2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,476 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Nissan Sentra electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Nissan Sentra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Jun 112022

Sentra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car quits as I-??m driving it, The headlights and the dome lights go dim and radio light flickers then it goes completely out and when I-??m driving the car it has a rough idle and in order to keep the car running when I get to a stop light or stop sign is to put the car in park.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #24

Jun 102017

Sentra

  • 140,000 miles
PCM ECM ECU engineering flaw. Engine kicks into safe mode while in operation or completely stalls, check engine light on, when restarts will misfire. Diagnosed with faulty control module (the second one in this vehicle since I have owned it)

- Hillsdale, MI, USA

problem #23

Jun 172015

Sentra

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that the check engine light illuminated after the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V4770000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Holly Springs , NC, USA

problem #22

Jun 172015

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. While driving less than 10 mph, a loud popping noise was heard from the engine. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle restarted after approximately five minutes and was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who confirmed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer to assist. The failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 09/10/15 updated 10/05/15 the consumer stated the vehicle stalled without warning. There were multiple problem codes that appeared on the diagnostic scanners. Updated 02/09/16

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

problem #21

Sep 172014

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
I bought my car and the dashboard doesn't work all the time. It suddenly stops and give 0 information about speed, gas, and heat. I went to the dealership they want to charge me 1000$ which I can't afford. I think this is a car problem not my problem and I want them to fix it. Can you help for my safety?

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #20

Apr 032014

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 62,435 miles
We bought this low mileage car from a family member but after buying this car it started getting plagued with the car suddenly and mysteriously shutting off in the middle of driving. Engine died unannounced car cuts off and the power steering and power brakes stop working. It would happen up to 5 to 7 times a week intermittently. We had taken it Nissan two different times in April to complain about the situation they were unable to diagnose or solve the problem for us or reproduce the problem during test drives. In August took this car back in after it wouldn't run at all and they finally told me it was a camshaft positioning sensor. After replacing this part it runs fine now. After looking online on the NHTSA website it seems this part is part of a recall for this make and model year however I was told it didn't apply to my VIN. I spoke to Nissan headquarters and they again told me they wouldn't cover this as it is not part of a recall. This part looks like it is problematic in this model year and make and also for other cars across the Nissan lineup. I explained that this was a serious problem and it resulted in some significant safety issues. Each time I was able to safely pull off the side of the road but if it stalled and I wasn't able to get off the highway, or it stalled at an intersection or pulling into traffic say the consequences could have been deadly. I was also lucky that the steering wheel didn't lock up turning the wheel with the car off. Our symptoms with this car were classic. I was very surprised that they could not diagnose this problem in April as the symptoms match they have for known recalls on this and other cars. I would like it covered but more importantly I think the recall should be extended to other vehicles and vins to save lives.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #19

Oct 152013

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 110,643 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving instrument cluster panel shuts off then comes back on repeatedly, speedometer, oil gauge, rpms, water temp., etc. Car stays running but you can't tell what your speed or rpms are. Brought to numerous shops and dealers know one can figure out the problem.

- Kingston, NH, USA

problem #18

Jul 032014

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
I was pulling through a shopping center, when my Sentra started stalling. I parked the vehicle and it would no longer start. I bought a code reader and it stated a few codes such as ECM, cam shaft position sensor, and accelerator position sensor. I had it towed to hudson Nissan and they stated that the ECU/ECM has shorted and shorted the throttle body sensor. Which could have been extremely dangerous if I were traveling at a higher speed, or in traffic.

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #17

Jun 032013

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
My car has stalled 3 times over the past year. One minute I am driving, the next I am coasting. Thankfully, I was always driving slowly with no one behind me. It starts right up. No "code" showing up for diagnostics. I called Nissan re: Multiple recalls for electrical problems that can cause stalling, but they said my car wasn't part of the recalls.

- Lisbon, OH, USA

problem #16

Feb 012013

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra gxe. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and would repeatedly stall once restarted. In addition, the instrument panel back light would fail once the vehicle was restarted with only the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised that the central computer would need to be reprogrammed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 032012

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check engine light came on after starting car after oil change at local shop. Mechanic checked code, problem with camshaft position sensor. Part replaced. Problem solved, check engine light stay off. After 1 week, check engine light came on and again, camshaft position sensor needs replaced. Car timing clearly off - when attempting to accelerate car jolts and shudders hard enough to slam driver into seatbelt. When vehicle warmed all the way up problem nonexistent. Camshaft position sensor changed again, problem reoocurs within a week or two. During fall/winter when cold weather occurs engine must be completely warm to avoid being shaken and jolted around while accelerating. Check engine light remains on. Dealer states "timing chain is out of time" and must be replaced. Nissan North America states car not on recall list, although recalls listed here seem to apply to my vehicle.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #14

Jul 152012

Sentra

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. While driving approximately 35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised the contact that the thermostat and the ignition would have to be replaced. After the repair the failure persisted. The contact referenced a recall pertaining to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 03V477000 (electrical system:ignition:module) but was advised by the dealer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #13

Feb 012012

Sentra

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant to start. Once the vehicle was started the vehicle would hesitate while driving and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a personal mechanic and the contact was informed that the electronic control module would need to be replaced. The contact was then informed of a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 03V477000 (electrical system:ignition:module) however after contacting the dealer and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that her VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 97,000.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #12

Sep 092011

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 66,956 miles
Vehicle failed the mil/check engine light due to obd communications failure. Nissan dealership code reader also unable to communicate with ECM. Possible faulty ECM.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #11

May 052009

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
2003 Nissan Sentra had a recall on a sensor, took to the dealership they said it was fine they didn't replace it. Three weeks later the car stop running while my son was driving it, we had it taken to the shop and the sensor was the problem it cost me $340. Two yrs later the sensor is acting up again so I'm going to have to fix it again it will cost another $340.

- Jacksonville, AL, USA

problem #10

Jun 012009

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that when making both left and right turns, the vehicle would shut off without warning also, once the vehicle was already started and warmed up, she was unable to restart it again, without constantly depressing the accelerator pedal for about 10 seconds which was similar to NHTSA campaign number 03V477000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The dealer was notified who informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with her vehicle and that the ECU needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed and advised the contact that her vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 90,000. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. Updated 02/09/11 updated 05/09/11

- Forked, NJ, USA

problem #9

Oct 082009

Sentra

  • 125,000 miles
While driving in routine traffic, I felt a jolt, the service engine soon light came on and the rpms dropped resulting in the engine stalling. The first time this occurred I was able to pull over on the freeway to the shoulder. The 2nd time this occurred, I didn't pull over in time and the power steering and brakes went out making it difficult to stop the car to turn off. I am usually able to turn the car on after a moment without issue. At first it occurred once a week and Nissan dealership could not diagnose or "recreate" the issue. Then it didn't happen for several months, and now it's been happening extremely frequently and sometimes very difficult to start the car up. My safety is at risk because the engine will just stop, and I've found it difficult to get over to a shoulder, and on some parts of the freeway there is no shoulder. I've taken to Nissan dealership 4 different occasions and even when the service engine soon light comes on and stays on, they claim the computer does not produce any codes and cannot recreate the issue. I suggested a recall on the crankshaft sensor and they claimed it was not for my car or engine type. I've had tune ups, oil changes, and they did a repair involving a carbon build up and nothing has solved the issue. I personally ran the diagnostics today and the computer issue a trouble code for P0335 crankshaft sensor malfunction circuit a. I'd say the car has stalled about 20-25 times in almost a year.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #8

Dec 092008

Sentra

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. The " check engine" warning light became illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the computerized system be reset. The manufacturer recommended that the computer system be repaired at an expense of$1,000. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 20,000. The current mileage was 31,000.

- Plainville, MA, USA

problem #7

Jun 282009

Sentra

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Sentra. While driving 40 mph, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. Once the contact turned off the vehicle, it did not restart until the following day. Once the vehicle was started, the contact noticed that the tachometer was not working. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 86,000.

- Mchenry, IL, USA

problem #6

Jan 012009

Sentra

  • miles
2003 Nissan Sentra, first notice the service engine soon light come on. Then, the car would feel like it was losing power while driving. Took it to the dealership, they couldn't find anything wrong with it but they said it might be the battery or alternator. So, they gave me a new alternator and a new battery. Then, short time after the car started losing power and just stalling completely. Power steering goes as well. As time goes on the occurrences are becoming more frequent. Several times that this has happened I have almost crashed into someone whether I was trying to make a turn or my car shut down and someone almost hits me. So, I looked up the recalls done on my mode, make, and year car and found that there were recall on parts that are causing the same problem for me. So, I called up Nissan and told them my VIN and problem and they said there aren't any recalls on my VIN and my VIN shouldn't be doing what the recall describes. Everytime I drive this car I fear that I'm going to hit someone or someone is going to hit me because this unknown reason as to why this car does this. I don't feel safe getting from point a to point B in my vehicle.

- Bristol, PA, USA

Read the next 5 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?