2003 Nissan Altima S from North America - Comments

Car simply won't start.

Vehicle sporadically won't start. It used to be a isolated problem, but it is becoming more prevalent. It doesn't matter if the car sat all night, or if you just turned it off 10 minutes ago. The only way to get the vehicle to start is to pump and flood the engine, and then hold the pedal to the floor, Sometimes this works right away, and sometimes you have to wait 5 or 10 minutes. Back to the dealer 5 times and they can't find any problems. Very uncomfortable feeling not knowing if your car will start in the morning or after work. I feel this may be a widespread problem with the 2.5L engine, but Nissan won't admit it.

I had the same problem. The car would not start and then after giving the car gas the engine flooded. I had the car towed to Nissan and they replaced all the spark plugs and change the oil and charge me $315 CANADIAN. The spark plugs were not under warranty. Then could not find a problem with anything else.

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima with the same problem. Called a tow truck to tow the car to dealership (it was dead in the driveway). When towing company came out, I was told the gas line was probably frozen, and to expect the problem to happen again (it was common with the "newer" altimas). Ironically, my neighbor had the same problem the day before, and was told the same thing by the towing company.

We also are having the same problem. Our Nissan '03 Altima won't start. The first time after the tow we paid $287 to have the injectors flushed. They couldn't find anything wrong. Today the car won't start again and I anticipate the garage saying the same thing.

I have a 2003 altima and the same probleme.i'l try to resolve the probleme with syntetic oil and the car start

same as summer!

My wife just started having the same problem with her car (2003 SL 4-cyl). I eventually got the car started by pumping the gas... felt like I was having to start my old '72 Cadillac. From reading the prior comments, it doesn't look like anyone's has found a solution.

Happened to us 4 times with our 2003 Altima 4 cyl. Two times tow truck came, but car started after it was pushed toward the tow truck. Happened yesterday and today I spent hours dealing with Nissan. They said that I am not allowed to drive car for less than 30 sec (which I do when swapping my two cars on the drive way). So their suggestion was to run the car after you move it for at least 2 minutes in order to use up the fuel which is being injected when you start it cold in the fist place. Or push the car manually (I wonder why I have a car int he first place...)

Cool - they are not going to fix it, we should adjust to the problem. I guess this is my first and last Nissan car - cannot wait till the lease is over...

My 2002 Nissan purchased in late February 2003 has died today at 54K miles. Left my wife stranded in a parking lot with my son... and me here at work. Emergency Brake light stays on after releasing the brake, and the battery light stays on... even after changing the battery.

The dealership is talking about a new alternator... but they are talking about me having to pay for this. Isn't this covered under warranty? This is still a new car as far as I am concerned... and I have had all the services done in a timely manner..ie- I have taken good care of it. Oh did I mention that I had to replace the entire computer for the car a couple months ago?

I had the same problem. It happened twice in less than 5 days. I took it to the shop and they said it was the fuel and air pipe that had to be changed which was over $600. I decided to let the car rest for a couple of days and as soon I start driving it, it shuts off while I was on the freeway. It will be taken to the Nissan dealers tomorrow and from reading the comments they will find "something" wrong with it in order for me to pay. And knowing the REAL problem won't be solved.

I have an Altima 2003 2.5 with the same problem with car not starting. It seems to happen about twice a year. Pumping the gas pedal used to help before, some times I had to do it more than once. I can confirm at least a couple of times it happened after the car was running for less than 30 seconds as in one of the previous comments.

October 26, 2005 5:15 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S will not start; car has less than 26K miles. From reading the above comments I am concerned because I don't think I purchased the warranty. I have faithfully taken my car for oil change and checkup. I called headquarters trying to see if they had similar complaints; they responded that no this was new to them. Well, it sounds like this problem occurs more frequently than it is noted. We've posted comments, but we must also see about implementing legislative change. Meanwhile, I'm going to try to start my 2 year old car. What's truly tragic is prior to this vehicle I had a 14 year old car that ran great for the first 12 1/2 years--Of course, it was a different manufacturer.

For the problem with the Altima not starting after running it for less than 30 seconds, you need to force air down the intake to start the car.

Apparently, the engine is flooded with gas since all of it is not burned off in the 30 seconds. So by forcing air down into the intake will let the engine breath a little and start. Force air down the intake while cranking the engine. Think of a creative way.

2005 Altima 2.5 S - Hard Starting problems. I have the 30 second or less hard starting problem. Both times it was just to move the car into the garage. Then next day it took many cranks of the engine to finally get going. Lots of raw gas fumes from exhaust. Vehicle also is reluctant to start when warm too. Feels like like vapor-lock when that happens.

'03 Nissan Altima 2.5S with hard start problem as well. Coming up on 97K miles. Have they worked the bugs out yet? Are '05 or '06 models doing the same thing? Such a shame, a really nice car aesthetically, but it should run. I've owned the car for 2 years now and bought it at 37K. I do all highway miles and lots of them. The car did this the first week I owned it and I had it towed. Same response. "Dunno...Good luck with that." Anyone have luck using synthetic oil?

We just purchased a 2006 2.5 Altima and it is not starting. This has happened 3 times. The dealer has it. Anger cannot describe the feeling when a brand new car won't start.

My Honda NEVER failed me. Please, give me back my Civic.

We didn't expect this from a Nissan Altima.

'03 Altima. Had the car for about three years and this morning was the fourth time it decided not to start-up. The first time it started back up after a few times of turning the key, the dealership took it for the weekend and had no problems with it, could not pin point problem. Second time I had it towed to a mechanic, when the car got there it started up right away, they couldn't pin point the problem. I gave up and now just give the car sometime and it usually will start up for me eventually. I have also had it lose power while driving on the highway. The speedometer goes crazy then the car comes too and is fine.

Crossing my fingers, every time!