2003 Nissan Maxima Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000.

Please fix your auto fill --- it just erased everything! Anyway, the engine cuts out while driving in traffic. The engine cuts out while waiting at a red light. The engine cuts out while turning. It's ALL random! The engine code shows P0340, Bank 1 and Bank2, and sometimes P0345. I have replaced the camshaft position sensors FIVE times!!!!! I have tried both Auto Zone and Hitachi, and neither of them solves the problem. I also paid to have the crankshaft sensor below replaced, and that didn't help. I am told that this problem has been posted online and it was recommended to only use OEM parts. This is very dangerous to lose power while in traffic, and then having to wait until the engine will restart, which eventually it does. This is an ongoing problem. PLEASE help!!!

See attached document for complaint

See attached document for complaint

IT HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN THE CAR IS UP, IT TAKES TIME TO START AND WHEN IT IS DRIVING IT SOMETIMES TURNS OFF, BUT IF THEY TURN IT ON AGAIN IF IT STARTS. *TR

IT HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, IT TAKES TIME TO START AND WHEN IT IS DRIVING IT TURNS OFF (BUT IT TURNS ON).IT GOES OFF ON FLAT SURFACES, AND WHEN YOU ARE ON A RISE THAT'S WHERE IT TAKES TO CATCH ON. *TR

Please fix your auto fill --- it just erased everything! Anyway, the engine cuts out while driving in traffic. The engine cuts out while waiting at a red light. The engine cuts out while turning. It's ALL random! The engine code shows P0340, Bank 1 and Bank2, and sometimes P0345. I have replaced the camshaft position sensors FIVE times!!!!! I have tried both Auto Zone and Hitachi, and neither of them solves the problem. I also paid to have the crankshaft sensor below replaced, and that didn't help. I am told that this problem has been posted online and it was recommended to only use OEM parts. This is very dangerous to lose power while in traffic, and then having to wait until the engine will restart, which eventually it does. This is an ongoing problem. PLEASE help!!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, ALL OF THE DOORS IMMEDIATELY LOCKED WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED BY THE KEY FOBIK. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET THE POLICE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOBIK BECAME INOPERATIVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000.

THE CAR HAS STALLED WHEN STOPPED AND WHILE DRIVING. SLIP LIGHT AND TSP WARNING LIGHTS GO ON ALONG WITH SERVICE ENGINE. I NOTICED THE RECALL FROM 2003 WAS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HOWEVER I PUT IN MY VIN # AND I'M ASSUMING MY CAR DOES NOT APPLY. VERY VERY DANGEROUS. MY YOUNG DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN IT DIED. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER PREVIOUS RECALL.

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED

THIS IS REFERENCE TO TWO SITUATION CONCERNING NISSAN RECALLS. IN 2014 I TOOK MY CAR TO SANSONE NISSAN DEALER ON RT 1, NJ TO TAKE CARE OF THE AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE NHTSA REF#15V287000. MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AFTER I CAME HOME A WEEK LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I DON'T THINK THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THE RECALL ISSUE, IF THEY DID MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT BE ON. I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO GIVE AUTHORIZATION TO THE DEALER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. MY SECOND ISSUE WAS ON JAN 2016, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME, THE BRAKE LOCK UP AND ALL I COULD DO WAS STAIR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD..I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BUT BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK CAME I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND IT STARTED. I WAS A FEW MINUTES FROM HOME, SO I DROVE BACK HOME AND I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC PICKED IT UP AND DID A DIAGNOSIS ON IT. HE SAID IT WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, I PURCHASED IT AND HE INSTALLED IT. THE CAR STARTED WORKING A LITTLE BETTER BUT MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT IS STILL ON. I DID A LITTLE INVESTIGATION AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING RECALL #03V455000. I READ IT AND FOUND THAT THE CONSEQUENCE ON THE RECALL IS THE EXACT SAME THING THAT HAPPEN TO ME. AGAIN SANSONE DEALER ON RT. 1 IN NJ IS CLAIMING THAT THEY TOOK CARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT THIS WAS A RECALL BY NISSAN. I WANTED NISSAN TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BASED ON THE FIX UNDER NHTSA REF# 03V455000. I'VE BEEN TAKING CAR OF ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM NISSAN BUT I FEEL THAT NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE TWO ISSUE, SINCE IT WAS DEFECT IN DESIGN ON THEIR END.

WHEN WAS DRIVING ON 11/30/2015 AND PARKING THE CAR TO GO IN A BUILDING AND CAME BACK OUT AND TURN MY LIGHT ON AND THE TRAIL LIGHT DON'T COME ON AND THE DASH LIGHT DON'T COME BACK ON,AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP KEEP LEAKING.

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JERKED AND FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS AND SLID LIGHT TURNED ON. I BEGAN TO FEEL SCARED I HAD MY CHILD, SISTER AND BROTHER IN THE VEHICLE. I PROCEED TO DRIVE HOME WITH CAUTION. ONCE I ARRIVED HOME, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START.

IT HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN THE CAR IS UP, IT TAKES TIME TO START AND WHEN IT IS DRIVING IT SOMETIMES TURNS OFF, BUT IF THEY TURN IT ON AGAIN IF IT STARTS. *TR

NORMAL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE - OIL CHANGE, TIRE REPLACEMENT - CAR WAS ON A LIFT. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT I "THINK" ABOUT GETTING RID OF THE CAR AS THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS VERY VERY RUSTED AND WHILE NOT "UNSAFE" YET, IS BECOMING UNSAFE. I UNDERSTAND FROM CONSUMERS REPORTS THAT THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A RECALL FOR FRAME RUST AND STABILITY AND REPAIRS ARE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER BUT NOT THE 2003. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AS OF YET TO SEE IF THIS WOULD FALL UNDER THEIR RECALL. THE QUALITY OF THE METAL ON THIS CAR IS VERY POOR (I HAD TO REPLACE AN OIL PAN DUE TO RUST WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED). THE REAR PANELS OF THE CAR ARE RUSTING THROUGH AS WELL. OTHERWISE CAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY RELIABLE (ONE OWNER) AND I DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT YET. *TR

ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN SERVICE MANAGER THE SUN ROOF MECHANISM ON MY 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS FAILED DUE TO WARPING OF CABLES. THE REPAIR COST IS ALMOST $2500 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I'M INTERESTED TO LEARN IF THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT NISSAN SUN ROOFS, AND IF ANY FIRES OR FAILURES OF THESE SYSTEMS HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE DAMAGE OR SAFETY PROBLEMS. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPS. HAPPENS EVERY DAY FOR PAST 3YRS. TUNE UP, TRANSMISSION FLUSH, NEW MOTOR MOUNTS, NEW SPARK PLUS AND IGNITION COILS. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MAXIMA. THE GEARS ARE JERKING REALLY BAD BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE HAPPENING. I'VE READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE CARS, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL YET? WHEN SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT MAYBE THEN A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED! *TR

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; DURING WARRANTY PERIOD AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE THE DRIVER' S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS QUIT WORKING AND REQUIRED ELECTRICAL REPAIRS. THE POWER SUN ROOF ALSO QUIT WORKING AND REQUIRED ELECTRICAL REPAIRS DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. MY CAR WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND POWER WINDOWS HAVE NOW QUIT WORKING. I HAD SO MANY DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR THAT I COULD NOT HELP BUT TO THINK THEY WEREALL CONNECTED TO THE SAME COMMON PROBLEM, AND IT MADE ME WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. ALSO, DURING THE 2ND YEAR OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THEY TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP , EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND YET HAD TO KEEP THE CAR OVER NIGHT. I DIDN'T KNOW IF REPAIRS TO WIRING WERE PERFORMED OR NOT, BUT THEY DIDN'T ADMIT TO ANY UNDERLYING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, YET THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY THE BATTERY BECAME DEAD, OR WHY IT REQUIRED MORE THAN 24 HOURS TO REPLACE A DEAD BATTERY. WERE THESE COCCURENCE'S COMMENLY REPORTED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *AK

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

LOCKING SYSTEM UNRELIABLE. LOCKED DOORS UNLOCK WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES ALARM WILL SOUND WHEN UNLOCKED DOOR IS OPENED, SOMETIMES NOT. CAR IS UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN IN REAR SEAT WITH UNLOCKED DOORS. CAR WITH DOORS THAT WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IS UNSECURED AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO THEFT AND CAR-JACKING. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. MOTORS ACTIVATE ON POWER SEAT, BUT THE SEAT DOES NOT MOVE. THIS IS A MUCH REPORTED FAILURE ITEM ON NISSANS/INFINITI'S. DEALER REQUESTS $600 TO FIX. *TR

The steering shimmies and pulls to the right. Power steering fluids are within there limits.

WHILE DRIVING, CAR SUDDENLY STOPS RESPONDING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS INTO POSITION, THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER, AND STOPS RUNNING. IT HAPPENED FOUR TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE INCIDENTS WAS BETWEEN 20 - 35 MPH.

WHEN WAS DRIVING ON 11/30/2015 AND PARKING THE CAR TO GO IN A BUILDING AND CAME BACK OUT AND TURN MY LIGHT ON AND THE TRAIL LIGHT DON'T COME ON AND THE DASH LIGHT DON'T COME BACK ON,AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP KEEP LEAKING.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. NHTSA RECALL 03V455000 WAS ISSUED. AND THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, NISSAN REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE RECALL WENT OUT IN DECEMBER 2003, BUT THE CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2003. SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WORK MUST HAVE BEEN DONE. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THAT IT WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE REAR BRAKES FAILED, AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED S TO REPAIR THE BRAKES. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS THE STEREO, SUSPENSION, AND OTHER THINGS THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIRE DEFLATED THROUGH ITS SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT THE NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES WERE GOODYEAR AND THE DOT NUMBER, TIRE LINE, PURCHASE DATE, AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

ON FEBRUARY 14TH OF THIS YEAR, DURING A REGULAR TIRE INFLATION INSPECTION, I NOTED THREE BULGES ON THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT FRONT NITTO 450, 225X50X17 TIRE. I IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT I WAS HAVING A TIRE FAILURE AND THAT IT MUST BE REPLACED ASAP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO DISCOUNT TIRE WHERE THE TIRE HAD BEEN PURCHASED AND THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES FOR SOMETHING OVER $300. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE HAS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED APRIL 6, 2004. I AM RETIRED AND MOST OF THE MILES WERE ACCUMULATED WHILE ON VACATION. THE TIRE HAD LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD SUBSTANTIAL TREAD REMAINING. THE TIRE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND I CONSIDER ITS FAILURE PREMATURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I E-MAILED NITTO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WROTE THE NORTH AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF TOYO, THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THE E-MAIL AND FOLLOW UP LETTER WERE FORWARDED IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR AND ELICITED NO RESPONSE FROM NITTO OR TOYO. I RETAINED THE TIRE AND HAVE IT IN PROTECTED STORAGE. I AM A FAST DRIVER AND SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE TIRE HAD FAILED AT SPEED. I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF CARE OR RESPONSE FROM NITTO OR TOYO. *JB

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. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER WAITING FIFTEEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V3570000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

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

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 THIEF(S). I HAVE BEEN FINANCIALLY BURDENED BY THIS. NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE BUT HAVE TO RENT A CAR.*AK

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