2002 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,450miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Nissan Maxima, 7% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,450 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Takata recall!!! My passenger air bag seat light is flashing. Also I bought the top crankshaft position sensor and it had a recall, is my vehicle covered? My control arm needs to be changed can you please advise me on the next decision I should make.. I'm taking it to gerald Nissan in north aurora for the second time for the airbag.”
NHTSA complaint #11046628, filed 2017-11, 150,000 miles“I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima se. I bought my car used with 98,000 miles on it. For the first year it was great but then it just started going down hill. When I would slow down a little bit to about 10 MPH and then press on the gas the car would buck. When I would go in reverse and stop and put it in drive the would not go into gear for about 5 seconds and when it would finally go into gear it would make the car buck. Then things just kept getting worse and worse. The car would buck in every up-shift and every down shift. …”
NHTSA complaint #10279093, filed 2009-08, 120,000 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“The car had a recall performed on 08/02/2011 to replace crankshaft and camshaft position sensors, the car ran perfectly before the said recall. The mentioned recall also included an earlier recall which was ineffective. Some time after the recall was performed the car would stall intermittently without triggering a code. Finally the stalling triggered a code on 01/29/13 which was a crankshaft position sensor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10552289, filed 2013-11, 25,612 miles“Per Nissan, no recalls on the following= 1.cd player does not work, shows error 2. Fuel gauge does not work, shows full all the time and have ran out of gas-complete safety hazard!! 3.transmission needed replaced-did not have reverse-complete safety hazard 4.catalytic converter needed replaced-stalled on the side of the highway due to loss of power and avoided an accident-complete safety hazard 5.motor needed replaced-motor quit working while on the highway-avoided an accident while I lost power. …”
NHTSA complaint #10625897, filed 2014-08, 120,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V010000Jan 11, 2002On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a traction control system, the odometer in the subject vehicles registers distance in kilometers instead of miles…Covers: Nissan Maxima 2002
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% |
| 2004 | 934 | 66% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 5 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Maxima
30 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsEngine
19 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 29, 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