10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,180 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Nissan Maxima engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Apr 012019

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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!!!

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #41

Feb 232021

Maxima

  • 220,000 miles
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.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #40

Oct 012019

Maxima

  • 170,000 miles
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 sitting longer. First had to figure out where to start.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #39

Jun 152020

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 188,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Montclair, CA, USA

problem #38

Jun 152020

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 188,000 miles
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.

- Montclair, CA, USA

problem #37

Mar 012020

Maxima

  • 143,000 miles
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 remained on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the VIN was subjected to NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

- Tulsa, OH, USA

problem #36

Jul 082019

Maxima

  • 91,694 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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, the vehicle was manufactured 06/2002 and the recall dates include from 02/2001 to 07/2002. This vehicle has 91,694 miles on it and thus should not be exhibiting this problem from normal wear and tear. This is a very serious problem and could cause a crash in the future.

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #35

Apr 142019

Maxima

  • 123,000 miles
Camshaft position sensor failed

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #34

Nov 082018

Maxima

  • miles
Car won't start. It turns on and it cranks but it doesn't start

- Burlington, NJ, USA

problem #33

Aug 282018

Maxima

  • 124,432 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure occurred every day for the past six months. The dealer (ingram park Nissan, 6990 northwest loop 410, san antonio, tx 78238) was contacted by phone, but the vehicle was not taken in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 124,432.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #32

Aug 012018

Maxima

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have experienced problems cranking the car, I purchased a new battery and battery terminals. This appeared to quick fix it but soon after the speedometer stopped working and the check engine light came on. Soon after followed tcs control and ABS light came on. I took it to a mechanic and the diagnosis involved a problem with the camshaft position sensors and crankshaft position sensors. I purchased a book about the car and read that my make and model had a recall. After double checking online about the recall I noticed it appeared to be the exact same problem. Convinced, I went to my local Nissan dealership to have them check however it was explained to me that my VIN number was not recalled. I want to have my VIN number placed on the NHTSA recall list so that I may have my vehicle repaired. If this is not possible please advise further. Thank you.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #31

Nov 172017

Maxima

  • 95,846 miles
The car heavily burns oil, this car as well as many other cars in the Nissan line-up were given the vq35de motor which is well known for burning oil. I am required to change my oil every 3000 miles because it burns a lot of oil. I fill up the engine 5 quarts which is above recommended because I don't want to risk running my engine dry of oil because it gets burned. Every 3000 miles I get rid of about 2.8 quarts when I start off with 5 quarts each oil change. I only do city driving and not long distance driving. Many other Nissan vehicles are also plagued with this oil burning issue.

- Poway, CA, USA

problem #30

Aug 112017

Maxima

  • 300,000 miles
Car "service engine soon" is on. The car randomly cuts off in traffic and as driving. Won't start up immediately. Very dangerous problem. The engine to stopped running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #29

Jun 302017

Maxima

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. While driving 35 mph up a hill, the vehicle stalled and the service engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the cam sensor shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Morgantown, NC, USA

problem #28

Apr 012016

Maxima

  • 150,000 miles
Excessive engine oil consumption at 150.000 miles

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #27

Feb 042017

Maxima

  • 109,000 miles
While driving on highway at about 55 mph car loses power without any warning, there was not much traffic so I was able pull off the road. The car regained power without having to start engine and I was able to drive a little further and it happened several times again. The "check engine" light comes on as this is happening but doesn't stay on. (I cannot run test to find out what is going on as "check engine" light only comes on as this happening). The engine is still on/running but there is no power/acceleration to the vehicle.

- Summerfield, FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 012016

Maxima

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed and stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Kaplan, LA, USA

problem #25

Sep 092016

Maxima

  • 60,171 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced trouble starting and the engine power was reduced. The service engine soon warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control sensor, crank position sensor, and camshaft position sensor were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,171.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #24

Jul 052016

Maxima

  • 101,000 miles
I recently purchased a 2003 Nissan Maxima that was Maryland state inspected. I drove it for about a week when I was driving along on a busy road and the car stalled in the middle of the roadway. Luckily, nobody was injured or hit the stalled car. The car had to be towed to the Nissan repair shop. It was diagnosed with two defective camshaft sensors. I found out that this part was recalled under Nissan's recall program, so I called them to see if they would replace the part. They refused to cover the cost of the replacement of the part even though they replaced these parts before under your recall.

- Reisterstown, MD, USA

problem #23

Jan 042012

Maxima

  • miles
Oil cooler leak replaced O ring 5 times replaced not fixed yet.

- Fairview, NM, USA

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