Page 3 of 5 · complaints 101–150 of 205

2002 Nissan Maxima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 24, 2006NJ

ENGINE BROKE DOWN ON A 2002 NIACIN MAXIM & COULD NOT STEER CAR CORRECTLY. IT COULD NOT GO WITHOUT WEAVING BACK & FORTH, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS ONLY 15,000. MILES ON CAR & IT IS REGULARLY SERVICED & MAINTAINED GREATLY (E.G. KEPT IN GARAGE,NEVER LEFT UNLOCK,ETC.)THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES & INVOLVED A $900. REPAIR BILL, FOR WHICH NIACIN DID NOTHING TO COMPENSATE FOR OR APOLOGIZE FOR. IF I HAD NOT HAD AAA TOW IT TO THE DEALER, THERE WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, THIS OCCURRED AT NIGHT & I HAD I ONLY 3 BLOCKS TO GET IT HOME WHEN THERE WEREN'T ANY CARS THE ROAD. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Mar 22, 200615,450 milesNJ

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SKIP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE GAS LEVEL SENSOR, EMISSION AND FUEL INJECTOR AND FLUSHED THE BRAKE LINES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 18, 200664,800 milesPA

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SUBSEQUENT TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKNIG WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND ANOTHER. ONLY BY ACCELERATNG VERY HARD THROUGH A STOP SIGN, AT WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO STOP, WAS I ABLE TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO MY OWNERS MANUAL, WHENEVER THE ABS WARNIGN LIGHT ILLUMINATE, I WILL LOSE ONLY MY ABS BUT WILL RETAIN NORMAL BREAKING. THIS PROVED NOT TO BE THE CASE. I LOST THE ABLITY TO STOP. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DEALERSHIP REPAIR FACILITY, THE LOSS OF ABS WAS A RESULT OF A NON-FUNCTIONING REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY THIS REPAIR FACILITY. I WILL REQUEST THAT THE FAILED PART BE KEPT AND GIVEN TO ME. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 9, 200635,000 milesUT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS HAD FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. DURING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RIGHT ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE RIGHT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN THROUGH THE CARWASH. THE BRAKES REQUIRED MORE PRESSURE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY BY ITSELF. IN OCTOBER 2005 THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS. WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON AND WENT OFF TWO DAYS LATER. THE BRAKES WORKED WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AND FAILED WHEN THE LIGHT WENT OFF. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LEFT ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN MADE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Feb 7, 200664,400 milesPA

AFTER WASHING MY AUTOMOBILE, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING (ABS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT I NO LONGER HAVE ABS. THE CONSEQUENCE IS REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IN AN EMERGENCY SUCH A FAILURE WOULD ELIMINATE MY ABILITY TO PERFORM AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS WHILE BRAKING WHICH IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES. THE MANUFACTURER'S AUTHORIZED DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND THAT THE COST OF REPLACEMENT WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. THE CAR HAS 64,500 MILES. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE SUCH DRIVE COMPONENTS ARE WARRANTED FOR THE FIRST 60,000 MILES ONLY. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE IMPERVIOUS TO THE EFFECTS OF A GARDEN HOSE RINSE. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO REPLACE THE SPEED SENSOR AND HOPE THAT SUCH A FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR WHILE I AM DRIVING. *NM

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
Filed Feb 1, 200628,826 milesAZ

DRIVER FRONT SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD AND BACK. NISSAN AGENCIES SAYS THE MOTOR DRIVE COMPONENT #87562C9926 IS NOT COVERED UNDER SERVICE AGREEMENT, PLAN TYPE: NISSAN PREFERRED - ROADSIDE - GOLD PREFERRED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 12, 200628,000 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN 01V357000 CONCERNING THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO FAIL INSPECTION. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH DETECTED A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSORS. BOTH CRANK SHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED AS WERE THE PREVIOUS SENSORS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Dec 21, 2005IN

I HAVE 2 NISSAN MAXIMA'S, BOTH 2002 MODELS. BOTH OF THESE CARS HAVE FAULTY HINGES ON THE DRIVERS DOOR CAUSING THE DOORS TO SAG AND NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. I DO NOT THINK IT IS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH VEHICLES AND WONDER HOW MANY OTHER OF THESE CARS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 29, 200515,840 milesNY

MY 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HAD A TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKES. I HAD TO THROW THE GEARS INTO PARK AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. I STOPPED ON A SIDEWALK ALMOST HITTING TWO PEDESTRIANS. I HAD TO HAVE MAJOR REPAIRS DONE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE ACTUATORS, FRONT AND REAR SENSORS WERE REPLACED. MY CAR ONLY HAD 15,840 MILES. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. *JB *NM

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Oct 5, 200585,750 milesCO

WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD SOME ONE GIVE ME A JUMP, AND MY CAR STARTED. I WAS DRIVING HOME, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR QUICK RUNNING. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARKED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO PEAK NISSAN. PEAK CHECK THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD ME ALL I NEED WAS A BATTERY. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE CAR HAS RUN FINE SINCE. I DRIVE A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. MY BIG QUESTION, WHY DID THE BATTERY FAILURE CAUSE THE CAR TO STOP RUNNING? *JB

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 20, 200559,000 milesFL

DT: A KNOCKING NOISE AND ABNORMAL STEERING. WHILE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED, AND DEALER HAD NOT SAID WHAT WAS WRONG. THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN STEERING.*AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash
Filed May 20, 2005CA

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE HAD A CAR ACCIDENT WERE HE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT. THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DID DEPLOY, BUT THERE WAS NO BODY SITTING THERE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT WAS SO SEVERE AND IT TOTALED THE VEHICLE.*AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Apr 20, 200511,488 milesFL

RE: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10095661 SAME COMPLAINT. STARTED THE CAR AND DRIVE TO A DESTINATION. TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND IT WILL NOT START. FIRST OCCURRENCE ON 07/08/03 AT 11,488 MILES. WE JUMP STARTED THE CAR AND TOOK IT TO HILL NISSAN WINTER HAVEN FLORIDA. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. TOLD US TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED SO THEY COULD CHECK WITH COMPUTER IF HAPPENED AGAIN. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ON 08/19/02 AT 11,567 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE ORIGINAL BATTERY, IT HAD A FAULTY CELL AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THIRD OCCURRENCE 05/03/04 AND 17,673 MILES. WE CHARGED BATTERY, AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. FOURTH OCCURRENCE 05/27/04 AND 21,488 MILES. AT THIS TIME WE EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. WE WERE PROMISED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT BASED ON THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THE PROBLEM THEY WOULD TEST THE CAR ALL DAY, AND THEY WOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. AGAIN THEY COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG. WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR, WE ASKED TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR BENCH TESTED, BUT THEY REFUSED. WE OFFERED TO PAY FOR A BENCH TEST, AND IF FOUND FAULTY, THEY WOULD REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS ALSO DECLINED, STATING THEY COULD NOT DO THAT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AT THIS TIME WE EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN AS TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. FIFTH OCCURRENCE WAS ON 11/02/04 AND 22,558 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND AGAIN A FAULTY CELL IN THE BATTERY WAS NOTED. SIXTH OCCURRENCE 4/19/05 AND 23,298 MILES. VEHICLE TOWED

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Feb 8, 200587,864 milesNH

2002 NISSAM MAXIMA - ENGINE POWER FAILED TWO TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AT 37,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 39,000 - NEVER FIXED UNTIL RECALL. THE ENGINE WAS RECALLED AND THE CAR FIXED AT 58,000 MILES. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN WEEK OF JANUARY 31, 2005 AGAIN NOW THE CAR HAS 87,000. BACAUSE NISSAN FOUND NO ISSUE (NO ERROR CODE ETC.) THE CAR WENT UNFIXED THIS WEEK. THE CAR IS BEHAVING JUST LIKE IT DID WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE BEFORE THE RECALL. I ASKED THEM TO REPLACE THE SAME SENOR THEY DID FOR THE PRIOR RECALL AND THEY SAID NO BECAUSE THEY HAD NO ERROR CODE WHEN I HAD THE CAR SERVICED ON FEBRAURY 4, 2005. I HAVE NOT BEEN HURT IN THIS CAR YET BUT THE CAR HAS LOST POWER NOW THREE TIMES ONLY WHEN I HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND I CAN'T EVEN LET MY WIFE USE THE CAR FOR FEAR IT WILL LOOSE POWER WHEN SHE IS DRIVING IT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jan 24, 200577,220 milesIN

2002 NISSAN MAXIMA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH P0139 AND P1147 CODES. DEALER PERFORMED A REPAIR UNDER TSB NTB02-051A. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, NOT A TSB. COST IS $480. *NM

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 24, 20045,000 milesMA

PAINT QUALITY IS HORRIBLE. CAR HAS THOUSANDS OF SMALL PAINT CHIPS CONCENTRATED ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND FRONT OF HOOD. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AS NISSAN INSISTS. THEIR PAINT JOBS ARE INFERIOR AND UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 12, 200439,000 milesTX

ON 6/30/04, TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE STRUT WAS BROKEN OR BOTTOMING OUT. DEALER ALSO THOUGHT IT WAS A STRUT, AND AFTER PUTTING TWO STRUT ASSEMBLIES ON THE CAR, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. SINCE THEN, THIS DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER HAVE REPLACED LOWER CONTROL ARM, RACK AND PINION, CRADLE, AND NUMEROUS BOLTS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALER TECHNICAL SERVICES AND A NISSAN ENGINEER HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. NISSAN ENGINEER HAS PINPOINTED THE NOISE TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE SUPPORTS OR BRACES WITHIN THE FRAME THAT MAY HAVE BROKEN. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, SO ANY PROBLEM WITHIN THE FRAME ARE A RESULT OF DEFECT CAUSED DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE FRAME. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 26, 200428,002 milesNJ

WHILE STOPPED FOR 30 SECONDS AT A RED LIGHT MY 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA SE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (4000-5000 RPMS) AND SURGED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY. I APPLIED FULL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE ENGINE REVS DROPPED DOWN AND INCREASED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. WHEN THE REVS DROPPED FOR THE THIRD TIME I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS ADEQUATE DISTANCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER THE SAME MORNING AND NO TROUBLE CODES OR STORED DATA WAS FOUND IN THE COMPUTER. NISSAN HEADQUARTERS TOLD ME A FACTORY REP WILL COME TO DIAGNOSE MY PROBLEM ONLY IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Oct 14, 200415,000 milesIL

THERE IS AN AIR LEAK IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. I AM WORRIED THIS IS GOING TO CONSISTENTLY GET WORSE AND HAVE MY WINDOW SHATTER AT SOME POINT. AFTER READING ANOTHER COMPLAINT OF THE SAME PROBLEM I FELT COMPELLED TO FILE ONE OF MY OWN. I REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM. WHILE IN FOR SERVICE, ANOTHER CUSTOMER WAS COMPALINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERY PERSON THAT SITS IN THE BACK SEAT NOTICES A VERY DISTINCT AIR LEAK IN THIS WINDOW. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 12, 200457,800 milesCA

VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 25 TO 30 MPH WHEN IT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Oct 12, 2004CA

I DRIVE THE CAR TO WHEREVER I AM GOING, PARK IT AND WHEN I RETURN IT WILL NOT START. I JUMP START THE CAR AND IT MAY NOT HAPPEN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I AM ON MY FOURTH BATTERY SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND WILL LAST A FEW MONTHS AND THE SAME THING WILL START TO HAPPEN. THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. *NM

Tires
Filed Aug 16, 200436,000 milesOH

I HAVE A THREE YEAR LEASE. TWO YEARS INTO THE LEASE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES AND NOW THE BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES FROZE UP. THE CAPLIERS, ROTORS, AND PABS NEED TO BE REPLACED ON THE REAR AND THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO THIS WITH A CAR BEFORE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 12, 200438,000 milesUT

THE ACCELERATOR MOTION SENSOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 30 MPH. A RECALL (02V043000) WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL. *JB INFORMATION.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 27, 200446,000 milesGA

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON VEHICLE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE IN, THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 22, 200426,950 milesTX

THE CONSUMER STATED A CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF HER, SHE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, WHEN SHE DID THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AROUND THE RIM. THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN, THE WHEELS MADE SUCH AN IMPACT INTO THE CEMENT, THE WHEELS APPEARED TO HAVE THE SAME DAMAGE. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm
Filed Jul 5, 200421,000 milesNY

REFUSAL TO DO A SAFETY RECALL. 2 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSVERSE LINK SAFETY RECALL. REQUESTED APPOINTMENT @ ARRIVAL THEY REQUESTED FUNDING AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR A REQUIRED PER NISSAN SAFETY A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT EXTRA COST. / PER OTHER NISSAN DEALER AS WELL AS ANOTHER EMPLOYEE @ POUGHKEEPSIE NISSAN IT IS REQUIRED TO DO A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 22, 200429,800 milesNC

CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM TWO TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE VEHICLES CRANK SENSOR FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 22, 20043,450 milesPA

MOISTURE DEVELOPED IN THE HEADLIGHTS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE MOISTURE.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 21, 200427,545 milesCA

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. PING AND NOCKING COMING FROM ENGINE DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION. CAUSES LOSS OF POWER , LOUD NOISE AND POSSIBLE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE IF GOES UN REPAIRD. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT CHOOSES NOT TO MAKE IT A RECALL. USES TACTICS TO GET OWNER OF VEHICLE TO PAY FOR REPAIR OR ULTIMATELY REPAIRS WHILE MAKING CUSTOMER AWARE THEY ARE ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 4, 20048,100 milesNC

FAULTY ENGINE CRANK SENSORS. *MR THE SENSOR HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE THIRD INCIDENT NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT HIS VEHICLE BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. RECALL#03V455000 *SC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 10, 2004RI

THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO PERFORM THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WELD RECALL 03V455000 FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 28, 2004CO

THIS INCIDENT INOVLVES MY NISSAN MAXIMA 2002 SE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING ON I-25 IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CAR STARTED TO BUCK AND ENGINE POWER WAS SEVERELY REDUCED. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO LESS THAN 45 MPH AND JUST MISSED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND BY THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. I WAS FORTUNATE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND WORK MY WAY OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN STOPPED THE CAR STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AT VERY REDUCED SPEED (<45 MPH). THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME OF A CURRENT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THE CAR AND THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (3 YR/36000 MILE) CURRENT MILEAGE 37500. I WOULD HAVE TO INCUR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE MASS/FLOW SENSOR ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN AND I WONDER WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL TYPE REPLACEMENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO BE HERE WITH SUCH A SEVERE PRODUCT DEFECT. ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS EASILY REPAIRED AND SHOULD BE INSTITUTED IN CARS CURRENTLY IN SERVICE BUT NOT YET REPAIRED. NISSAN'S RELUCTANCE TO INCUR THE COST OF MY REPAIR JUST BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY IS A BAD CUSTOMER RELATION MOVE ON THEIR PART, BUT BESIDES THAT I BELIEVE NOT RECALLING THIS PART PUTS OTHER MOTORISTS AT RISK. THANK YOU.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 14, 20042,000 milesTX

THE HOOD AND FRONT BUMPER'S PAINT CHIPS TOO EASILY. HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES WHO STATES THAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY CANNOIT ASSIST ME AND I SHOULD OF KNOWN BEFORE PURCHASING. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMAR AFFAIRS AND NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THEM AT ALL! THIS WILL HURT MY RESALE VALUE AND LOOKS TERRIBLE, NEEDS TO BE RECONCILED

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Apr 1, 2004FL

HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN SIX TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 26, 2004NJ

ON MARCH 21, THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY NISSAN MAXIMA WERE STOLEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED FEW MONTHS AGO. IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE EVERY TIME THE HEADLIGHTS ARE GOING TO BE STOLEN. I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE ALL THE TIME. IF I KNEW THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SUCH A TARGET FOR THIEVES, I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THE MAXIMA.*AK

Tires
Filed Feb 25, 2004CA

I DRIVE A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH BRIGDGESTONE PATENZA TIRES ON IT. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2004, DURING LIGHT RAIN AT APPROXIMATLY 45 MPH, THE CAR HYDROPLANED ACCROSS 2 LANES OF THE 5 FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I HAD NOT EVEN HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR JUST SLID ACCORSS THE LANES. I CONTACTED NISSAN BUT THEY WERE NO HELP. I AM REPLACING THE TIRES, BUT THINK OTHERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS HAZARD.*AK

Tires
Filed Jan 28, 2004MI

COMPLAIN REGARDING BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES; STANDARD OEM EQUIPMENT ON 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE. THIS TIRE DOES NOT PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF TRACTION IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION. EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR WINTER DRIVING. THIS TIRE IS UNSAFE FOR BOTH THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE AND ANY ONE ELSE ON THE ROAD.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 25, 2004NJ

I HAD THE DATADOT ANTI-THEFT DEVICE THAT NISSAN CAME OUT WITH INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE HEADLIGHTS ASSEMBLY THEFT PROBLEM. AND GUESS WHAT, THEY STILL STOLE THE RIGHT SIDE. THE GOOD THING IS THAT THE TRANSFORMER WAS BOLTED TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND WAS NOT STOLEN, THE BAD THINGS IS THEY CAUSED MORE DAMAGE TO THE FINDER/HOOD AND FRONT BUMPER NOT ONLY THAT, BUT A PORTION OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY STAYED IN THE CAR THE DAMAGE WAS $2400.00 FOR ONE HEAD LIGHT WITH BODY WORK. YOU CANT USE YOUR TURN SIGNALS IF A HEADLIGHT IS MISSING VERY VERY UNSAFE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN. *LA

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jan 15, 200430,000 milesMA

I OWN A 2002 MAXIMA. RECENTLY WE HAD A COLD SNAP AND THE LINE FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RO MY WIPERS FROZE UP. THE WASHER HAD THE CORRECT WASHER FLUID-RATED DOWN TO -25 DEGREES AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 11 DEGREES. MY DEALERSHIP REGULARLY MAINTAINS MY VEHICLES FLUIDS. I CALLED THE SULLIVAN BROS. NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN KINGSTON MASS. AND THEY SAID THEY HAD MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHERR NISSAN OWNERS WITH MAXIMAS NEAR OR AT THE SAME AGE AS MINE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED RUNNING THE CAR FOR 20 MINUTES OR SO TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAD ALREADY WARMED UP THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING IT, BUT FOLLOWED THE DEALER'S DIRECTION. IN FACT ,I RAN THE CAR FOR 45 MINUTES MORE SINCER THE LINE WAS STILL FROZEN AFTER 20 MINUTES. DRIVING TO WORK UNDER THESE CONDITIONS WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE AND EXTREMLY DANGEROUS. I COULD BARELY SEE IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD TO DRIVE IN AN UNSAFE CONDTION AND STOP AS FREQUENTLY IN MANY UNSSAFE LOCATIONS TO TRY AND CLEAN OFF MY WINDSHIELD. I AND ANYYBODY DRIVING A MAXIMA OR ANY OTHER VEEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM IS PUTTING THEMSELVES AND OTHES IN INNINENT DANGER. THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM SEEM TO BE THAT THE WASHER LINE IS DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE FENDER AS IT RUNS UP TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IT IS EXPOSED, UNNESSASARILLY, TO WHEATHER TEMPERATURE VARIANCES AND IT IS SO FAR AWLAY FROM THE ENGINE THAT ANY HEAT THAT MIGHT HELP IS PREVENTED FRM HELPING BY DISTANCE. MY FEELING IS THAT IF THE LINE WERE CLOSER TO THE ENGINE OR OFF THE METAL OF THE FENDER ,OR EVE

Suspension
Filed Jan 15, 200419,200 milesMS

THIS MAX HAD THE TRANSVERSE LINK RECALL PERFORMED IN 9/02. AT THIS TIME, THE LEFT AXLE WAS NOT PROPERLY PLACED BACK IN THE TRANSMISSION. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY KEPT BLOWING US OFF. FINALLY, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN THE MOBILE TUNNEL AND THE TRANS WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION. NISSAN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT IT STILL DRIVES LIKE A PIECE OF JUNK. THESE GUYS ARE RIDICULOUS AND NEED TO BE DEALT WITH SERIOUSLY. I HAVE SINCE FILED SUIT BUT WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 2, 200424,650 milesSC

FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSE. THE FRONT WINDOW HAS AN AUTOMATIC UP FEATURE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PUT THE WINDOW UP WITH ONE CLICK OF THE BUTTON. WHEN ACTIVATED THE WINDOW GOES UP CLOSES AND THEN IT COMES BACK DOWN 4 INCHES. CAR HAS 24,000 MILES AND UNDER WARRANTY BUT NISSAN WILL NOT COVER ADJUSTMENT OF WINDOW OR REPLACEMENT OF MALFUNCTIONING PART STATING IT IS A SERVICE ITEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 30, 200327,200 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights5 killed
Filed Dec 10, 2003NY

I HOPE NISSAN WOULD TAKE MY HEADACHE AWAY BY TAKING BACK THEIR GARBAGE 2002 MAXIMA, BECAUSE THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE A SHAMED OF THEMSELVES TO MANUFACTURE A $750.00 LIGHT WITH TWO PLASTIC BRACKETS THAT MY 7 YEAR OLD SON CAN BREAK OUT OF THE CAR WITHIN (30 SECONDS YES 30 SECONDS) MY XEON LIGHT HAS BEEN STOLEN FIVE TIMES (5) FROM JANUARY, MY CAR HAS SIT IN THE NISSAN REPAIR SHIP FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. COULD NISSAN EXPLAIN THIS OR TRY TO COMPREHEND THIS PROBLEM THAT IT'S CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TROUGH, DO THEY EVEN CARE, NISSAN MAKE FROM ME ALONE 1,500.00 X 5 = 7,500.00 NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER THOUSAND OF PEOPLE THAT IS GOING TROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD BE SUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, OR REFUND THE DEDUCTIBLES FOR THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT WAS DESIGN FOR THEFT. MY HEADACHE IS NOT GOING AWAY UNTIL I GET RID OF THE CAR OR SUE NISSAN TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ALL NISSAN MAXIMAS 202-2003 OWNERS SHOULD SUE NISSAN AND MAYBE THEY WILL DO SOMETHING OR ALL COME TOGETHER AND FILE A CLASS AUCTION SUIT AGAINST NISSAN PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!!! DO SO ASAP. I ACTUALLY WENT AND BOUGHT INFRARED CAMERAS TO MONITOR MY CAR SO MAYBE I CAN CATCH WHO IS STEALING THE LIGHTS, THIS IS REALLY BAD THANKS FOR LISTENING. *LA

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 9, 200315,000 milesFL

HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN TWICE. HEADLIGHTS COULD BE STOLEN IN JUST A MATTER OF MINUTES. VEHICLE HAD NO INSURANCE TO COVER STOLEN PARTS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 4, 200320,000 milesTX

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VALVE RATTLE FROM MOTOR ON INITIAL START UP AND BLUISH SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE CAR WAS LEFT PARKED AND SUBSEQUENTLY STARTED THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR AT THE DEALER. *NLM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 2, 200312,700 milesNJ

HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN FROM THE VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/HOOD AND BUMPER. THE BRACKETS HOLDING EACH $724 LIGHT WERE MADE OF PLASTIC AND COULD EASILY BE SNAPPED OR BROKEN. *AK *TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 17, 200337,000 milesKY

WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE DRIVER LOST THE BRAKES, AND STEERING AND HAD TO MANUALLY COME TO A SAFE STOP. *AK NISSAN REPLACED THE AIR FLOW SENSOR. *SCC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 5, 200317,000 milesNY

HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN 3 TIMES WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, PER CONSUMER.*AK

Equipment
Filed Nov 3, 200312,000 milesTX

NISSAN MAXIMA SE 2002 WAS BOUGHT NEW. BRAKE JUDDER HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR QUITE A WHILE. DEALER STATED BRAKE JUDDER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND COST OF REPAIRS $175.00. BRAKE JUDDER IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR 2000 MODEL MAXIMA, BUT NOT 2002? *LA

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 1, 20031 milesNJ

RIGHT-REAR QUARTER WINDOW HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH WIND NOISE. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO NISSAN'S DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM ADEQUATELY. ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. NONSENSE. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU! *LA

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Nissan Maxima → · Every Maxima year → · How the figures are calculated →