2000 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 360 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (45% of complaints); the 1998 and 1999 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 360 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The structural support on the bottom of the radiator and the main engine mount is rusted all out now my car is unsafe to drive the car when I was driving was making a noise from the front of the car and then pulled over to discover that the the motor mount was rusted out from the radiator support”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2018
“Car was in motion when it lost power and stalled the dashboard has no light and battery is charged than when driving the car it drains and shuts off .”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
“I was driving normally on freeway with heavy traffic. The weather was clear, and the road was flat and had no obstacle. Then the airbags on driver side and passenger side deployed even though I did not hit anyone or anyone hit me. I did have one collision one year earlier in which the airbag did not deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Upon inspection the frame and cross member are rusted beyond repair. It is now too dangerous to drive and ultimately useless. The mechanic is afraid to let the car down off the lift to support its own weight. How is this even possible and even close to acceptable? This car has been stored in a garage, not driven often, and properly maintained. This is completely unacceptable.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2000 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 55 mph, consciousness was lost and as a result, the driver crashed into the rear end of a tractor trailer. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back and whiplash injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“The frame is almost completely rusted out on my 2000 nissan maxima with 158,000 miles. My mechanic had it up on his lift last week and pointed out that the left driver side portion had a break in it and was unsafe to drive. One more pot hole and the engine/tranny will be in the street. Will never buy a nissan vehicle again.”Owner report · Structure · May 2016
“I purchased this car at a buy here pay here lot the ABS system warning light is on and the brakes almost go to the floor I was told it was the acculator of the braking system failure and dealership said there may be a recall it should be cause the cost is over 1,000.00 dollars to repair the car runs good but that is alot of money to spend on a used car known for this issue and that no dealerships buy here pay here lots for people who have no credit get stuck with a good running car and the brakes are a big safety issue”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2016
“I am the original and current owner of a 2000 nissan maxima with about 115,000 miles. My mechanic recently told me that the maxima needs about $2000 of body work due to rusted floor boards and engine mount. The maxima was immaculately kept in a garage for most of its life so I don't understand why this rust problem should be happening. I believe this is a safety hazard that nissan should address and rectify.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2016
“There was no failure; mechanic noticed bad sidewall on right tire. Shortly after, sidewalls went bad on two additional tires with dry-rot cracking noticed throughout treads. Wire bands can be seen on left front tire sidewall from a "gouge-out". Many deep cracks on original right front tire; back left tire is starting to crack on sidewall from the inside (it appears). Tires are michelin greenx energy saver a/s radial tubeless, p225/50r17 95v, dot b0(?)0a 00nx 0510. Car is 2000 nissan maxima se VIN [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2015
“I have a 2000 maxima with 150,000 miles. I carried it for inspection and it failed due to the front end being rusted out. The piece that holds the front engine mount is completely rusted out.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 26 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Maxima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 360 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is electrical system (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.