MYRModel Year Report

2003 Nissan Maxima

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Nissan Maxima
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
206
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 206 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1985 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 206 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2021 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1984 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1986 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1996 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1998 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 206 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2008 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2010 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2016 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2020 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint

2003: 206 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198663
1987178
198860
198964
1990106
199177
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041,425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
20151
2016142
2017104
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

27% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing engine and emission control.

Engine

21% · 43 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, a burning odor emitted inside of the vehicle with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The transmission then failed to operate.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-22

Also filed under Power train

Air bags

17% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The airbags deployed without being in an accident

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-26

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact exited a parking area to enter a high traffic location.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-02-21

While driving at 65 MPH driver applied the brakes to slow down t and lost control, causing the vehicle to hit a guard rail, and roll over twice. Vehicle landed upside down. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-04

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Exterior lighting

13% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.

Electrical system

8% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and alternator/generator/regulator.

Show complaint excerpts

While driving car just stops, no fuel, no power, no power steering, no electrical, nothing everything shuts off. Restart no issues runs for awhile and happened again two more times. So three times total.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-06

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 206 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-12-22Engine and engine cooling03V455000 On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(S), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(S). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01V357, are…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-06-15Air bags15V287000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2020-02-12Air bags20V008000 Nissan North America, Inc.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  6. R
    2022-09-23Air bags22E066000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 35 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V455000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V287000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V008000 · Air bags
  • Recall 22E066000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Nissan Maxima is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Maxima?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.