2003 Nissan Maxima Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

43Engine complaints

20.9%Of all 206 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE43 · 20.9%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39 · 18.9%

AIR BAGS27 · 13.1%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS22 · 10.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14 · 6.8%

Share of the 206 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Nissan Maxima overview page.

What owners report

“AS VERIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR SHUT THE CAR DOWN DURING OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM…”NHTSA complaint 10650712 — filed 10/28/2014

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK…”NHTSA complaint 10562610 — filed 02/03/2014

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…”NHTSA complaint 10504816 — filed 03/28/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2003 Nissan Maxima: 43 of 206 complaints on file (20.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have in total?

206 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.