2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S review from North America
"The Nissan Altima is a LEMON. Worst Car I've ever had"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Knock in engine at 10,000 km.
Strange water rushing sound in the dash.
Total Brake failure without warning at 22,000 km.
4 Tires replace at 22,000 km.
Doors began squeaking within weeks of getting it.
Door seal replaced twice.
Right front door glass has wind noise.
Once you push the latch to engage the Child locks they will not disengage and you have to open the door from the outside.
The door latches freeze on cold winter mornings and won't shut. You have to wait until the car warms up.
Two recalls - one for the converter and the other for a screen in the gas filler tube or something.
Engine shot and needs to be replaced at 62,000 kms.
General comments?
This is by far the worst car I have ever had - bar none. It has been nothing, but trouble since I got it. It is a leased vehicle so I am obligated to keep it for the life of the lease. Had I purchased it, I would have dumped it long ago.
There are so many things wrong with the piece of junk that I don't know where to start.
There is an annoying wind noise coming in through the side glass when on the hwy that after 4-5 times having it in in for repair and still not fixed I gave up.
I left for work one day and put my foot on the brake to hear this gawd awful metal on metal sound. I brought it to the dealer expecting that there was something let go in the rear end. They informed me that all 4 rotors needed to be replaced and new pads. It ended up costing me $1200. There was less than 30,000 kms and no prior warning of brake wear. I still believe something let go.
The tires wore out after just over 20,000 kms. I had them replaced at the dealer. They put the wrong size on and informed me that they couldn't get the original size that came on the car...
After the first 10,000 km the car began hitting bumps like a train. It feels as though there is not a strut on it. The dealer says they are fine and refused to replace them.
The car has a strange water rushing sound in the dash. I've had it in several times and about 8 months ago they actually fixed it... now it's back again.
This is the most frustrating car I have ever owned and I have had a few. The door latches freeze on cold winter mornings and won't shut. You have to wait until the car warms up. One morning this past winter while in a hurry to get to work I opened the back door to throw mt briefcase in and of course it wouldn't close. I tried several times slamming the door with no luck. I tried engaging the child lock in desperation and that stuck and wouldn't come off. In pure frustration I began hitting the outside door handle in an attempt to free the latch. Now I have to big dents in my door...
I am currently waiting on a new engine to arrive. I've been telling the dealer every time I'd bring it in for service (which has been about 10 or 15 times) that there was a knock in the engine... They kept trying to tell me it was normal. Then two weeks ago they call me and tell me the engine is gone completely.
I've had ten year old cars that never give me the problems that his lemon has, and the dealer is as frustration as the car...
I would never ever buy another Nissan product again.
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All 2003 Nissan Altima reviews
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model Year | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3/10 |
| Reliability marks | 2/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 10 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 62000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Chrysler Dodge Carivan |
| Date of Entry | 29th May, 2005 |

