Engine Exhaust System problems of the 2003 Nissan Altima - part 2

Car was been driven and shut off on highway and would not restart . Car was towed to auto max in apple valley and determined the catalytic converter had caused the engine to be replaced because of debris from the converter been sucked in the engine. Total cost of engine replacement was $4226. 62. Under further investigation I found that in canada , the canadian government has order Nissan to replace the engine based upon the catalytic converter failure. If you go on line, there are numerous people in the same boat as me and Nissan tries to play ignorant. I have also talked with a dealer in st. Cloud , mn where the service manger got a few engines replaced for customers as a result of this problem.

I have had many problems with my 2003 Nissan Altima 2. 5s. Currently excessive oil consumption code p0422 - replaced catalytic converter and pre-cat.

I have a 2003 Altima. The cars engine light was on and the car was running rough. I took it to the dealership and was told $850 for cat converter. I then towed it to my garage when the Nissan corp. Would not help pay. My mechanic after he took it apart said all the insides of the cat came out and more than likely had gotten in the engine. He said he knew it needed a new engine. He put the car back together without replacing the cat because I didn't have enough money to replace the engine. The car would run now because the cat converter guts was out. We topped it off with oil so I could drive it home and by the time I got home 15 miles later and alot of smoke the oil was empty. I've read on several sites that thousand are having the same problem and Nissan is not helping. This is a major problem with 2002/2003 Nissan Altima's and the corporation is doing nothing. . Read more...

2003 Nissan Altima - failure of catalytic converter at 96k miles. Resulting failure has caused complete engine failure and will result in complete engine replacement. I was thankfully not on the road when the engine completely failed. Nissan is claiming no responsibility at this point - repair will cost $4500.

I have a 2003 Nissan Altima and the engine is dying. I have talked and researched others and they have the same problem. Is NHTSA aware of this problem?.

I brought a brand new 2003 Nissan Altima 3. 5 from len stoler Nissan. We noticed a light mist of smoke from the tailpipe in the summer time. I called to the dealer the dealer stated that was normal. The car started blowing light white smoke, the dealer stated change my gas to supreme octane. At just over 25,000 miles the car started blowing heavy white smoke, we heard a water sound under the car, the oil light would come and go off, and it started losing power. I took it in to the dealer they told us we had sludge in the engine. We turned in all service records showing that the maintenance was keep up on the car. The dealer and Nissan manufacturer stated that sludge only comes from lack of maintenance and sludge do not come from nothing else and refused to honor the warranty. The dealer said for $700. They'll call the Nissan rep. Back out; look past the oil crank case opening and look in the bottom of the oil pan. I refused took it to nationwide Nissan they opened my oil pan took my money, did not let me see when it was open just claimed my pan was full of sludge. They did take a picture, shared it with the other dealer, and told me the same thing but they also said that the Nissan rep this time told them over the phone that Nissan will not fix the car. Where is the customer service? that shows how Nissan sticks together! so what now? I know I will not buy another Nissan and is telling everybody else also! these dealers/Nissan will sell u a car but will not honor there warranty!.

2003 Nissan Altima exhaust leak positive for carbon d in my blood many problems with engine light coming on with the first year of owning my car it started with instructions on how to screw a gas cap on to after years of attempts trying to convince them it caused damage to my lymph nodes in my lungs when it was too late and they saw visible signs inside my car like black soot and a strong smell they laughed and said hey lady you have a leak they replaced the catalytic converter and the O2 sensor within 6-8 months I started to have symptoms again nausea,headaches, heavy legs,wheezing & inability to concentrate. Then I knew once the smell started the damage was done I did not have the mental strength to fight with them about it anymore so I traded it in this week I kept all the reports from the dealer when I took it in but of course they did not type in all that I had concerns about.

Defect report submitted 2002-2003 Nissan Altima exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road which could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst.