CarBrief

The engine is the most complained-about part of the 2003 Maxima, with 96 of its 206 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. Two air bag inflator recalls and one engine sensor recall also apply to this model year[3][4][5].

206owner complaints[2]
3recalls[6]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 206 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Maxima[2]. Of those, 13 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 12 injuries, and 1 reports a death[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Smaller groups include speed control with 8 complaints[11], brakes with 7[12] and power train with 7[13]. Speed control has 3 crashes and 1 injury[11]. Brakes have 2 crashes and 2 injuries[12]. These counts are small, so they do not show a pattern on their own.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Maxima[6], newest first.

Owners can contact Nissan customer service about any of these recalls[3][4][5].

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions of the 3.5L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive, running on regular gas[14][7].

Transmission City Highway Combined Yearly fuel cost
Automatic 4-spd[14] 17 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG $3,350
Manual 6-spd[7] 19 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG $3,200

EPA's yearly fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[14][7].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists no 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Maxima[15]. Both versions on file are marked not rated[15][16].

Engine and size

The EPA ratings above are for a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine[14][7]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan, and US models can differ slightly[17][18].

GLE GXE/SE
Length[17][18] 191 in 191 in
Width[17][18] 70 in 70 in
Height[17][18] 56 in 56 in
Wheelbase[17][18] 108 in 108 in
Curb weight[17][18] 3,294 lb 3,217 lb

How 2003 compares with other years

1995: 152 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 96 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 102 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 113 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 165 complaints, 0 recalls2000: 360 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 172 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 205 complaints, 6 recalls2003: 206 complaints, 3 recalls20620032004: 1,426 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 948 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 576 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 129 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 79 complaints, 0 recalls2009: 339 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 275 complaints, 1 recalls20102011: 106 complaints, 0 recalls2012: 107 complaints, 0 recalls2013: 62 complaints, 0 recalls20132014: 96 complaints, 0 recalls2016: 142 complaints, 8 recalls2017: 106 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 36 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 18 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 22 complaints, 1 recalls20202021: 3 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2023: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2023
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Maxima model year. The 2003 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951520
1996960
19971021
19981131
19991650
20003600
20011723
20022056
20032063
20041,4262
20059482
20065762
20071291
2008790
20093391
20102751
20111060
20121070
2013620
2014960
20161428
20171064
2018362
2019181
2020221
202130
202250
202310

The 2003 Maxima has 206 complaints and 3 recalls[6]. Six years have more complaints: 2000 with 360, 2004 with 1,426, 2005 with 948, 2006 with 576, 2009 with 339 and 2010 with 275[6]. That puts 2003 seventh of the 28 Maxima model years listed[6].

The year before, 2002, has almost the same count at 205 complaints but 6 recalls[6]. Only 2002 with 6, 2016 with 8 and 2017 with 4 have more recalls than 2003[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show where owners reported problems and not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2003 Maxima?

The record for this year is mixed. Complaints are lower than several other Maxima years, but the engine group has 96 of them[6][1]. The air bag complaints include crashes and injuries, and two inflator recalls apply[8][3][4]. Before buying, Before buying, ask Nissan customer service whether the recall work was done on that car, and ask for proof that the inflator and engine sensor work was done[3][4][5]. and ask for proof that the inflator and engine sensor work was done[3][4][5]. If you park on the street, the headlight theft complaints in our sample are worth weighing[9].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA lists 96 engine complaints, the largest group of its 206 total[1][2]. Air bags follow with 35 and exterior lighting with 26[8][9].
Does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have recalls?
Yes, 3: air bag inflator recalls 20V008 and 15V287, and engine sensor recall 03V455[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of a 2003 Nissan Maxima?
EPA rates the automatic at 20 MPG combined and the manual at 21 MPG combined[14][7].
Is the 2003 Maxima safer than other years?
NHTSA shows no star ratings for 2003[15][16]. Its 206 complaints are the 7th highest of 28 listed years[6].

Facts and sources

  1. 96 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. NHTSA has 206 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Nissan Maxima (13 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 12 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 20V008, filed January 9, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 15V287, filed May 15, 2015: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 03V455, filed November 17, 2003: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Maxima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. 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
  8. 35 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 1 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 26 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 134,850). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 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
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAXIMA 4DR SEDAN GLE: length 191 in, width 70 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,294 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAXIMA 4DR SEDAN GXE/SE: 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.