10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,976 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #19

Nov 042014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 95,700 miles

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

While parking car it spontaneously accelerated across the parking lot, the bordering street and into another parking lot before stopping. The cars left side, right side, front bumper, tires and suspension were damaged. Though no other cars were hit, commercial garbage cans, stop sign, telephone pole and a series 4 curbs inflicted damage. The air bags did not deploy despite having them checked by the dealer as required by a recall.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #18

Jul 182013

Maxima 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle accelerated very high without touching gas pedal over powered the ABS braking system as I was approaching a main road could not stop at stop sign and kept going my front end of car was hit another vehicle going sb 45 mph. Very lucky to be alive. Having tech checkout the vehicle.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #17

Jan 172012

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
While driving on the freeway doing 75 mph in san francisco, I stepped on the gas pretty hard and let off a second or two later. Right after that the car went into limp mode and would not accelerate at all. I had to go across 3 lanes with no acceleration. Very scary. Pulled over and tried to rev the engine to no avail. I then turned the car off and then started it again and it seemed to act normal. The check engine light flashed for a awhile then went to solid. About two hours later I went to pass another vehicle and it did it again. I pulled over and turned it the vehicle off again. This seems to be a pattern with this car when I push on the peddle to accelerate. Since January of 2012 it has happened a total of 7 times. I brought it to a shop where I was told that there was a voluntary recall campaign for this problem on 2002 Nissan Maximas. I went to the Nissan dealership and was told that my car was not in this recall. My concern is why is it not in this recall when it is clearly displaying what the "other" 2002 Nissan Maximas are doing"? this vehicle is unsafe for freeways and other fast moving areas. Could someone please help me and let me know what channels I need to go through to get this looked at? I have called the northern region Nissan dealer and they were very rude and told me that it was confidential and wouldn't tell me anything. This is my car that drives my family around, I have every right to know what is going on. Has any other complaints come in about this happening to their 2002 model that was not in this recall" I bought this car in January of 2003 with 22,000 miles on her and she now has 134,000. Please help me.

- Paradise, CA, USA

problem #16

May 202010

Maxima

  • 57,536 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While driving at approximate speeds of 30 mph, the contact depressed the accelerator with excessive force, but speed was severely limited. Unknown warning lights were illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who reset the warning lights and advised there was a recall for the failure. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer where he was advised they were unable to diagnose the failure due to the mechanic resetting the failure codes. The dealer also advised his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02V043000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 57,536.

- Cooper City, FL, USA

problem #15

Oct 282007

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While making a right turn at 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The speed decreased dramatically and the RPM's 1500. Soon afterwards, the check engine light illuminated. After at the dealer, the accelerator pedal sensor code appeared. The accelerator pedal sensor was replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 02V043000 (vehicle speed control). The current and failure mileages were 43,000. The consumer stated dealer repaired vehicle at the cost of $564.14. Updated 12/04/07

- Burr Ridge, IL, USA

problem #14

Jan 062007

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
- the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact believed that recall#02V043000 concerning vehicle speed control: Cruise control was related to the failure in this vehicle. While driving at 70 mph the cruise control engaged unexpectedly. The failure had occurred on 15 occasions. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was free of recalls. The contact was the second owner of the vehicle. The contact didn't feel safe driving the vehicle due to the failure. The current and failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 03/19/07.

- Dixon Mills , AL, USA

problem #13

Aug 072006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,000 miles

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

: the contact stated the vehicle lost acceleration while driving at any speed. There was also a knocking sound and abnormal steering which caused the vehicle to wander into the other lane while driving. There was a NHTSA recall, # 02V146000, regarding the suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower arm and a NHTSA recall # 02V043000 regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was not included in either recall due to the VIN.

- Saint Marys, GA, USA

problem #12

May 222006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,500 miles
On May 22, 2006 while proceeding to park, my the accelerator would not shut off and the car continued forward until it came in contact with a telephone pole. While researching on the internet for the 2002 Nissan Maxima's accelerator problems I discovered a recall for the pedal stop sensor. Although my VIN number was not included in the recall I experienced the same problem and experienced a similar problem earlier. At that time I had the necessary repairs made. I feel that other models with different VIN numbers should be included in the recall as this is a very dangerous situation.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #11

Dec 112002

Maxima

  • miles
Nar 02/13/2003. The consumer suffered serious injuries when the gas pedal over traveled due the design of the stopper. (lawyer on behalf of client, yida castaneda)

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #10

Oct 072004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,002 miles
While stopped for 30 seconds at a red light my 2002 Nissan Maxima SE suddenly accelerated (4000-5000 rpms) and surged forward. My foot was on the brake pedal only. I applied full pressure to the brake and applied the emergency brake. The engine revs dropped down and increased two additional times. When the revs dropped for the third time I quickly put the car into park and shut off the engine. When I turned the car back on the engine ran normally. I was very fortunate that there was adequate distance between myself and the car in front of me. I took the car to a Nissan dealer the same morning and no trouble codes or stored data was found in the computer. Nissan headquarters told me a factory rep will come to diagnose my problem only if the car is involved in an accident.

- Kearny, NJ, USA

problem #9

Aug 102004

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

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

The accelerator motion sensor failed without warning. As a result the vehicle would not go any faster than 30 mph. A recall (02V043000) was issued, however the vehicle identification number was outside of the remedy scope. Please provide additional. Information.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #8

Jul 012003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,000 miles
2002 Nissan Maxima SE when making sharp left turns, accelerating from stopped position, loud grinding noise from front suspension is present more than 50% of the time. Have returned car to dealer 6 times over 18 months with no resolution. Dealer has performed only one actual repair - which did not addres problem. Dealer has become uncooperative stating they have done "all they can".

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #7

Jun 202003

(reported on)

Maxima

  • miles
When brakes are applied vehicle accelerates instead of slowing down. Dealer has been unable to duplicate problem.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

problem #6

Jun 282002

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,800 miles
The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration and crashed through a wall. Scc

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 242001

Maxima

  • miles
While pulling into a garage vehicle unexpectedly accelerated forward while foot was still pressed on brake.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #4

Jul 202002

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While trying to pull into a parking space, vehicle started to accelerate and ran over the speed bump stopping further down the parking lot. Consumer had foot on the brakes. Contacted dealer and dealer took a look at vehicle and stated that everything was fine.

- Kingston, MA, USA

problem #3

Dec 012001

Maxima

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has a manual transmission and engine continues to accelerate when clutch is disengaged and foot is removed from gas pedal. Vehicle was checked by dealer, who adjusted idle, but problem still occurring. Vehicle checked again, and dealer advised consumer that Maxima operates that way and nothing could be one. Consumer states that this occurs in all forward gears and causes a surge in acceleration when re-engaging the transmission.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #2

May 182002

Maxima

  • miles
Air control valve is not working properly vehicle will unexpectedly accelerate at high speeds. Contacted dealer. Please further information.

- Jamaca, NY, USA

problem #1

May 202002

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While parking, foot pressed brake pedal and vehicle surged forward hitting a brick wall. Driver sustained minor injuries.

- Louisville, KY, USA

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