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Nissan Maxima 2002

The 2002 Nissan Maxima has a 3.5 L engine. It gets 20 MPG combined (17 city, 24 highway), per the EPA. 9 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Midsize Cars Front-wheel (FWD)
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Nissan Maxima
Representative photo of the Maxima. It may show a different year or version. Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
3,500 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainFront-wheel (FWD)
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,860 × 1,790 × 1,430 mm (191.3 × 70.5 × 56.3 in)
Wheelbase2,750 mm (108.3 in)
Curb weight1,459 kg (3,217 lb)
Body styleMidsize Cars

Dimensions and weight: Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC).

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2002 Nissan Maxima 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data
NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2002 Nissan Maxima 4-DR. w/SAB
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
17 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Emissions
276 g/km
COâ‚‚

Recalls

9 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 22E066000 · 2022-08-09 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 20V008000 · 2020-01-09 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

AIR BAGS 15V287000 · 2015-05-15 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS 09E025000 · 2009-05-11 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E012000 · 2009-04-07 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 03V455000 · 2003-11-17 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM 02V146000 · 2002-05-30 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS CAN CAUSE A KNOCKING SOUND AND ABNORMAL STEERING. THIS COULD RESULT IN DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINKS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES WITH NEW ONES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 02V043000 · 2002-02-12 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP TO COME ON AND THE ENGINE SPEED TO BE SEVERELY LIMITED. IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 800-662-6200.

POWER TRAIN 02V010000 · 2002-01-11 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ODOMETER TO DETERMINE IF IT IS CORRECT AND, IF NOT, WILL REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 12, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 2025-03-24 · NHTSA

[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2025-03-05 · NHTSA

Driving vehicle on road and the accelerator pedal no longer working vehicle. coasted to the side. Car had to be towed. Vehicle cranking without problem but will not accelerate pedal goes to floor. At consideration of purchase of vehicle, car fax and all details about vehicle were viewed for possible purchase. Items…

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2025-01-27 · NHTSA

unknown. Vehicle on roadway and it just stop accelerating in the middle of traffic. Research of vehicle before purchase refers to several issues that I would like to verify that those items are not a factor in my use of my vehicle. I have concern about lights, airbag, sensor, and I dont want to have a problem w…

WHEELS 2022-11-09 · NHTSA

the vehicle failed front wheel bearing replacement. I took it to the mechanic because when i was driving there was a very loud noise and didn't feel well. The mechanic told me that I could have had an accident because the tire was about to come off the vehicle.

AIR BAGS 2022-08-12 · NHTSA

The contact owned a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V-008000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as he is no longer the owner of the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted.

STEERING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2021-12-28 · NHTSA

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 …

AIR BAGS 2020-08-21 · NHTSA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V008000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GILMAN NISSAN FORT BEND LOCATED AT 26001 SOUTHWEST FWY, ROSENBERG, TX 77471, AND AFTER TWO DAYS IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. TH…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2020-06-02 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN…

STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,AIR BAGS,TIRES,SERVICE BRAKES Crash 2020-02-18 · NHTSA

[XXX] POWER STEERING SYSTEM TIRES FUEL PUMP AIR BAGS BATTERY EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FALLING APART SINCE 2018, IT'S BEEN FIXED AND COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM COMES UP. EVERY MECHANIC THAT TOUCHES THIS CAR, SAID THE SAME THING TO CHECK UP THE RECALL STATUS. BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES WITH IT, AND…

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2019-05-22 · NHTSA

CAR STARTS BUT DIES DOWN AFTER A FEW MILES

ENGINE 2019-04-17 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

AIR BAGS 2019-02-22 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FRED ANDERSON NISSAN OF RALEIGH (9225 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617, (919) 324-3443) WAS CO…

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have?
The 2002 Nissan Maxima has a 3.5 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2002 Nissan Maxima?
It gets 20 MPG combined (17 city, 24 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2002 Nissan Maxima have recalls?
9 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Air Bags (2022-08-09).
What are the common problems of the 2002 Nissan Maxima?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Air Bags.

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