VehicleVerdict

2003 Nissan Maxima engine problems

The 2003 Nissan Maxima has 98 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 39% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

98

Engine complaints

39%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

03V455000EngineNovember 17, 2003 · 630,000 units

Defect

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

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.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THREE PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 2, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have?

NHTSA has 98 complaints about the 2003 Nissan Maxima engine — 39% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Nissan Maxima engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 03V455000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.