Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In sept. 2014, my car was in for service and recall number "03V455000" was performed. The 2 camshaft sensors and 1 crankshaft sensor were to all be replaced. In April 2016, my car was experiencing problems with all 3 sensors. My car would stop at any moment (stopped or driving). I've been in many intersections or the interstate and it'll die on me and take a long time to crank back up. I had to pay over $120 at the dealership to get the diagnosis. Upon looking at my recall paperwork, only the crankshaft sensor was replaced. When bringing that info to dealer, they claimed it was a kit that included all 3 sensors. Every single internet search, including Nissan's own public parts website, says that part # 23731-al60c is a single crankshaft sensor and could not prove that their internal/private parts system claimed it was a kit. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder and it would not restart. The vehicle was jumpstarted and driven to an independent mechanic (auto zone in rochester, minnesota) who diagnosed that the alternator failed. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic, but the vehicle stalled again. The friend of the independent mechanic diagnosed that the bushing failed. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence and had not been driven since. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
I own a 2002 Nissan Maxima with low miles, approximately 102,000. The engine turns over but does not start. The dealer states that the problem within the electrical harness and behaves as if the alarm remains armed. The dealer stated that he owned the same car around that year and the same thing occurred. The car has been cared for properly over the years and feel the manufacturer should assume some responsibility for the repair.
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 go so when my girl friend and I got in the car the check engine light was on he said it's probably because of the new parts he then took the light off said drive it 30 miles so I could have a smog done, drove south bound on hwy 101 in santa rosa going 60 MPH and the car shut down and all lights …
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. The dealer confirmed that the crankshaft position sensor code was triggered but denied that it had anything to do with the stalling problem and returned the car with the intermittent stalling condition without a diagnoses. Eventually the car was diagnosed as a bad crankshaft position sensor and repaired on 11/08/2013 after two more visits to the dealer and numerous calls to Nissan north America. …
Problem related to cam position sensors (cam shaft sensor and possibly vias sensors). This intermittent failure, causes the car to buck. Often this will cause the car to stall. This issue is prominent with a large percentage of Nissan Maxima 2002 owners as well as a number of additional Nissan years and models (murano, altima). The frequency of the issue occurring for Nissan owners as well as the severity - stalls have occurred for me us at any time including middle of intersection and also on the highway resulting in some very close calls and potential upcoming accidents. Nissan's negligence in recalling and fixing this problem, is likely to lead to accidents and loss of life. The Nissan dealer has not responded to my direct requests to please fix the issue as they will only do this if Nissan issues a recall. …
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. I went over and beyond always replacing the motor oil & filter at 3000 miles 6.speakers quit working and will blare back on unexpectedly while driving startling me, the volume does not work-complete safety hazard 7.front air bag sensor corroded and had to be replaced-thankfully no injuries as a result if I had been in an accident! …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima gle. When accelerating from a stop, the vehicle will completely shut off and not restart. The incident occurred twice and the vehicle was towed to a mechanic on both occasions. The first time the battery was replaced and the second time the cause of failure was determined to be the crank position sensor. The contact is experiencing the same failure as noted in recall # 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 54,550. The consumer stated Nissan did not find the cause of the problem, when the vehicle was taken to an independent dealer he determined the cause was a fluctuating voltage given out by the alternator and a worn wire harness which could of shorted the system. Upon the repair of the defects, there is no further investigation needed. …
Purchased used from dealer in petaluma california in February 2010. No problems until vehicle began loosing power while driving at 55. Dash ABS indicator light came on. Vehicle suddenly slowed to 5 miles an hour, RPM's decreased. Steering still enabled as well as brakes. Almost caused accident several times. Towed to dealer (santa rosa Nissan, santa rosa california). Rented a car. Just received call from dealer stating I need an alternator, belts and have a massive oil leak at valve cover gasket. Told him I spilled oil yesterday, my mechanic already checked for leaks, there are none. Made him aware of the 3 recalls on this vehicle addressing loss of power (2 out of 3 recalls). Said he would check and get back to me. My mechanics have not mentioned belts or alternator to me.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While approaching a stop at approximately 5 MPH, the engine shut off. After the vehicle lost power, the contact started the engine and drove to the dealer. No failures were found. Shortly afterwards, the contact received a recall notice, which stated that the electronic control module was defective. She returned the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that they repaired the vehicle. A few months later, the failure recurred. The contact returned to the dealer and they stated that they would repair the vehicle at the contact's expense. The current mileage was 71,000 and failure mileage was 68,000.
Electrical complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Nissan Maxima, 11% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Maxima electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Nissan Maxima, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Maxima electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.