Nissan Complaint - Throttle Chamber - Nissan Altima 2003 4 cyl

Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2006-08-31:

Are you sure about that description? I've not heard that exact term before. It if's the throttle body, that should last the life of the car unless it's severely abused. A good cleaning of the throttle body should remove any deposits and restore performance. But since it's setting a code, I wonder if they mean throttle position sensor. If that's the case, it could be bad - some cars just seem to be harder on that part than others. Might be time for another expert opinion.

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

Yeah, I'm thinking it's the 0/2 sensor

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

Yes it is the throttle body a.k.a. throttle chamber. Yes they are electronic. Yes, they will set a code. Try contacting your reginal Nissan service manager (not to be confused with the dealers service manager)for possible good will assistance by going through Nissan's customer service # in your owners manual. You may get lucky and get some help. Good Luck

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

That may be, DD, but 02 sensors all "set a code," so I'd check that too.

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

Maybe I am confused about what you are trying to say. If the code comes up for the throttle body why would you suspect the O2 sensor?????????

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

Not all cars have a "throttle body" code, but rather a more generalized carburation/fuel sensor one that can apply to a variety of problems. O2 is often the culprit.

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

Yes all cars do have a code for throttle body. The code for O2 is a completly different code.

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

No, not all cars, depends on the year of manufacture. Check that.

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

Yep you are right, my 69 camaro doesn't have a code, but in an '03 Altima as this post is about, it does!!!!!!!!

Posted by Anonymous on 2006-08-31:

LOL, okay dealer, ya got me there. I belive it was '96? that all cars sold here in the US had to have standardized Automotive Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) That way, shade tree mechanics could buy what's called a "code-reader" and interpret what the "check engine light" or CEL meant. Many times it was little more than the 02 sensor.

Posted by badcar on 2006-10-11:

I realize its 10/10 and the comments I just read are from 8/31, but I just got screwed over the throttle body assembly. I've owned many, many cars in my lifetime and this was the first time I've EVER had to replace this part....nontheless in a car that is only 3 years old. I'm livid and looking for honest answers. Any others have experience to share?

Posted by schel1981 on 2006-10-11:

I just had to replace the throttle chamber(throttle body) on 2003 nissan altima 2.5L (4 cyl) to the tune of $750.00. The 3.5l has had numerous problems with this part. Nissan has a remanufactured part available for the 3.5L for about $140.00. Why is this not available on the 2.5L (or a recall).This is the most expensive car repair I have ever paid for after 22yrs of car ownership and 16 different vehicles. Nissan or a junk yard are your only options for this part.It retails for around $630.00.Junk yard around $270.00. 1st time Nissan owner, wondering if a made a mistake?
Service Engine light was on.
Drew

Posted by BJH06 on 2006-11-11:

I think Nissan is getting over big time. If everyone who has the Altima has this problem and is paying $300-$400 per visit--how much do you think they are making?? I have an 03 Altima, car began stalling ans hesitating and the check engine light came on. I've paid for an air mass flow sensor, an O2 sensor, they tried to get me to replace the throttle body, now I just replaced the crank position sensor and the check engione light came on 2 days later! I think its time for a class action lawsuit!!

Posted by maf6563 on 2006-11-21:

I am living the problems that are stated above. I first took my '03 Altima in for the stalling problem. I paid almost 200.00 for the repair. A few days later I got the recall. I had to fight Nissan to get my money back. I finally did but it took many hours on the phone. I am now experiencing problems with my throttle body. Dealer wants 800.00 to fix that. I called Nissan and they claim they do not know anything about faulty throttle bodies. HA!!!!

I just ordered a used one from a local salvage yard that came off of an '05 Altima. It cost me 200.00. I will replace it myself.

Other issues with the car. Leaky back door seals, again Nissan claims they do not know anything about the problem.

Seems funny to me, every time something happens to my Altima and I google the problem, I find hundreds of people with the same issues and Nissan claims they know nothing about the problems.

Posted by hiker on 2006-11-28:

Regarding the 2005 Nissan altima stalling problem, I am only just now beginning to experience this. The car stalled once about two weeks ago, and then stalled twice yesterday (Nov. 27) within two hours. Before reading any of the posts on this problem, I consulted a mechanic friend who guessed it might be the fuel filter. I certainly hope that is the case with my car, but I'm wondering if anyone else heard this diagnosis, too, and have since had more problems.

Posted by dumpnissan on 2006-11-28:

I own a 2003 Altima 2.5. 80,000 miles. I am bringing it in this week for its FOURTH recall. And, yes, after the third recall the service engine light came on a few weeks ago. Will have that checked this week too. Also, when the car had JUST passed warranty, the drivers side window fell down in the door. They said the plastic hook on the glass was faulty, but I had to pay nearly $300 to get it fixed. I hate this car and this company. I recently purchased a Toyota Corolla, instead of a Nissan, and when this piece of crap Altima dies, I wont buy Nissan again. Ever. I strongly discourage ANYBODY from buying a Nissan Altima. Sure, it looks good, but for instance check out the trunk lid------its like a wafer !!!!!!!!!! Total crap !!!

Posted by TAG on 2006-12-02:

Nissa Altima 2004 - Service light came on, stalling and erratic engine activity followed. Local Tires Plus in Marrietta, GA diagnosed for $90 the crankcase sensor was bad. For an additional $151 the sensor was replaced. I read on a MSN summary for a 2002 Altima the parts should have cost $18 and the Labor $40, guess I was taken for a ride. Anyway, so far the car seems to be working but it hasn't been driven much since the repiar. Wish me luck.

Posted by Abemeister on 2006-12-29:

If there is a check engine DTC code for the CKP (crank) sensor, this is a common problem on 4 cylinder Altima's. Watch out not to break the connector.

Posted by Abemeister on 2006-12-29:

in addition to my comment above...

If you break the connector, Nissan will want you to buy the entire harness at $650!! Use a piece of thin bailing wire to secure the connector and go about your business.

Buy a cheap ODB II Scantool from EBAY. It will save you hundreds of dollars in auto repairs. They cost about $20.00 with shipping.

Posted by anneamack on 2007-06-25:

I wish I had read these comments before purchasing a 2005 Nissan Altima. I have had the car 21 months and just over the 60K warranty the car stalled and the service engine light came on. $1,200 to repair and replace the throttle body and Nissan will not provide any assistance since it is just over the 60K warranty.

Posted by Tarun on 2007-07-21:

I've had similar problems with my 2003 Altima. Crank position sensor replacement (paid). Entire engine replaced (warranty); this was an on going problem that took them months to figure out. Alternator replaced (paid). After they replaced the engine, my car now vibrates at 1500rpm's. I told them about it 2 weeks after they replaced the engine because I thought it would go away. They wouldn't do anything because they said I waited too long. When I had them check it out, they said it was the throttle body and it needed to be replaced. I told them I thought the engine wasn't installed correctly, but they insist that it's the throttle body and I need to pay $900 to have it replaced. I've decided to let the Altima die rather than pay anymore. I also tell all of my friends and family and co-workers never to buy a Nissan or Infiniti.

I wish there were a class action law suit against Nissan. When ever I see their ads on tv or anywhere else it makes me sick that they are able to promote their junk.

Posted by majicfngers on 2007-08-31:

I've been having the same problem as many have described (i.e. stalling when coming to a stop or almost stopped and dying right after starting). This has only happened intermmitently. I went to Advanced Auto Parts to by a Haynes Repair Manual and told the guy at the counter why. He had seen me in there recently for other wear and tear issues, so he kindly told me what the problem was since he had worked on 3 other Altima's with the exact same issue. He said it was the intake manifold. I plan to take on this undertaking myself with some needed help in the very near future. I'll try to remember to let you guys know how it turns out.

Posted by RockyCJC on 2007-09-05:

I have not had stalling issues but I have had problems starting the car. I had an occasional but continuous issue starting the car sometimes. The car would crank but would not turnover on occasion. Most recently, this was accompanied by a check engine light. After bringing to my mechanic to check, I was told that my crank sensor needed replacing and that my double platinum spark plugs were fouled. This costed me about $550 to correct all issues. My wife thinks I should just trade-in the car for another considering this was not the only instance with starting issues.

Posted by AWilliams0406 on 2008-06-11:

WOW. We have a 2005 Nissan Altima and yesterday our service engine light came on. We also have a 2000 Nissan Frontier we have had almost no problems with, so I was ticked to say the least that our 3 yr old car had the SE light come on. Turns out it is the throttle body! Thankfully it is covered under warranty. But it sounds like Nissan needs to do a recall on this! Just add it to the list of the 3 or 4 recalls we have already had on this car. Love the car, not happy with the issues.

Posted by Resha on 2008-07-26:

I have been experiencing no power at all when I change my transmission. I found out today that it's a throttle chamber issue in Nissan altima 2.5S. I already took this car couple of times for repair for other issues. I am very upset with the quality of this Nissan product. Since my warranty is expired now, I am out of luck. I had to pay $381 out of my pocket. Nissan Altima is definitely a bad quality car. Does anyone know consumer complaint agency?

Posted by lindsayp82 on 2008-11-11:

I have also had most of these problems. I have a 2004 2.5 and about 3 months ago i paid for the crank positon sensor and the speed sensor replaced which cost almost $400 and now my check engine light came on and i just found out that it is my throttle chamber which is $650.00! I will never buy another nissan!

Posted by tequay on 2010-08-09:

2005 Altima 2.5 SL, 67,000km. Service Engine Light came on just after starting. When I pressed the accelerator pedal the engine did not respond as if starving for fuel. I turned the car off and when I turned it back on the problem went away. It has done this twice so far. Dealer says...needs a new Throttle Body - $800. I was talking to a fellow in the courtesy pick up car who had a 2006 Altima with 80,000km. Surprise...he was picking up his car after having a new throttle body installed! I am not sure whether I can trust the dealer on this one and I wonder if anyone else can give an educated second opinion. Nissan appears to have a systemic problem that they have not addressed and are getting away with on the backs of consumers. This is very disappointing.

Posted by Sid on 2013-02-28:

2003 Altima 2.5 SL, check engine light on and needs throttle chamber! Dealer quoted $500 to fix.

Posted by Charlie on 2013-04-25:

I have a 2011 Nissan Juke, and the service engine light came on again a few days ago. This is the 3rd time since January 2013. I've had 2 new airflow sensor parts installed, and now that the service engine light has come on for the third time, the nissan service dealership is telling me that they need to order a throttle chamber. I have to wait for part to come in. My new car failed it's first inspection sticker after 1 year of owning the car. It looks like Nissans and Infinitis are plagued with these problems! Never buying a Nissan again!

Posted by Sabi on 2013-06-08:

I have the same problem and it will cost me over $1000.00. What to do?