2002 NISSAN MAXIMA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Maxima. This model year has 220 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2002 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Headlight/Taillight Failures
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Nissan Maxima. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 54 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 31 | 15 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 24 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 24 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 23 | 5 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 21 | 2 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 220 most recent complaints
[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 wer…
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, sens…
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.
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 manufactu…
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 …
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 CONFIRME…
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 P…
[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…
CAR STARTS BUT DIES DOWN AFTER A FEW MILES
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 DIAGNO…
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, RA…
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 HEA…
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 STIL…
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 AN…
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 NIS…
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 EXC…
AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER FRONT END COLLISION. (JUNE 2017) PICTURES AFTER ACCIDENT AVAILABLE.
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…
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…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Nissan Maxima.
Recalls for 2002 Nissan Maxima
9 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Nissan Maxima. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2002 Nissan Maxima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2002 Nissan Maxima has 220 NHTSA owner complaints, 28 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (54 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Engine Problems (54 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (31 complaints). #3: Headlight/Taillight Failures (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2002 Nissan Maxima has 28 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 220 total NHTSA complaints. 23 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Nissan Maxima. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2002 Nissan Maxima has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2002 Nissan Maxima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.