2002 Nissan Maxima Owner Complaints

[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11650053

Incident

Mar 10, 2025

Driving vehicle on road and the accelerator pedal no longer working vehicle. coasted to the side. Car had to be towed. Vehicle cranking without problem but will not accelerate pedal goes to floor. At consideration of purchase of vehicle, car fax and all details about vehicle were viewed for possible purchase. Items on recall are now a concern as a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11646469

Incident

Mar 5, 2025

unknown. Vehicle on roadway and it just stop accelerating in the middle of traffic. Research of vehicle before purchase refers to several issues that I would like to verify that those items are not a factor in my use of my vehicle. I have concern about lights, airbag, sensor, and I dont want to have a problem where I am in danger or others.

NHTSA ID

11638885

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

the vehicle failed front wheel bearing replacement. I took it to the mechanic because when i was driving there was a very loud noise and didn't feel well. The mechanic told me that I could have had an accident because the tire was about to come off the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11492851

Incident

Oct 18, 2022

The contact owned a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V-008000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as he is no longer the owner of the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted.

NHTSA ID

11479081

Incident

Aug 12, 2022

When I first purchased this car I had immediate problems with the power steering fluid. The check engine light has remained on the entire time. But the car was hemorrhaging fluid, groaning, whining, and my steering was becoming extremely loose. I call the dealer that sold me the car, because I dropped 4 grand on what seemed like a nice vehicle with under 100k on it. Well, I bought the car right off the lot and they refused to repair it. Cool, I respect that. IF the inspection reports and other papers are clearly falsified. It couldn't have passed inspection under normal situations. But since the dealer owns their own shop, they could slap stickers on busted vehicles and send them off to be sold. Eventually they do me " A favor" by replacing the power steering actuator/pump hoses & did work on towards a DTC code P0550. They give me that favor by charging me only for the parts, no labor. Totally cool, if work was done. It still has the same electrical tape in areas that was "fixed". They clear my codes and off I go. Engine light cuts on again and I'm having the same issues. My power steering fluid looks like it's boiling or bubbling as well. Still getting the P0550 code as my main DTC. Except now, I'm having major problems and my car has been sitting for a month. Not sure if the leaky fluid corroded components from before. As of now I'm throwing DTCs for P0171, P0305, P0550 (twice), believe I have a vacuum leak, my exhaust system is damaged internally from the misfire codes and has also broken apart near the rear muffler, among other pending codes. Lastly, I was coming home from work and my car completely loses power and bogs waaaay down. Engine light is flashing and I have no control or power. I limp home, park the car, and haven't drove it since other than for test drives. After countless repairs for the same issues, among new repairs and issues I'm broke. Issues started on 3/24 through 12/21 Not had this car for a year and it's been a constant pain ever since.

NHTSA ID

11445236

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V008000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GILMAN NISSAN FORT BEND LOCATED AT 26001 SOUTHWEST FWY, ROSENBERG, TX 77471, AND AFTER TWO DAYS IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11350625

Incident

Aug 21, 2020

Mileage

123,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WOULD NOT RECEIVE A SECOND FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *BF CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT 60 MPH IT SHUTS OFF. CONSUMER SAYS THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS, CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS, AND VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSORS CODES CAME UP. CONSUMER SAYS THESE ARE THE SAME CODES THAT WERE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *DL

NHTSA ID

11326979

Incident

May 31, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

[XXX] POWER STEERING SYSTEM TIRES FUEL PUMP AIR BAGS BATTERY EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FALLING APART SINCE 2018, IT'S BEEN FIXED AND COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM COMES UP. EVERY MECHANIC THAT TOUCHES THIS CAR, SAID THE SAME THING TO CHECK UP THE RECALL STATUS. BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES WITH IT, AND THE MILEAGE IS LOW. SO THERE IS A FAULTY PARTS, THAT KEEP BRAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND I HAVE BEEN CALLING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER. BRAND NEW TIRES AND BRAKES WERE INSTALLED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11309769

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

68,000 mi

CAR STARTS BUT DIES DOWN AFTER A FEW MILES

NHTSA ID

11209373

Incident

May 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11196940

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FRED ANDERSON NISSAN OF RALEIGH (9225 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617, (919) 324-3443) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11182025

Incident

Sep 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE VARIABLE TIMING SENSOR FAILED, WHICH WERE BOTH CONNECTED TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEADQUARTER NISSAN (1725 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE WAS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11099154

Incident

May 25, 2018

Mileage

88,000 mi

OVER HEATING GURGLING IN OVER FLOW, HAD RADIATOR FLUSHED AND TOPPED OFF,STILL OVER HEAT,LOOKING AT MY RECITES IT SAYS I HAVE A LEAKING WATER HOSE BUT NO ONE REPLACED IT, ON 9/27/16.DROVE MY CAR THREW WINTER THEN WENT TO ANOTHER MACHANIC HAD THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED ON 6/30/17 STILL OVER HEAT, BROUGHT CAR BACK TO NISSAN DEALER ON 1/19/18 TOLD THEM IT STILL GURGELS AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN DRIVING AND I NOTICED MY POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING, WAS TOLD I NEED A WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR, POWER STEERING SAID WAS FIXED AND VISC VALVE WAS STUCK OPEN SO REPLACED , SAID CAR IS GOOD TO GO SO WHEN MY GIRL FRIEND AND I GOT IN THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON HE SAID IT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE NEW PARTS HE THEN TOOK THE LIGHT OFF SAID DRIVE IT 30 MILES SO I COULD HAVE A SMOG DONE, DROVE SOUTH BOUND ON HWY 101 IN SANTA ROSA GOING 60 MPH AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND ALL LIGHTS WHERE FLASHING, HAD NO POWER TO GET IN A SAFE PLACE OFF THE FREEWAY, COASTED DOWN THE OFF RAMP TO GAS STATION AND CALLED NISSAN, THEY SAID HAVE IT TOWED BACK, WHILE WAITING FOR TOW I LIFTED MY HOOD TO FIND NOT ONLY WAS MY POWER STEERING STILL LEEKING BUT TWO OTHER HOSES WERE LEEKING AS WELL. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY RECITE IT SAID FOUND THAT BOTH POWER STEERING HOSES WERE LEEKING AS WELL AS HIGH PRESSURE POWER LINE BUT ONLY PRESSURE HOSE WAS REPLACED, I ASKED WHY THEY ALL WEREN'T REPLACED WHILE SHOWING THEM THE LEAK THEY SAID WE WILL ORDER THOSE HOSES TODAY AND I DON'T HAVE TO PAY, LOL REALLY? ONE DAY LATER THE MANAGER WANTED TO SPEAK TO ME WITH THE MECHANIC ,LONG STORY SHORT NOW I NEED A ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, COIL,SPARK PLUGS,SO I GO AND BUY THE SPARK PLUGS AND ALTERNATOR ANOTHER $ 321 AND $245 TO FIX , IT SITS NOW AT NISSAN WITH MORE PROBLEMS THEN EVER,AND IT ALMOST COST MY FRIEND AND I MY LIFE ON THE FREEWAY, I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON MY YEAR AND FOUND THERE WHERE SOME ON IT SHUTTING DOWN

NHTSA ID

11065516

Incident

Jan 19, 2018

Mileage

212,012 mi

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH LOW MILES, APPROXIMATELY 102,000. THE ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT DOES NOT START. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND BEHAVES AS IF THE ALARM REMAINS ARMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE OWNED THE SAME CAR AROUND THAT YEAR AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THE CAR HAS BEEN CARED FOR PROPERLY OVER THE YEARS AND FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11057662

Incident

Sep 2, 2017

Mileage

102,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL!!! MY PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT LIGHT IS FLASHING. ALSO I BOUGHT THE TOP CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND IT HAD A RECALL, IS MY VEHICLE COVERED? MY CONTROL ARM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE NEXT DECISION I SHOULD MAKE.. I'M TAKING IT TO GERALD NISSAN IN NORTH AURORA FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ID

11046628

Incident

Oct 31, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

ELECTRIC SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IT GOES UP AND DOWN RECLINES AND GOES UP. BUT I CANNOT GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. SINCE I NEVER CHANGE MY DRIVING POSITION AND HAVE NO NEED TO MOVE IT. IT SHOULD STILL WORK. MY CAR IS IN PRIME CONDITION EVERYTHING ON THE CAR IS IN WORKING AND EXCELLENT CONDITION. DEALER SAID I HAVE TO GET A NEW "SEAT AND TRACK; I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEN NEVER REMOVED THE TWO BOLTS AND LOOKED TO SEE IF THE WIRE MAY HAVE COME OFF THE UNIT? 2000.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR SOUND LIKE A RIP OFF. YOUR THOUGHTS. BG

NHTSA ID

11043456

Incident

Oct 7, 2016

AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER FRONT END COLLISION. (JUNE 2017) PICTURES AFTER ACCIDENT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11033094

Incident

Jun 18, 2017

Mileage

250,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL OUR 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE, HER CAR ROLLED MULTIPLE TIMES....THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED-HER NECK (C7) WAS FRACTURED. IF THE AIR BAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED MAYBE HER NECK WOULDN'T HAVE FRACTURED...UPDATED 10/19/17 *BF UPDATED 7/24/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

11030847

Incident

Jul 31, 2016

Mileage

138,000 mi

THE CAR EXPERIENCES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ENGINE POWER, U NABLE TO REV ABOVE 2500 WITHOUT IT FEELING LIMITED. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER OR BRAKE TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION.THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES THIS PAST WEEK AND I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I'M NOW WONDERING IF THE DEALER ACTUALLY PERFORMED THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #03V455000) BACK IN 2003!!! THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11019407

Incident

Aug 16, 2017

Mileage

146,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED AND DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (AUTO ZONE IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE FRIEND OF THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11013625

Incident

Jul 6, 2017

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS WERE NOT REPLACED PER THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ID

10919804

Incident

Oct 24, 2016

Mileage

168,000 mi

IN SEPT. 2014, MY CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE AND RECALL NUMBER "03V455000" WAS PERFORMED. THE 2 CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND 1 CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WERE TO ALL BE REPLACED. IN APRIL 2016, MY CAR WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ALL 3 SENSORS. MY CAR WOULD STOP AT ANY MOMENT (STOPPED OR DRIVING). I'VE BEEN IN MANY INTERSECTIONS OR THE INTERSTATE AND IT'LL DIE ON ME AND TAKE A LONG TIME TO CRANK BACK UP. I HAD TO PAY OVER $120 AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS. UPON LOOKING AT MY RECALL PAPERWORK, ONLY THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. WHEN BRINGING THAT INFO TO DEALER, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A KIT THAT INCLUDED ALL 3 SENSORS. EVERY SINGLE INTERNET SEARCH, INCLUDING NISSAN'S OWN PUBLIC PARTS WEBSITE, SAYS THAT PART # 23731-AL60C IS A SINGLE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND COULD NOT PROVE THAT THEIR INTERNAL/PRIVATE PARTS SYSTEM CLAIMED IT WAS A KIT. I THEM REACHED OUT TO THE NISSAN RECALL NUMBER (1-800-647-7261) LISTED ON THE RECALL TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE WITH ALL THE SENSORS NOT BEING REPLACED. AFTER A FEW CALLS, MY INFO WAS ROUTED TO A REGIONAL ASSOCIATE. I ASKED HER IF SHE NEEDED TO EXPLAIN THE STORY TO HER AND SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T. AFTER 5 DAYS, THE REGIONAL ASSOCIATE CALLED ME BACK AND EXPLAINED TO ME THAT SHE REACHED OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SAID THAT NISSAN IS AGREEING WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND CANNOT ASSIST ME ANY FURTHER. SHE COULD SEE THE WORK INFORMATION, BUT SEEMED SIMPLY SIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INFO OR QUESTIONING ME FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.

NHTSA ID

10862764

Incident

Apr 28, 2016

Mileage

178,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG AND AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10861756

Incident

Feb 18, 2016

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE HISSING NOISES AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE TECHNICIAN MADE THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE IT. UPDATED 03/17/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10824329

Incident

Jan 24, 2016

Mileage

68,000 mi