NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

2000 NISSAN MAXIMA

467 NHTSA complaints, 33 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000NISSANMAXIMA carries 467 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 33 crashes, 6 fires, 34 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 MAXIMA is electrical system:ignition with 115 filings, followed by electrical system (26) and electrical system:ignition:module (25). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2000 MAXIMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

467
Complaints
33
Crashes
6
Fires
34
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

467 filings

Crashes Reported

33 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION115
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL15
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
STRUCTURE:BODY14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR13
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
AIR BAGS11
SUSPENSION10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9

Recalls (3)

06E02600023/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 D

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Recent Complaints

20250205UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown

20210206TIRES

TIRES. GOODYEAR VIVA 3 MODEL, SIZE 215/55R16 (AND MOST OTHER SIZES). THESE TIRES GO OUT OF ROUND AT EXCEPTIONALLY LOW MILEAGE. AN COMMON COMPLAINT AT WALMART (THE ONLY RETAILER THAT SELLS THIS MODEL) IS THAT THE TIRES GO OUT OF ROUND, PRODUCE UNBELIEVABLE NOISE, AND VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE EXPERIENCE BOTH THESE EFFECTS AS WELL, AND THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON A NEWLY (DAYS BEFORE) ALIGNED VEHICLE, AND HAVE LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON THEM. SEE HTTPS://WWW.WALMART.COM/IP/GOODYEAR-VIVA-3-ALL-SEASON-215-55R16-93H-TIRE/42353801 FOR A LITANY OF THE ESSENTIALLY SAME COMPLAINT FROM HUNDREDS OF DRIVERS ON THE SAME MODEL OF TIRE. THESE TIRES SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD, THEY ARE NOT SAFE. TIRES THAT GO OUT OF ROUND, AT LESS THAN 5,000 MILES, SOMETHING IS GOING ON THERE. (IN MY CASE, I HAVE ONLY TWO OF THE TIRES (ONE AXLE) BUT ONE IS OK (SO FAR), AND THE OTHER IS CLEARLY NOT. BUT WHEN I WENT AND READ THE REVIEWS, I FOUND OVER HALF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLE

Mileage: 95,148

20181112UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20180829VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2000 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY OR SECONDARY ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTS TO BUCK. SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL AND SLIP LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. THIS CAUSES ME TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND DECELERATE IN HI SPEED TRAFFIC ALMOST LEADING TO REAR END COLLISIONS. I HAVE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BY RESETTING THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT AND SPEAKING TO MECHANICS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. AT TIMES THE TCS WILL ACTIVATE ( SOMETIMES STALL ) WHILE I AM PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY ( RPM'S GO TO 2000 MAXIMUM WHEN THIS HAPPENS ) CAUSING CONCERN TO MYSELF OR OTHER MOTORIST. THE VEHICLE HAS 190K AND I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 01/26/2018. THE VEHICLE OPERATED PERFECTLY UNTIL 07/2018. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE 04/2018 AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE CAR PUT IN A SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I AM CAPABLE OF DOING MY OWN MECHANICAL REPAIR ONCE I CAN DIAGNOSE THE ROOT CAUSE. I HAVE NO CH

Mileage: 190,000

20180829UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2000 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY OR SECONDARY ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTS TO BUCK. SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL AND SLIP LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. THIS CAUSES ME TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND DECELERATE IN HI SPEED TRAFFIC ALMOST LEADING TO REAR END COLLISIONS. I HAVE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BY RESETTING THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT AND SPEAKING TO MECHANICS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. AT TIMES THE TCS WILL ACTIVATE ( SOMETIMES STALL ) WHILE I AM PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY ( RPM'S GO TO 2000 MAXIMUM WHEN THIS HAPPENS ) CAUSING CONCERN TO MYSELF OR OTHER MOTORIST. THE VEHICLE HAS 190K AND I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 01/26/2018. THE VEHICLE OPERATED PERFECTLY UNTIL 07/2018. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE 04/2018 AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE CAR PUT IN A SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I AM CAPABLE OF DOING MY OWN MECHANICAL REPAIR ONCE I CAN DIAGNOSE THE ROOT CAUSE. I HAVE NO CH

Mileage: 190,000

20180529AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL, AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING... WON'T SHUT OFF. STATIONARY, MOVING, ANYWHERE

Mileage: 130,000

20180505SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 177,000

20170613ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 .

Mileage: 168,000

20170613ENGINE

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 .

Mileage: 168,000

20170613EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 .

Mileage: 168,000

20161229SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 98,000

20161229UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 98,000

20160928AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 126,000

20160915SERVICE BRAKES

OUR CONFIRMATION FOR EARLIER COMPLAINT IS : 10628840 SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, IT IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. WE HAD ENGINE LIGHT AND SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING CAR SOME TIMES STARTS WAVERING AND JUMPING. ALSO GETS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING. MANY OF THE NISSAN PLACES HAVE CHARGED US A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT THE PROBLEM STAYS THE SAME. CAN NOT BE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS. I HAVE SUBMITTED ALL THE DOCUMENTS WITH THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE AND HELP US. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20160915ENGINE

OUR CONFIRMATION FOR EARLIER COMPLAINT IS : 10628840 SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, IT IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. WE HAD ENGINE LIGHT AND SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING CAR SOME TIMES STARTS WAVERING AND JUMPING. ALSO GETS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING. MANY OF THE NISSAN PLACES HAVE CHARGED US A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT THE PROBLEM STAYS THE SAME. CAN NOT BE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS. I HAVE SUBMITTED ALL THE DOCUMENTS WITH THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE AND HELP US. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20160915SUSPENSION

OUR CONFIRMATION FOR EARLIER COMPLAINT IS : 10628840 SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, IT IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. WE HAD ENGINE LIGHT AND SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING CAR SOME TIMES STARTS WAVERING AND JUMPING. ALSO GETS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING. MANY OF THE NISSAN PLACES HAVE CHARGED US A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT THE PROBLEM STAYS THE SAME. CAN NOT BE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS. I HAVE SUBMITTED ALL THE DOCUMENTS WITH THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE AND HELP US. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20160705UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA CONSOLE IS "SOFT" AND SIDE DOOR CONSOLE PANELS. I READ WHERE OTHER 2000 MAXIMA'S HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT'S NOT DUE TO EXTREME HEAT OR ANYTHING. NUMEROUS COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I GOOGLE IT. THIS MORNING I TOOK AN ALCOHOL SWAB AND BLACK PAINT RUBBED OFF OF THIS AREA ON DOOR WHERE MOLDING FOR OPENING AN CLOSING/LOCKING DOOR. EACH MORNING WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR WHICH IS HOUSED IN A GARAGE THE INSIDE SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING BURNT. NEVER REALLY CONNECTED THIS WITH THE SOFT CONSOLE ARE UNTIL I READ ABOUT OTHERS COMMENTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE GUY EVEN CONTACTED NISSAN PRESIDENT AND NOTHING WAS DONE. PLEASE ADVISE THE CORRECT WAY TO SEE IF THERE'S A RECALL WHICH MY RESEARCH DIDN'T FIND ONE.

20160613CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 180,000

20160517STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 158,000

20160427STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Compare 2000NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA has 467 NHTSA complaints, 33 crashes, 6 fires, 34 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Yes, the 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION with 115 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE.
Is the 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.