2003 Nissan Maxima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 26%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Nissan Maxima, 26% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine would not start during lunch. It started after a couple of attempts after work and the service engine soon warning light came on. As I left my job and drove 1/2 mile, the engine stopped running on a three lane road in traffic as I was going 35-40 MPH. I managed to coast past an intersection and quickly turn without power steering into a parking lot.”
NHTSA complaint #10415909, filed 2011-07, 134,000 miles“I have a 2003 Nissan Maxima and am hearing an engine whine noise when the car is reaching higher speeds. I do not yet hear it when idling but I am told its only a matter of time before I do. The noise sounds kind of like what an alternator hum in a poorly grounded sound setup makes. You can turn off the radio and A/C but you can still hear it.”
NHTSA complaint #10260747, filed 2009-03, 87,000 miles“My 2003 Nissan Maxima shuts off without any warning I had my grandbaby in the car with me and traffic was moving pretty fast, after sitting for about 5mins it started back up. I took it to my mechanic and told that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. He also told me that it was a recall on this, so I took it to the Nissan dealer and they said it is not for my VIN number. I have 174,000 mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #10354175, filed 2010-09, 174,000 miles“On 9-2-2008 I was driving my 2003 Nissan Maxima it just stopped running, towed to the dealer they replaced crank position sensor. Called Nissan north america inc. And told them of the problem and ask about the recall of Maxima s that had this problem that said my car was not under the recall . The only response was sorry! Good thing I'm an experienced drive or I might have not been able to tell this- sorry no more Nissan cars!”
NHTSA complaint #10241925, filed 2008-09, 68,500 miles“The car stalled on my while I was still traveling at 60mph and I lost control of the car. The vehicle started drifting to the right forcing me to get off the road where it suddenly stopped. A little scary don't you think? The vehicle also had the check engine light on. I later had the car diagnosed and it pulled an po340 code(cam position sensor, crank position sensor) which was supposedly recalled by Nissan on oct 04. My car's manufacture date was 12/02. …”
NHTSA complaint #10213011, filed 2007-12, 41,200 milesRelated recalls
- 03V455000Nov 17, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder…Covers: Nissan Maxima 2002–2003, Sentra 2000–2003, Altima 2002–2003 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 10019613Mar 31, 2006Mil on with dtc u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
- 10019626Mar 30, 2006Engine oil cooler gasket available.
- 10019300Feb 8, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 40 | 4% |
| 2004 | 70 | 5% |
| 2003 | 54 | 26% |
| 2002 | 30 | 15% |
| 2001 | 28 | 16% |
| 2000 | 72 | 20% |
| 1999 | 38 | 23% |
| 1998 | 5 | 4% |
| 1997 | 12 | 12% |
| 1996 | 17 | 18% |
| 1995 | 22 | 14% |
| 1994 | 18 | 20% |
| 1993 | 10 | 13% |
| 1992 | 22 | 20% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 7 | 7% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 12 | 20% |
| 1987 | 21 | 12% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 13 | 24% |
| 1984 | 3 | 10% |
| 1983 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Maxima
43 complaintsAir bags
35 complaintsExterior lighting
26 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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