Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Nissan Maxima
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Nissan Maxima has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 206 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22E066000 Replacement Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V008000 Frontal Passenger Air Bag Inflators May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V287000 Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V455000 NISSAN/CRANK/CAM POSITION SENSOR WELD NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 54 complaints
- Engine 43 complaints
- Air Bags 35 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 26 complaints
- Electrical System 17 complaints
- Unknown or Other 10 complaints
Of the 206 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 206 complaints, owners report 12 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Nissan Maxima faces significant issues with air bags and engine components, both reflected in high complaint and recall counts. These problems suggest below-average reliability, likely leading to costly repairs and potential safety concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| air bags | 30,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| engine sensors | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$700 | common |
| exterior lighting | 50,000–90,000 miles | $100–$300 | occasional |
| electrical system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $150–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake inspection and service
- Cooling system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Spark plug replacement
- Timing belt inspection
- Tire rotation and alignment
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine misfires or stalls
- Airbag warning light
- Intermittent electrical issues
- Overheating engine
- Unusual engine noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Nissan Maxima at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.