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 2003 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
It has the check engine light on, it takes time to start and when it is driving it turns off (but it turns on).it goes off on flat surfaces, and when you are on a rise that's where it takes to catch on.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the automatic headlight control sensor does not automatically activate. The sensor activates when conditions are completely dark. The failure has occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased, however, the contact first realized it at 5,000 miles. She has attempted to speak with the dealer on numerous occasions and was informed that someone would return her call. Her call has not yet been returned. The VIN, purchase date, powertrain, and engine size were unknown. The current mileage was 35,000 and failure mileage was 5,000. Updated 02-01-08 updated 02/01/08
Xenon HID headlights were stolen on the 2nd night I owned this car. Apparently this is a huge problem. The problem lies in the design of the headlights. The hood can be opened without any access to the inside of the car. Once the hood is opened, 2 bolts are all that attach the headlights to the car. An eyewitness claims the thieves had the headlights removed in under 2 minutes. Nissan understands the problem and has designed some attachments to prevent the hood from being opened from the exterior. The kit costs ~$350 to install.
Flaw in the design of the factory alarm system allows it to be easily disabled. Flaw/defect in the design of HID headlights in the 2002-03 Nissan Maxima. The lights are easily pried off the car with a crowbar. Criminals can steal them in less than 30 seconds. Anti-theft kit made available is also defective. Access to engine compartment is gained with a screwdriver or crowbar. Risk of driver injury is increased because of this.
HID headlights stolen from 2003 Nissan Maxima. Police, insurance company, and repair shop all indicated that this is a frequent occurrence specific to this vehicle. This is poor vehicle design and manufacturer should develop a solution and recall and correct the condition. Dealer installed an additional alarm for headlights at a cost of $400 to me. The alarm failed to function.
I have had the xenon HID headlights of my vehicle stolen three times over the past 6 months. I implore anyone even considering purchasing a 2002 or 2003 Maxima to reconsider. This is a marked car, and my attempts to gain the manufacturer's attention have failed. I hope if thieves take the lights again, that they steal the whole car, and relieve me of this curse.
The xenon headlights on my 2003 Nissan Maxima have become clouded with dramatically reduced lighting effectiveness. I have had to replace one headlight two years ago, and the other needs to be replaced shortly. This is a safety issue.
The headlights to a 2003 Nissan Maxima have been stolen on two separate occasions. On both occssions the thiefs bent the internal metal frame that mounts the bumper to the car to provide access to the headlight from below. This frame is a sheet metal stamping that can easily be bent by applying a small amount of a persons body weight to the structure. The sheet metal construction of the fender and hood also allow a thief to gain access to the headlight by forcibly bending back these structures. The plastic bracket that houses the headlight and mounts it to the frame of the car is shattered by prying it from the frame with a tool. This plastic structure is not sufficiently strong enough to deter a thief from stealing the headlight. There is an additional sheet metal structure that mounts the plastic headlight housing to the frame of the car. …
I had my xenon HID headlights stolen the week before christmas. It seems that if the assembly around the drivers side door handle is popped out slightly, the contacts underneath can be shorted and both windows lowered. Once in, it only takes a few minutes to take the lights. It's not the lights themselves that they are after, rather the hardware that powers the lights. Once they have the hardware they can put it in any car. Had I known that these lights were such a hot item, I never would have bought the car. Nissan is aware of the problem so they have provided repair facilities with repair kits to make the turn around time shorter. But that does nothing to the feeling of having your car violated. I drive in fear now. I can't go to the movies. If I go to the mall I have to sit in the car and send the wife in to do the shopping. …
I purchased the 2003 Nissan maximathe end of January 2003, I was never told that the headlights on these cars are easily removeable, by simply popping them out with a screw driver. So on May 21, my car's headlights were stolen. I complained to the Nissan corp but was told that there was noth they could do about the problem. They are aware of the situation, in fact they have already introduced the 2004 model with the headlights tamper proof. The police told me that this model car is very popular with the thieves and I should not keep this c ar in the street for more then 10mins at a time. So basically, I bought a car to keep under lock and key and not use at all. …
Headlight complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Nissan Maxima, 13% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan Maxima headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2003 Nissan Maxima, though it has 3 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 2003 Nissan Maxima headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 69% 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.