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2002 Nissan Maxima

The Verdict

50 Proceed with Caution

The 2002 Nissan Maxima has 220 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (69 complaints) and electrical (62 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 50/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Maxima, consider the 2023 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 99% fewer complaints

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50

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

02V010000 POWER TRAIN

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, THE ODOMETER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES REGISTERS DISTANCE IN KILOMETERS INSTEAD OF MILES AS IS SPECIFIED IN THE DESIGN. THE ODO...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ODOMETER TO DETERMINE IF IT IS CORRECT AND, IF NOT, WILL REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 12, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VE...

Reported Nov 1, 2002

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200050291869119
2001482259448
20026921625711
2003295651006
20043225939126879
2005832124108711
200671512576353
20074622202912
20083132888
200919061092311
20101522852412
2011382331518
2012320431418
20137226522
2014212441315
20164617302920
2017491025108
2018208521
201992142
2020114222
202110110
202221110
202300100

By Category

Body
69
Electrical
62
Engine
57
Brakes
21
Transmission
11

By Severity

1
98
2
92
3
1
4
27
5
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 2

[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

16mo ago
Electrical 2

Driving vehicle on road and the accelerator pedal no longer working vehicle. coasted to the side. Car had to be towed. Vehicle cranking without problem but will not accelerate pedal goes to floor. At consideration of purchase of vehicle, car fax and all details about vehicle were viewed for possible purchase. Items on recall are now a concern as a safety issue.

16mo ago
Body 1

unknown. Vehicle on roadway and it just stop accelerating in the middle of traffic. Research of vehicle before purchase refers to several issues that I would like to verify that those items are not a factor in my use of my vehicle. I have concern about lights, airbag, sensor, and I dont want to have a problem where I am in danger or others.

17mo ago
Body 2

the vehicle failed front wheel bearing replacement. I took it to the mechanic because when i was driving there was a very loud noise and didn't feel well. The mechanic told me that I could have had an accident because the tire was about to come off the vehicle.

44mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owned a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V-008000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as he is no longer the owner of the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted.

47mo ago
Engine 1

When I first purchased this car I had immediate problems with the power steering fluid. The check engine light has remained on the entire time. But the car was hemorrhaging fluid, groaning, whining, and my steering was becoming extremely loose. I call the dealer that sold me the car, because I dropped 4 grand on what seemed like a nice vehicle with under 100k on it. Well, I bought the car right off the lot and they refused to repair it. Cool, I respect that. IF the inspection reports and other papers are clearly falsified. It couldn't have passed inspection under normal situations. But since the dealer owns their own shop, they could slap stickers on busted vehicles and send them off to be sold. Eventually they do me " A favor" by replacing the power steering actuator/pump hoses & did work on towards a DTC code P0550. They give me that favor by charging me only for the parts, no labor. Totally cool, if work was done. It still has the same electrical tape in areas that was "fixed". They clear my codes and off I go. Engine light cuts on again and I'm having the same issues. My power steering fluid looks like it's boiling or bubbling as well. Still getting the P0550 code as my main DTC. Except now, I'm having major problems and my car has been sitting for a month. Not sure if the leaky fluid corroded components from before. As of now I'm throwing DTCs for P0171, P0305, P0550 (twice), believe I have a vacuum leak, my exhaust system is damaged internally from the misfire codes and has also broken apart near the rear muffler, among other pending codes. Lastly, I was coming home from work and my car completely loses power and bogs waaaay down. Engine light is flashing and I have no control or power. I limp home, park the car, and haven't drove it since other than for test drives. After countless repairs for the same issues, among new repairs and issues I'm broke. Issues started on 3/24 through 12/21 Not had this car for a year and it's been a constant pain ever since.

55mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V008000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GILMAN NISSAN FORT BEND LOCATED AT 26001 SOUTHWEST FWY, ROSENBERG, TX 77471, AND AFTER TWO DAYS IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

71mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WOULD NOT RECEIVE A SECOND FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *BF CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT 60 MPH IT SHUTS OFF. CONSUMER SAYS THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS, CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS, AND VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSORS CODES CAME UP. CONSUMER SAYS THESE ARE THE SAME CODES THAT WERE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *DL

74mo ago
Engine 4

[XXX] POWER STEERING SYSTEM TIRES FUEL PUMP AIR BAGS BATTERY EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FALLING APART SINCE 2018, IT'S BEEN FIXED AND COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM COMES UP. EVERY MECHANIC THAT TOUCHES THIS CAR, SAID THE SAME THING TO CHECK UP THE RECALL STATUS. BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES WITH IT, AND THE MILEAGE IS LOW. SO THERE IS A FAULTY PARTS, THAT KEEP BRAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND I HAVE BEEN CALLING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER. BRAND NEW TIRES AND BRAKES WERE INSTALLED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

78mo ago
Engine 1

CAR STARTS BUT DIES DOWN AFTER A FEW MILES

87mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

88mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FRED ANDERSON NISSAN OF RALEIGH (9225 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617, (919) 324-3443) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

90mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE VARIABLE TIMING SENSOR FAILED, WHICH WERE BOTH CONNECTED TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEADQUARTER NISSAN (1725 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE WAS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

98mo ago
Electrical 2

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

103mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

104mo ago
Transmission 1

TAKATA RECALL!!! MY PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT LIGHT IS FLASHING. ALSO I BOUGHT THE TOP CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND IT HAD A RECALL, IS MY VEHICLE COVERED? MY CONTROL ARM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE NEXT DECISION I SHOULD MAKE.. I'M TAKING IT TO GERALD NISSAN IN NORTH AURORA FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR THE AIRBAG.

105mo ago
Body 2

ELECTRIC SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IT GOES UP AND DOWN RECLINES AND GOES UP. BUT I CANNOT GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. SINCE I NEVER CHANGE MY DRIVING POSITION AND HAVE NO NEED TO MOVE IT. IT SHOULD STILL WORK. MY CAR IS IN PRIME CONDITION EVERYTHING ON THE CAR IS IN WORKING AND EXCELLENT CONDITION. DEALER SAID I HAVE TO GET A NEW "SEAT AND TRACK; I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEN NEVER REMOVED THE TWO BOLTS AND LOOKED TO SEE IF THE WIRE MAY HAVE COME OFF THE UNIT? 2000.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR SOUND LIKE A RIP OFF. YOUR THOUGHTS. BG

105mo ago
Electrical 4

AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER FRONT END COLLISION. (JUNE 2017) PICTURES AFTER ACCIDENT AVAILABLE.

106mo ago
Electrical 4

TAKATA RECALL OUR 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE, HER CAR ROLLED MULTIPLE TIMES....THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED-HER NECK (C7) WAS FRACTURED. IF THE AIR BAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED MAYBE HER NECK WOULDN'T HAVE FRACTURED...UPDATED 10/19/17 *BF UPDATED 7/24/18*JB *TR

107mo ago
Engine 1

THE CAR EXPERIENCES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ENGINE POWER, U NABLE TO REV ABOVE 2500 WITHOUT IT FEELING LIMITED. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER OR BRAKE TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION.THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES THIS PAST WEEK AND I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I'M NOW WONDERING IF THE DEALER ACTUALLY PERFORMED THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #03V455000) BACK IN 2003!!! THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS AGAIN.

108mo ago

220 total

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