2003 NISSAN MAXIMA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Maxima. This model year has 206 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 2003 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 2003 Nissan Maxima. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 97 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 35 | 12 | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 3 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 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 2003 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 206 most recent complaints
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
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 steering shimmies and pulls to the right. Power steering fluids are within there limits.
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…
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 TU…
2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE. *LD *JS
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IT JUST TURNED OFF. SAID IT WAS CRANK/ CAM POSITION SENSORS WELL CHANGED THEM AND PUT NEW THROTTLE BODY. AND NOW TO FIND THERE IS A RECALL HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT PART OF IT. WELL IT SHOULD BE. AND BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX FOR 9 MONTHS. BEEN…
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…
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXCEED 3,000 RPM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE…
THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT
CAR STALLS AT LIGHTS AND JUST STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. THE STALLING PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS BUT THE CAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IS FAIRLY NEW. STALLS AT LIGFHTS, STALLS WHILE IN MOTION
TAKATA RECALL-RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM NISSAN ABOUT A RECALL ON MY 2003 MAXIMA PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS (NHTSA RECALL 14V-361). SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SEPT.26, 2014 @ 3PM TO HAVE WORK DONE. DROPPED VEHICLE OFF ON THE MORNING OF SEPT 26, 2014 BECAUSE I HAD TO…
THE VEHICLE HAS TWICE LOST POWER AND ENGINE DIED WHILE MOVING DOWN THE STREET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND SHOWED CODE P0345: CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR A (BANK 2). THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE R3022 CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR RECALL. HOWEVER, T…
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT EXITED A PARKING AREA TO ENTER A HIGH TRAFFIC LOCATION. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S…
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 OCC…
CAR WON'T START. IT TURNS ON AND IT CRANKS BUT IT DOESN'T START
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2003 Nissan Maxima.
Recalls for 2003 Nissan Maxima
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2003 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.
2003 Nissan Maxima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2003 Nissan Maxima has 206 NHTSA owner complaints, 13 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (97 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Engine Problems (97 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (35 complaints). #3: Headlight/Taillight Failures (26 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2003 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2003 Nissan Maxima has 13 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 206 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2003 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 2003 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2003 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 2003 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.