Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
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 on recall are now a concern as a safety issue.
I lease a 2002 Nissan Maxima. This car has a known issue regarding its headlights. The issue is 1) the headlights are very expensive 2) they are, therefore, well-liked by thieves and 3) they are very easy to steal. As a result, they are stolen frequently. One headlight assembly was stolen from my car last week. The car is not roadworthy without it. Blinkers don't work. If one has no choice but to drive to a body shop, if the hour is late, if one is in an unsafe neighborhood, the car must be driven in such condition. This is a design defect that should have caused Nissan to recall this model long ago.
The HID headlights on my 2002 Nissan Maxima gle were stolen at about 12.30 in the afternoon while I was visiting a friend in downtown newark, nj. I took the car to the nearest dealer, nissanworld of springfield, nj. While there I met other 6 other Maxima owners who had the same experience in other parts of nj. The service manager told us that 48 other maximas in hillside, nj had their HID headlights stolen. Nissan ought to do something about this. Some owners had their HID headlights stolen more than once. They have since been replaced but at additional insurance cost.
Theft of 2002 Nissan Maxima xenon headlights and grill causing over $3500 of damage. I believe that faulty Nissan design has lead to widespread theft of these lights. According to local police, headlights can be stolen in one minute or less. Nissan has turned a deaf ear to complaints other than "theft deterrent kit" which will not prevent would-be thief from damaging vehicle in attempt to steal lights. I believe Nissan has responsibility to correct this awful situation.
Headlights were stolen from the vehicle. Damage was done to the electrical system/hood and bumper. The brackets holding each $724 light were made of plastic and could easily be snapped or broken.
I have a 2002 Nissan Maxima. Its head light has been stolen twice in the past 6 months, once in ridgefield park, nj and the other in west paterson, nj. Both cases, they popped out the grill then popped head lights from side. The rumor I heard was that some dealer had 14 pairs of Maxima's head lights stolen. I have been searching internet forum, listening to mechanics, and searching places to gather information regarding this matter and found out that these head lights can be stolen within few minutes. In fact, on second time, 2 Maxima's in same parking lot had head lights stolen within matter of minutes as witness recalled. I have spoken to a Nissan dealer and they said, "(they) provide anti-theft device for such but won't be affective since it's a different type of hood latch." and, I have to pay for it. I have another vehicle with HID. …
I hope Nissan would take my headache away by taking back their garbage 2002 Maxima, because this car is a piece of garbage and Nissan should be a shamed of themselves to manufacture a $750.00 light with two plastic brackets that my 7 year old son can break out of the car within (30 seconds yes 30 seconds) my xeon light has been stolen five times (5) from January, my car has sit in the Nissan repair ship for about six months out of the year. Could Nissan explain this or try to comprehend this problem that it's customers are going trough, do they even care, Nissan make from me alone 1,500.00 x 5 = 7,500.00 not to mention the other thousand of people that is going trough the same problem. Nissan should be sued to fix this problem, or refund the deductibles for their manufacturing defects that was design for theft. …
"my 2002 Maxima has caused me soooo much headaches since I purchased it ! The head lights are too easily stolen ,I have been a victim of these stupid lights twice. I have call Nissan north America, Nissan consumer affair,the dealer. .still contnues to sellthe car, without informing the cutomer/consumer about the serious problems these lights are causing consumers....I just want Nissan to allow me to change the headlight housing and put the conventional 2001 headlight without voiding my warranty. I no longer desire to posses these HID xenon lights. I don't condone Nissan , because the sale pereson new about the light nightmare., and never , mention anything. I would have appreciated his honesty rather then the car. What are their priorities.? …
Head lights easily stolen on Nissan Maxima 2002, 2003 I have a 2002 Maxima se and the other day my head lights were stolen while the car was parked outside my mother in law's house. I found out this has been an on going problem with this vehicle and Nissan isn't telling anyone about this problem when purchasing this vehicle tha the way the lights are connected they are easily stolen and will be an on going problem as long as you own this vehicle. Nissan will retro fit new lights at the owner's expense about $300.00, why should the owner have to pay for something that Nissan has created by connecting the head lights in this manner??
I had the datadot anti-theft device that Nissan came out with installed to prevent the headlights assembly theft problem. And guess what, they still stole the right side. The good thing is that the transformer was bolted to the frame of the car and was not stolen, the bad things is they caused more damage to the finder/hood and front bumper not only that, but a portion of the headlight assembly stayed in the car the damage was $2400.00 for one head light with body work. You can t use your turn signals if a headlight is missing very very unsafe and Nissan should be held responsible for this design.
Headlight complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2002 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Nissan Maxima, 11% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Maxima headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
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.