2003 Nissan Altima for sale
Rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one for you. Rated 10.2 to 12.4 L/100 km combined (EPA). 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.
- For sale by us
- 0
- Combined
- 10.2 to 12.4 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 4
For sale
Rent a 2003 Nissan Altima for a week to try it on your own roads, and tell us what you want: we look for one for you.
2003 Nissan Altima specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 3.5L 6-cylinder | 3.5L 6-cylinder |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City | 11.8 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 12.4 L/100 km | 13.8 L/100 km |
| Highway | 8.7 L/100 km | 8.7 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km |
| Combined | 10.2 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km | 11.2 L/100 km | 12.4 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 240 g/km | 240 g/km | 263 g/km | 291 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $15.81 | $15.81 | $17.36 | $19.22 |
2003 Nissan Altima: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.5 L | 3.5 L | 3.5 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| MPG city (US) | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
| MPG highway (US) | 27 | 27 | 24 | 24 |
| MPG combined (US) | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 28 | 28 | 25 | 23 |
| Luggage volume (litres converted from EPA's cubic feet) | 453 L (16 cu ft) | 453 L (16 cu ft) | 453 L (16 cu ft) | 453 L (16 cu ft) |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices) | US$2,900 | US$2,900 | US$3,200 | US$3,550 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre) | $3,162 | $3,162 | $3,472 | $3,844 |
Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov). Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.
What to check when buying the 2003 Nissan Altima
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
- Owners filed 883 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine cooling (474), structure (128) and engine (117). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06V242000 | 2006-07-07 | engine and engine cooling | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE CAN BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR. |
| 03V455000 | 2003-11-17 | engine and engine cooling | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS. |
| 03V251000 | 2003-07-14 | fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH... |
| 03V084000 | 2003-03-11 | engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST... |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Thinking of buying the 2003 Nissan Altima?
No 2003 Nissan Altima is for sale by CarmaCars at the moment; this page helps you judge the car before you buy one elsewhere. For anyone shopping for the 2003 Nissan Altima, here are the facts that matter.
Before you sign for the Altima
There are 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file; a dealer can check by the VIN whether each was done. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package. Owners filed 883 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine cooling, structure and engine; have those parts checked. Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace.
Engine and fuel
It is powered by the 2.5L 4-cylinder, with front-wheel drive. It runs on regular gas. With front-wheel drive, the weight of the engine sits over the driven wheels, which helps in winter.
Expect about 31 litres for every 300 km, going by its 10.2 L/100 km combined rating. A weekend of 300 km comes to about $47.43 at our price setting. The EPA estimates US$2,900 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles.
The Altima in everyday use
Being a mid-size car, it is easy to park and comfortable on longer drives. In plain terms, its 453 litres of luggage space hold a family's bags for a long weekend.
A good match for
It suits a weekend away when the train does not reach where you are going. It suits a stretch of weeks between selling one car and buying the next.
Drive it on your own roads
A test week in the Altima tells you more than any review. Try the Altima on your commute, then decide. A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel.
The cost of driving it
The EPA estimates US$2,900 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices. Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary. At our price setting, 100 km costs about $15.81 in fuel.
Year and trim
If you are unsure between two options, rent one of them for a week first. Ask the seller which trim it is; badges can be swapped and options vary. Write down the VIN of any car you consider; it unlocks the recall and service history.
Questions first?
A rental request is free; the offer shows the full price.
Rent it for a week before you buy
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 2003 Nissan Altima from us first.
Find me this car
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 2003 Nissan Altima for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 2003 Nissan Altima
Does CarmaCars sell the 2003 Nissan Altima?
CarmaCars rents cars and sells one now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 2003 Nissan Altima before I buy one?
Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.
Does the 2003 Nissan Altima have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 2003 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$2,900 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $3162.00.
Where do the figures come from?
Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.