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SteeringPart report

2002 Nissan Maxima Steering Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
5%of 205 total for the year
Median mileage
127,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Nissan Maxima, 5% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Over heating gurgling in over flow, had radiator flushed and topped off,still over heat,looking at my recites it says I have a leaking water hose but no one replaced it, on 9/27/16.drove my car threw winter then went to another machanic had the thermostat replaced on 6/30/17 still over heat, brought car back to Nissan dealer on 1/19/18 told them it still gurgels and there was a slight hesitation when driving and I noticed my power steering hose was leaking, was told I need a water pump and radiator, power steering said was fixed and visc valve was stuck open so replaced , said car is good to…”

NHTSA complaint #11065516, filed 2018-01, 212,012 miles

“This max had the transverse link recall performed in 9/02. At this time, the left axle was not properly placed back in the transmission. We took the car back several times and they kept blowing us off. Finally, my wife was driving the car in the mobile tunnel and the trans went out along with the steering and suspension. Nissan repaired the vehicle but it still drives like a piece of junk. These guys are ridiculous and need to be dealt with seriously. I have since filed suit but would appreciate any help.”

NHTSA complaint #10070093, filed 2004-01, 19,200 miles

“After the car has been driven awhile and warmed up, 30 mins or so. The steering wheel starts to jerk and the car pulls to the left. When this happens the car drives like it's on a flat tire, a kluck kluck kluck sound is coming from the front end, but the tires are not flat. I even replaced the old tires with new ones. The steering becomes very erratic. Ive taken it twice to a Nissan dealer and a sears auto center, and was told everything was tight in the front end. No one seems to know what the problem is, because they can't get the car to recreate this condition. …”

NHTSA complaint #10379033, filed 2011-01, 140,000 miles

“When I first purchased this car I had immediate problems with the power steering fluid. The check engine light has remained on the entire time. But the car was hemorrhaging fluid, groaning, whining, and my steering was becoming extremely loose. I call the dealer that sold me the car, because I dropped 4 grand on what seemed like a nice vehicle with under 100k on it. Well, I bought the car right off the lot and they refused to repair it. Cool, I respect that. IF the inspection reports and other papers are clearly falsified. It couldn't have passed inspection under normal situations. …”

NHTSA complaint #11445236, filed 2021-12

“Heated steering wheel sometimes reaches 119 degrees, way too hot. Nissan specs say 95 is max temp. I've measured it up to 119 degrees. Nissan has replaced the steering wheel, but didn't change anything. Nissan and the dealer say it meets Nissan specs, but they have never meassure it, and refuse to measure it, saying it meets specs ???? At 119 degrees I find it uncomfortably hot, and some people couldn't grasp it, which could lead to an accident. Dealer says another car on their lot gets real hot too, but again they refuse to measure it to either prove it in or out of specs. …”

NHTSA complaint #756331, filed 2002-01

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202015%
201916%
201744%
201696%
201444%
201312%
2012109%
201198%
201015857%
200916850%
200845%
200775%
2006173%
2005172%
2004373%
200331%
2002115%
200163%
200082%
199921%
199844%
199766%
199677%
199585%
199311%
199222%
199123%
199033%
198946%
198835%
198721%
198623%
198512%
1983120%

Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Maxima

Engine cooling
30 complaints
Air bags
29 complaints
Vehicle speed control
23 complaints
Electrical system
22 complaints
Exterior lighting
22 complaints
Brakes
20 complaints
Engine
19 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
14 complaints
Suspension
13 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
Fuel 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 27, 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