2003 Nissan Maxima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 13%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Nissan Maxima, 13% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The xenon headlights on my 2003 Nissan Maxima have become clouded with dramatically reduced lighting effectiveness. I have had to replace one headlight two years ago, and the other needs to be replaced shortly. This is a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10373598, filed 2010-12, 90,000 miles“I have had the xenon hid headlights of my vehicle stolen three times over the past 6 months. I implore anyone even considering purchasing a 2002 or 2003 Maxima to reconsider. This is a marked car, and my attempts to gain the manufacturer's attention have failed. I hope if thieves take the lights again, that they steal the whole car, and relieve me of this curse.”
NHTSA complaint #10010920, filed 2003-03, 18,000 miles“It has the check engine light on, it takes time to start and when it is driving it turns off (but it turns on).it goes off on flat surfaces, and when you are on a rise that's where it takes to catch on.”
NHTSA complaint #11330520, filed 2020-06, 188,000 miles“It has the check engine light on, when the car is up, it takes time to start and when it is driving it sometimes turns off, but if they turn it on again if it starts.”
NHTSA complaint #11330525, filed 2020-06, 188,000 miles“Hid headlights stolen from 2003 Nissan Maxima. Police, insurance company, and repair shop all indicated that this is a frequent occurrence specific to this vehicle. This is poor vehicle design and manufacturer should develop a solution and recall and correct the condition. Dealer installed an additional alarm for headlights at a cost of $400 to me. The alarm failed to function.”
NHTSA complaint #10060426, filed 2004-03, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10032306Nov 27, 2013Nissan: exterior lamp fogging. Occasionally water is noticed in the exterior lamps. This is generally not due to a defect. All current exterior lamp assemblies are vented to the…
- 10021508Apr 18, 2007Exterior lamp fogging.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2014 | 19 | 20% |
| 2013 | 9 | 15% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 0% |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% |
| 2003 | 26 | 13% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Maxima
54 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsAir bags
35 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 31, 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