Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2003 Nissan Maxima: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Maxima years.
One of the Nissan Maxima years to avoid. All Maxima years
206 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Maxima?The 2003 Nissan Maxima has 206 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and engine.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Nissan Maxima vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Maxima years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Maxima?
Across the 28 Maxima model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2023) to 1,426 (2004). With 206 complaints, the 2003 Maxima sits above the model's median of 112.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Maxima
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 20V008000Nissan 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
Campaign 15V287000Nissan 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 and engine cooling
Campaign 03V455000ON 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.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 22E066000Nissan 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 and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation, with a clear consensus that reliability and owner satisfaction declined significantly after the early 2000s.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Maxima. See the full Maxima owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Maxima listings typically run $13,900–$20,796 across 2014 to 2023 model years.
Other Maxima model years
Compare every Maxima year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Maxima against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy