NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Nissan Maxima; the most frequently affected component is air bags — inflator module. Owners filed 206 complaints, most often about engine. Among the 22 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #4 for number of recalls.
Air bags — Inflator moduleCampaign 22E066000 · 09 Aug 2022
Problem: 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 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Air bags — Inflator moduleCampaign 20V008000 · 09 Jan 2020
Problem: 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) 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Air bagsCampaign 15V287000 · 15 May 2015
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Engine and engine coolingCampaign 03V455000 · 17 Nov 2003
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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 complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Engine18 · 45%
Air bags13 · 32%
Electrical system6 · 15%
Unknown or other5 · 12%
Electronic stability control (esc)3 · 8%
Fuel/propulsion system3 · 8%
Exterior lighting2 · 5%
Steering1 · 2%
When complaints were filed
20162
201712
20188
20195
20207
20213
20231
20242
From owner complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed and stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
I was driving on the highway here in waldorf, maryland when the airbag indicator keep on flashing. I want to make sure that this episode will not cause an accident.
The car heavily burns oil, this car as well as many other cars in the nissan line-up were given the vq35de motor which is well known for burning oil. I am required to change my oil every 3000 miles because it burns a lot of oil. I fill up the engine 5 quarts which is above recommended because i don't want to risk…
Front doors, driver and passenger sides, do not open; fail to open intermittently, making a noise as if the door lock are trying to open. Driver was stuck inside car which could be a safety hazard.
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.