The Lemon Index2002 Nissan Maxima.
The 2002 Nissan Maxima is about average by owner complaints: 98 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 97, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 20 to 21 mpg combined. The best Nissan Maxima year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 205 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Maxima year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 24K to 122K miles on the car (128 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 25K–117K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 66K–138K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 57K–147K miles
Recalls 9
- airbags 2022
Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2020
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.
- airbags 2015
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Show all 9 recalls
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- engine 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…
- suspension 2002
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 2002
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2002
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 82 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Concerns with all doors intermittently locking by themselves
- Subject regarding vq engine water pump o-ring
- Front seat belt latch plate retaining button missing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While parking, foot pressed brake pedal and vehicle surged forward hitting a brick wall. Driver sustained minor injuries.
2002 Nissan Maxima owner · NHTSA complaint 8010192
More owner reports
Both my headlights were stolen for the second time on 4/28/03.
NHTSA complaint 10016984
While pulling into a garage vehicle unexpectedly accelerated forward while foot was still pressed on brake. Please provide any further information.
NHTSA complaint 8017882
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Nissan Maxima reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 97; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Maxima year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2002 Nissan Maxima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (22%), speed control (14%) and body structure (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Nissan Maxima get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Maxima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 24,700 and 122,200 miles. The middle report was at 64,200 miles, from 128 complaints.
Does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Nissan Maxima cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Maxima year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works