2003 Nissan Altima Review: Possibly the Most Affordable Way to Get Behind the Wheel of a Sporty V6

Gilbert Smith
Dec 31, 2022

The 2003 Nissan Altima is an excellent used compact, and probably the sportiest in its price range. The Civic might outlast it for dependability, the Corolla is a touch more fuel-efficient, but neither of those cars are as fun to drive as a 2003 Altima.

Front angle view.
likeFilled The Good
Sporty, comfortable, reliable, and affordable, the 2003 Altima is one of the best used cars available today.
dislikeFilled The Bad
Some of the interior materials feel a bit cheap, and the car is prone to rust from road salt in colder states.

Is the 2003 Nissan Altima a Good Used Car?

  • Overall Rating 8/10 – The sporty 2003 Nissan Altima could well be your new favorite car.
  • Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Smooth-riding and surprisingly spacious for a compact. The trunk is a tight fit.
  • Reliability 8/10 – Expect to get anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles on the original powertrain and engine.
  • Safety 7/10 – Onboard safety tech is adequate for 2003, but dated by modern standards.
  • Gas Mileage 8/10 – The 2.5 engines will get you 23/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, while the 3.5 V6 should average 21/26.
  • Value 9/10 – One of the best deals on the market today, and possibly the cheapest way to get your hands on a sporty compact.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Emily A
It has lasted a long time and is still running strong.
My Nissan Altima is pretty reliable. It just has some exterior issues. It gets me from point A to point B. The paint is coming off but the gas mileage is good. The door handles break off easily. I have to get the co2 sensor fixed to pass inspection soon.
accountCircle Ruth K
It is very economical. Drives like a dream and has a lot of zip.
I purchased my vehicle new in 2003. It is just perfect for me, not too big or not too small. I only have 43,000 miles on it and it looks like brand new as it has always been garaged when not in use. Love it and have no complaints.
accountCircle Susan Q
Nissan Altima is reliable vehicle to drive with low maintenance.
My Nissan Altima is a terrific car to drive. It is extremely comfortable and enough room for the passengers to not feel cramped. The Nissan is easy to maintain. I have no issues with this vehicle at all. I take it on road trips and it just cruises right along the highway. In town, it is very patient and easy and calming to drive in slow traffic due to the fact that it is automatic. I would buy another one if I had the chance.
accountCircle Sheila C
Regular maintenance is key!
When we got the vehicle, it required a bit of work. We had to put new struts and shocks, front and rear, new door handles, new front and back valve covers with spark plugs and wires, and fluid checks. When we're got the cat, it had 210,000 miles on it and wax getting about 21 miles to the gallon of gas. After all the work. We're are now getting 27-29 mpg. So. The prior maintenance that was conducted prior to our purchase, plus what we done, makes the cat drive like a brand new one!!
accountCircle T. Goins
Great car
I bought my 03 Altima new i'm still driving it today ,1/2020, on a daily basis. I love this car more than my new vehicle. I've had a couple sensor got bad, normal stuff. Very happy with the purchase.
accountCircle Ashley B
Silver Nissan Altima with Amazing Sunroof
I've had my cat for about 2 1/2 years now. My dad gave me it to. As long as you keep it up, it'll never do you wrong. I have the Nissan Altima with a sunroof (my favorite feature!). I don't really use my radio because I bought a Bluetooth device, but the radio can take up to 6 CDS. There's even a charging port inside the middle console. I love my car.
accountCircle Karamjit K
I love this car. I had it from last 6 years. And never had any problems.
Nissan gives good mileage on gas. And runs smooth...
accountCircle John W
I'd recommend Nissan to anybody who asks. More reliable than American cars.
It has been very reliable. Still looks fairly new even though it's older now. Plenty of power in the 6 cylinder.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Elaine P
It falls apart and has a recall for bad airbags
It does nothing but tear up one thing after another
accountCircle Candice Q
Horrible buy... Chose anything else!
Constant problems... Developed an evap leak shortly after purchased, malfunction on one of the chips in the 'computer' system that prevented car from starting, low hanging muffler, major vibration, bad alternator and recurring battery issues. I will not be owning this car ever again as I just finished paying it off despite not being to drive it for 6 months.
accountCircle Jorge P
Reliable and great for young teens to start driving with.
Not a well fit car for going up hills but sounds fine and realizable when taken care of with little work.
accountCircle Diamond L
It is light green with tan seats and flooring. It has a sunroof and a cup holder
Oil changing and running hot. It's comfortable and easy to drive. Tires slide at times. Hot car may not work sometimes so may need to add antifreeze. Works great for a very long time. Great car. Great in gas and drive smoothly. Had to replace radiator at about 200 thousand miles
accountCircle Sarah T
It's a good reliable vehicle.
The car is just to long for me to drive comfortably. It has good gas mileage and has a lot of room. It has been a pretty reliable car but a couple of years ago it started shaking. It's been 'fixed' but it just keeps happening. I would like if the car wasn't so long and wide
accountCircle Charisma A
They should know that even though it works in the first few years it is going to start breaking down a lot
My car is frequently breaking down. Recently my cars lights went out and the car started to really malfunction. This car has problems a lot.
accountCircle Robert S
It is in good condition and has been reliable.
It is an older vehicle so it does not run as well as it used to. There are more repairs needed. The car lost value over the years.
accountCircle Megan O
Worst Car I've Ever Owned
It is old. The floor is rusting out on the passenger side. Muffler fell off and had to be replaced. The engine keeps misfiring. I had to have it fixed three times. The air conditioner sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. I've never had more problems with a car in my entire life.

What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Nissan Altima?

Consumer Reports were impressed with the 2003 Nissan Altima, praising the refined and “punchy” transmission, agile handling, and quiet cabin. They did knock the car a couple points for cheap interior plastics, however.

Kelley Blue Book users love that the 2003 Altima is fuel efficient and affordable, with the few negative reviews reporting issues like body rust and engine power loss.

Edmunds praises the “sports car power” thanks to an “explosive” V6 engine. They loved the styling and found the features to be pretty generous. But, cheap interior plastics earned the car a red mark, and they felt the lack of stability control was an oversight.

What Common Problems Does the 2003 Nissan Altima Have?

More than half of the 2003 Altima’s 883 complaints registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are for engine and engine cooling, totaling 567 reports. Many of these stem from engine recalls that were issued without including the affected vehicles.

Powertrain complaints are thankfully scarce, with only 34 on file after twenty years on the road. Drivers report the car shaking while in motion and loss of automotive power. These issues are uncommon, but they illustrate what you need to look out for as the car gets on in years.

There are 126 structure complaints on file with body rust being a leading issue. Many of these complaints come from states like Wisconsin and New York, where road salt can do a lot of damage to the underside of the car. If you live somewhere cold, invest in some anti-rust coating.

The 2003 Altima has 10 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is roughly average for a car this old. There may be a few issues to look out for here, but nothing too worrying.

How Long Will the 2003 Nissan Altima Last?

Drivers report 2003 Altimas lasting between 200,000 to 300,000 miles. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given Nissan’s reputation for building some of the longest lasting cars on the market. But, the 2003 Altima feels a bit like a sports car, so the trick is finding one that wasn’t driven like a sports car. In short: Don’t skip the test drive.

RepairPal estimates that older Altimas should cost around $359 a year in maintenance, with the most expensive repairs being for the exhaust system, including manifold replacements starting at $2,227 and new mufflers at $1,273.

accountCircle Anne C

It has been quite reliable. We had to repair the bumper area due to rust but it's almost 16 years old, so that's to be expected. I don't recall performing any major repairs on the car.

accountCircle Alexander O

A few minor problems due to age. Nothing serious. I'm not a mechanic and don't know the technical terms but I've had to replace a couple parts.

accountCircle J S

Yes, my 2003 Nissan Altima is a very reliable mode of transportation. It does require standard upkeep but it is manageable.

accountCircle Hans E

Yes, the 2003 Nissan Altima is reliable. There is a small problem with the switches in the air conditioner in which it makes a clicking sound for a minute or so when you start the vehicle, but goes away. Other than that it drives reliable.

accountCircle Stephanie B

It's reliable. Right now it has an engine oil burning/leak problem. Had to put lots of work into it.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is dated, but generous. The entry level S comes packed with a CD player and six speakers, plus a pair of 12v power points. The Base model doesn’t even include a radio, but the Base is more of a fleet vehicle. Most private buyers will be going for the S as an entry level option.

Safety technology is likewise dated, but better than you’ll find in most 2003 compacts. The car may be missing traction control, but the cutting-edge seatbelt system feels a little bit a year or two ahead of its time. The car’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test scores are very good across the board, and the NHTSA ratings are very close to perfect, only missing a couple points for rollover and side impact.

Is the 2003 Nissan Altima a Good Value?

The 2003 Nissan Altima is an excellent value. The car goes on a very short list with the 2003 Civic and Corolla as one of the best and longest-lasting mass-production vehicles of its era. An entry level 2.5 Sedan sells at a fair market purchase price of $2,969, while a top-of-the-line SL sells for just $3,108.

These numbers are for models with fewer than 150,000 miles on the odometer, meaning that, as a conservative estimate, they have at least 50,000 more miles to go, and you might even double the number on the odometer. A 2003 Altima is simply one of the best deals on the market today.

What are the Different Models of the 2003 Nissan Altima?

The 2003 Nissan Altima comes in four different trim levels, from the entry-level S to the top-of-the-line SL, plus the bare-bones Base edition.

The Base is a stripped down model featuring:

  • Power windows and door locks
  • Pile carpeting
  • Velour seat trim
  • Reclining bucket seats in the front
  • 60/40 split bench seat in the back

The S is an entry-level trim adding:

  • Keyfob with remote keyless entry
  • AM/FM radio with CD player and 6 speakers
  • 12v DC power points

The mid-range SE adds:

  • Fog lights
  • 17 inch aluminum wheels
  • 8 way power seat for the driver
  • Cruise control
  • Remote release for hood, trunk, and fuel door
  • Leather wrapped steering wheel

The top-tier SL adds:

  • Leather seats
  • Heated front seats
  • Simulated wood trim
  • 8 speaker sound system

What Engines Come In the 2003 Nissan Altima?

  • Available in the Base, S, and SL models is a 2.5L inline-four engine delivering 175 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive.
  • In the SE trim you’ll find a hefty 3.5L V6 engine delivering 246 lb.-ft. of torque and 245 horsepower, inching us into sports car territory. As with the 2.5L, this is paired to a 4-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive.

What Colors Does the 2003 Nissan Altima Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2003 Nissan Altima?

You won’t find many complaints about the 2003 Nissan Altima when it comes to comfort. The lower trim levels can feel a bit cheap with the simple cloth upholstery, but there are few gripes for the cushy seats and well-designed interior.

Likewise, suspension has generated few complaints‌ over the years. As long as you can avoid the rust issues seen in colder states, there should be no issue with getting a smooth ride no matter how rocky the road gets.

That said, it’s still a compact. If you’re packing five adults into the car, it’s going to feel a bit crowded, and taller people may find the ceilings a bit low.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Nissan Altima Have?

The 2003 Altima’s trunk will pack 15.6 cubic feet of cargo. It’s enough for grocery trips, it’s enough to pack your luggage on the way to the airport, but you’re going to be calling your friend with a truck whenever it’s time to move some furniture.

Inside the Altima you’ll find a pair of cup holders in the center console and two more in the rear center armrest. There’s also plenty of coin holders, sunglasses slots and pockets all over the place, so you’ll have no problem tucking your phones, tablets, drinks, snacks, memo pads and whatever else all over the place.

Centered wide dash shot

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2003 Nissan Altima was the second model year for the 3rd Generation, which began with the 2002 model year and retired with the 2007 iteration.

2002: Nissan overhauled the rear suspension and added a V6 engine to the 2002 edition Altima, giving the car a whole new sporty feel.

2003: The 3.5 SE was a little more powerful for 2003, going up from 240 horsepower to 245, and Nissan introduced two-tone dash color schemes.

2004: Nissan added a new Smoke body color and brought the emissions up to code for 2004, but there are no major changes this year.

2005: The Altima got a big facelift in 2005 with an all new interior, a new front grille, and an optional DVD-based navigation system.

2006: Minor tweaks included new sport seats and headrests.

2007: The car is an inch shorter and a hair wider in 2007, with 2.5 inches added to the wheelbase.

How Does the 2003 Nissan Altima Compare to the Competition?

The Altima, Corolla, and Civic are the three cars you’re probably considering if you’re after a reliable 2003 compact. Picking the best of these three is like splitting hairs, but we’ll do our best.

All three are troopers, but the Honda Civic is the most likely to reach 300,000 miles, with a scant 520 complaints on file with the NHTSA, and the Corolla edges the Civic and the Altima out by about a gallon a mile in fuel efficiency.

What the Altima does better than the competition is sheer performance. Even the base S model stands 45 horses ahead of the second-best Corolla, with the 3.5 SE blowing the competition out of the water at 245 horsepower.

Any one of these cars would be an excellent choice, but the Altima may be the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of a powerful, sporty compact.

Ranks #14 Midsize Cars by Owners

1
car
4.36
2
Tie
car
4.3
14
car
3.67

Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Nissan Altima?

accountCircle jeremiah M

Yes, it is quite old so it has a considerable amount of rust. But with some TLC and maintenance, it has been a very dependable vehicle.

accountCircle Pamela B

Yes!! It is definitely a good vehicle! I am the only owner. Drove it off the lot. It has been a totally reliable car.

accountCircle Erin P

Yes, my 2003 Nissan Altima is a good vehicle. It gets great mileage and is pretty easy to maintain. It is durable and reliable.

accountCircle Sheba C

Yes, the Nissan Altima is a good vehicle. Few repairs necessary and parts are easy to find in stores/online without being too expensive. I feel safe in my car.

accountCircle Karol D

Yes, I does everything I need and I will not be able to deal with anything less. I only like Nissan vehicles.

accountCircle John C

For the most part, yes. They are known for lots of issues, but most cars are once they get older. I would recommend it to someone.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle sean B on March 30, 2021
That it runs and get me from place to place
Well first off you did not actually have my car in your list, It's a 2003 pontiac vibe pontiac was not even on the list.. And i don't like the AC no longer works
accountCircle Rohit J on March 27, 2021
Expected better from Nissan Altima but wear and tear was faster in the process especially when it's an old car
Deprecated much quicker than I imagined but it still runs well except the exhaust needs to be replaced
accountCircle Suzette L on March 24, 2021
Lasted a long time and still looks very stylish!.
Nice style and good transportation but would like better gas mileage! The engine had to be replaced because of the manufacture defect!.
accountCircle Ariel H on March 23, 2021
It is extremely reliable and still has working airbags.
I like that my car is reliable, rarely breaks down and handles well. I do not like that it lacks a lot of features because it is and older car.
accountCircle emily M on March 8, 2021
It gets me from point a to point b. Nissan is a good brand
It runs well but the door handles break I am having to replace them frequently
accountCircle david b on March 2, 2021
This a good point a to point b car. It is not idea for long distance traveling.
This vehicle is reliable If maintained well. It is small for a family of four. There are not any modern featured on this car.
accountCircle Sarah T on February 26, 2021
It's a good reliable vehicle.
The car is just to long for me to drive comfortably. It has good gas mileage and has a lot of room. It has been a pretty reliable car but a couple of years ago it started shaking. It's been 'fixed' but it just keeps happening. I would like if the car wasn't so long and wide
accountCircle Amy K on February 21, 2021
Older car that looks and acts newer.
Although my car is 16 years old, it does not show it. I especially like the deluxe features such as the six-way seat adjustment, tilt steering wheel, heated seats and six-disc CD player. I bought this car used nine years ago and have enjoyed driving it ever since.
accountCircle Emily B on February 12, 2021
Brakes need to be tuned a lot or fully replaced, they loosen easily and often.
The transmission doesn't work that well. The air conditioning broke. Previous owner used to smoke in it. Brake need tuning often. Doesn't have Bluetooth. No backup camera. Too small.
accountCircle Alex T on February 6, 2021
The 2003 Nissan Altima is reliable.
It may be a 2004 model car but other than the normal wear and tear it should last me a year or two more. I've had to replace the radiator a couple weeks ago, since then it's driven okay, but not great. I had to add transmission fluid last week. Those are normal duties to owning a car, I assume. I'd recommend it to someone who knows how to work on cars and who finds it entertaining. If you don't like constantly having to service your car, I don't recommend.
accountCircle chris O on January 25, 2021
Nissan Altima, great family car
I bought mine second hand so it does have some minor issues, but overall it is a great car for me and my family. We drive it everyday to do any of our errands. It is a very good car and super reliable. I have 3 small children and they all fit comfortably in the back seat
accountCircle Mark D on January 15, 2021
Nissan Altima: dependable & reliable.
My car has 180, 000 miles on it and is extremely reliable. I have had no serious mechanical issues for over ten years and drive it on a daily basis to and from work. I highly recommend Nissan vehicles. As long as you stay on top of changing the oil and tires consistently, Altima will run forever at a minimal cost to you as the owner.
accountCircle Michael V on January 7, 2021
Long Lasting vehicle with ample room
It works surprisingly well especially given how old it is, i still sometimes have problems with the oil but that can be explained by its age, it's also very roomy
accountCircle Susan W on January 7, 2021
It runs great and has good gas mileage. Not a lot of repairs until it hit over 100,000 miles.
This was my dad's car that I acquired when he passed in 2010. It has had minimal problems but like most cars after they age more problems come up. It gets good gas mileage and runs well.
accountCircle Brittany W on December 24, 2020
My car is just great. It is very reliable. I've had to do lots of traveling.
Any problem I've had is due to neglect. I have never had any serious problems with my vehicle. It is very reliable and dependable. I have drove it daily for two years now. I can drive out of town and have no troubles traveling. It's a very great car and spacious might I add.
accountCircle Joanne S on December 20, 2020
Nearly maintenance free so far.
My car is 15 years old and has close to 150, 000 miles on it, I get about 19 mpg and have very low maintenance. New inspection, oil changes as needed. No other problems except for brake shoes about a year ago. I purchased this car used in April in 2016, but I do not drive far. I only drive about 2500 miles a year running errands locally as I am 81 years old.
accountCircle Bob C on December 14, 2020
Great Nissan Altima vehicle.
The vehicle has a very comfortable ride. Great gas mileage. Vehicle has had no major problems. Only has 30, 000 miles. Only problem I have had is gas filler neck is loose. This has been a great car with no major repairs needed. I enjoy going on long road trips.
accountCircle John W on December 10, 2020
I'd recommend Nissan to anybody who asks. More reliable than American cars.
It has been very reliable. Still looks fairly new even though it's older now. Plenty of power in the 6 cylinder.
accountCircle Diane G on December 2, 2020
It is a Nissan, which I feel is a most trustworthy and reliable vehicle!
I like that it is roomy, trustworthy, and gas efficient. I have no car payments! I only wish it were a newer model!
accountCircle Vicki C on November 25, 2020
It doesn't want to go in drive first thing in the morning. You have to wait a few minutes before it will go.
I inherited this vehicle from my daughter, I did not choose it. I would not choose it. It's not too bad, but nothing special either. It has a few minor issues like slow AC and it's noisy.
accountCircle Jean S on November 13, 2020
Despite looking rough and having 106,000 miles of continues to be reliable and run well
O love my car. It is comfortable and fits 5 people. It has a good size trunk and gets good gas mileage
accountCircle LaQualla D on November 5, 2020
It is very cheap on gas and a reliable transportation.
I like the fact that is a low maintenance car. Haven't had a ton of problems with it. Reliable transportation.
accountCircle Leon M on October 13, 2020
It is a nice car I get good gas mileage on this car runs great.
It will not start sometimes so I was wondering what I can do to stop the problem to stop it from happening spot will start.
accountCircle Sheila C on October 12, 2020
Regular maintenance is key!
When we got the vehicle, it required a bit of work. We had to put new struts and shocks, front and rear, new door handles, new front and back valve covers with spark plugs and wires, and fluid checks. When we're got the cat, it had 210,000 miles on it and wax getting about 21 miles to the gallon of gas. After all the work. We're are now getting 27-29 mpg. So. The prior maintenance that was conducted prior to our purchase, plus what we done, makes the cat drive like a brand new one!!
accountCircle Francesca K on October 9, 2020
Nissan Altima Somewhat Reliable
Has encountered multiple problems up to 130,000 miles and definitely does not drive as well as it once did. It is still lasting me but it costing quite a bit of money.
accountCircle Santos P on October 8, 2020
That this car has plenty of space if you have a big family.
Mileage is great with the size of the car and its smooth ride. One complaint is that the paint has turned ugly and I see that problem in lot of other Altima's.
accountCircle Karamjit K on September 18, 2020
I love this car. I had it from last 6 years. And never had any problems.
Nissan gives good mileage on gas. And runs smooth...
accountCircle Jorge P on September 17, 2020
Reliable and great for young teens to start driving with.
Not a well fit car for going up hills but sounds fine and realizable when taken care of with little work.
accountCircle Ruth S on September 14, 2020
Me and My Nissan As Of This Date
I purchased my Nissan new in 2003. Love everything about it. Just turned 46,000 miles with no major problems. Would definitely purchase another Nissan when I'm ready for a new one.
accountCircle Reagan P on September 6, 2020
It is a good, reliable car.
I really like my car. It is really reliable. A downside though is I have low gas mileage which could be because it is a v6. It is my first car and since it is an older car I have of course had to have some work done on it. Overall I would recommend this car to anybody.
accountCircle Tye B on September 4, 2020
Interior is amazing, but the engine sucks.
My car always has a problem, once I pay lots of money to fix one problem another comes up. It is an extremely roomy car and has comfy seats. But, it has terrible gas mileage and burns oil. The car has a really nice sound system, great bass. The heated seats are great in the winter and the ac is very cold.
accountCircle Ruth K on August 24, 2020
It is very economical. Drives like a dream and has a lot of zip.
I purchased my vehicle new in 2003. It is just perfect for me, not too big or not too small. I only have 43,000 miles on it and it looks like brand new as it has always been garaged when not in use. Love it and have no complaints.
accountCircle David c on August 21, 2020
It is good on gas mileage.
It looks good. It is dependable. I like it.
accountCircle Linda B on August 20, 2020
It is made in America and it is a good-looking car.
It gets good gas mileage, does not use oil or. Leak and it rides good. Lt has a big trunk and it has a lot room on the inside.
accountCircle Jessy W on August 19, 2020
My car drives smooth and gets great gas mileage. I'm very happy that I chose this car for me and my family.
The car gets very good gas mileage and that is important to me and my family. Even though the car seems small it is very roomy for me and my three young children. It's a dependable car and I would feel safe driving it anywhere
accountCircle Rita N on August 16, 2020
The car usually takes three times of turning the ignition to start.
This car was gifted to me by my mother when my 09 Toyota Corolla was totaled. It's an older vehicle so it doesn't have upgraded features such as newer models do but the car runs. It accelerates slow and the ac leaks. It is comfortable on the inside.
accountCircle Brooke G on August 10, 2020
Once something goes wrong with it then it never fails that something else tends to mess up as well.
I have had a lot of problems with my vehicle lately but other than that. It has lasted a long time and has a lot of miles on it. It is good for my needs as a parent.
accountCircle victoria G on August 9, 2020
It's not reliable or good on gas. It's 15 years old and needs a lot of maintenance beside the 1500 I've already put into it.
I like the style and color of the car but I do not like the maintenance that comes with it. I usually like Nissans, but I've had a lot of issues with my car and financially I can't afford everything to get fixed on it.I would rather have a newer car then to pay a bunch of money on an old one that's not worth it.
accountCircle Donna F on August 8, 2020
I have always had regular oil changes done to my car.
The Nissan Altima has been a great car with few problems. We have been driving it for 15 years now and it still in good overall shape.
accountCircle Jean S on July 30, 2020
It is reliable and gets good gas mileage.
My Nissan Altima had been very reliable. I have the 3. 5 liter se 5 speed. It gets good gas mileage and has lots of pep. It is 4 door, so there's plenty of room for 5 passengers. The a/c is cold and the automatic leather seats are comfortable.
accountCircle Brandon M on July 21, 2020
Dependable and good running car. Have had no mechanical issues with it at all.
Car is over all I great shape and been taken care of. I've had it a year now and had no problems with it and I put a lot of miles on it daily. Overall I am satisfied with the performance and durability of this car. Its very reliable and requires little maintenance and is cheap to replace anything that may need to be fixed.
accountCircle Terry J on July 19, 2020
Good looks and great manufacturer.
Gas mileage is good. Drives nice. Has a great stereo system. Car is old, high miles.
accountCircle Tierra H on June 30, 2020
The catalytic converter is always the problem when it comes to Nissan.
It fits me great simply because I am not that tall. On the other hand this is my second Nissan and despite what people say they are not the best cars in the world. I mean when you get it everything is great that is until one thing goes wrong. After one thing fails so does everything else it is like the domino effect.
accountCircle Caroline M on June 25, 2020
The battery life is poor and needs to get replaced every few years
I bought it used and after 110 miles it needed a lot of repairs. The battery doesn't last long in this car
accountCircle Brittany B on June 18, 2020
My opinion of the Nissan Altima review.
For an 2003 and high mileage it is a good little car. Mine has a few problems like my heater core just went out on me. But other than that it is reliable and the trunk is pretty spacious. But my car has a few dings in it. But I love my car I would like to trade it jus for a newer model.
accountCircle Liz C on June 1, 2020
It's well-built and dependable from a brand that deserves its reputation.
It's been pretty dependable despite its age. There are upgrades that are still nice to have regardless of its age.
accountCircle Megan O on May 28, 2020
Worst Car I've Ever Owned
It is old. The floor is rusting out on the passenger side. Muffler fell off and had to be replaced. The engine keeps misfiring. I had to have it fixed three times. The air conditioner sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. I've never had more problems with a car in my entire life.
accountCircle Emily A on May 18, 2020
It has lasted a long time and is still running strong.
My Nissan Altima is pretty reliable. It just has some exterior issues. It gets me from point A to point B. The paint is coming off but the gas mileage is good. The door handles break off easily. I have to get the co2 sensor fixed to pass inspection soon.
accountCircle Susan Q on April 13, 2020
Nissan Altima is reliable vehicle to drive with low maintenance.
My Nissan Altima is a terrific car to drive. It is extremely comfortable and enough room for the passengers to not feel cramped. The Nissan is easy to maintain. I have no issues with this vehicle at all. I take it on road trips and it just cruises right along the highway. In town, it is very patient and easy and calming to drive in slow traffic due to the fact that it is automatic. I would buy another one if I had the chance.
accountCircle Ashley B on April 10, 2020
Silver Nissan Altima with Amazing Sunroof
I've had my cat for about 2 1/2 years now. My dad gave me it to. As long as you keep it up, it'll never do you wrong. I have the Nissan Altima with a sunroof (my favorite feature!). I don't really use my radio because I bought a Bluetooth device, but the radio can take up to 6 CDS. There's even a charging port inside the middle console. I love my car.
avatar Gilbert Smith
Gilbert Smith is a New Mexico-based automotive journalist who enjoys writing about cars, trucks, and SUVs. He is a longtime contributor to Vehicle History and a member of the site's original content team when it launched.