The Lemon Index2003 Nissan Maxima.
The 2003 Nissan Maxima is about average by owner complaints: 70 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 94, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 4 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 206 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Maxima year. 2003 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 32K to 134K miles on the car (147 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 64K–115K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 48K–177K miles
Recalls 4
- 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 4 recalls
- 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…
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 66 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine will not crank (no start) with outside temperature below 0 degrees f
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
- Engine will not start
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
After starting the vehicle engine warning light remained lit. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
2003 Nissan Maxima owner · NHTSA complaint 10113464
More owner reports
While the consumer was driving at an undetermined speed check engine light appeared on the dash, causing the vehicle to stall. Consumer contacted dealer on two separate occasions but the problem still occurs.
NHTSA complaint 10051731
The xenon headlights were stolen. Headlights could be removed in just a matter of minutes. Consumer navigated into the NHTSA web and found many complaints on the same issue.
NHTSA complaint 10067191
Quick answers
Is the 2003 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 94; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Maxima year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan Maxima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (31%), engine (19%) and airbags (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have?
4 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 2003 Nissan Maxima get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Maxima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,600 and 134,000 miles. The middle report was at 86,600 miles, from 147 complaints.
Does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Nissan Maxima cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Maxima year is better than the 2003?
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