KnownCarProblems2002 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Maxima, most often about the engine (23% of complaints, typically around 98,000 miles). It is 8th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2002 Nissan Maxima problems
Engine
47 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
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…
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the vehicle stalled with the illumination of all of the warning lights. The vehicle would not immediately restart and approximately twenty minutes later, the vehicle successfully restarted but the failure recurred moments later. The vehicle was…
Air bags
29 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the air bag and air bag module needed replacement. The contact notified the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
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…
Speed control
23 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages.
Consumer took vehicle back to the dealer on several occasions for an oil change, and was told that there was a recall on vehicle. Dealer told consumer that the parts would not be in, they were on back order.
Tl 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…
Lights
22 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 12,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, brake lights, tail lights.
Headlights were stolen from the vehicle. Damage was done to the electrical system/hood and bumper. The brackets holding each $724 light were made of plastic and could easily be snapped or broken.
I lease a 2002 Nissan Maxima. This car has a known issue regarding its headlights. The issue is 1) the headlights are very expensive 2) they are, therefore, well-liked by thieves and 3) they are very easy to steal. As a result, they are stolen frequently. One headlight assembly was stolen from my car last week. The…
Electrical
22 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, horn.
When I got into my car to leave, the car would not start. I had some one give me a jump, and my car started. I was driving home, when all of a sudden, the car quick running. I coasted to the side of the road and parked. I had my car towed to peak Nissan. Peak check the car the next day and told me all I need was a…
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…
Brakes
20 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, foundation components.
Dt: the contact stated the ABS had failed multiple times. During the first occurrence the brakes did not function. Upon inspection the dealership determined the right ABS sensor had to be replaced. The right sensor was replaced. The second failure occurred after the vehicle had been through the carwash. The brakes…
I have a three year lease. Two years into the lease I have had to replace all four tires and now the brakes. The rear brakes froze up. The capliers, rotors, and pabs need to be replaced on the rear and the rotors on the front. I have never had to do this with a car before.
Transmission
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
Vehicle is 5 years old ,2 weeks out of warranty), extremely well maintained with 43,000 miles. Began hearing a grinding sound coming from the manual transmission. Nissan dealer and a second source identified the problem as the bearings in the transmission. Everyone I try to get an estimate for repairs were suprised…
Purchased 2002 Nissan Maxima with under 30k miles 11/09. At 35k miles had transmission serviced. Now the transmission is completely shot at 38k miles. Nissan is refusing to admit a defect or a fault when there are over 100k complaints online to various websites and their customer service is pathetic and offensive. The…
Suspension
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Dt: a knocking noise and abnormal steering. While driving. Took vehicle to dealer to have it checked, and dealer had not said what was wrong. This only happened when steering.
Front wheel nut that secures wheel hub to cv-joint came loose in my 2002 Maxima. Nut was backed up to the cotter pin. Also, this happened last year on my wife's 2000 Maxima. I think Nissan made a bad design decision when they chose not to use a locking washer/nut for this design. I have a jpeg picture of resultant…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Nissan Maxima recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: This can cause a knocking sound and abnormal steering. This could result in difficulty controlling the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transverse links on the left and right sides with new ones. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the pin at the end of the front suspension transverse link (lower control arm) could break where it is mounted to the frame.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This will cause the engine malfunction indicator lamp to come on and the engine speed to be severely limited. If this occurs unexpectedly, it could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new accelerator pedal stopper. Owner notification began march 11, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 800-662-6200.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with an electronic throttle control system, the stopper for the accelerator pedal will prevent excessive movement of the accelerator position sensor. If the driver applies overly excessive force to the accelerator pedal while at the same time pushing it to the right, the pedal can "over travel" due to the design of the pedal stopper.
Transmission: power train
Fix: 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 vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
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 odometer does not have a label that indicates "kilometers" or "km" as required by fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
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 substa
Questions about the 2002 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (47 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); air bags (29 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles); speed control (23 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 9, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is 8th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints, with 205 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.