Used 2003 Nissan Altima Consumer Reviews
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My 2003 Nissan Altima
dgzlz, 01/16/2013
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
24 of 24 people found this review helpful
I just felt the need to give special props to my 2003 Nissan Altima that is not at (372 THOUSAND MILES) yes I had to spell it out so no one would think it was a typo. She needs a new catalytic converter, but other than that she is still the greatest money maker I have every had. I drive 172 miles a day, 5 days a week. I have tried reading online to see if anyone else was running with this many miles, but it saddens me to see some have not been as lucky. A mechanic not long ago told me mine car must have came off the line on a Wednesday. I tried looking that up with no sucess.
A good car with some kinks
Glenn J. darro, 02/22/2016
updated 05/16/2019
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I bought my 03, 2.5 Altima with 38,000 miles on it. I now have driven it another 75,000 miles ( odometer reads113,000 miles). In that time my car has never failed. however, there were repairs. following is a list of those repairs: 2 motor mounts at about 60K Coil at about 75K Crankshaft position sensor at about 60K Radiator replacement at about 60K Fuel pump at about 90K Pre-catalytic converter at 110K I love the way this car handles. The engine is peppy for a 4cyl. but sometimes I wish it was faster off the line. It is definitely a driver's car, though. It handles winding roads like a sports car, and the braking is excellent The ride is not cushy, but that's ok. The seating is quite comfortable. Update: My Altima has 151000 miles on it now, with no major issues. The engine still has a lot of power, but it is a bit noisier and burns a little oil.
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2003 Nissan Altima for sale near you
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'03 altima 2.5s a drivers pleasure
fastlane7, 08/26/2011
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
19 of 20 people found this review helpful
I got my altima with 38k. the previous owner, a relative, never had any problems with it. I now have 58k and it runs like a dream. I did have to replace the crank position sensor at 57k. However, although the 'ses' light was on, it never gave me problems. If your looking for a cushy ride,look elsewhere. The Altima is definitely a drivers car.sturdy frame, firm ride. handling is excellent. Very little body-lean when buzzing around roads. holds road very well The engine is responsive. quick off the line. open road acceleration impressive; especially for a 4cylindar engine. stunning exterior, and a roomy, comfortable, interior. some cheap plastics inside; no big deal. to sum up,love this car
buyer beware
Chris Moore, 08/04/2015
updated 08/08/2016
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
27 of 30 people found this review helpful
Bought the car with 28,000 miles on it and my wife put 40,000 miles on it in about 7 years. I kept the oil changed and tires on it with no real problems, except for the door handles breaking, until recently. First the engine light came on sporadically and I could feel engine hesitate. Got the code checked out and it's was somewhat generic (p0300) with up to five different system that could be the problem. I changed the plugs and ignition coils and the motor ran better but there was another problem. Took it to a garage and have the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter replaced. Cars running just fine again. One week later the oil light comes on and I add 3 quarts and I'm going to run the car for around 1k miles before I take it to get an oil change. Within another week or two the car starts sounding like the exhaust manifold is bad again. Before I can get the car to the shop it dies on the side of the road. Look at the oil and it's black with less than 500 miles since I put the 3 quarts in. The engine is now dead and I've already put around $2k into the car in the last 2 months. This really sucks for a car that I thought would last well over a 100K miles. I'll never buy another Nissan again. If you want to see all the problems with this motor look up misfires, exhaust manifold, and precat.
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2003 Nissan Altima
Igho Resedenz, 04/04/2015
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in 2013 with 137,000 on it. It gave me a hell of time. But that was because i didnt know much about the car. I rectified those issues: changed cam/crank shaft sensors, changed 02 sensors, changed alternator and that's all. The car is 2 years with me now with no issues. I drive 15 - 20 km everyday to work. I have traveled 10 hrs strecth 3 times with no issues. I do a regular maintenance. The car is roomy and presentable. I will recommend it for anyone who knows how to maintain cars.
Great car
blue0730, 08/07/2014
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
I am the original owner and have had no problems with my car going on almost 11 years. She still drives great and is in great condition. I saw others say the v4 has issues but mine is going on 125k miles with none.
Brake Problems
debys007, 06/13/2007
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
My husband and I bought our Altima 2003. We don't drive a lot comparatively speaking these days. I love the car but there is a real problem with the rotors warping. We have had to have the rotors resurfaced and new brake pads twice now. The first time was at 27,000 and again 10 months later and it's only been driven another 8076 miles. So less than 36,000 total on this vehicle we have had to resurface rotors and install new brake pads twice. Both of us are in our young 50s and have had many cars in our lives. We've never had a problem with brakes, so I say this is a car flaw!! Oh by the way, neither of us ride the brakes either.
Great, fast "Four-door 350Z" car!
j3r3l, 05/01/2011
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
The car is magnificantly overall a good car for someone who wants the 350Z but, also wants better seating compacity.(Maybe I could be over-saying it a little bit, but this is a very fast var for a sedan.) I am at 105,000 miles and the cars is still driving like it was brand new; though I accelerate very fast on average. I love this car. Though, this is only my second car; I have driven many sports cars and this cars does very well for a front wheel drive. This car drives just as good as my father's BMW 745 except for the smoothness. The 745 is a lot smoother. I would recommend this car to anyone who basically wants a "four-door sports car. But this is a great car....Enough said!
Sporty & Responsive
kegradtech, 04/19/2008
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This is the 3rd Nissan Altima I've owned. I've also had a 2001 GXE Limited Edition (the last year of the old body & engine style) and a 1999 SE Limited Edition. I love the throaty engine noise under heavy acceleration, balanced with a very quiet response under normal driving conditions. The body styling is second to none in its class and I feel you have to upgrade to luxury vehicles to get better body styling than the Altima. My only complaints about it are the front brakes which seem to warp too easily (the same happened in my 2001, but no problems with this in my 1999 model.) I have had to upgrade to slotted rotors to keep this from recurring and I don't even heavily brake the vehicle.
Beware the Catalytic Converter
Anniee, 10/02/2008
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Originally car was great-looking and drove beautifully. Last year started to drive rough and didn't pass emissions. Had to pay $1200 to replace 4 valve cover gaskets. Was driving on major interstate at 60 MPH in the fast lane and the car suddenly stopped dead. Scariest moment of my life. The dealer is saying pay $1300 for catalytic converter. This apparently a HUGE problem with Nissan Altimas. Get yours checked before the 8 yr. 80,000 mandatory replacement expires, because Nissan won't replace if you are at 80,001. Disappointing at best and no longer have confidence in car.
2003 2.5 4 cylinder Altima
bclark_1, 03/25/2011
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
34 of 41 people found this review helpful
This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I feel I got scammed. The engine used oil from the day I bought it, with only 33,000 miles. The massive oil consumption only got worse. I took it to the garage and was told the catylatic converter had fell apart and went into the engine causing it to destroy the engine. I was informed this is a common problem with this vehicle, due to the recall on the sensor that causes this to happen. Obviously this is a factory defect. I contacted Nissan to make them aware of my problem and received no reply. Be aware of this problem.
Better than an Acura
Casey Doe, 11/26/2002
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I traded in a 2001 Acura GS-R Integra for a 2003 5spd V6 Altima. There is a huge difference in every aspect. The Altima is much more powerful, the Altima has a much smoother clutch, much roomier, more solidly built and so far much more reliable. I will never purchase another Acura. I bought 2 and had nothing but problems with both of them. The Altima is an incredible value.
Best car I've owned
Deborah Aucoin, 05/12/2017
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This was a great car. I've had it 10 years. It's has excellent pick up and has a very powerful engine. This car has driven like it is brand new up until just about a year ago.
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Sad To See It Go
aarena, 07/31/2018
updated 01/31/2020
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
This has been one of the most trouble-free cars we've ever owned. We tend to buy low-priced, high-mileage cars and run them into the ground. This 2003 Altima was purchased for $3000 in 2013 with 130k miles on it. It has had no major repairs. At 230k miles the car was totaled or we would still be driving it. In 5 years and 100,000 miles it has had a battery, an alternator, front brakes and a muffler hanger welded back together. Even with the base 4 cylinder the car was lively and fun to drive. The seats were comfortable for long drives. An aftermarket stereo and the original speakers rattled the windows. It was a simple, reliable, enjoyable sedan.
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Mechanical mess
vtagirl, 02/14/2010
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This car looks very nice, but is a mechanical nightmare. Every sensor on this car starting going bad at 50k and catalytic conv at 80k. Nissan said cat ruined engine and needs a new engine (bad placement of cat). Lots of other people with same problem...would not recommend this car. Also own a Infiniti G35...no problems..think the problem is with set up of the Altima. If your under 80k Nissan will only fit cat, not your engine :(...They know about the problems but don't care.
This car sucks!
biggdaddy23, 01/30/2011
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought the car in 2006 with only 31,000 miles. Kept getting a cylinder 2 misfire and tried everything to fix it, change coil pack, spark plugs etc. Car starts shaking and had a weird smell like someone posted earlier. Had to replace motor mounts, brakes and power steering pump. Every six months it seemed like the car had a problem that needed fixing. The catalytic converter needed replacing and the ac compressor also was going out on the car so I decided to trade it in for a hyundai elantra this week. i realized that i spent almost $4,000 dollars into repairing this car. I will never buy a Nissan ever again!
Nice car.... to lease
Roma, 09/19/2002
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
There we have it... In summary, the all new Altima is a good performer and is worth leasing, but if you are considering buying it, do your research. The resale on this car is horrible! You lose almost 50% in the first 18 months!
Ok decision
cathy, 05/10/2006
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my 03 Altima new and have enjoyed it except for the brake issues. Lots of squealing when applying the brakes. Got front pads replaced already but still squealing. Now getting back pads looked at. Pads appeared to still have plenty of wear left on them. Also had shimmy at approx 60 mph. Once rotors were turned when new brake pads were installed, shimmy stopped. Squeaks in drivers seat. Dealer cannot seem to locate or hear it. Service mgr said it's because we have some bumpy roads & car not designed for that. I don't buy that! Had a 1991 Sentra that never had any of these issues even with 200K miles on it.
Its a pretty good car
axxess1, 01/21/2015
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought the car back in 2013 with 77k miles on it, now i have about 106k and had to do some maintenance on it.. ex brakes, engine mount, water pump.. but overall it a pretty good car, A/C is awesome and gas is pretty good !
Sporty and reliable
aposak, 01/14/2014
updated 01/15/2017
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Daily driver for 10 years now. 160k, original engine and transmission. Still looks good, performs well, and still fun to drive. 4 doors means extra utility and lower insurance. The 4-cyl from this era have major engine problems... go with the V6. Update: Still runs great. I've learned that the timing chains on the V6 start to get stretched over 150k. At nearly 185k, I'm hearing a bit of valve chatter on startup and hard acceleration, and mpg has gone from 24 to 22. For some reason, both rear brake calipers have frozen up in the past year and required replacement. I have added 2 more cars to the family, so this one gets driven far less, and will (sadly) be sold soon.
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Nice Car, "Service Engine Soon", light came on at 82,000 miles
mdscarlata, 02/27/2013
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I just bought this car used, yesterday and I love it. It is very fun to drive. I traded in a Mercedes Benz 240C, which was powerful, but drove like a tank or a boat. The only issue is that the, "Service Engine Soon", light came on before I even got it home from the used car dealership. I brought it back today and they said it was indicating "High Idle Speed". Well at 82,000 miles I hope that this is all that is wrong with it. I will keep you posted.
Pain [non-permissible content removed]
BreAnna, 08/05/2015
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Bought this car for $7,000 126,000.. First 2 months about 120,000 miles, the timing chain went out and was about a $3000 fix. Now at 175,000 miles I've replaced the alternator 2 times. The engine covers most of the hood and fixing it is a pain in the ass, every time I bring it in its over $300 in labor just to get the engine out of the way. My winshild wipers go off randomly. And my radio stopped working and mechanics can't find out why. Time to go American made.
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Nissan hate is easy!
Nissan hate is easy, 07/24/2010
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I drove my Nissan to 50k it stopped running. Took it to dealer, fixed under recall then the real problems. But the damage had already happened! Started to over heat, burning oil. Burned up my catalytic converter, cylinder failed! Need a new engine! It has a lot of recalls on it! I'm going to drive on 3 cylinders to have them done! Don't buy a Nissan! Ever!
Through thick and thin
BX, 07/14/2006
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have been hit twice by other negligent drivers and my Altima has kept me safe each time with little damage while the drivers at fault suffered major damages. This only confirms to me that my Altima is a tough cookie. I have been complaining about all of the cosmetic things such as boring interior and basic sound system. However, I have realized now that safety is more important! One downfall would be that I'm a petite person and the head rest and seat is not really comfortable for someone short like me. Other than this, my Altima is a gem. It rides smoothly, has good pickup, pretty decent gas mileage, and has a great design. Thank you Nissan!
Nissan Awful
MrsLewis06, 05/11/2010
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in December of 2008 with 81,000 miles on it. I knew it was a lot but i just loved the car so much i didn't care.The check engine light was on and they said they would fix it but never did. Since then i have had to replace 2 coils, the crank sensor, the catalytic converter and now it needs a whole new engine. I will never buy another Nissan and i wouldn't advise anyone else to either.
DONT BE FOOLED WITH THIS LEMON MODEL
Sara, 11/27/2009
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car 5 years ago, paid top dollar for the one year old car. It had all the options on it I was looking for as well as lots of room. This car has had several recalls, all of which have been repaired. However 2 years ago MAJOR probs started when my heat went out. Nissan had NO idea how to fix it. Then just this month my catalytic converted exploded, I replaced and a week later with more probs told it was TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. At 130,000 highly maintained miles this should not be expected from a Nissan. But the Nissan reps I have spoken to, have said it was old and not surprising. I expected more out of a $24,000 car. I have driven Hondas much more. Will never buy another Nissan.
Good-Bye Nissan
Carolina , 11/04/2010
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Overall, I have been very disappointed at this car. Paid top dollar for it, very roomy and loved the dealership. This car, though, would have costly repairs FREQUENTLY even after I took very good care of it as I followed the maintenance schedule. After being told that I needed to put in about $3,000 in repairs to replace catalytic converter, replace rack and pinion and alignment and then of course their additional suggestions such as fuel injection service and engine oil flush, I decided to get a new car. I have had enough! I'm looking at the Sonata, Camry and the Accord. Hope to have better luck with another car.
Love/ Hate Relationship
keb, 09/07/2006
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have been a Nissan fan since I can remember. However, I am sad to say that this is my last Nissan. I have had nothing but problems with this 03 Altima. I must admit that it is fun and peppy to drive (manual) but that is where it ends. I have had numerous issues with it starting in all types of weather. It has been in the shop 7 times for this issue. Also, the entire sub-frame corroded and had to be replaced. There has been all sorts of loose bolt noises ever since. Let's not forget the "rocking seat," constant squeaks, rattles and shimmy. There's lots of outside noise (even with new tires). I just don't feel safe driving it. Finally, it's extremely easy to be broken into. Hope this helps!
Great Car! I Love It!
RDG, 02/17/2006
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This interior of this car has lots of room. This car is fast. Dependable. Exterior design is great. Factory system is great.
50,000 km follow up
hartotis, 04/07/2005
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Just under the 50,000 km mark and have no complaints. Radiator and radio were replaced under warranty other than that no problems. Gas mileage is close to the 30 mpg mark in a city/ highway daily commute. Replaced the Continental tires at the 40000 kms mark these tires don't seem to stand up to well. Excellent service from Brasso Nissan in Calgary. Still very impressed with the car.
Didn't want it but glad I got it.
Brandon Jones, 12/20/2005
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've owned my car for 3 years and drive heavily, around 24,000 mi/yr. I haven't had any problems with it other than changing a blown bulb. I have about 85000 mi on my vehicle now. This model is roomy, drives well, and is pretty good on gas considering its a family sedan. The interior controls are plain to me. If I didnt drive such long distances to work I would probably keep it. $3 a gallon even with average gas mi. can sting. Overall a solid purchase!
20,000 mile check in
SRyan, 10/15/2004
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
It's been a year, and I still love my Altima. My complaint (and this is a BIG one since I live in upstate NY) is that snow gathers and packs under the wheel wells and makes it dangerous/ a pain in the neck in the winter. Also, the passenger door is heavy/ sticks and the gas mileage is not as good as they claim. But... she is reliable, stylish, fast and smooth to drive. 22,000 miles in one year with no problems. Fits 5 adults comfortably- my coworkers love the cupholders in the back seat! Love the racing shift and the new design- sporty but classy!
My first vechile I ever had.
Paxton, 07/06/2019
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Well for starters this car was probably the best car ahead of this time. The particular Altima I got was a "fixer upper," so to speak. The BOSE sound system, the dependability, the cosmetics, and the comfy thick cushioned leather seats were it's best features. Anyways, to conclude my review I want to say that the 2003 Nissan Altima is the best "first car" on the market in my opinion. We bought It for $2,300 and did $800 in repairs and it was worth it. Also about two and a half months ago I totaled it, I was the only person in the car. 50-60 miles an hour down a curvy road and hit a telephone pole head on, and I survived with zero injuries. The point I am trying to make here is if you are wanting to purchase this car it is most certainly safe, inside and out. When I wrecked it completely destroyed the front end and the steering wheel, and passenger side are bags deployed. It saved my life truly. Well now to the mechanics of the car. I had nearly $800 worth of repairs when we first got it (like I said) the mass airflow and instrument cluster was bad on it and caused it to "jerk" in gear shifting. The interior is very stylish and roomy in my opinion. I can remember loading my car down with some of my homeboys and it had no problems. The cons to this car are far and in between so to speak I cannot think of any off of the top of my head. These cars are good for mechanics to work on everybody and anybody knows how to work on and repair a Nissan. All in all, this is a great car if you are on a budget or if you are trying to purchase it for your child or whoever.
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I Would Have Gone With the Honda Accord
YSSMAN, 05/22/2006
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This was the second Altima we had in our family, the first being a '96. I'm glad I was not the one who bought the car, because I hated it. Simply put, the interior of the car is one of the worst I have seen in a long time, far worse than any interior you have seen in a GM product. Sure, it was purchased on a great deal, but the combination of mouse-fur seats and Tupperware plastics was a huge letdown. Too bad the car didn't have a manual transmission, as I'm sure it would have been fun to drive with some involvement. Still, I'm glad I didn't spend the money on the car...
Great car
Nicki, 07/07/2019
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My car went over 300,000 miles before it even started to need mechanical work. She went a long way gor long periods of time.. Great car!!
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Almost there
cgp, 07/24/2003
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have been very pleased with this car. Seats are very comfotable, tons, of space, plenty of power. The biggest negative is a slow shifting automatic transmission that I haven't adjusted to yet. The interior plastic dash and door panels are very cheap materials (but you can see that when you chose the car). The cup holders are worthless. Stereo is great and exterior styling is great.
2003 3.5SE Altima Review
sllewis73, 10/06/2004
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great Car! Fast, fun to drive, very roomy for a big guy (6'4, 300lbs.)
Worst car I've ever owned
Bigdog, 01/04/2019
updated 01/08/2024
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 03 Altima expecting it to last a while, only to find out the engine was trashed due to a factory defective pre catalytic converter.
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Great all around sedan
David, 08/12/2010
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned my Altima 2.5S since early '08 with 120k and have driven it to 150k with only minor repairs which I don't think people realize of course are to be expected. Over 2 years; cam/crank sensors, ignition coil and computer reflash. Relatively cheap dealer cost too. This car is gorgeous outside great paint quality and you can really feel the build quality in this car. The door close solidly with a satisfying clunk, moonroof is great, tons of room front and back (saying a lot coming from a 6'6" guy) 4cy engine has a lot of pep, and very comfortable ride. Keep it clean and tasteful and this is a very sleek professional looking saloon. It has never let me down.
NEVER buy a NISSAN!!
Jo, 10/08/2015
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
8 of 15 people found this review helpful
Worst, most expensive car to maintain I have ever owned. If the gas pedal sticks and then doesn't randomly, I'm afraid to drive this car. We have replaced so many parts I could not possibly list them all here. The dealer is NO help, they diagnose, take your cash and you're back in 2 weeks. This model should have been recalled!!! Car has been maintained since we got it with 32000. Looks nice, under the hood it is a real nightmare. Only foreign car we own, will NEVER get another Nissan. They should care about their customers before their cars kill us!!
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Never buy Nissan
Dillon, 02/11/2016
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2003 Nissan Altima with 165,000 miles on it about 4 months ago. In those 4 months I had to replace; camshaft position sensor, radio, 2 door handles, and alternator. Before the timing chain skipped a few teeth at 169,000 miles. It's just a money pit I'm getting rid of it. Anybody need a parts car?
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Every Manufacturer Has Their Bad Day
quasibozo, 06/28/2011
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
My 2003 Altima, had a number of issues. Excessive oil use, random start up problems top of the list. The crankshaft position sensor a major player but not the sole solution. Dollar for dollar, amount of money I spent on it I'd probably have spent on an American make that wouldn't have given me the same mileage. That 2003 was the fifth Nissan I purchased new. My philosophy, 200,000 miles or ten years, which ever comes first. I never made ten years before a new one. I took best care of this Altima than all the other Nissans I owned and it gave me the worst repair record. I don't understand why the whole fleet wasn't recalled for repair. Buying my sixth new Nissan since 1973, a "2011 Rogue".
Ouch
Richard Thompson, 11/05/2020
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5S new and put 85,000; miles on it in 17 years. That sounds good until you add up all the repair bills. Either 2003 was a bad year for the Nissan Altima or the Nissan service department needed more service revenue. I am looking at the Honda cars now.
Bang for the Buck
JAG, 02/27/2003
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is by far the best vehicle I have owned. Powerful engine, exotic looks, and comfortable interior. Overall the best car of 2003.
Rick's review.
Rick Alonso, 05/30/2003
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My car has been great. I've had it 3 months now , and the only service need was replacing the light bulb in the ignition bezel. Other than that , not one other problem. The performance is outstanding for a 4 cylinder automatic , and it's fun to drive. There's plenty of space front or back , and has a huge trunk. The quality of the paint and fit and finish is excellent. This beats my girlfriend's Honda Accord hands down.
Good car
RICH, 10/16/2006
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Had no issues with mine except like alot of other people, had to change the front rotors. Other than that and new tires, no problems
Don't trust the Bridgestone Tires
Dixie Gordon, 08/30/2003
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 3.5 Altima SE in May . The next morning I was driving to work, at 65 miles an hour the front of the car began to shimmy. They said the tires were out of round and were at fault, that they had a lot of problems with them, The car was taken to a tire co. It took the Bridgestone dealer 8 tires to find 3 to put on my car I have less than 4 thousand miles on my car at this time, the sunroof is broken, pieces fell out of it the second time I opened it, Trust me, this will be my last Nissan....
Best Vehicle Ever!!!!
Beverly Hills 90210, 09/19/2002
2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I am 100 o/o happy with this car. I have had many, many cars and this one is right at the top. Thank you Nissan. The only negative is the steering wheel radio and speed controls are not lighted. The rest is Perfect!
In the end, reliable
wrecks7, 11/21/2009
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The car proved to be fairly reliable, especially since I paid little attention to its upkeep. At the time and at this price point, the Altima stood alone in performance and appearance. The AC went kaput in year four, engine mounts in year six. Downside is the poor material used in for the interior (I've seen GM cars with better plastic), and the body is only slightly more dent resistant than a can of Spam. However, the most frustrating was its awful turning radius. It was inexcusably poor.
Not a bad car
Dave, 01/12/2006
2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I owned a 2003 altima but recently sold it. My experience with this car has been great! I priced and researched every car in its class and I have to say its a great choice. The 3.5L kicks butt! I only had minor issues like a knocking noice coming from the column between the drivers side window and the windshield. I also experienced a lot of wear-and-tear on the tires and filters with minimal mileage on the car. Overall this is a great car for the money. I recommend it to anyone looking for a sedan with style and plenty of guts for the open road.