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2003 Nissan Maxima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Maxima.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Nissan Maxima carries forward as a passenger car equipped with an automatic four-speed transmission, with manufacturer oil fill of 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 API and EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 city, 24 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Positioned on the cusp of the nameplate's most complaint-heavy period, it has drawn 206 owner reports over its lifespan — concentrated in engine and engine cooling — alongside four recalls on file. That tally places it just shy of the 2004 model year, which marks the all-time complaint peak of 1,425 reports across 1990-2023, meaning a researcher examining this car is looking at the leading edge of a documented reliability slide rather than an isolated bad year, and is far removed from the single-complaint floor the Maxima would reach in 2015.

Model year2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 445 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 445 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-55HR17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546V0100
Fuel filter	164002Y505
Spark plug	224015M016 alt 224015M014
Front wiper blades	288902Y91C alt 288902Y907
Serpentine belt	1195031U00 alt 1192031U02
Thermostat	1305031U00 alt 212008J10B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.3 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	3294 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 24 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	102 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Maxima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2003 SE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	SE 3.5L V6	6.00 sec	14.70 sec	255 hp	FWD
2000	SE 3.0L V6	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	222 hp	FWD
2000	SE 3.0L V6	8.00 sec	16.10 sec	222 hp	FWD
2000	GXE 3.0L V6	8.10 sec	16.20 sec	222 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.4 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	21-24 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5.0-6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	188-245 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	14-22 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.10 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	445 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression	185-142 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	106-126 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	73-94 ft-lbs / 28-38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0039 in / 0.0007 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.945 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.945 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.866 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

29-36 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

29–36 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees
5	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4-7 ft. lbs., step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., step 3: 20-23

4–7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Maxima sits at the end of its generation, following a period where complaints and recalls fluctuated significantly. The generation started with a spike to 377 complaints in 2000, then settled to 181 in 2001 and 220 in 2002, while recalls climbed from 3 to 9 over those same years. By 2003, complaints held at 206 and recalls dropped sharply to 4, suggesting that earlier issues may have been addressed. However, the very next model year saw complaints explode to 1,425, indicating that the 2003 model’s relative calm does not carry forward into the redesigned generation. The data does not specify root causes for the 2003 complaints, which center on engine and air bag areas. Overall, the 2003 Maxima appears to be a more sorted end-of-generation choice, but its low recall count and the subsequent spike in the 2004 model imply that its reliability may not be indicative of the broader generation, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is advisable.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

206

Owner complaints

13 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 206 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling48

Engine29

Air Bags26

Exterior Lighting21

Electrical System8

Unknown Or Other6

Power Train6

Structure5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V008000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 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… Remedy: 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…

15V287000Air BagsReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 66 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Maxima. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 24F battery Vehicles taking 4.4 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546V0100 Fuel filter 164002Y505 Spark plug 224015M016

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Maxima take?

4.4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Maxima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Maxima get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.