What are the common problems with the 2002 Nissan Maxima?

Engine has the most complaints at 47, then air bags at 29 and speed control at 23. In the texts we read, owners describe stalling, air bags not deploying and unwanted acceleration.

Does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes, six are on file. They cover air bag inflators (two recalls), position sensors, a front control arm pin, the accelerator pedal stopper and an odometer that counts kilometers.

What is the gas mileage of a 2002 Nissan Maxima?

EPA lists 17 city, 24 highway and 20 combined MPG with the automatic, and 19, 26 and 21 with the manual.

How many complaints does the 2002 Maxima have compared with other years?

It has 205 complaints, close to 206 for 2003 and far below 1,426 for 2004.

Did the 2002 Nissan Maxima get a NHTSA safety rating?

NHTSA lists its 5-Star ratings as not rated.

2002 Nissan Maxima Problems, Recalls and MPG

The 2002 Nissan Maxima has 205 owner complaints on file with NHTSA^[1] and six recalls^[2]. Two of the recalls are for passenger air bag inflators, so check recall status before you buy^[3]^[4].

205owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[2]

20–21MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 205 owner complaints for this model year^[1]. 27 mention a crash, 23 injuries and 6 deaths are reported, and none mention a fire^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The biggest groups by complaint count:

Component	Complaints	Median mileage at failure
Engine^[6]	47	98,000
Air bags^[7]	29	102,850
Speed control^[8]	23	46,000
Exterior lighting^[9]	22	12,700
Electrical system^[10]	22	85,159
Brakes^[11]	20	30,975
Power train^[12]	14	42,450
Suspension^[13]	13	59,000

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 4 describe the car stalling, shutting off or losing power while driving, and 4 mention a crank position sensor that failed or was hard to get replaced^[6]. This matches the sensor recall below. 1 of the 47 engine complaints mentions a crash^[6].

Air bags. 14 of the 29 air bag complaints mention a crash and 10 mention injuries^[7]. In a sample of 12 texts, 7 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash^[7]. Owners report this, and we cannot confirm the cause from the data.

Speed control. In a sample of 12 texts, 9 describe the car accelerating or surging unexpectedly, and 5 of those say it happened while the driver was braking or parking. Some ended with the car hitting a wall^[8]. Owners in the sample said dealers sometimes could not reproduce it^[8]. 5 of the 23 complaints in this group mention a crash^[8].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 7 describe hard starting or a car that would not start, often with a battery replaced^[10]. 3 describe stolen headlights with damage to the front end^[10].

We had no complaint texts to read for exterior lighting, brakes, power train or suspension, so we do not describe what owners report there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists six recalls for this car. Newest first:

Passenger air bag inflator (20V008). Some replacement inflators used in earlier air bag recalls can explode after long exposure to humidity and heat. Metal fragments could seriously injure or kill occupants. Dealers replace the front passenger inflator with a different type at no charge. The recall began February 12, 2020, and covers 307,962 vehicles across several models^[3].
Passenger air bag inflator (15V287). The inflator can rupture when the passenger air bag deploys, sending metal fragments at occupants. Dealers replace the passenger inflator at no charge. It covers 1,090,569 vehicles across several models^[4].
Position sensors (03V455). A poor solder joint in the crank or cam position sensor circuit board can turn on the check engine light, cause a no-start, reduce power or stop the engine while driving, which could lead to a crash. Dealers replace the sensors and sometimes the variable timing sensor. It covers 630,000 vehicles^[14].
Front lower control arm pin (02V146). The pin at the end of the front lower control arm can break where it mounts to the frame. That can cause a knocking sound and abnormal steering. Dealers replace the links on both sides. It covers 90,500 vehicles^[15].
Accelerator pedal stopper (02V043). On cars with electronic throttle control, pushing the pedal very hard and to the right can let it travel too far. The check engine light comes on and engine speed is severely limited, which could lead to a crash if it happens unexpectedly. Dealers install a new pedal stopper. It covers 39,000 vehicles^[16].
Odometer in kilometers (02V010). On cars with traction control, the odometer can count kilometers instead of miles and lacks a label saying so. Dealers check it and replace the speedometer and odometer assembly if needed. It covers 843 vehicles^[17].

Recalls can cover only some cars, so ask a dealer to confirm which ones apply to a specific car. In the complaint texts we read, some owners said their car was outside a recall's scope or that parts were slow to arrive^[6]^[8].

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions, both with a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, regular fuel and front-wheel drive:

Transmission	City	Highway	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Automatic 4-spd^[18]	17	24	20	$3,350
Manual 6-spd^[5]	19	26	21	$3,200

EPA's annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists its 5-Star Safety Ratings for this car as not rated, for both the 4-DR and the 4-DR W/SAB listings^[19]^[20]. We have no crash test scores to share.

Engine and size

The EPA entries list a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine^[18]^[5].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan (GXE, SE and GLE) and can differ slightly from US models^[21].

Measure	Value
Length^[21]	191 in
Width^[21]	70 in
Height^[21]	56 in
Wheelbase^[21]	108 in
Curb weight^[21]	3,217 lb

How 2002 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Maxima model year. The 2002 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	152	0
1996	96	0
1997	102	1
1998	113	1
1999	165	0
2000	360	0
2001	172	3
2002	205	6
2003	206	3
2004	1,426	2
2005	948	2
2006	576	2
2007	129	1
2008	79	0
2009	339	1
2010	275	1
2011	106	0
2012	107	0
2013	62	0
2014	96	0
2016	142	8
2017	106	4
2018	36	2
2019	18	1
2020	22	1
2021	3	0
2022	5	0
2023	1	0

Counts below are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, but they are comparable across years of the same model^[2].

2001: 172 complaints and 3 recalls
2002: 205 complaints and 6 recalls
2003: 206 complaints and 3 recalls
2004: 1,426 complaints and 2 recalls

2004 has the most complaints of any Maxima year listed, followed by 2005 with 948^[2]. For recalls, only 2016 has more than 2002, with 8^[2]. So 2002 is not the worst year for complaints, but it carries a heavy recall load.

Should you buy a used 2002 Maxima?

This car has six recalls on file, so the first step is to confirm with a dealer that each one that applies to the VIN has been done, especially the air bag inflators and the position sensors^[3]^[4]^[14]. Engine, air bag and speed control complaints are the largest groups, and the complaint texts we read describe stalling, air bags not deploying and unwanted acceleration^[6]^[7]^[8]. These are a small sample of unverified reports, not proof of how a given car will behave. Fuel economy of 20 or 21 MPG combined is what EPA lists^[18]^[5]. If the recalls are complete and a mechanic checks the engine sensors and the throttle, the data gives no single reason to rule the car out, but it does not give a reason to skip those checks either.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2002 Nissan Maxima?: Engine has the most complaints at 47, then air bags at 29 and speed control at 23^[6]^[7]^[8]. In the texts we read, owners describe stalling, air bags not deploying and unwanted acceleration.
Does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have recalls?: Yes, six are on file. They cover air bag inflators (two recalls), position sensors, a front control arm pin, the accelerator pedal stopper and an odometer that counts kilometers^[3]^[4]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17].
What is the gas mileage of a 2002 Nissan Maxima?: EPA lists 17 city, 24 highway and 20 combined MPG with the automatic^[18], and 19, 26 and 21 with the manual^[5].
How many complaints does the 2002 Maxima have compared with other years?: It has 205 complaints, close to 206 for 2003 and far below 1,426 for 2004^[1]^[2].
Did the 2002 Nissan Maxima get a NHTSA safety rating?: NHTSA lists its 5-Star ratings as not rated^[19]^[20].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 205 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Nissan Maxima (27 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 23 injuries, 6 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Maxima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V008, filed January 9, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V287, filed May 15, 2015: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Maxima, 3.5L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
47 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,000). NHTSA vehicle records
29 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,850). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,700). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,159). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,975). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,450). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 03V455, filed November 17, 2003: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V146, filed May 30, 2002: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V043, filed February 12, 2002: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V010, filed January 11, 2002: Power Train. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Maxima, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAXIMA 4DR SEDAN GXE/SE/GLE: length 191 in, width 70 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,217 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2002 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and fuel economy