2003 Nissan Altima LSE review from North America
"Outstanding performing vehicle, until engine failure"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The Oil Pump failed, resulting in a certified dealer determening compalete engine failure. Nissan has refused to service the 2003 Altima under warranty as I did not have every single receipt for oil changes. While I had six receipts, the others were through a company that purged their database annually, causing me to not have access to five other receipts.
Nissan commented that we should have used an authorized dealer for service, even though the owner warranty made no such requirement. Four Nissan representatives assured me that the car would be covered, until the fifth, a Regional Service Representative indicated she did not care what others had promised and declined the warranty service coverage.
This was my fourth, and last, Nissan. They may have saved the cost of warranty coverage for this car, but they have lost my business forever.
General comments?
The car was an outstanding performing automobile, until this serious failure in the drive train. I have documented that the cause for the engine failure was directly resultant to the oil pump failure (not due to maintenance issues).
Recommended reviews
| GIGANTIC paperweight!!! |
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| I feel it is a lemon; it should not have had such major problems just after the warranty expired |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.5L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 56000 miles |
| Previous car | Nissan Maxima |
| Date of Entry | 11th August, 2006 |