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 2003 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000.
Please fix your auto fill --- it just erased everything! Anyway, the engine cuts out while driving in traffic. The engine cuts out while waiting at a red light. The engine cuts out while turning. It's ALL random! The engine code shows P0340, Bank 1 and Bank2, and sometimes P0345. I have replaced the camshaft position sensors FIVE times!!!!! I have tried both Auto Zone and Hitachi, and neither of them solves the problem. I also paid to have the crankshaft sensor below replaced, and that didn't help. I am told that this problem has been posted online and it was recommended to only use OEM parts. This is very dangerous to lose power while in traffic, and then having to wait until the engine will restart, which eventually it does. This is an ongoing problem. PLEASE help!!!
Was driving on 4 lane divided road at approx. 50 MPH. When depressed gas pedal to accelerate, car acted like it wasn't getting gas. After a few seconds, it acted normal again. Came upon stop light. As I was waiting for light to change, engine suddenly cut off without any warning, all dash lights flashed. I immediately cut the A/C, radio and lights thinking it was my battery going bad. I put the car in park and restarted it with no problem. I immediately drove approx. 15 miles to nearest aaa shop to get battery checked. Battery checked out fine and mechanic looked under hood and could not see anything obvious. I got home and found out that this year Nissan had been recalled for camshaft problems. The description of camshaft problems (engine suddenly turning off) made me suspicious especially since it had been recalled. …
I have experienced problems cranking the car, I purchased a new battery and battery terminals. This appeared to quick fix it but soon after the speedometer stopped working and the check engine light came on. Soon after followed TCS control and ABS light came on. I took it to a mechanic and the diagnosis involved a problem with the camshaft position sensors and crankshaft position sensors. I purchased a book about the car and read that my make and model had a recall. After double checking online about the recall I noticed it appeared to be the exact same problem. Convinced, I went to my local Nissan dealership to have them check however it was explained to me that my VIN number was not recalled. I want to have my VIN number placed on the NHTSA recall list so that I May have my vehicle repaired. If this is not possible please advise further. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, a burning odor emitted inside of the vehicle with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The transmission then failed to operate. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. After waiting fifteen minutes, the vehicle restarted normally and the problem recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and they were unable to locate a problem. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 01v3570000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the problem who stated that the vehicle had been previously repaired under the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and all warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 47,000. Updated 7/13/15 the consumer stated the vehicle hard to start. Updated 07/16/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine stalled and all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was merged over to the emergency lane, where it was turned off and restarted; however, the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the crank shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 9/25/2015 ..updated 10/19/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced trouble starting and the engine power was reduced. The service engine soon warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control sensor, crank position sensor, and camshaft position sensor were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,171.
I recently purchased a 2003 Nissan Maxima that was maryland state inspected. I drove it for about a week when I was driving along on a busy road and the car stalled in the middle of the roadway. Luckily, nobody was injured or hit the stalled car. The car had to be towed to the Nissan repair shop. It was diagnosed with two defective camshaft sensors. I found out that this part was recalled under Nissan's recall program, so I called them to see if they would replace the part. They refused to cover the cost of the replacement of the part even though they replaced these parts before under your recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. While driving 40 MPH, the brake lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to crank twice before being able to be restarted. The engine light illuminated shortly after the failure. The vehicle was taken to a repair facility. The technician stated that the cam shaft sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. However, the vehicle was not a part of NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 145,000.
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 2003 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Nissan Maxima, 47% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 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 2003 Nissan Maxima engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 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.