2003 Nissan Maxima
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 4 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 30 |
| 1985 | 54 |
| 1986 | 60 |
| 1987 | 176 |
| 1988 | 60 |
| 1989 | 62 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 76 |
| 1992 | 110 |
| 1993 | 78 |
| 1994 | 89 |
| 1995 | 152 |
| 1996 | 96 |
| 1997 | 102 |
| 1998 | 113 |
| 1999 | 165 |
| 2000 | 360 |
| 2001 | 172 |
| 2002 | 205 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 1425 |
| 2005 | 948 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 78 |
| 2009 | 339 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 95 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 102 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
21% of complaints: engine — 43 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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, 20130422
19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 39 distinct reports on file.
13% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI report, 20200126
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, 20190221
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, 20040204
11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 22 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file.
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, 20171106
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 T
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 A
Campaign 03V455000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V287000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V008000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 22E066000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (43 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (27 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V287000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22E066000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.