2003 Nissan Maxima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Nissan Maxima: 3 recalls, 206 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #03V455000 · 2003 · 630,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.…
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V287000 · 2015 · 1,090,569 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V008000 · 2020 · 307,962 vehicles
What's wrong: 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)…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags, Airbags Equipment recall #22E066000 · 2022 · 375 vehicles
What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that May have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 qx4, 2006-2010 m35 and m45; Nissan 2001-2003 maxima, 2002-2006 sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 versa sedan…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (54): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (28), warning light on (25), leaks (4).
- Engine (43): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (23), warning light on (23), electrical failure (4).
- Airbags (35): the most common themes are fails to deploy (6), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (3), warning light on (3).
- Exterior lights (26): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), electrical failure (2).
The 2003 Nissan Maxima has 206 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 34 Maxima model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 191). Complaints peaked in 2003 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 86,600 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (205 complaints, 6 recalls), 2004 (1426 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Nissan Maxima.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Nissan Maxima, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (54), engine (43), airbags (35).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Maxima get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.5 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Nissan Maxima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.