Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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 seemed like a nice vehicle with under 100k on it. Well, I bought the car right off the lot and they refused to repair it. Cool, I respect that. IF the inspection reports and other papers are clearly falsified. It couldn't have passed inspection under normal situations. But since the dealer owns their own shop, they could slap stickers on busted vehicles and send them off to be sold. Eventually they do me " A favor" by replacing the power steering actuator/pump hoses & did work on towards a DTC code P0550. They give me that favor by charging me only for the parts, no labor. …
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 number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) and would not receive a second free repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Consumer states that when vehicle was purchased the service engine soon light came on. Consumer states that when vehicle is driven at 60 MPH it shuts off. Consumer says the crank position sensors, cam shaft position sensors, and variable timing control sensors codes came up. Consumer says these are the same codes that were covered under the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While driving at a low speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The air bag warning indicator illuminated and "service engine soon" was displayed across the message board. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the crank position sensors were not replaced per the recall remedy. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V287000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to make hissing noises and completely shut down. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V287000 (air bags). The technician made the manufacturer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000. The consumer stated the air bag was replaced. Also, the check engine light illuminated. However, the dealer stated there would be a charge to diagnose it. Updated 03/17/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the cam shaft position sensor and the variable timing sensor failed, which were both connected to the circuit board. The vehicle was taken to headquarter Nissan (1725 whittlesey rd, columbus, ga 31904) and the contact was informed that the only recall pertaining to the vehicle was for NHTSA campaign number: 15V287000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 88,000.
The car experiences significantly reduced engine power, u nable to rev above 2500 without it feeling limited. The engine suddenly stops running without warning during vehicle operation making it difficult to steer or brake to get to a safe location.this has occurred 3 times this past week and I have stopped driving the vehicle. I'm now wondering if the dealer actually performed the recall (NHTSA campaign #03V455000) back in 2003!!! They need to recall this again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was a sudden loss of acceleration and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after approximately fifteen minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
I have a check engine light that codes to a "cam position sensor" problem. I was going to have my regular mechanic repair it, but then I was told that there was a previous recall on this part. I called Nissan and they said to take it to a certified Nissan dealer and verify it was a "cam position sensor" code. The dealer verified it was.the dealer said their records showed that part had been replaced once before, but Nissan said the repair would be taken care of. When I brought the car in for the repair, the dealer called me later to say he couldn't repair the part because the problem was the connector not the sensor. The cost just happened to be the same price as the cam position sensor. ($260.00) I found that to be a very coincidental. L told them not to replace the connector and I would like to research the cost of the connector to make sure they weren't pulling the wool over my eyes. …
While driving on they highway my vehicle "jerked" while I was going roughly 70mph. When that happened it kind of hesitated and then my "slip" and TCS light came on. Later on that day my vehicle completely stalled while stopped at a intersection. It started back up but started very hard. I arrived at my destination and turned it off for roughly 10 minutes. I tried to start it and it would not start. My vehicle sat for about 2 hours and when I tried it again, it started right up. I researched this problem and found that there was a recall for nissans for the crank position sensor. All of these issues I had seemed to match up with this recall. Per Nissan my VIN number was not one of the affected vehicles. I find that hard to believe. I had to get my vehicle fixed so I did that today. The problem with my car was the cam position sensor and the crank position sensor. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor May have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s).
Engine complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Nissan Maxima, 23% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Maxima engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Maxima engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.