10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
99,882 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.

2002 Nissan Maxima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #15

Jan 192018

Maxima

  • 212,012 miles

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

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

- Sebastopol, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 022017

Maxima

  • 102,000 miles
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.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #13

Jun 182017

Maxima

  • 250,000 miles
Airbags didn't deploy after front end collision. (June 2017) pictures after accident available.

- Powell, TN, USA

problem #12

Jul 062017

Maxima

  • 155,000 miles

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

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.

- Winona, MN, USA

problem #11

Apr 282016

Maxima

  • 178,000 miles
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.

- Southaven, MS, USA

problem #10

Aug 242009

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Per Nissan, no recalls on the following= 1.cd player does not work, shows error 2. fuel gauge does not work, shows full all the time and have ran out of gas-complete safety hazard!! 3.transmission needed replaced-did not have reverse-complete safety hazard 4.catalytic converter needed replaced-stalled on the side of the highway due to loss of power and avoided an accident-complete safety hazard 5.motor needed replaced-motor quit working while on the highway-avoided an accident while I lost power. I went over and beyond always replacing the motor oil & filter at 3000 miles 6.speakers quit working and will blare back on unexpectedly while driving startling me, the volume does not work-complete safety hazard 7.front air bag sensor corroded and had to be replaced-thankfully no injuries as a result if I had been in an accident! 8.front suspension replaced including pin-Nissan shows a notice on this but not a recall!!!!"???" 9.drivers side door arm rest broke apart and had cut my elbow while driving 10.rear wheel wells/fenders are rusting thru.

- Bourbonnais, IL, USA

problem #9

Apr 032014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles

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

In reference to > NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 component(s): Engine and engine cooling I nearly crashed when my car died while merging onto a freeway. My car doesn't start like it used to. Very rough starts, continuously to get the engine to turn. It will die while car is moving. This happens abruptly and suddenly while driving. Rpms idle higher than normal. Engine loss. I used obd scanner to decipher the problem. I looked for recall online and found the one located above. It is identical to my issues.I contacted Nissan and they refused. I could have died. Please help thank you!

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #8

Jan 292013

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 25,612 miles
The car had a recall performed on 08/02/2011 to replace crankshaft and camshaft position sensors, the car ran perfectly before the said recall. The mentioned recall also included an earlier recall which was ineffective. Some time after the recall was performed the car would stall intermittently without triggering a code. Finally the stalling triggered a code on 01/29/13 which was a crankshaft position sensor. The dealer confirmed that the crankshaft position sensor code was triggered but denied that it had anything to do with the stalling problem and returned the car with the intermittent stalling condition without a diagnoses. Eventually the car was diagnosed as a bad crankshaft position sensor and repaired on 11/08/2013 after two more visits to the dealer and numerous calls to Nissan North America. This was very same crankshaft position sensor installed by the recall #R3022 which was bad and in effect renders recall #R3022 (Nissan) ineffective, at least in my case. Nissan refused to pay for diagnoses and repair of the failed recall. This failed recall cost me $656.08 as well as endangered many lives. Note: The car only has 26,000 miles on it.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #7

Feb 192010

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 84,568 miles
Problem related to cam position sensors (cam shaft sensor and possibly vias sensors). This intermittent failure, causes the car to buck. Often this will cause the car to stall. This issue is prominent with a large percentage of Nissan Maxima 2002 owners as well as a number of additional Nissan years and models (murano, Altima). The frequency of the issue occurring for Nissan owners as well as the severity - stalls have occurred for me us at any time including middle of intersection and also on the highway resulting in some very close calls and potential upcoming accidents. Nissan's negligence in recalling and fixing this problem, is likely to lead to accidents and loss of life. The Nissan dealer has not responded to my direct requests to please fix the issue as they will only do this if Nissan issues a recall. Please look into this, this is an extremely frequent and expensive repair for Nissan owners. People's lives are at risk if this is not addressed and this is the avenue that the northeast Nissan rep said I need to take to start the recall process.

- New Windsor, NY, USA

problem #6

Dec 092010

Maxima

  • 79,913 miles
Purchased used from dealer in petaluma California in February 2010. No problems until vehicle began loosing power while driving at 55. Dash ABS indicator light came on. Vehicle suddenly slowed to 5 miles an hour, RPM's decreased. Steering still enabled as well as brakes. Almost caused accident several times. Towed to dealer (santa rosa Nissan, santa rosa California). Rented a car. Just received call from dealer stating I need an alternator, belts and have a massive oil leak at valve cover gasket. Told him I spilled oil yesterday, my mechanic already checked for leaks, there are none. Made him aware of the 3 recalls on this vehicle addressing loss of power (2 out of 3 recalls). Said he would check and get back to me. My mechanics have not mentioned belts or alternator to me.

- Forestville, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 222010

Maxima

  • 125,120 miles

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

Automatic and manual door locks fail to unlock drivers door thereby preventing easy egress from vehicle in case of emergency. Once failure occurs the drivers door can not be opened from inside or outside forcing the passenger to evacuate the vehicle via the open window or passenger side door. The failure has occurred randomly over the last 30 days. No repairs have been completed as root cause of problem has not be diagnosed.

- Fairport, NY, USA

problem #4

Mar 162008

Maxima

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While approaching a stop at approximately 5 mph, the engine shut off. After the vehicle lost power, the contact started the engine and drove to the dealer. No failures were found. Shortly afterwards, the contact received a recall notice, which stated that the electronic control module was defective. She returned the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that they repaired the vehicle. A few months later, the failure recurred. The contact returned to the dealer and they stated that they would repair the vehicle at the contact's expense. The current mileage was 71,000 and failure mileage was 68,000.

- Lansdowne, PA, USA

problem #3

Mar 182006

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine broke down on a 2002 niacin maxim & could not steer car correctly. It could not go without weaving back & forth, even though there is only 15,000. Miles on car & it is regularly serviced & maintained greatly (e.g. kept in garage, never left unlock, etc.)there could have been serious consequences & involved a $900. Repair bill, for which niacin did nothing to compensate for or apologize for. If I had not had aaa tow it to the dealer, there would have surely been a terrible accident. Fortunately, this occurred at night & I had I only 3 blocks to get it home when there weren't any cars the road.

- Livingston, NJ, USA

problem #2

Oct 162002

Maxima

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Head lights were stolen from the vehicle. Damage was done to the electrical system, hood and bumper because thief knew that there was no motion sensor alarm. The brackets holding each $724 light is made of plastic and can easily be snapped/broken. The anti-theft kit doesn't do anything because it doesn't fix the issue that the lights can still be removed by breaking the bracket without opening the hood. The horn wiring was also removed because of its easy accessibility through the grill.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #1

Aug 222003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2K2 hid theft. Front lights. Hood, grill, electrical, fender and bumper damage.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

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