2003
Nissan Altima

Starts at:
$16,749
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New 2003 Nissan Altima
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Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn Manual
    Starts at
    $16,749
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Auto
    Starts at
    $17,249
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn S Manual
    Starts at
    $18,599
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn S Auto
    Starts at
    $19,099
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn SE Manual
    Starts at
    $22,649
    21 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn SL Auto
    Starts at
    $23,099
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn SE Auto
    Starts at
    $23,149
    19 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima 2003 Nissan Altima

The good & the bad

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Safety review

Based on the 2003 Nissan Altima base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
4/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years / less than 80,000 miles
Basic
N / A
Dealer certification
167-point inspection
See all CPO program details

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Consumer reviews

78% of drivers recommend this car
4.0 / 5
Based on 69 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 3.9
Performance 4.1
Value 4.0
Exterior 4.1
Reliability 3.9

Most recent

  • By Jess from Cincinnati, OH
    Owns this car
    November 24, 2024

    The car has been problems since day 1.

    The car has been problems since day 1. From 118,000 miles to 165,000 I've had to replace or repair almost what the car is worth now to keep it going. The 4 speed auto is not good but a whole lot better than Nissan cvt transmissions. The one good thing I will give the car is it makes 175hp which for the year and weight of the car isn't terrible either.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Rick from Brawley,Ca
    Owns this car
    August 30, 2022

    ac draw back

    Car is great drives and handle real nice but the ac is not can not keep it working I've change almost every thing but no luck
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Krisztina from New York
    Owns this car
    June 26, 2022

    Best ever

    I have a 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 engine love this car the best My family owns it since day#1 Never will sell 283 K miles in it and I still love it Fast powerful
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    7 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By pcapps from Barnstable, Ma
    Owns this car
    March 25, 2021

    I got my moneys worth.

    I bought a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5s while in college. It had 104k when I bought it. Currently has 155k 5 years later. What I fixed along the way was 2 break calibers, a crankshaft position sensor, a gasket, a transition flush that didn't help, and a muffler that fell off. What I haven't fixed is the Check engine light (evap system) has been been on 3 years, but that's not a problem, the car shakes at idle (Motor mounts), and it shifts hard into 2nd gear and sqeeks into 3rd while whining in reverse (transmission issues). Interior materials are cheap, the plastic dash cracked long ago, and the glovebox doesn't like to stay hinged. The outside paint has rust forming around the rear wheels, the front bumper is pealing paint, and the hubcaps are pealing paint. However, the A/C and Heat work like a charm. The car always starts, and once it is up to speed (0-60 is like 20 seconds) it runs so comfortably on the highway. I consider it a great value for $6,500 close to 5 years ago because it always gets me to where I'm going and is a great car to run into the ground. I will be selling for $1k tomorrow. Thank you for the 51k miles for a net $5500.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Daniel Williams from Stratford, Ct
    Owns this car
    February 10, 2021

    I can say it is completely reliable.

    The car is getting me to where I need to go. It was very clean and still has no problems. Would buy from here again.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By BD from NORTH PROVIDENCE
    Owns this car
    May 5, 2020

    awesome car

    beyond all expectations great good perfect wonderful comfort smooth glides flies rocks rolls and sings. colorful stylish clean attractive and very ,very quick thank you so much
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Isaiah55
    Owns this car
    December 6, 2019

    Decent car gets you from point A to B

    Great ride gets you going wherever you need to go. Reliable, comfortable and a gas saver . Gets you from point A to Point B
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Greatest value for the money. from Sherman Oaks
    Owns this car
    August 30, 2019

    2003 Nissan Altima with 38k miles!!!

    2003 Nissan Altima, belongs to my grandfather. He purchased this car in 2003 from a Nissan Dealership. Always serviced it at the dealer and kept it parked in the garage. Very low miles , the car was never involved in an accident. Drives like a brand new car.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Carm28 from Houston, Texas
    Owns this car
    June 20, 2019

    Great First Car! Very reliable

    Very spacious sedan and well loved car, drove this car to work and home. Very comfortable car. Only filled car every 2 weeks. Great with gas.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By marlin from milford,ohio
    Owns this car
    April 23, 2019

    Good Car if you can make the necessary repairs

    clean inside and out. Gasket repair been quoted at 1250. Handles @ 50 each + repair labor--But they still work. Car drives but need to add coolant weekly
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 2.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Bgonzalez from GALLOWAY
    Used to own this car
    March 20, 2019

    This car was not good

    When i went to the parkway to go to the car dealler ship it turned off on me 2 times and i got scared because my daughter was in the car with me
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Dee from New jersey
    Owns this car
    March 19, 2019

    Durable and less expensive to maintain.

    The vehicle has never given me any major problem and it is durable, effective and cheaper to maintain. The vehicle was purchased used in 2015 and since then I never had any major problems.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Nissan dealers near you

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2003 Nissan Altima?

The 2003 Nissan Altima is available in 4 trim levels:

  • (2 styles)
  • S (2 styles)
  • SE (2 styles)
  • SL (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2003 Nissan Altima?

The 2003 Nissan Altima offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2003 Nissan Altima?

The 2003 Nissan Altima compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2003 Nissan Altima reliable?

The 2003 Nissan Altima has an average reliability rating of 3.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2003 Nissan Altima owners.

Is the 2003 Nissan Altima a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2003 Nissan Altima. 78.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.0 / 5
Based on 69 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 3.9
  • Performance: 4.1
  • Value: 4.0
  • Exterior: 4.1
  • Reliability: 3.9

Nissan Altima history

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