2002 Nissan Maxima: check engine light

Filed Dec 28, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

When I first purchased this car I had immediate problems with the power steering fluid. The check engine light has remained on the entire time. But the car was hemorrhaging fluid, groaning, whining, and my steering was becoming extremely loose. I call the dealer that sold me the car, because I dropped 4 grand on what seemed like a nice vehicle with under 100k on it. Well, I bought the car right off the lot and they refused to repair it. Cool, I respect that. IF the inspection reports and other papers are clearly falsified. It couldn't have passed inspection under normal situations. But since the dealer owns their own shop, they could slap stickers on busted vehicles and send them off to be sold. Eventually they do me " A favor" by replacing the power steering actuator/pump hoses & did work on towards a DTC code P0550. They give me that favor by charging me only for the parts, no labor. Totally cool, if work was done. It still has the same electrical tape in areas that was "fixed". They clear my codes and off I go. Engine light cuts on again and I'm having the same issues. My power steering fluid looks like it's boiling or bubbling as well. Still getting the P0550 code as my main DTC. Except now, I'm having major problems and my car has been sitting for a month. Not sure if the leaky fluid corroded components from before. As of now I'm throwing DTCs for P0171, P0305, P0550 (twice), believe I have a vacuum leak, my exhaust system is damaged internally from the misfire codes and has also broken apart near the rear muffler, among other pending codes. Lastly, I was coming home from work and my car completely loses power and bogs waaaay down. Engine light is flashing and I have no control or power. I limp home, park the car, and haven't drove it since other than for test drives. After countless repairs for the same issues, among new repairs and issues I'm broke. Issues started on 3/24 through 12/21 Not had this car for a year and it's been a constant pain ever since.

Filed Jan 28, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 212,012 miles · CA

Over heating gurgling in over flow, had radiator flushed and topped off,still over heat,looking at my recites it says I have a leaking water hose but no one replaced it, on 9/27/16.drove my car threw winter then went to another machanic had the thermostat replaced on 6/30/17 still over heat, brought car back to nissan dealer on 1/19/18 told them it still gurgels and there was a slight hesitation when driving and I noticed my power steering hose was leaking, was told I need a water pump and radiator, power steering said was fixed and visc valve was stuck open so replaced , said car is good to go so when my girl friend and I got in the car the check engine light was on he said it's probably because of the new parts he then took the light off said drive it 30 miles so I could have a smog done, drove south bound on hwy 101 in santa rosa going 60 MPH and the car shut down and all lights where flashing, had no power to get in a safe place off the freeway, coasted down the off ramp to gas station and called nissan, they said have it towed back, while waiting for tow I lifted my hood to find not only was my power steering still leeking but two other hoses were leeking as well. When I looked at my recite it said found that both power steering hoses were leeking as well as high pressure power line but only pressure hose was replaced, I asked why they all weren't replaced while showing them the leak they said we will order those hoses today and I don't have to pay, lol really? One day later the manager wanted to speak to me with the mechanic ,long story short now I need a alternator, battery, coil,spark plugs,so I go and buy the spark plugs and alternator another $ 321 and $245 to fix , it sits now at nissan with more problems then ever,and it almost cost my friend and I my life on the freeway, I looked up recalls on my year and found there where some on it shutting down

Filed Feb 4, 2016 · Airbags, Engine · 68,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan maxima. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to make hissing noises and completely shut down. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v287000 (air bags). The technician made the manufacturer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000. The consumer stated the air bag was replaced. Also, the check engine light illuminated. However, the dealer stated there would be a charge to diagnose it. Updated 03/17/16.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Engine · 137,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after braking to a complete stop. Several warning lights in the instrument panel became illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop however, they were unable to determine a cause of failure. The failure and current mileage was 137,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2012 · Engine · 123,273 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a diagnostic was performed. The failure was located at the camshaft position sensor. The dealer replaced the camshaft position sensor and the electrical connection was cleaned however, the failure was not corrected. The check engine warning light was also still illuminated. The stated that the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) was prior to the failure. The failure and current mileage was 123,273. Updated 01/30/13*lj updated 1/31/2013

Filed Jul 20, 2012 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway doing 75 MPH in san francisco, I stepped on the gas pretty hard and let off a second or two later. Right after that the car went into limp mode and would not accelerate at all. I had to go across 3 lanes with no acceleration. Very scary. Pulled over and tried to rev the engine to no avail. I then turned the car off and then started it again and it seemed to act normal. The check engine light flashed for a awhile then went to solid. About two hours later I went to pass another vehicle and it did it again. I pulled over and turned it the vehicle off again. This seems to be a pattern with this car when I push on the peddle to accelerate. Since january of 2012 it has happened a total of 7 times. I brought it to a shop where I was told that there was a voluntary recall campaign for this problem on 2002 nissan maximas. I went to the nissan dealership and was told that my car was not in this recall. My concern is why is it not in this recall when it is clearly displaying what the "other" 2002 nissan maximas are doing?? This vehicle is unsafe for freeways and other fast moving areas. Could someone please help me and let me know what channels I need to go through to get this looked at? I have called the northern region nissan dealer and they were very rude and told me that it was confidential and wouldn't tell me anything. This is my car that drives my family around, I have every right to know what is going on. Has any other complaints come in about this happening to their 2002 model that was not in this recall? I bought this car in january of 2003 with 22,000 miles on her and she now has 134,000. Please help me.

Filed Jan 27, 2012 · Engine · 130,400 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan maxima. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the crank position sensor had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 130,400.

Filed Jul 14, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 136,025 miles · MD

Had a throttle body cleaning done on my car and as soon as I left the mechanic shop my engine light came on. I have since had to replace the throttle body and still my car will not relearn (and that was done at a nissan dealer), now they say I need a new computer. I have also lost 75 miles a tank in gasoline sine the fuel system cleaner. The shop will not take responsibility, nissan will not take responsibility, and the 3 step fuel system cleaner manufacturer will not take responsibility. In fact, they all blame eachother and still my car is not fixed, im -75 miles a tank, idle is high, idle's high when I push the brake pedal, engine light wont go off and still wont re-learn.

Filed Oct 6, 2009 · Engine · 117,482 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan maxima. While driving 40 MPH the service engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then the vehicle stalled. He was able to restart the vehicle, but it stalled four times afterwards. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility and a mechanic concluded that the cam-shaft position sensor failed. He notified the dealer in reference to recall# 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). He was advised that since his vehicle identification number was excluded from the recall, he was ineligible for a free remedy. No repairs were made. He was in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 117,482.

Filed Feb 9, 2009 · Engine · 70,000 miles · WI

I have a check engine light that codes to a "cam position sensor" problem. I was going to have my regular mechanic repair it, but then I was told that there was a previous recall on this part. I called nissan and they said to take it to a certified nissan dealer and verify it was a "cam position sensor" code. The dealer verified it was.the dealer said their records showed that part had been replaced once before, but nissan said the repair would be taken care of. When I brought the car in for the repair, the dealer called me later to say he couldn't repair the part because the problem was the connector not the sensor. The cost just happened to be the same price as the cam position sensor. ($260.00) I found that to be a very coincidental. L told them not to replace the connector and I would like to research the cost of the connector to make sure they weren't pulling the wool over my eyes. To date the repair hasn't been made. Is there a danger to my wife if she drives this vehicle? I'd like nissan to pay for the cost of the connector. My case file with nissan is # 6381655. The representative I spoke with was marcus. His extension at nissan's 800 phone number is # 41490. Are there any other complaints about this part going out twice? I'd appreciate any help you can give me. *tr greg thompson

Filed Nov 14, 2007 · Acceleration · 43,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan maxima. While making a right turn at 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The speed decreased dramatically and the RPM's 1500. Soon afterwards, the check engine light illuminated. After at the dealer, the accelerator pedal sensor code appeared. The accelerator pedal sensor was replaced. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v043000 (vehicle speed control). The current and failure mileages were 43,000. The consumer stated dealer repaired vehicle at the cost of $564.14. Updated 12/04/07

Filed Sep 25, 2007 · Engine · 25,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 nissan maxima. While driving between 2 and 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The power steering and brakes failed and the service engine warning light illuminated also. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer stated that the crank position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 25,000 and current mileage was 60,189.