2003 Nissan Maxima problems
Owners have filed 249 complaints about the 2003 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 22.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 17.3%.
Complaints249
Crashes20
Fires4
Injuries17
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 22.1% · 55
Engine 17.3% · 43
Air bags 14.1% · 35
Exterior lighting 10.4% · 26
Electrical system 6.8% · 17
Unknown or other 4.0% · 10
Vehicle speed control 3.2% · 8
Power train 2.8% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire, 17 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 24 model years of the Nissan Maxima in this data, 2003 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2004 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 27 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 88,500 miles.
In owners' own words
My 2003 Nissan Maxima shuts off without any warning I had my grandbaby in the car with me and traffic was moving pretty fast, after sitting for about 5mins it started back up. I took it to my mechanic and told that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. He also told me that it was a recall on this, so I took it to the Nissan dealer and they said it is not for my vin number. I have 174,000 mileage. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 174,000 miles
Dt: contact stated a light illuminated on dashboard. She contacted the manufacturer. They told her to take the vehicle to a dealership. She took the vehicle to a dealership. They checked the vehicle and determined that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. She then took the vehicle to another mechanic, who determined that emission control system was leaking. The light stayed on all the time. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 73,850 miles
Consumer received recall 03v511000 concerning engine cooling /electric vehicle: at any speed, the check engine light will illuminate and stay on. When the light comes on, the engine loses considerable power. Consumer claims that this make, model, and year is on recall. The recall number that was given does not correspond with the problem this vehicle is having. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 800 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…