Four problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 2002 Nissan Maxima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Nissan Maxima based on all problems reported for the 2002 Maxima.
Purchased 2002 Nissan Maxima with under 30k miles 11/09. At 35k miles had transmission serviced. Now the transmission is completely shot at 38k miles. Nissan is refusing to admit a defect or a fault when there are over 100k complaints online to various websites and their customer service is pathetic and offensive. The vehicle has lost 3rd and 4th gear and is losing 2nd slowly but sureley. The transmission needs to be replaced yet Nissan is denying the claim because of the year it is. A quick search of google tells me that 2002-2006 Nissan Maximas have horrible transmission issues. This should be escalated to a recall due to the dangers of having the transmission drop out or having it catch fire which will happen if I continue to drive my car the way it is. I cannot afford a $2500 transmission with the economy the way it is. Something needs to be done to make this right.
Engine broke down on a 2002 niacin maxim & could not steer car correctly. It could not go without weaving back & forth, even though there is only 15,000. Miles on car & it is regularly serviced & maintained greatly (e. G. Kept in garage,never left unlock,etc. )there could have been serious consequences & involved a $900. Repair bill, for which niacin did nothing to compensate for or apologize for. If I had not had aaa tow it to the dealer, there would have surely been a terrible accident. Fortunately, this occurred at night & I had I only 3 blocks to get it home when there weren't any cars the road.
On Feb 2, 2002 my Maxima was parked on my driveway (on a slight hill) my husband's truck was parked behind it. I was atempting to move my car forward. I put the car in drive and pressed the gas pedal. Car jerked backwards damaging both vehicles. I immediately looked down at the gear shift and it was in the drive position. I had my car towed back to the dealership where they found nothing wrong with my car. Currently I am trying to work with corporate nissian to resolve this situation.
When vehicle was parked on an incline it rolled backwards a couple inches before consumer was able to press the accelerator.