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2003 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Maxima years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Maxima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

147 reports with mileage · 59 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports

Power Train complaints

7 reports
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122,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
EnginePower TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE TRANSMISSION THEN FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER WAITING FIFTEEN MINUTES, THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE TRANSMISSION THEN FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER WAITING FIFTEEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V3570000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10509067

75,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS. HAPPENS EVERY DAY FOR PAST 3YRS. TUNE UP, TRANSMISSION FLUSH, NEW MOTOR MOUNTS, NEW SPARK PLUS AND IGNITION COILS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418450

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2009
Power Train

I HAVE A 2003 MAXIMA. THE GEARS ARE JERKING REALLY BAD BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE HAPPENING. I'VE READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE CARS, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL YET? WHEN SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT MAYBE THEN A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279230

74,500 miles · Aug 14, 2008
Power Train

NISSAN MURANO, 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 75,400 MILES. AUGUST 9, 2008, MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AND CALLED ME ON MY CELL PHONE VERY EXCITED AND UNSET STATING, ?THE CAR WON?T ACCELERATE AND IT IS JERKING,, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?? I INSTRUCTED THEM TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL I ARRIVE TO CHECK IT OUT I DIDN?T WANT THEM TO G…

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NISSAN MURANO, 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 75,400 MILES. AUGUST 9, 2008, MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AND CALLED ME ON MY CELL PHONE VERY EXCITED AND UNSET STATING, ?THE CAR WON?T ACCELERATE AND IT IS JERKING,, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?? I INSTRUCTED THEM TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL I ARRIVE TO CHECK IT OUT I DIDN?T WANT THEM TO GET ONTO THE MAJOR HIGHWAY IN THE HEAVY TRAFFIC. I ARRIVED AND DROVE THE CAR HOME. I PARKED THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE AND DIDN?T DRIVE IT UNTIL MONDAY FOR WORK. HAD NO PROBLEMS THAT DAY AND DROVE IT TO WORK, BOTH WIFE AND I COMMUTE TO THE SAME LOCATION. AFTER WORK ON THIS VERY HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSTATE ON OUR WAY HOME I EXPERIENCED THE CAR HESITATING AND THE RPM GAGE RIVED UP OVER 4000 RPMS AND THE CAR STARTED TO LURCH AND HESITATE AND HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE MOMENTUM SO I EXITED AT THE NEAREST EXIT. I NURSED THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT OFF THE MAIN INTERSTATE AND STOP. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I JUST HAD THE CAR SERVICED THE WEEK BEFORE AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. I INFORMED THE SERVICE REP THE CAR WOULD BE DELIVERED BY A WRECKER SERVICE TO HAVE THE CAR DROPPED OFF; READ CODES AND WOULD GET BACK LATER THE NEXT DAY. I CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND WAS INFORMED THE CODES WERE MANY AND THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS TO GIVE THEM SOME INSTRUCTION. WAS INFORMED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, COST $5400. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF IT. I BLOGGED THE INTERNET, NISSAN MURANO FORUM AND TO MY AMAZEMENT UNCOVERED MANY INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING THE VERY PROBLEM WITH MY CAR, TRANSMISSION. I STRONGLY FEEL NISSAN SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM AND INDIVIDUALS SHOULD HAVE THEIR MONIES REFUNDED AND NISSAN SHOULD BE FINED HEAVILY FOR THEIR NEGLECT AND NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238102

54,000 miles · Jun 10, 2005
Power Train

DT: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT INTERVAL TIMES. WHEN TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY CLAIM EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE TRANSMISSION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY CAME ON. CONSUMER WAS TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND THEY ALL SAID THAT THE CODES WERE NOT MATCHING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10124884

23,327 miles · Mar 14, 2005
Power Train

2003 NISSAN MAXIMA EXPERIENCED CLUTCH FAILURE @ 23,000 MILES WITH NORMAL WEAR. CAR HAS ORIGINAL TIRES AND WAS DRIVEN BY AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER. OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT CLUTCHES NORMALLY LAST MORE THEN 75,000 MILES. THIS WAS A $900.00 REPAIR ON A TWO YEAR OLD CAR AND NISSAN OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114085

25,500 miles · Feb 27, 2004
Power Train

LOUD THUD/BUMP WHEN GOING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE FROM RIGHT FRONT. HAD SERVICED AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS THE "BUMP STOP" THAT WAS DRY. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT EACH OIL CHANGE. I REVIEWED MY MANUAL AND THERE IS NO MENTION OF LUBRICATING THE BUMP STOP - EVER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER DID NOT MEN…

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LOUD THUD/BUMP WHEN GOING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE FROM RIGHT FRONT. HAD SERVICED AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS THE "BUMP STOP" THAT WAS DRY. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT EACH OIL CHANGE. I REVIEWED MY MANUAL AND THERE IS NO MENTION OF LUBRICATING THE BUMP STOP - EVER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION THE SERVICE WAS DONE WHEN OIL CHANGES WERE DONE THERE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10059946

Official recalls

3

20V008000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

15V287000 · Air Bags

May 15, 2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 17, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.