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 RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10273505
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DIAL DRASTICALLY INCREASED WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED THE HEATING SYSTEM AND PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND ADDED ANTIFREEZE COOLANT TO THE OVERFLOW RESERVOIR. SHE WAITED UNTIL THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP AND THERMOSTAT. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE WATER PUMP BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE, WHICH LED TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE WATER PUMP AND HEAD GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

NHTSA #: 10267887
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2009

2003 NISSAN SENTRA, FIRST NOTICE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON. THEN, THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT THEY SAID IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR. SO, THEY GAVE ME A NEW ALTERNATOR AND A NEW BATTERY. THEN, SHORT TIME AFTER THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND JUST STALLING COMPLETELY. POWER STEERING GOES AS WELL. AS TIME GOES ON THE OCCURRENCES ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. SEVERAL TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED INTO SOMEONE WHETHER I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A TURN OR MY CAR SHUT DOWN AND SOMEONE ALMOST HITS ME. SO, I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS DONE ON MY MODE, MAKE, AND YEAR CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE RECALL ON PARTS THAT ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR ME. SO, I CALLED UP NISSAN AND TOLD THEM MY VIN AND PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THERE AREN'T ANY RECALLS ON MY VIN AND MY VIN SHOULDN'T BE DOING WHAT THE RECALL DESCRIBES. EVERYTIME I DRIVE THIS CAR I FEAR THAT I'M GOING TO HIT SOMEONE OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO HIT ME BECAUSE THIS UNKNOWN REASON AS TO WHY THIS CAR DOES THIS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE GETTING FROM POINT A TO POINT B IN MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10266997
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2009

2003 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING TWICE ON ME NOW, WHICH IS SO DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AT ALL TIMES, TAKE IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT SENSORS, DID THIS ABOUT 5 TIMES NOW WITHIN A YEAR. NOW THE ENGINE WONT START, AGAIN TAKE TO DEALERSHIP THIS TIME ENGINE IS FLOODED CAUSE THE SENSOR WEREN'T WORKING, THEY JUST RESET THE SENSOR. I AM IN CONSTANT WORRY WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR NEVER KNOW WHEN THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10265419
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, VIBRATED, AND MISFIRED WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. SUDDENLY, THE RPM'S INCREASED EXCESSIVELY HIGH WHEN THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED DOWNWARD. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE SECONDARY BUTTERFLY SCREWS AND AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,255.

NHTSA #: 10261565
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE RAN IT THROUGH THE COMPUTER AND TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUSH DONE AND LIGHT WENT OFF. A WEEK LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AND NOW THE CAR WONT START. I WENT TO THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE, READ THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, OR THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR OR THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR, ON THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MY CAR, COULD BE CAUSING PROBLEMS. IT COULD BE CAUSING ENGINE POWER LOSS, WHICH IT DOES STRUGGLE. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH IT DID. OR A "NOT STARTING-UP CONDITION" WHICH IS WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW. THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO START. PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I THINK THAT I QUALIFY FOR THESE SERVICES TO BE DONE TO MY VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA #: 10259539
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE WITH ERRATIC GAUGES THAT ONLY WORK SOMETIMES.... THEN RECENTLY CAR HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF, COMPLETELY DYING WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES AT LOW SPEEDS, SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. SOMETIMES WILL RESTART FOR ME, SOMETIMES WILL NOT. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE, FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL ON 03 SENTRAS WITH THE EXACT THINGS THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING. CALLED NISSAN AND TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID MY CARS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE SAME YEAR, MODEL AND ENGINE AS THE RECALL LISTED. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND IT IS HAPPENING VERY FREQUENTLY NOW. *TR

NHTSA #: 10258806
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WILL NOT RESTART. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE TAKES AT LEAST A HALF AN HOUR BEFORE RESTARTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. THE DIAGNOSTIC WOULD COST $90. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR INDICATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA #: 10258223
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2009

THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO DATE: 1.MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR ?03 SENTRA AT 11 PM ON JANUARY 22, 2008 WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENED ON A SIDE STREET WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC. 2.I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY USUAL MECHANIC, A FIRESTONE DEALER IN NORCROSS, GA. 3.THE NEXT DAY THE FIRESTONE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE?S ISSUE WAS A CRANK POSITION SENSOR THAT WAS BAD AND THAT THIS WAS COVERED BY RECALL #03V455000 FOR ?03 NISSAN SENTRAS, AMONG OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER. 4.THAT NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CAPITOL CITY (FORMERLY PEACHTREE) NISSAN.. THE CAPITOL CITY NISSAN SERVICE AGENT INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. HE SHOWED ME THE DOCUMENT THAT INDICATED THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO ?03 CARS MANUFACTURED ON OR BEFORE 30 JUNE 2002. MINE WAS APPARENTLY BUILT IN DECEMBER OF ?02 5.CAPITOL CITY NISSAN ALSO WASN'T CONVINCED THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR SO INSISTED ON RUNNING THEIR OWN DIAGNOSTICS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. IN THE END, IT WAS CONFIRMED TO BE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE FAILED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR CAUSED A SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE, EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL NOTICE 03V455000. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING SLOWLY IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. I BROUGHT THIS TO NISSAN'S ATTENTION. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT AT THEIR COST. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL ?03 SENTRAS AS I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL OF THESE OCCURRENCES TO VEHICLES JUST OUTSIDE THE RECALL MANUFACTURING PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10256841
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2009

MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA, IS RECENTLY EXPERIENCING RELATED ITEMS IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V24000, BUT NISSAN STATES MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ON THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED FOR $698.41. SOON AFTER THE DEALERSHIP FIXED MY VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE STOP RUNNING AT A LOW SPEED WHILE TRAVELING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN, I WAS ASSIGNED CASE # 6389764 I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED BY NISSAN WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOURS. I AM POSTING THIS COMPLAINT , BECAUSE OF THE JEOPARDY OF NISSAN PUTTING MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE AT RISK. MY LOVED ONES ARE AFRAID TO TRAVEL IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. I FIND IT SOMEWHAT OF A ENIGMA, THAT MY VIN DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, BUT I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEMS PER RECALL CAMPAIGN #06242000. *TR

NHTSA #: 10254683
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. SHE EXPERIENCED STALLING CONSISTENTLY IN NOVEMBER OF 2008. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE GASOLINE SHE USED THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. ON DECEMBER 3, 2008, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS FOUND FAILURE CODES FOR THE HEAD GASKET AND CRANK SENSOR. THE THIRD CYLINDER AND THE CRANK SENSOR CIRCUIT WERE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WERE $1,678.58. THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REDIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE STALLING WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A REPORT RELATED TO THE FAILURE WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WILL RECEIVE A REFUND IF THEY FOUND THAT HER VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 135,000. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

NHTSA #: 10253101
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE HEAT, HEADLIGHTS, AND RADIO ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WAS STILL ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY IDLED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 70,000.

NHTSA #: 10252854
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2008

MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA DIED OUT WHILE DRIVING AGAIN WITHIN TWO WEEKS (12/05/08 & 12/19/08)! THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING -THEN, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON & ALL GAUGES GO ERRATIC, OR VICE VERSA. THESE CONDITIONS COME OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE FIRST TIME MY CAR DIED OUT ON THE ROAD WAS ON 03/21/2007. HOWEVER, SINCE I PURCHASED THIS BRAND-NEW CAR IN 2003, THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. IT WAS HARD TO START THE ENGINE AND DIED OUT, WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGING THE STARTER. (APPROX. 6 TIMES OF SERVICES AND POSSIBLY, A RECALL SEEMED TO SOLVE THIS ONE.) THEN, ANOTHER PROBLEM CAME UP. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AS YEARS GO BY SINCE 2004. (APPROX. 8 TIMES OF REPAIR ATTEMPTS AND NOT FIXED YET AS OF 12/23/08) ALSO, ALL THE GAUGES SUDDENLY GO ERRATIC (BOUNCING AROUND OR UP& DOWN MOVEMENTS) WHEN START A CAR OR WHILE DRIVING. AGAIN, THESE CONDITIONS COME UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ESPECIALLY, IN THE MORNING WHEN START A CAR, IT HAPPENS MORE (MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH) THAN WHILE DRIVING. THIS YEAR THE OIL GAUGE BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AND COST ME $550. RECENTLY, I SOMETIMES NOTICE THAT MY CAR DOES NOT CREEP, WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO SPEED UP. EVERY TIME THESE CONDITIONS COME UP, I TAKE MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND WHAT IS WRONG. IT HAS BEEN YEARS, AND MY CAR IS GETTING WORSE EVEN THOUGH THE MILEAGE IS ONLY 33491. NOW, MY CAR HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE DEALER FOR DAYS AS OF 12/23/08. NISSAN SHOULD REPURCHASE MY CAR BECAUSE IT JEOPARDIZES OTHERS' AND MY SAFETY/LIFE ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10252690
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2008

1. THE CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING -SUDDENLY ALL THE GAUGES BECOME ERRATIC AND ENGINE DIES OUT. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. BOUNCING GAUGES OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. 2. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. THE CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING ONCE A YEAR. BOUNCING GAUGES OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH -ERRATIC AND SPORADIC. BECAUSE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX, IT GIVES ME GREAT EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND FEAR OF DRIVING. IT WAS PURE LUCK THAT I DID NOT GET INTO ACCIDENTS SO FAR. BUT IT IS TIME THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO STOP THIS ONGOING UNSOLVED PROBLEMS. 3. THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS TAKES A LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS. ONE TIME THEY RETURNED MY CAR, STATING, "THERE IS A GHOST IN YOUR CAR." DURING THE LAST VISIT AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED IT (CAR DIES OUT) WOULD COME BACK AGAIN, AND THAT NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED THEY WOULD DO FURTHER TEST. WHAT IF THE "NEXT TIME" GETS ME INTO A FATAL ACCIDENT? *TR

NHTSA #: 10251441
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2008

WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT MY 2003 SENTRA SE R SPEC V NEED A NEW ENGINE. ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC MATERIAL BEING INGESTED THROUGH EXHAUST VALVES. THUS SCORING THE CYLINDER WALLS, LEADING THE CAR TO CONSUME OIL. WITHOUT OIL THE ENGINE WILL FAIL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER CONCERNING AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, DEALER DECLARED THAT IT WAS WITHIN PARAMETERS AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THIS WAS JUST BEFORE THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS UP. THE CAR NOW HAS 95,000 AND NEEDS NEW ENGINE. NISSAN CLAIMS TO KNOW NOTHING OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10244565
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,700. UPDATED 10/20/08.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VIN DID NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

NHTSA #: 10242947
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK, BUT FAILED TO TURN OVER. AN HOUR LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ONCE AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO FINALLY START THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CAM SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.

NHTSA #: 10241451
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2008

RE: 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SPEC-V. SEVERAL TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BOTH AT HIGH SPEEDS (STARTING AROUND 50MPH) AND LOW SPEEDS (WHILE AT FULL STOP OR LOW SPEEDS), CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I PRACTICALLY ALMOST DIED TRYING TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE CAUSES, AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE REGARDING THE RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT IN THE MORNING AND INFORMED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN RE: THE RECALLS. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME THAT THE ECM HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. ONCE THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM, THEY CALLED ME BACK AND INFORMED ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL, WHICH WAS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURES. ONCE THEY COMPLETED ALL REPAIRS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ECM REPROGRAMMING WAS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE CRANKSHAFT REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT VIN SPECIFIC. EVEN WITH ALL THESE SERVICES PERFORMED, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS STILL ON. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10233508
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

2003 NISSAN SENTRA ENGINE QUIT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WOULD NOT START. NISSAN HAD A RECALL 03V455000 BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR- AROUND $280.00 OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA #: 10232390
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

ONE DAY IN JANUARY I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY SCARED BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. I WAITED ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR BACK UP BUT IS WAS RUNNING VERY BADLY. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT WAS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE THAT HAD WENT OUT. HE SAID HE HAD HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART AND URGED ME TO CONTACT NISSAN DIRECTLY. I DID AND WAS TOLD THAT IS WAS THE LARGER ENGINE SIZE MODEL THAT THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON NOT MY MODEL. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO FIX WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD. I TOOK IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO CHARGED ME ABOUT $1,000.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR THE ECM. I SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY WILL ONLY COVER REPROGRAMMING NOT REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM. SO NOW EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA #: 10231626
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

CAR STARTED IDLING ROUGH, SKIPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING. FOUND A DAMAGED SPARK PLUG, THE GAP HAD BEEN SMASHED SHUT AND COULD SEE WHERE SOMETHING WAS POUNDING ON THE PLUG REPEATEDLY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE BUTTERFLY (POWER VALVE) ISSUE OF THE ASSEMBLY FALLING INTO THE 2.5L ENGINES. USING AN EXTENDABLE MAGNET I WAS ABLE TO COLLECT ALL OF THE PIECES OF THE BUTTERFLY ASSEMBLY AND EXTRACT THEM FROM THE ENGINE. ONE OF THE SCREWS WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE, LOOKED LIKE A BRASS BB FROM A BB GUN BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN SMASHED UP SO BAD. THE BUTTERFLY ITSELF WAS ALSO DAMAGED AROUND THE EDGES. I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT ORDERING A NEW BUTTERFLY ASSEMBLY AND THEY INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL FOR THESE ENGINES IN THE 04-05 SENTRA SPEC V'S. THEY RECOMMENDED I TALK TO THE SERVICE DEPT ABOUT HAVING IT REPAIRED BY NISSAN UNDER RECALL. NISSAN SERVICE LOOKED UP MY VIN # AND DISCOVERED THAT 03 MODELS DID NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THE BUTTERFLY SCREWS BUT A NEW ENGINE WAS RECENTLY REPLACED FOR THE PRECAT RECALL ISSUE ONLY 20,000 MILES AGO.. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL CORPORATE AND FILE A CLAIM REGARDING THE BUTTERFLY SCREW PROBLEM SINCE THEY HAD JUST RECENTLY WORKED ON THE ENGINE AND SHOULD HAVE TIGHTENED THOSE SCREWS. SO I DID. I PAID $150.00 TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, THEY WAIVED THE $96 DIAGNOSTIC AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BUTTERFLY SCREWS DID DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IT TOOK ABOUT 3 MONTHS OF GETTING ESCALATED UP THE CORPORATE NISSAN PYRAMID. FINALLY I MADE IT TO THE TOP JUST TO BE DENIED. THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE WAS 5,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT FOR 03 MODELS ONLY 04-05. HOWEVER IT IS THE SAME EXACT ENGINE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHY 03 IS NOT COVERED. THE FACT THAT I HAD ONLY PUT 20,000 ON THE NEW ENGINE THAT THEY INSTALLED DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO THEM. I AM NO ROCKET SCIENTIST BUT I AM PRETTY SURE A 4 CYL ENGINE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RUN FOR MORE THAT 20,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10231342
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

I BOUGHT A USED 2003 NISSAN SENTRA FOR JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO FROM A USED CAR DEALER. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER I FOUND SOME LISTED RECALLS ON THE WEB FOR THE ON BOARD CONTROL UNIT WHICH WAS CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO MISS READ THE CRANK CASE POSITIONING SENSOR, AND OXYGEN SENSORS, & CAUSING CARS TO STOP RUNNING FOR ANYWHERE FROM SPLIT SECOND TO SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FOR THIS ON BOARD COMPUTER WAS MAKING ERROR CODES SHOW UP WHEN DOING SMOG TEST AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THESE SENSORS. I WENT INTO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THESE RECALL REPAIRS DONE, I WAS TOLD THAT ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE MY 2003 SENTRA WAS MADE IN DEC. AND THE RECALL FOR THE OTHER WERE FOR UP TO NOV OF 2003. MY SENTRA HAS BEEN HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE SUPPOSE TO FIX, ONLY THEY WOULDN'T FIX MINE. SINCE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND ABOUT A HALF A DOZEN TIMES A WEEK MY CAR WILL JUST STOP RUNNING FOR ABOUT A SECOND AND START UP AGAIN. ALSO SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD BOTH THE CRANK CASE SENSOR AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED AND NOT ONLY WILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOT GO OUT, BUT NOW EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED BOTH OF THESE SENSORS BECAUSE THEY WERE SHOWING UP AS DEFECTIVE WHEN I HAD THE SMOG CHECKED, THIS DEFECTIVE ON BOARD COMPUTER STILL SHOWS THE EXACT SAME DEFECT CODES EVEN AFTER PUTTING NEW PARTS IN. THIS HAS NOW COST ME OVER $150 FOR PARTS I DIDN'T NEED AND EVEN WORSE, THE CAR WON'T PASS SMOG EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PARTS I HAD TO REPLACE. SO NOW BECAUSE NISSAN WOULDN'T REPLACE WHAT THEY KNEW WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, THE ON BOARD COMPUTER OR WHAT THE SERVICE MANUAL CALLS IT THEN (ECM) CONTROLLER, I HAVE 3 DAYS (NEVADA ONLY GIVES YOU 10 DAYS EXTENSION IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T PASS SMOG TO FIX IT). ECM CONTROLLER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACE II DON'T HAVE $700 TO $1000 DOLLARS TO PAY FOR ONE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10229648
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CrashFiled: Apr 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES. THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE ENGINE STALLS AND LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN DRIVING UPHILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKS. WHEN TRAVELING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL GROUND, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESTART. THE FIRST CRASH OCCURRED IN JULY OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURES OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THE CONTACT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHEN IT STARTED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED AND JUMPED, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 7 MPH. BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES BEFORE THEY MADE THE FIRST REPAIR, WHICH WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED, SO HE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SIX MORE TIMES. FOUR OF THOSE TIMES THE VEHICLE HAD TO STAY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PERSIST, SO HE DECIDED TO CHECK THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND LOCATED SEVERAL RELATED TO THE 2.5L ENGINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CYLINDER HEADS UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V477000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE) AND 06V242000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF THESE RECALLS THE MANY TIMES HE VISITED THE DEALER. HE HAD TO CALL NISSAN TEN TIMES BEFORE ANYONE RETURNED HIS CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA #: 10226060
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHEN STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND STALLS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA #: 10221534
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS OCCASIONALLY, BUT MOST TIMES THE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA #: 10215099
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2007

(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, NORMAL DRIVING. PULLED UP TO STOP SIGN AND ENGINE DIED. WILL CRANK, BUT NOT START. (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, AND CAR IS INOPERABLE. NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES. ERROR CODE IS 0340. CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) CALLED POWER NISSAN DEALERSHIP AT 1 888 295 7489, ADVISED SERVICE PERSONNEL OF, WAS TOLD NHTSA CAMPAIGN 03V455000 DOES NOT APPLY TO VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10211010
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE CALLED NISSAN AND THEY DENIED THAT ANY RECALLS APPLIED TO HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA #: 10208177
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND RESTARTED AN HOUR LATER. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 01/02/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/02/08 *TR

NHTSA #: 10205440
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM POSITIONING SENSOR FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,200.

NHTSA #: 10203925
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED EACH TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE CHARGING $280 TO REPLACE THE SENSORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD BE FREE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,850.

NHTSA #: 10197221
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2007

NISSAN SENTRA SER SPEC V 2003 HAS POWER FAILURE PROBLEMS, EXPERIENCING A MILD LOSS OF ACCELERATION. DRIVING AT 70 MPH, VEHICLE LOST FULL POWER AND REDUCED SPEED TO 40 MPH, SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE SCREWS AND THE "POWER VALVE" WERE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE BAY. INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE, SAME PROBLEM AS 2004-2005 QR25DE ENGINE RECALLS, BUT MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUES A RECALL FOR THE QR25DE IN 2002 OR 2003. PLEASE REQUEST NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO ISSUE A "POWER VALVE RECALL" FOR THE YEARS 2002 AND 2003 AS WELL. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSUMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10190777
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2007

A LARGE NUMBER OF 2003 NISSAN SENTRA'S ARE UNDER RECALL FOR BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I OWN A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA WHO'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD, BUT AM NOW TOLD MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS EMISSIONS ISSUE, AND MY CAR WILL NOW NOT PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST FOR STATE INSPECTION. MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 69000 MILES, PROOF OF WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN SERVICE RECORDS FROM SOUTHERN STATES NISSAN IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA. MY VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR SERVICE CENTER IN JAN. OF 2006 TO REPLACE BAD COMPUTER COMPONENTS. WHEN MY VEHICLE LEFT THE SERVICE CENTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED THE CAUSE TO BE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10188697
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2007

I HAVE TRIED A NUMBER OF TIMES TO HAVE NISSAN FIND THE REASON WHY MY CAR HAD A DELAY IN START FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE NO SUCCESS, ONLY EXCUSES , AND RUN AROUND. NOW MY CAR IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY AND THEY ARE STILL GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT IT APPEARS TO BE WHAT THE RECALLS ARE STATING.*AK

NHTSA #: 10185663
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CrashFiled: Mar 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TWO MONTHS AGO FOR THE 2003 NISSAN SENTRA, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED LAST YEAR. WHILE DRIVING THE WEATHER WAS POOR, THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 17 DEGREES AND ITSTARTED SNOWING ,HE WAS DRIVING UNDER BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. HE WAS TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. DUE TO THE ICY CONDITIONS A TRUCK HAD STOPPED, BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SLID INTO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. HIS INSURANCE COMPANY STATED HE WAS AT FAULT. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT THAT THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. NISSAN CONFIRMED THE INSURANCE FINDINGS, AND SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT AND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. IN AUGUST 2006 THE VEHICLE REPEATED THE SAME FAILURE. WHIE GOING 3 MPH AND THE CAR STALLED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALMOST ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN JANUARY HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, IT STARTED TO RAIN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AGAIN AND HE COULD NOT START IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.*AK

NHTSA #: 10184900
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2007

CAR WILL NOT START IN THE MORNING UNLESS ENGINE IS WARMED UP FOR A FEW MINUTES, IF NOT ALLOWED TO WARM UP IT WILL MOVE VERY SLOWLY AND IF YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE IT STALLS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS A BAD CAM SENSOR, SO HE REPLACED AND THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. HE PUT BACK THE OLD SENSOR AND IT STARTED UP BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, THE COMPUTER STATED IT'S THE CAM SENSOR. HE COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT SO HE FINALLY CONTACTED NISSAN TECHS AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE. AFTER 5 DAYS THEY FINALLY CAME UP WITH THE PROBLEM---VALVE-TIMING CONTROL ??? THEY WANT $ 1600 TO REPAIR THE CAR, I CAN'T AFFORD IT, SO I CONTACTED NISSAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SHOULD PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE RECALL NHTSA ID 03V455000, THEY REFUSED EVEN THOUGH I AM A LONG TIME NISSAN CUSTOMER. I AM GOING TO APPEAL THE DECISION BECAUSE I AM READING A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS EXIST AND THEY WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. IT'S A REAL SHAME. *NM

NHTSA #: 10178596
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL,# 03V455000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA #: 10175775
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2006

THE VEHICLE HAS VERY HEAVY OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY CONSUMES 1QT PER WEEK. I DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM AS IT HAS PROGRESSED SINCE 40,000 MILES WHERE IT WAS ONLY 2-3 QUARTS BETWEEN CHANGES. I HAVE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE (I WAS TRAINED BY A MASTER VOLVO TECHNICIAN). HE HAS OVER SEEN THE MAINTAINING OF MY VEHICLE SINCE MILE 1. I NOTICED THAT OIL CONSUMPTION WAS BECOMING AN ISSUE AROUND 65,000 MILES. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. I HAD THIS RECALL PERFORMED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 35,000 AND 50,000 MILES (CANNOT REMEMBER WHEN EXACTLY, NISSAN USA SHOULD HAVE RECORD). THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REMOVED - IT HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ENGINE - THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO SEE INTERNAL DAMAGE WITHOUT REMOVAL! THE INTERNAL DAMAGE WILL NOT AFFECT THE EMISSIONS OF THE VEHICLE UNLESS IN VERY EXTREME CASES! THE BOLTS HAVE NO SCARING WHAT SO EVER TO SUGGEST THAT IT WAS EVER REMOVED AND INSPECTED. HOWEVER, THE SHIELD WAS REMOVED AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT LEFT THE BOLTS ON TOP OF THE SHIELD LOOSE. MANY SENTRAS (WITH 2.5L ENGINES) OWNERS ARE NOTICING VERY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION WITH THEIR VEHICLES (I COULD EASILY FIND OVER 100 BETWEEN 2 DIFFERENT MESSAGE BOARDS THAT DO NOT COVER THE ALTIMA 2.5) EVEN WITH THE RECALL DONE. MANY HAVE CALLED NISSAN USA AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE EARLIER MODELS - NISSAN HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH EVEN FOR THOSE WHO STILL HAVE FACTORY WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, OFTEN BLAMING THE DEFECT ON "NEGLECTING THE VEHICLE". THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING TOLD THIS ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PASSION FOR THEIR VEHICLES, AND MAINTAIN THEM WITH THE BEST PRODUCTS THEY KNOW OF; AND CONSISTENTLY LOOK FOR BETTER PRODUCTS TO REPLACE "GOOD PRODUCTS". PLEASE LOOK HEAVILY INTO EXPANDING THE CURRENT OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL - NISSAN SEEMS TO BE DISREGARDING THE SAFETY OF ITS BUYERS. IF THEY CONTINUE TO "SLIP BY" WITH IT, THEY WILL ONLY CONTINUE.*JB

NHTSA #: 10174114
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE BURNED 3/ 4 OF OIL IN THE TANK EVERY 2000 MILES. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED TWO ENGINES AND CHANGED AN OIL BLOCK TO TRY TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION HAS CONTINUED.

NHTSA #: 10171439
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Oct 2006

CAR BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, HAD TROUBLE STARTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. DIDN'T DRIVE MUCH AFTER PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER (LEITZINGER IMPORTS) WHERE I ATTEND COLLEGE, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS P0462 - FUEL/SENSOR CIRCUIT, AS PER TSB. ENGINE CONTROL UNIT NEEDS REPROGRAMMED WHICH WAS DONE. MY FATHER PICKED UP AFTER FIXED & SERVICE PERSONNEL MENTIONED IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WAS CONTACTED & MY FATHER SPOKE WITH A HELPFUL REP SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR WORK. FILE NUMBER WITH NISSAN IS 5463960. NO KNOWN RECALLS, REIMBURSEMENT DENIED BUT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IF WE OWNED MORE NISSANS. WAS MENTIONED TO REP THAT NO PARTS WERE REPLACED WHICH INDICATES IT WAS A COMPUTER/PROGRAM MALFUNCTION & NOT FAULT OF OWNER. *NM

NHTSA #: 10169745
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2006

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING AND CAR WAS GOING TO STOP SUDDENLY BUT THE DRIVER WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO REACT IN TIME AND DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND CRUISE TO A SAFE SPOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN AT AN INTERSECTION IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE DRIVER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL TRIES UPON WHICH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TACHOMETER WAS NOT READING THE RPM. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY (5 MPH) DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION WHERE FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A TROUBLE CODE 0335 ( CRANK POSITION/CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION). EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL (03V455000) FOR THIS ISSUE THE DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND DO ANY REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE STATING THAT ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLES VIN# THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON IT. *JB

NHTSA #: 10164827
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Mar 2006

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SER THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. IT STALLS, DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND SOMETIMES WONT START. THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN ITS GOING TO DIE. IT FEELS LIKE IT LOSES POWER WHILE YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THE MATTER WITH IT THEY HAVE REPLACE THE CHAMBER ASSEMBLY THROTTLE AND THEN REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR ASSEMBLY. SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT EVEN COME ON BUT WHEN THEY SCAN IT FOR A CODE A CODE COMES UP OR SOMETIMES NO CODES COME UP. THIS CAR HAD BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 10 TIMES AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA #: 10153574
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2005

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A NUMBER OF RECALLS FROM ITS PRELIMINARY 02 MODEL YEAR TO ITS LATEST 05 MODELS. THE FOUR CYLINDER MOTOR THAT POWERS THIS CAR WITH THE ENGINE CODE QR25DE HAS A HABIT OF INGESTING BUTTERFLY VALVE SCREWS. THESE SCREWS SECURE PLATES THAT OPEN AT A CERTAIN RPM WITHIN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO ALLOW MORE AIR TO ENTER THE ENGINE. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THESE SCREWS CAN WORK THEMSELVES LOOSE BECOME SUCKED THROUGH THE INTAKE SYSTEM AND ENTER THE CYLINDERS OF THE MOTOR. DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE THE RESULTS COULD LEAVE THE OWNER NOTICING ABNORMAL THROTTLE RESPONSE BECAUSE OF LOOSE PLATES, THEY MAY NOTICE THEIR MOTORS ARE BURNING AN INCREASINGLY LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL OR AT WORSE IMMEDIATE ENGINE STALL/FAILURE THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY SPEED. AT TIMES THEY MAY BE TOTALLY UNAWARE ANY DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED UNTIL MORE SCREWS BECOME DISPLACED. SCREWS HAVE BEEN NONE TO SCORE CYLINDER WALLS AND CLOSE SPARK PLUG GAPS AS WELL. I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS FAILURE BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS STRICKEN BY THIS PROBLEM HAVE HAD THEIR ENTIRE MOTOR REPLACED AND AT TIMES JUST THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN A GOOD AMOUNT OF CASES WHERE DEALERS HAVE REFUSED TO DO WARRANTY WORK ON THESE VEHICLES. SOME OF THE MORE MECHANICALLY INCLINED OWNERS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM BY USING AN ADHESIVE DESIGNED TO SECURE SCREWS BY THE NAME OF LOCTITE. OWNERS WHO HAVE DONE THIS HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER, BUT FOR THOSE OF US NOT SKILLED ENOUGH TO TAKE THIS TASK ON OURSELVES WE ARE PRETTY MUCH WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN AND HOPING IT DOESN''T HAPPEN AT A VERY INCONVENIENT TIME. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN IN ALL B15 SENTRAS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR FROM 2002 TO 2004 WHICH INCLUDES THE SE-R, SE-R SPEC V AND 2.5 SPECIAL EDITION. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS.

NHTSA #: 10127872
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2005

DT: AT 32,000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 15 TIMES FOR REPAIRS. THE MAIN ISSUE WAS AT 15,000 MILES. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTER THAT, THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING, WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS THE VEHICLE SPUTERED. THE SERVICE MANAGER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE FULE PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS 2 NEW FAN BELTS, TRUNK FLOODED ONCE. THE HEATER CONTROL WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA #: 10127891
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2004

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MAY OF 2004. SINCE THEN, THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND VARIOUS FUSES HAVE BLOWN AT LEAST 3 TIMES EACH. LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD FIND, AND THEY HAD REPLACED THE FUSES. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE SAME FUSES BLEW AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE NO "OPEN RECALLS" ON MY CAR. IT IS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES. THIS ACTUALLY BLEW MY ENGINE, WHICH DEALERSHIP RELACED. THE FUSE PROBLEM IS STILL PERSISTENT.

NHTSA #: 10086598
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2004

VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT 65 TO 70 MPH. *AK

NHTSA #: 10074150
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK

NHTSA #: 10073594
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CrashFiled: Apr 2004

1) I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT--THE FRIST CAR AT THE LIGHT--ON A TWO LANE DIVIVED HIGHTWAY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GEREN I ACCLELRATED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE IT WAS IN OVERDRIVE. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID A 360 DEGREE COUNTER-CLOCKWISE ROTATION. THE PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE MEDIAN AND DEFLATED BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR TIRERS. THE CAR NEVER STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO WOBBLE OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY ON TO A DIRT ROAD WHICH WAS THE ENTRANCE TO A COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE. I RAN INTO A STEEL GATE WHICH WAS ACROSS TTHE ROAD AS THE FOREST PRESERVE WAS CLOSED. I SUSPECT BECAUSE TWO OF MY TIRES WERE DEFLATED, MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. 2) ACTUALLY, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO WOODFIELD NISSAN FOR SERVICE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON THE AIR-CONDITIONING, THE KNOB (WHICH GOES FROM BLUE--COOL-- TO RED--HEAT--WAS NOT WORKING. USUALLY THE KNOB SUCH TURNS SMOOTHLY, BUT THIS TIME, THERE WAS A GRATING SENSATION AND THE COOLING SYSTEM DID NOT TURN ON. THE HEAT COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF AND THE COOLING SYSTEM COULD NOT BE TURNED ON. WHETHER THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE OTHER EVENT IS HARD TO SAY, BUT I FAVOR A "CAUSE AND EVENT" EXPLANATION. 3) THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED ABOUT $7,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. MY CAR IS STILL AT WOODFIELD NISSAN BODY SHOP AWAITING PARTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE ABOUT MARCH 22. I HAVE ASKED JOHN AT THE BODY SHOP TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOK AT MY ORIGINAL AIR-CONDITIONING PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN UNTIL THE BODY SHOP IS FINISHED WITH THE CAR. INCIDENTALLY, I RECEIVED A A NOTICE OF A RECALL FROM FEGUS NISSAN IN EARLY JAN. OF THIS YEAR (RECALL CODE: R3022). I TOOK MY CAR TO WOODFIELD AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS "NO OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGNS." I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE REASON FOR THIS RECALL.

NHTSA #: 10068046
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL# 03V455000 CONCERNING CRANK POSITION SENSOR VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER STATED DEALER REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN GOOD CONDITIONS. *AK

NHTSA #: 10064722
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2004

AC WILL NOT TURN OFF FRONT END MAKES A JUTTERING SOUND DEALER HEARS IT BUT CAN'T FIX IT. WINDOWS FOG UP ALL THE TIME MOST OF THE PAINT IS MISSING FROM THE FRONT END, AM TOLD THIS IS STONE CHIPS FACTORY RECALL FOR EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE/FIRE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS.

NHTSA #: 10068972
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jan 2004

I PURCHASED MY 2003 NISSAN SENTRA GXE ON JUNE 10, 2003. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE 7 WORK ORDERS ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT DOESN'T COUNT EACH TIME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SHOW THE PROBLEM AND THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW, A DING THEY PUT IN THE HOOD, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO STICKER GAS MILEAGE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON FOR NO REASON FOUND AND NOW THERE'S A RECALL ON THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF YET. *LA

NHTSA #: 10052321
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Nov 2003

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO REVIEW THE DAMAGES AND DETERMINED WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. THE TECHNICIAN HAS NOT CONTACTED THE OWNER WITH THE FINDINGS FROM THE INVESTIGATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA #: 10048576
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT ONLY TO HAVE THEM TO SAY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH

NHTSA #: 10039888

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