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Model Year Problem Record

Nissan Maxima 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Nissan Maxima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

206Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
24Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine98 complaints

98 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V455000.

Air Bags35 complaints

35 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V287000, 20V008000.

Lighting26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V455000Reported November 17, 2003 - 630,000 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on November 17, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 630,000 vehicles across all affected models.

15V287000Reported May 15, 2015 - 1,090,569 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 15, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 1,090,569 vehicles across all affected models.

20V008000Reported January 9, 2020 - 307,962 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 307,962 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20021
200328
200424
200513
20064
20078
200811
200910
201011
201112
20122
20135
20149
201519
201611
201712
20188
20195
20207
20213
20231
20242
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.