Page 4 of 5 · complaints 151–200 of 206

2003 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 2003 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 4, 20055,000 milesNJ

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED LIT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Filed Jan 31, 2005NJ

NISSAN MAXIMA 2003 BOSE SYSTEM SUCKS.... I GOT MY CD PLAYER REPLACED THREE TIMES. I BELIEVE THEY ARE CLARION (A BOSE LOOK A LIKE) AND SOMETIMES DEALERS WILL PUT IN USED SYSTEMS. LUCKILY I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO NO CHARGE. BUT I DID WASTED COUPLE OF HOURS OFF WORK. IF I HAD NOT PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE SYSTEM RUNS AROUND HUNDRENDTHS OF DOLLARS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Jan 22, 200524,500 milesGA

HORRIBLE NOISES COMING FROM THE BRAKES. I WENT BY THE A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT SINCE THE CAR HAD ONLY 25500 MILES ON IT. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR. I FEEL THAT THIS 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD SUCH A PROBLEM WITH SO LITTLE MILES ON THEM, AND FROM MY TALKS WITH OTHERS. I HEARD THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN A LOT OF BRAKE REPAIRS GOING ON AT THIS NISSAN DEALER. I JUST FEEL THAT THE TOP OF THE LINE CAR AT NISSAN SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. I WAS GIVING THEM ANOTHER CHANCE SINCE MY OTHER 2000 MAXIMA HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THOSE ROTORS AND BRAKES. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN NOW AND MAY NOT BUY ANOTHER OF THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Sep 14, 2004NV

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. HOWEVER, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK *SC

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 1, 2004NY

HEADLIGHTS STOLEN FROM VEHICLE TWICE IN 4 MONTHS. APRIL 15, 2004 AND SEPTEMBER 1, 2004. BECAUSE OF DESIGNE HEAD LIGHTS CAN BE REMOVED QUICKLY WITH A LONG SHARP OBJECT.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 31, 200427,000 milesNY

THE XENON HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN. HEADLIGHTS COULD BE REMOVED IN JUST A MATTER OF MINUTES. CONSUMER NAVIGATED INTO THE NHTSA WEB AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. *AK *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Aug 30, 200429,750 milesFL

I LOCKED MY CAR WHEN UNDERWAY. WHEN I STOPPED AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY DRIVER'S DOOR, THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR LOCK INDICATED IT WAS UNLOCKED. I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY AND EXITED THROUGH THE WINDOW. THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE. I CALLED MY ROAD SERVICE AND THEY COULD NOT GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER BUT MUST ENTER THROUGH THE WINDOW.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 2, 200422,000 milesNY

THE HEADLIGHTS TO A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA HAVE BEEN STOLEN ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON BOTH OCCSSIONS THE THIEFS BENT THE INTERNAL METAL FRAME THAT MOUNTS THE BUMPER TO THE CAR TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE HEADLIGHT FROM BELOW. THIS FRAME IS A SHEET METAL STAMPING THAT CAN EASILY BE BENT BY APPLYING A SMALL AMOUNT OF A PERSONS BODY WEIGHT TO THE STRUCTURE. THE SHEET METAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE FENDER AND HOOD ALSO ALLOW A THIEF TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE HEADLIGHT BY FORCIBLY BENDING BACK THESE STRUCTURES. THE PLASTIC BRACKET THAT HOUSES THE HEADLIGHT AND MOUNTS IT TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR IS SHATTERED BY PRYING IT FROM THE FRAME WITH A TOOL. THIS PLASTIC STRUCTURE IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY STRONG ENOUGH TO DETER A THIEF FROM STEALING THE HEADLIGHT. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL SHEET METAL STRUCTURE THAT MOUNTS THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT HOUSING TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THIS STRUCTURE HAS AN ELECTRICAL BOX ATTACHED TO IT. IN BOTH CASES OF THEFT THIS STRUCTURE WAS FORCIBLY BENT BACK TO ACCESS THE REAR OF THE HEADLIGHT FOR REMOVAL. THIS STRUCTURE TOO IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT A THIEF FROM FORCIBLY GAINING ACCESS TO THE HEADLIGHT. IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED STRUCTURES WERE COMPROMISED SO EASILY, THIS VEHICLE'S ARMED, PROPERLY FUNCTIONING, FACTORY EQUIPPED ALARM SYSTEM WAS NOT SET OFF DURING THE THEFT. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO POUGHKEEPSIE NISSAN FOR THEM TO INSTALL THE 'ANTI-THEFT DEVICE'. I DON'T KNOW IF OR WHAT WAS DONE BUT OBVIOUSLY IT DID NOT DETER THE T

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 28, 2004PA

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 13, 2004FL

NISSAN KNEW SINCE AT LEAST SEPTEMBER 2002 THAT THIEVES WERE TARGETING THE XENON HEADLAMPS IN MAXIMAS, THEY FAILED TO INFORM CONSUMERS PURCHASING 2002 AND 2003 MAXIMAS, AS WELL AS EXISTING OWNERS AND LESSEES, OF THE RISK OF THEFT OF THE XENON HEADLAMPS, AND FAILED TO INFORM OWNERS AND LESSEES OF THE CARS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE ANTI-THEFT KIT., REPAIRS FOR THE 3 THEFTS HAVE COST OVER $7000 WITHIN AN 8 MONTH TIME FRAME. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A FAULTY DESIGN THAT IS COSTING CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH DAY IN EITHER INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASES OR HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT. THE COMPANY HAS REDESIGNED THE XENON HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS FOR THE 2004 MODEL. AND THEY NOW OFFER A MODEL WITH HALOGEN INSTEAD OF XENON. I PROPOSE AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY NISSAN CORP HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS AND REPLACED THE XENON LIGHTS WITH A MORE REASONABLE LIGHTING SYSTEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK

Wheels
Filed Jul 6, 2004NY

SEVERE VIBRATION ON FRONT END WHEN VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH OR HIGHER. *LA THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO ICE BUILD UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS. THIS WAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS. THERE WAS A HALF DOZEN OR MORE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP. *SC *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 30, 2004CT

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THEN, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HIS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed May 31, 200415,135 milesOH

IN BETWEEN MY 12000 MILE OIL CHANGE, AND 15135 MILES, A CLUNKING AND LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME APPARENT AS I DROVE OVER IRREGULAR OR BUMPY SURFACES. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND TOOK THE CAR IN ON 5/26/2004. THE DEALER FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT STABILIZER LINKS HAD FAILED INTERNALLY. THE LINKS BALL JOINT DID NOT BREAK, BUT WERE SEVERELY WORN. BOTH LINKS WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE DEALER HAD LINKS IN STOCK, I WILL ASSUME THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST FAILURE OF THIS TYPE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF BOTH ACTUALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING? THE LINKS BALL JOINT IS MERELY SEALED WITH A RUBBER BOOT, AND NOT GREASED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed May 13, 2004MA

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

Structure
Filed Mar 8, 2004OH

DIFFICULTY READING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS. *PH *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 4, 200420,000 milesNJ

HID HEADLIGHTS STOLEN FROM 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. POLICE, INSURANCE COMPANY, AND REPAIR SHOP ALL INDICATED THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE SPECIFIC TO THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS POOR VEHICLE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER SHOULD DEVELOP A SOLUTION AND RECALL AND CORRECT THE CONDITION. DEALER INSTALLED AN ADDITIONAL ALARM FOR HEADLIGHTS AT A COST OF $400 TO ME. THE ALARM FAILED TO FUNCTION.*AK

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Mar 3, 200418,000 milesNC

THE SUN-ROOF ON MY 2003 MAXIMA SE WOULD OPEN RANDOMLY; ONCE WHEN I WAS DOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (SEE "RANDOM"). I CALLED AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AND THEY STILL HAD NO FORMAL KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS EQUIPMENT. AFTER THE 3RD OCCURRENCE, WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGE, I AGAIN MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICE TECH. HE LOOKED IN THE TECHNICAL BULLETINS AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A DOCUMENTED DEFECT. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND IT ON THE NHTSA SITE HOWEVER, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS WORTHY OF A CONPLAINT SO THAT OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WILL KNOW THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND CAN REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENT.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 3, 200420,000 milesNC

DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS WHEN USING THE "AUTO CLOSE" FEATURE OF CLICKING THE BUTTON ALL THE WAY UP (2 NOTCHES). THIS IS SUPPOSED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY WITHOUT HAVING TO HOLD THE BUTTON. WHEN I DO THIS, THE WINDOW SHUTS AND THEN RETURNS TO HALF OPENED POSITION. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 29, 200424,970 milesUT

WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. I PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP FROM BEING LAUNCHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME AS THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND TAPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF THAT WOULD AFFECT THE REVVED UP ENGINE. I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS WAS THE SOURCE OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM BUT IN A COUPLE OF SECONDS THE ENGINE DID RETURN TO REGULAR IDLE SPEED. I DIDN'T THINK TO LOOK AT THE TACHOMETER TO CHECK THE RPM BUT CAN TELL YOU FROM THE NOISE INSIDE THE CAR IT WAS HIGH. ALL OF THIS TOOK PLACE IN A PERIOD OF ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 27, 200425,500 milesAK

SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN GAS MILEAGE - 6 MPG OVER LAST 5 MONTHS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 27, 200419,056 milesFL

VEHICLE HAS A WHIRRING/VALVE TAPPING NOISE BETWEEN THE 1500-2000 RPM. HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER X5 WITH 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS. CANNOT FIND CONCERN.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Feb 27, 200425,500 milesFL

INCREASE IN STRENGTH OF EXHAUST FUMES.*AK

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Feb 27, 200425,500 milesFL

LOUD THUD/BUMP WHEN GOING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE FROM RIGHT FRONT. HAD SERVICED AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS THE "BUMP STOP" THAT WAS DRY. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT EACH OIL CHANGE. I REVIEWED MY MANUAL AND THERE IS NO MENTION OF LUBRICATING THE BUMP STOP - EVER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION THE SERVICE WAS DONE WHEN OIL CHANGES WERE DONE THERE.*AK

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 27, 200425,500 milesFL

PAINT BLISTER. SUBMITTED TO DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. WAS ADVISED THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAINTED. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE BEGINNING AND HAVE NEVER EVEN APPLIED TOUCH UP PAINT ANYWHERE. HAD A SECOND OPINION ELSEWHERE TO FIND THAT THE GOLD FLECK IN THE PAINT WAS NOT DISTORTED, RENDERING THE "REPAINT" THEORY FALSE. ALSO, PAINT CHIPS ALL OVER THE HOOD FROM THE POOR PAINT JOB.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 27, 200433,200 milesFL

LOSS OF POWER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 25, 2004800 milesMI

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.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 4, 200410,000 milesCA

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. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. HOWEVER, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices
Filed Dec 25, 2003NY

NISSAN XENON (HID) HEADLIGHTS STOLEN, SECOND TIME IN THREE DAYS. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, NISSAN INSTALLED AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WHICH SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THEFT. BUT THAT DID NOTHING. VEHICLE LIGHTS WERE STOLEN DURING DAYLIGHT IN HEAVY POPULATED AREA. THIS IS BECOMING VERY FRUSTRATING, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF ITS FREQUENCY. SAFETY CONCERNS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS WITH THESE NISSANS ARE DRIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS WHEN STOLEN, NO LIGHTS NO TURN SIGNALS. NSSAN MOTOR WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO AIDE IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, UPON CALLING THEM THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 18, 2003241,000 milesOH

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK

Tires
Filed Dec 17, 20037,500 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHOOK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND ALIGNED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED AFTER ALIGNMENT. DEALER ADMITTED, SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TIRES DUE TO CRACKS. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Dec 10, 200317,000 milesGA

THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SCC *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 5, 2003NJ

THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE IS OF EXTREMELY POOR QUALITY. IT CHIPS EXTREMELY EASILY, MUCH MORE SO THAN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE HOOD AND OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE ARE LOADED WITH PAINT CHIPS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SCORES OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. NISSAN NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND REPAINT THE VEHICLES. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 2, 2003NJ

HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY EASILY REMOVED.AS A RESULT, TWO SETS OF HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 12, 2003NJ

PROBLEMS WITH THEFT OF VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS.*MR VEHICLE WAS VANDALIZE THREE TIMES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS INSTALLED. AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT, THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A $500.00 INCENTIVE TOWARDS A TRADE IN. CONSUMER SUGGESTED NISSAN GIVE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS, REFUND HIS MONEY, OR RECALL THE VEHICLES DUE TO POOR ASSEMBLY. THE DEALERSHIP THAT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE CONSUMER WOULD MAKE A REASONABLE DEAL. *PH *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 12, 2003NJ

VEHICLE HEAD LIGHTS WERE STOLEN FROM A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. *MR *SCC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 12, 2003VA

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH MAKE IT EASY FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE STOLEN BY JUST "POPPING" THEM OUT. THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SPACE BETWEEN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE'S FRAME. ANY OBJECT CAN BE INSERTED IN THE SPACE TO DISLODGE THE HEADLAMP. *PH *SCC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 4, 2003NJ

THE HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER STATED NISSAN SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. *PH *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 29, 2003NY

BOTH HID HEADLIGHTS (XENON) WERE STOLEN FROM MY 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR REFUSE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS WITH THOSE OF THE 2001 MODEL. I FOUND A DEALERSHIP THAT INSTALLED THE HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS OF THE 2001 MAXIMA ON MY CAR. NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT REFUSED TO CONSIDER THIS PROBLEM AS A DESIGN FLAW AND OFFERS NO HELP TO OWNER TO SECURE THESE HEADLIGHTS THAT ARE SO EASILY STOLEN.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 26, 200316,000 milesNJ

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE HEADLIGHTS WHERE STOLEN. NISSAN HAS MADE THE HEADLIGHTS TO EASY TO TAKE. *NLM

Structure
Filed Aug 22, 200350 milesMI

PAINT SEEM TO CHIP VERY VERY EASY ! IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS NO PRIMER UNDER BASE COAT.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 30, 20036,400 milesNJ

THE HEAD LAMPS (HEADLIGHTS) WERE STOLEN TWICE. EACH HEAD LIGHT WAS $800.00. THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD BE REMOVED EASILY. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS A POOR DESIGN. *NLM *TS *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jul 26, 200341,152 milesNC

REAR O2 SENSOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT TO BE LIT SOLID.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 19, 2003WI

PURCHASED NISSAN MAXIMA ON DECEMBER 11, 2002. NOTICED, IN EARLY MAY, THE PAINT HAD CHIP MARKS ALL THE WAY TO THE METAL OF THE CAR (ON BACK PANELS CLOSE TO BOTH PASSENGER DOOR'S. PAINT IS STARTING TO CHIP ALONG THE FRONT EDGE OF BOTH PASSENGER DOORS.) I LIVE IN WI & BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW ON DECEMBER 11, 2003. SO THAT MEANS THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND UNTIL, AT LEAST EARLY, APRIL. SO OUT OF THE FIVE MONTHS THAT I HAVE BEEN MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS EXPENSIVE VEHICLE...THREE OF THEM HAVE BEEN DURING THE WINTER WHEN THERE AREN'T A LOT OF STONES, PEBBLES, ROCKS, ETC. I REALIZE THERE COULD BE SOME PAINT CHIPPING...BUT MY GOODNESS!!! I HAD TRADED-IN MY 1996 MAXIMA FOR THIS UPGRADED MODEL!!! MY 1996 DIDN'T HAVE PAINT CHIPS THAT WERE CHIPPED TO THE METAL OF THE VEHICLE!!! *NLM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Concealment Devices
Filed May 28, 2003NY

I PURCHASED THE 2003 NISSAN MAXIMATHE END OF JANUARY 2003, I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ON THESE CARS ARE EASILY REMOVEABLE, BY SIMPLY POPPING THEM OUT WITH A SCREW DRIVER. SO ON MAY 21, MY CAR'S HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN. I COMPLAINED TO THE NISSAN CORP BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTH THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION, IN FACT THEY HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED THE 2004 MODEL WITH THE HEADLIGHTS TAMPER PROOF. THE POLICE TOLD ME THAT THIS MODEL CAR IS VERY POPULAR WITH THE THIEVES AND I SHOULD NOT KEEP THIS C AR IN THE STREET FOR MORE THEN 10MINS AT A TIME. SO BASICALLY, I BOUGHT A CAR TO KEEP UNDER LOCK AND KEY AND NOT USE AT ALL. WHY CAN'T NISSAN RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS ARE STOLEN, THE DEMAGE IS MORE THEN $2,000.00, ALSO WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM A DISTANCE AWAY AND THEY STEAL MY HEADLIGHTS, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME OR RISK DRIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS AND MAYBE HURT MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS MATTER AND ADVISE ME.

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed May 9, 2003NY

WHEN BRAKES THE WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHERE THE ENGINE REVVED @1500 RPM, THEN HAD GONE BACK TO IDLE. SCC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 5, 2003NY

PASSENGER HID LIGHT STOLEN AND WIRES CUT. LITERALLY TOOK THIEVES MINUTES, PERHAPS SECONDS.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Apr 8, 20031,502 milesNJ

HID HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN. TOOK LESS THAN 10 SECONDS FOR THIEF TO STEAL HEADLIGHTS. *NLM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Apr 4, 2003NY

I HAD MY XENON HID HEADLIGHTS STOLEN THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE ASSEMBLY AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS POPPED OUT SLIGHTLY, THE CONTACTS UNDERNEATH CAN BE SHORTED AND BOTH WINDOWS LOWERED. ONCE IN, IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO TAKE THE LIGHTS. IT'S NOT THE LIGHTS THEMSELVES THAT THEY ARE AFTER, RATHER THE HARDWARE THAT POWERS THE LIGHTS. ONCE THEY HAVE THE HARDWARE THEY CAN PUT IT IN ANY CAR. HAD I KNOWN THAT THESE LIGHTS WERE SUCH A HOT ITEM, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SO THEY HAVE PROVIDED REPAIR FACILITIES WITH REPAIR KITS TO MAKE THE TURN AROUND TIME SHORTER. BUT THAT DOES NOTHING TO THE FEELING OF HAVING YOUR CAR VIOLATED. I DRIVE IN FEAR NOW. I CAN'T GO TO THE MOVIES. IF I GO TO THE MALL I HAVE TO SIT IN THE CAR AND SEND THE WIFE IN TO DO THE SHOPPING. NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS GETTING WARM AGAIN I WORRY EVEN MORE. I TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE AT LEAST $500 (DEDUCTIBLE) ON A CREDIT CARD SOMEWHERE FOR THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 27, 2003NJ

HEADLIGHT THEFT. HEADLIGHTS STOLEN OUT OF MY 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE WAY THIS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED IT TAKES THIEVES UNDER 2 MINUTES TO STEAL THESE HEADLIGHTS. MINE HAVE BEEN STOLEN ONCE AND IT IS COSTING ME/INSURANCE $2,900 TO FIX. *NLM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 27, 200370 milesNY

XENON HID HEADLIGHTS WERE STOLEN ON THE 2ND NIGHT I OWNED THIS CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HOOD CAN BE OPENED WITHOUT ANY ACCESS TO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. ONCE THE HOOD IS OPENED, 2 BOLTS ARE ALL THAT ATTACH THE HEADLIGHTS TO THE CAR. AN EYEWITNESS CLAIMS THE THIEVES HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REMOVED IN UNDER 2 MINUTES. NISSAN UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEM AND HAS DESIGNED SOME ATTACHMENTS TO PREVENT THE HOOD FROM BEING OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE KIT COSTS ~$350 TO INSTALL. *JB

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.

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