10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 5
Average Mileage:
3,769 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Nissan Maxima lights problems

lights problem

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2002 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #20

May 072004

Maxima

  • 3,450 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Moisture developed in the headlights which could cause the headlights to malfunction at anytime. Dealership refused to inspect the vehicle to find the cause of the moisture.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #19

Apr 012004

(reported on)

Maxima

  • miles
Headlights were stolen six times. Manufacturer was aware of the problem.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #18

Mar 212004

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
On March 21, the headlights on my Nissan Maxima were stolen for the second time. The first time it happened few months ago. It's really difficult to pay a $500 deductible every time the headlights are going to be stolen. I think it's going to continue all the time. If I knew the headlights were such a target for thieves, I would have never bought the Maxima.

- Summit, NJ, USA

problem #17

Jan 072004

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 for one head light with body work. You canT use your turn signals if a headlight is missing very very unsafe and Nissan should be held responsible for this design.

- Belleville, NJ, USA

problem #16

Oct 142003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 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 X 5 = $7,500 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 headache is not going away until I get rid of the car or sue Nissan to solve this problem all Nissan Maximas 202-2003 owners should sue Nissan and maybe they will do something or all come together and file a class auction suit against Nissan please! please! please!!! do so asap. I actually went and bought infrared cameras to monitor my car so maybe I can catch who is stealing the lights, this is really bad thanks for listening.

- Broolkyn, NY, USA

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problem #15

Dec 092003

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
Headlights were stolen twice. Headlights could be stolen in just a matter of minutes. Vehicle had no insurance to cover stolen parts.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #14

Nov 052003

(reported on)

Maxima

  • 17,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights were stolen 3 times while vehicle was parked, per consumer.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #13

Oct 292003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,700 miles
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.

- Passaic, NJ, USA

problem #12

Oct 242003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
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.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #11

May 152003

Maxima

  • miles
Vehicle's headlight and headlight assemblies were stolen. The consumer felt that a recall should be issued and requested a reimbursement of all monies accrued due to the repair.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #10

Oct 162002

Maxima

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Head lights were stolen from the vehicle. Damage was done to the electrical system, hood and bumper because thief knew that there was no motion sensor alarm. The brackets holding each $724 light is made of plastic and can easily be snapped/broken. The anti-theft kit doesn't do anything because it doesn't fix the issue that the lights can still be removed by breaking the bracket without opening the hood. The horn wiring was also removed because of its easy accessibility through the grill.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #9

Aug 222003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2K2 hid theft. Front lights. Hood, grill, electrical, fender and bumper damage.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jul 112003

(reported on)

Maxima

  • miles
Consumer felt that Nissan should recall the vehicle and remedy the xenon headlights. The headlights can be stolen easily.

- Long Beach, NY, USA

problem #7

Dec 102002

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,027 miles
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.

- Livingston, NJ, USA

problem #6

Apr 282003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Both my headlights were stolen for the second time on 4/28/03.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #5

Dec 302002

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,200 miles
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.

- Bradford, PA, USA

problem #4

Jun 012002

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Headlights easily stolen. Access to the electronics under the front door handle are easily manipulated to open both passenger and driver side windows. By doing this you can pop the hood.

- Astoria, NY, USA

problem #3

Feb 282003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
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. To take hid head lights out of this vehicle, mechanic has to remove bumper, few steel beams, and lots of screws including hidden ones. It would take more than an hour. 2002 & 2003 Nissan Maxima's head lights are too easy to steal which costs consumers time and money to replace. For example, it took more than 3 weeks to repair since parts are out of stock due to increasing number of stolen head lights and it cost insurance company over $2,500 plus rental car which totals more than $3,500. I will be glad to see Nissan designs a anti-theft device that would make stealing head lights much harder and distribute it at their expense.

- Little Ferry, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jun 062002

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
"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.? not a happy customer...........I will continue inform my family, friends, employees, and any one I come in contact with interested in purchasing a Nissan vehicle this needs to be resolved immediatelly!!!!

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #1

Jan 272003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
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, why should the owner have to pay for something that Nissan has created by connecting the head lights in this manner??

- Orange, NJ, USA

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