10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 25,486 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
2002 Nissan Maxima had ABS module failure. Consumer states that the brakes failed without warning. The consumer stated the problem began with a very loud ear piercing screeching noise when the brakes were applied. The sound was intermittent, so it was difficult for the dealer to duplicate. The consumer went to the dealer several times to have the brakes checked, but they were found to be ok. The consumer stated on one occasion, her husband applied the brakes and the vehicle did not stop, the ABS came on as he approached the intersection. The dealer informed the consumer the ABS actuator and the rear ABS sensor had failed. The screeching noise was due to a bad wheel bearing.
- Oxford, NJ, USA
ABS light came on when I was driving to town. Brakes seemed to work ok, so I continued. Got to town (40 miles), did my business, got in the car to go home. Started car, ABS light still on, drove 1 1/2 blocks, applied brakes as I approached intersection, and the pedal locked. Tapped the pedal, still locked. Car felt like it was still getting throttle. Put it in neutral, pulled the emergency brake, and luckily stopped before the intersection. Pulled into a parking lot, pushed the brake, and the same thing happened. Parked the car, and turned it off. Then, I decided to move it to another location in the parking lot and leave it for a tow truck. When moving it, I pushed the brake again, heard a noise, ABS light went off, and brakes worked again. Drove home. I am going to take it to the shop soon. Could have been a serious accident.
- Davenport, WA, USA
Unable to stop vehicle - brake failure on dry pavement. When brake pedal was applied, there was only a clicking sound as if the ABS was trying to engage for no reason - but brakes would not engage at all. Dealer later reported that this was due to a faulty ABS sensor on left rear but I am disturbed that this ABS failure would cause total brake loss. I am afraid to drive this car for fear of another ABS sensor going without any notice. I have had several other brake problems with this vehicle since I purchased new in 2002. The rotors have had to be replaced 4 times on vehicle with less than 55K miles (mainly highway miles). Dealer admitted that there is a problem with rotors warping on this car for no apparent reason. In addition, I had the back brake calipers seize up on me for no apparent reason while driving on turnpike.
- Ambler, PA, USA
ABS light illuminated on the dash. Subsequent total loss of braknig which nearly caused a crash between my vehicle and another. Only by acceleratng very hard through a stop sign, at which I was unable to stop, was I able to avoid an oncoming vehicle. According to my owners manual, whenever the ABS warnign light illuminate, I will lose only my ABS but will retain normal breaking. This proved not to be the case. I lost the ablity to stop. According to the manufacturer's dealership repair facility, the loss of ABS was a result of a non-functioning rear wheel speed sensor. The vehicle is currently being repaired by this repair facility. I will request that the failed part be kept and given to me.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
The contact stated the ABS had failed multiple times. During the first occurrence the brakes did not function. Upon inspection the dealership determined the right ABS sensor had to be replaced. The right sensor was replaced. The second failure occurred after the vehicle had been through the carwash. The brakes required more pressure to function properly. The sensor light stayed on for a couple of days. The problem went away by itself. In October 2005 there was a vibration in the steering wheel. After the dealership inspected the vehicle they replaced the brake rotors. When the problem returned the ABS light had come on and went off two days later. The brakes worked when the light came on and failed when the light went off. Upon inspection the dealership determined the left ABS sensor had to be replaced. The repairs had not been made.
- Ogden, UT, USA
In late November 2002 while driving the ABS brake failed which resulted in an accident. When the brakes were applied the vehicle slowed down but never stopped. Prior to the accident in Feb 2002, the ABS sensor went out. And repairs were made to the ABS system in Aug 2002.
- N. Sanit Petersburg, FL, USA
When I first bought the vehicle, the ABS light was on, I was assured by they sales person that it was a "minor sensor problem" in that regards I took the vehicle. When I came back to have the light checked I learned that it was something more serious since there was no "computer code" and according to the computer the car had nothing wrong with it. Manufacturer replaced ABS control unit and say car was ok. After a few days the car's front wheels starting to lock at low speeds, about 25 to 30 mph. When approaching a stop sign and applying the brakes a screech will come from the wheels, some times it will be coming from the left some times from the right side of the car. Locking of wheels was only once to three times a day. Contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs and they said to bring the car back. After a cople of days of contacting Nissan the ABS light came on again. Once at the dealer, Nissan determined that there was no output ground to light and that no code was coming on.this happened and 1588 miles.at 2054 miles car was taken again for ABS light on, once again there was no code coming from computer, in other words computer was saying nothing was wrong with car. Nissan replaced engine harness on vehicle. About 2 weeks later, after that repair, front wheels started to lock just as last time.. it will only lock for one time or two a day, , but same problem, this time ABS light is not on, Nissan was contacted and say nohting is wrong with car since the light is not on. On 08-14-2002 when driving vehicle out of a parking lot, speeds of about 15mph, pressed gas pedal, car is not responding ( there seems to be no traction on wheels for about 10 senconds) then "slip" light starts flashing for about 3 seconds, after this vehicle starts getting traction again and light stops flashing. Will meet with Nissan representative on 8-15-2002.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Every time the car is wash ABS slip and traction malfunctions. These lights also are displayed in the console.. this has occurred on several times. I took the car to the dealer and on more than four occasios, and problem still not resolve. The steering wheel and colum makes noise but dealer stattes they cannot duplicate. When ever I drive over bumps it is very pronunced.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
Can provide details-issue at hand is that Nissan has been contacted and cannot confirm cause of failure and now I do not feel safe in the car and requested technical confirmation of the safety in writing or a new car-they have not adequately responsed to me. Please contact for details...sincerely, julie horning. No safety defect listed.
- Roselle, IL, USA
- Huntington, , VA, USA