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.
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
Negative Owner Reviews
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.
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.
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.
Yes, my 2003 Nissan Altima is a very reliable mode of transportation. It does require standard upkeep but it is manageable.
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.
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.
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.
Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Nissan Altima?
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.
Yes!! It is definitely a good vehicle! I am the only owner. Drove it off the lot. It has been a totally reliable car.
Yes, my 2003 Nissan Altima is a good vehicle. It gets great mileage and is pretty easy to maintain. It is durable and reliable.
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.
Yes, I does everything I need and I will not be able to deal with anything less. I only like Nissan vehicles.
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.