Model year guide

2003 Nissan Maxima

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Nissan Maxima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 82 on record.

2003 Nissan Maxima — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Nissan Maxima at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints206
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$2,298

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Nissan Maxima recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V008000 · 09/01/2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) …

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #15V287000 · 15/05/2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 …

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #03V455000 · 17/11/2003

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #22E066000 · 09/08/2022

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan a…

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Nissan Maxima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2003 Nissan Maxima MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,025

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Nissan Maxima worth?

Low
$1,000
Typical price
$2,298
High
$4,200

From 81 comparable 2003 Nissan Maxima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Nissan Maxima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,125
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,250
Total$16,375
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,298) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,034), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Nissan Maxima trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · GLE
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl

2003 Nissan Maxima vehicles on record

2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D43T509242 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D53T503370 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A13T420055 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31AX3T406798 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D63T523143 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A73T437233 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31A83T412227 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A63T411819 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A43T425766 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A13T434036 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31AX3T400032 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D03T507746 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D43T502839 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31A43T409549 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D13T503625 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D93T525078 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A63T401775 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31A23T434871 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A53T411665 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31D23T511314 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A53T411164 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A13T423554 2003 Nissan Maxima GLEJN1DA31A23T442176 2003 Nissan Maxima 2003 Nissan Maxima SEJN1DA31A23T438256

Other Nissan Maxima model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

2003 Nissan Maxima — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Nissan Maxima have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2003 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Maxima?

Based on 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, air bags, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Maxima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Nissan Maxima at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2003 Nissan Maxima worth?

Comparable 2003 Nissan Maxima listings run roughly $1,000–$4,200, typically around $2,298 (from 81 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.