2003 Nissan Sentra electrical system problems
35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2003 Nissan Sentra — 19% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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 .”
filed Jul 18, 2022
“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)”
filed Dec 10, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM…Campaign 03V477000 · Nov 14, 2003
Related service bulletins
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 21, 2024SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or…
NTB23-053 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These…
NTB23-049 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB13-107F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 27, 2023
Electrical System problems in other Sentra years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sentra | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 Sentra | 7 | 22% |
| 2022 Sentra | 24 | 30% |
| 2021 Sentra | 38 | 29% |
| 2020 Sentra | 44 | 22% |
| 2019 Sentra | 64 | 29% |
| 2018 Sentra | 32 | 17% |
| 2017 Sentra | 33 | 14% |
| 2016 Sentra | 44 | 16% |
| 2015 Sentra | 25 | 7% |
| 2014 Sentra | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 Sentra | 43 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Nissan Sentra
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.