2002 Nissan Maxima Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 10%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Nissan Maxima, 10% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2002 Nissan Maxima se had a total brake system failure. I was not able to stop the car using the brakes. I had to throw the gears into park and shut the engine off to get the vehicle to slow down. I stopped on a sidewalk almost hitting two pedestrians. I had to have major repairs done to the brake system. The actuators, front and rear sensors were replaced. My car only had 15,840 miles. This could be a potentially hazardous problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10142408, filed 2005-11, 15,840 miles“I have a three year lease. Two years into the lease I have had to replace all four tires and now the brakes. The rear brakes froze up. The capliers, rotors, and pabs need to be replaced on the rear and the rotors on the front. I have never had to do this with a car before.”
NHTSA complaint #10086971, filed 2004-08, 36,000 miles“Unable to stop vehicle - brake failure on dry pavement. When brake pedal was applied, there was only a clicking sound as if the ABS was trying to engage for no reason - but brakes would not engage at all. Dealer later reported that this was due to a faulty ABS sensor on left rear but I am disturbed that this ABS failure would cause total brake loss. I am afraid to drive this car for fear of another ABS sensor going without any notice. I have had several other brake problems with this vehicle since I purchased new in 2002. …”
NHTSA complaint #10213127, filed 2007-12, 55,055 miles“Abs light came on when I was driving to town. Brakes seemed to work ok, so I continued. Got to town (40 miles), did my business, got in the car to go home. Started car, ABS light still on, drove 1 1/2 blocks, applied brakes as I approached intersection, and the pedal locked. Tapped the pedal, still locked. Car felt like it was still getting throttle. Put it in neutral, pulled the emergency brake, and luckily stopped before the intersection. Pulled into a parking lot, pushed the brake, and the same thing happened. Parked the car, and turned it off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214415, filed 2008-01, 70,000 miles“Abs light illuminated on the dash. Subsequent total loss of braknig which nearly caused a crash between my vehicle and another. Only by acceleratng very hard through a stop sign, at which I was unable to stop, was I able to avoid an oncoming vehicle. According to my owners manual, whenever the ABS warnign light illuminate, I will lose only my ABS but will retain normal breaking. This proved not to be the case. I lost the ablity to stop. According to the manufacturer's dealership repair facility, the loss of ABS was a result of a non-functioning rear wheel speed sensor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10150590, filed 2006-02, 64,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2020 | 5 | 23% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 8 | 22% |
| 2017 | 10 | 9% |
| 2016 | 21 | 15% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 24 | 19% |
| 2006 | 59 | 10% |
| 2005 | 28 | 3% |
| 2004 | 72 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 20 | 10% |
| 2001 | 23 | 13% |
| 2000 | 33 | 9% |
| 1999 | 9 | 5% |
| 1998 | 10 | 9% |
| 1997 | 7 | 7% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 7 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 6% |
| 1993 | 11 | 14% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 6 | 8% |
| 1990 | 7 | 7% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 1% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Maxima
30 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology