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2000 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Maxima years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Nissan Maxima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 99.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

231 reports with mileage · 129 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 171 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports6 fire reports17 injury reports

Power Train complaints

22 reports
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120,000 miles · Apr 25, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION MOUNTS BOTH FRONT AND REAR FAILED

NHTSA ODI #10712851

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

THE SUB FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT IS ONLY PARTIALLY ATTACHED AS THE MAIN BEAM IS SEVERELY RUSTED. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T A RECALL ON SOMETHING SO DANGEROUS, AS A FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT CAN RESULT IN THE HOOD LATCH GIVING WAY OR THE MOTOR DROPPING FROM THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607739

99,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesSteering

CAR COMPLETELY LOOSES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WITH NO DRIVER AND OR PASSENGER RECOURSE BUT TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE BEFORE A CAR COMES UP BEHIND YOU. 93 COMPLAINTS SEEN ON LINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . SEEMS I SAW OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS IN THOSE COMPLAINTS TO NISSAN PETITION THAT HAD 2001 2002 AND 2003 . THE IGNITION CO…

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CAR COMPLETELY LOOSES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WITH NO DRIVER AND OR PASSENGER RECOURSE BUT TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE BEFORE A CAR COMES UP BEHIND YOU. 93 COMPLAINTS SEEN ON LINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . SEEMS I SAW OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS IN THOSE COMPLAINTS TO NISSAN PETITION THAT HAD 2001 2002 AND 2003 . THE IGNITION COIL WIRES ARE BEING REPLACED AND SOMETIMES THE IGNITION MODULE. TAKES A LOT OF MONEY TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND THE COST TO FIX IS USUALLY 600 TO MORE THAN 1000 DOLLARS, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE THINGS REPLACED TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS. ALL COIL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WONT SHOW WHICH CYLINDER IT IS, WHEN DRIVING ALL LOSS OF RPM THEN STOPS SUDDENLY WITH NO STEERING BECAUSE IT LOCKS UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566207

97,000 miles · Nov 23, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE PLACED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO START. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10436907

110,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND ATTEMPTED TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JERKING OCCURRED ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT TOOK THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND ATTEMPTED TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JERKING OCCURRED ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VIA THE INTERNET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422914

139,072 miles · Dec 27, 2010
Power TrainStructure

I RECENTLY HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED (NOV. 2010) ON MY 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR SUPPORT IS CORRODED WITH RUST DUE TO VERY POOR QUALITY. I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTO MECHANIC THAT THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AND THAT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THIS COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FALLIN…

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I RECENTLY HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED (NOV. 2010) ON MY 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR SUPPORT IS CORRODED WITH RUST DUE TO VERY POOR QUALITY. I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTO MECHANIC THAT THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AND THAT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THIS COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD TO FILE A COMPLAINT SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING WITH MANY NISSAN MAXIMAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372542

15,000 miles · Nov 17, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

TRANSMISSION FAILURE: BOUGHT VEHICLE IN APRIL OF '99. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AT 15K. REMAN TRANS UNDER WARRANTY. 2ND SLIP OCCURRED AT 30K UNDER WARRANTY. DENIED VEHICLE TRADE. REMAN TRANS. 3RD OCCURRENCE AT 45K, REPLACED TRANS W/ OEM UNDER WARRANTY. DENIED TRADE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGH TEMP FOR LONG DRIVES (2 HR INCL…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE: BOUGHT VEHICLE IN APRIL OF '99. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AT 15K. REMAN TRANS UNDER WARRANTY. 2ND SLIP OCCURRED AT 30K UNDER WARRANTY. DENIED VEHICLE TRADE. REMAN TRANS. 3RD OCCURRENCE AT 45K, REPLACED TRANS W/ OEM UNDER WARRANTY. DENIED TRADE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGH TEMP FOR LONG DRIVES (2 HR INCLINE) AND HAD TO WAIT FOR THE TRANS TO COOL BEFORE IT DROVE AGAIN, ONE OCCURRENCE AT 55K, OIL OK. STILL INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS/SLIPPAGE. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM. DENIED TRADE. IGNITION COILS: KNOCKING, BAD GAS MILEAGE, AND POWER LOSS DUE TO IGNITION COIL FAILURE AT 70K. WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL COILS RATHER THAN THE ONE THAT WAS DAMAGED AND ALL SPARK PLUGS. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AFTER REPAIR. REPLACED ALL COILS, PLUGS AND ALTERNATOR ($1500). STILL HAVE POWER LOSS & OCCASIONAL KNOCKING. NO HELP FROM NISSAN. DENIED TRADE. SUSPENSION: CONSTANT KNOCKING OF TIRE AREA AT 60K. ALL 4 HUBS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AT 65K. ALL 4 STRUTS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO AT 65K. NO HELP FROM NISSAN. NISSAN QUOTE $3000. OPTED OUTSIDE REPAIR FOR $1000, NO MORE PROBLEMS. EMISSIONS: MORE LOSS OF POWER (3000RPM+) AND BAD GAS MILEAGE. PROBABLY LINKED TO IGNITION COIL PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED TO 1 OF 4 CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR FAILURES. 130K. NO HELP FROM NISSAN. $3000+. FAN: LOUD NOISE WHEN A/C IS ON. ONE FAN DEFECTIVE AT 80K. FAN BLADE RUBBING ON METAL FRAME. REPLACED FAN $200. NO HELP FROM NISSAN. CONCLUSION: I WANTED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE CONSIDERED A LEMON AND TRADED. I HAD NO COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN OR THE MAXIMA LINE. I ONLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH JUST MY CAR. JUST WANTED A NEW MAXIMA. 5 LEMON ATTEMPTS WITH NISSAN, REJECTED EACH TIME. DISMISSED UNDER STRICT LEMON LAW STIPULATION REGARDING REPAIR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS AND GUIDELINES OF REPAIR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND HAVE MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS AND DATES OF EACH OCCURRENCE LISTED ABOVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249029

113,000 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Power Train

MY MAXIMA JUMPS OR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. IT WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE (PRESSING THE GAS JUST CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV). I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND IT WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE BREAKDOWN WITHOUT BEING HIT. I …

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MY MAXIMA JUMPS OR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. IT WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE (PRESSING THE GAS JUST CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV). I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND IT WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE BREAKDOWN WITHOUT BEING HIT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND THEY "THINK" IT'S THE TRANSMISSION, BUT NOT SURE. IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE THEN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT APPARENTLY IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSANS 2000 AND LATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237053

80,000 miles · Sep 10, 2007
Power Train

LONG DRIVES IN HOT WEATHER (ABOVE 85 DEGREES) CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. IT USUALLY OCCURS 45 MINUTES INTO A STEADY DRIVE OF 60 TO 75 MPH OR HEAVY STOP AND START DRIVING. PULLING OVER AND WAITING 10 TO 15 MINUTES WILL CURE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN IF THE SAME TYPE OF DRIVING CONTINUES. WHEN THE WEATHER IS …

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LONG DRIVES IN HOT WEATHER (ABOVE 85 DEGREES) CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. IT USUALLY OCCURS 45 MINUTES INTO A STEADY DRIVE OF 60 TO 75 MPH OR HEAVY STOP AND START DRIVING. PULLING OVER AND WAITING 10 TO 15 MINUTES WILL CURE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN IF THE SAME TYPE OF DRIVING CONTINUES. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOL OUT FALL THROUGH SPRING, THE PROBLEM RARELY OCCURS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE INTERNAL SEALS OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THEY GET TOO HOT THEY EXPAND AND ALLOW FLUID TO "BLOW BY" WHICH DECREASES PRESSURE IN THE VALVE BODY CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE. I HAVE FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION EVERY 30,000 MILES AT THE DEALER SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF PROBLEM. I HAVE TWO 2000 MAXIMA'S, BOTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A CO-WORKER OF MINE WITH A 2001 MAXIMA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THERE ARE INTERNAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT EXPECT NISSAN TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, HOWEVER THEY MUST KNOW THEY ARE LOSING CUSTOMERS. THIS COMES ON TOP OF THE IGNITION COIL PROBLEM I HAD WITH BOTH VEHICLES, WHICH OF COURSE NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10202330

75,000 miles · May 27, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES, ENGINE WOULD TAKE A LITTLE LONGER TO START ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TAKING LONGER FOR FUEL TO GET TO ENGINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 80,000 MILES. CODE INDICATED BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. MECHANIC RESET AND A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER IT CAME ON AGAIN. MECHANIC DETERMINED …

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AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES, ENGINE WOULD TAKE A LITTLE LONGER TO START ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TAKING LONGER FOR FUEL TO GET TO ENGINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 80,000 MILES. CODE INDICATED BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. MECHANIC RESET AND A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER IT CAME ON AGAIN. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED TO PASS SMOG CHECK FOR $460 ALSO, AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES, CAR HAD INTERMITANT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHICH BECAME MORE PROBLEMATIC IN RAINY WEATHER. I WOULD FLOOR ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. MECHANIC PRESSURE TESTED FUEL PUMP AND FOUND IT TOO LOW AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP FOR $478. THIS SOLVED PROBLEM FOR A FEW MONTHS AND IT BEGAN HAPPENING AGAIN. THEN, ONE DAY I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE AND IT WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE WHEN I SHIFTED IT. I PUSHED MY CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO GO IN DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING TO MECHANIC'S, I PUT CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WOULD LOSE POWER INTERMITANTLY TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED. I TOOK IT OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND FLOORED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE SAME PREVIOUS PROBLEM OCCURRED. IT REVED ENGINE BUT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. WHEN I GOT TO MECHANIC, IT WOULD GO IN REVERSE. HE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT DIDN'T GIVE ENOUGH CLUTCH PRESSURE UNTIL IT WAS DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. IT WAS A FAILING TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED THIS AND THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE. IT WOULD COST OVER $3,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS, FRONT TIE ROD GREASE BOOT, COMPRESS COIL SPRING, TIE ROD OUTER END AT 134,000 MILES FOR $1100. AT 137,000 MILES, THE EGR VALVE & GASKET FELL OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE EGR VALVE HOUSING WAS BROKEN AND IT WAS REPLACED FOR $340. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON THIS VEHICLE, I CANNOT AFFORD $3000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND WILL BE SELLING MY FIRST AND LAST NISSAN VEHICLE EVER.

NHTSA ODI #10158441

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.