NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

2001 NISSAN MAXIMA

225 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001NISSANMAXIMA carries 225 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 4 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 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 2001 MAXIMA is air bags with 26 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (16) and electrical system (13). 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 7 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 2001 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.

225
Complaints
15
Crashes
4
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

225 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS26
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
SUSPENSION9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM7
ENGINE7
STRUCTURE:BODY6
EQUIPMENT4
STEERING4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
SEATS4

Recalls (7)

02V14600030/05/2002

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PIN AT THE END OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK (LOWER CONTROL ARM) COULD BREAK WHERE IT IS MOUNTED TO THE FRAME.

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

15V28700015/05/2015

AIR BAGS

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 deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may caus

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

22E06600009/08/2022

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2

20V00800009/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are

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

20221016STEERING

Unknown. Recently bought vehicle, it's in great condition other than there is noticeable problems with the front and rear steering and suspension, missing airbags with no sign of being wrecked, windows and window buttons don't work as well as power seat, and a awful gas smell and fume. Inside vehicle after. Pumping gas. Wanting to see about any recalls or defects that can be fixed without out of pocket costs if at all possible . Don't know the vehicles recall or repair history.

20221016FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Unknown. Recently bought vehicle, it's in great condition other than there is noticeable problems with the front and rear steering and suspension, missing airbags with no sign of being wrecked, windows and window buttons don't work as well as power seat, and a awful gas smell and fume. Inside vehicle after. Pumping gas. Wanting to see about any recalls or defects that can be fixed without out of pocket costs if at all possible . Don't know the vehicles recall or repair history.

20221016SUSPENSION

Unknown. Recently bought vehicle, it's in great condition other than there is noticeable problems with the front and rear steering and suspension, missing airbags with no sign of being wrecked, windows and window buttons don't work as well as power seat, and a awful gas smell and fume. Inside vehicle after. Pumping gas. Wanting to see about any recalls or defects that can be fixed without out of pocket costs if at all possible . Don't know the vehicles recall or repair history.

20210702AIR BAGS

2001 Nissan Maxima. Consumer writes in regards to Airbag Safety Recall. THE CONSUMER STATED MILEAGE IS INCORRECT ON THE DEALER'S DOCUMENTATION.

20190825AIR BAGS

TAKADA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND IT WON'T STOP BLINKING I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS

Mileage: 250,000

20190718AIR BAGS

FEW DAYS AGO THE AIR BAG RED SYMBOL START BLINKING. THEN, I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TRY TO RE-START THE ENGINE BUT DOESN'T START ENGINE ANYMORE. CAR IS UNUSABLE. THANKS TO GOD! ITS JUST HAPPENED CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. CAR WAS LEFT AT THE FRONT OF MY HOME.

Mileage: 15

20180204AIR BAGS

BLINKING AIRBAG LIGHT. BLINKS ALL THE TIME. BEEN DOING THIS FOR 5 MONTHS.

Mileage: 130,000

20171213AIR BAGS

TAKATA INFLATORS

20171211VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WITH THE SUN ROOF OPENED, THE GLASS DETACHED AS THE SUN ROOF WAS BEING CLOSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CLAIM WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A RECOMMENDED AUTO GLASS REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E038000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20171211VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WITH THE SUN ROOF OPENED, THE GLASS DETACHED AS THE SUN ROOF WAS BEING CLOSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CLAIM WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A RECOMMENDED AUTO GLASS REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E038000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20171207AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL HI, THE REASON WHY I'M WRITING IS I HAD A RECALL QUITE SOME TIME AGO ABOUT A YEAR MAYBE AND IT WAS DONE BUT A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON THE DASH FLASHING AND IT STILL FLASHING AND I DO KNOW THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE ON LIKE THIS SO I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS, IF SO COULD YOU PLEASE SET UP AN APPOINTMENT SO I CAN FILL SAFE WHILE DRIVING.THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I LOOK TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON.

Mileage: 128,478

20171106AIR BAGS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS CONTUIOUSLY BLINKING

20171027AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED OFF AND ON. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.*BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ON THE COMPLAINT. *JS CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND FLASHES. CANNOT GET A STICKER FOR THE CAR UNTIL IT GETS FIXED. UPDATED 8/6/18*JB

Mileage: 120,000

20171025STRUCTURE:BODY

THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT BAR AND SURROUNDING LOWER STRUCTURE STARTED RUSTING AWAY AFTER ABOUT 4-5 YEARS FROM NEW. THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT IS NOW ALMOST ENTIRELY GONE. THE DEALER QUOTED $5400 TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT IF/WHEN THE CORE SUPPORT LET GO, THE ENGINE COULD FALL CAUSING A WRECK.

Mileage: 12,000

20171025ENGINE

THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT BAR AND SURROUNDING LOWER STRUCTURE STARTED RUSTING AWAY AFTER ABOUT 4-5 YEARS FROM NEW. THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT IS NOW ALMOST ENTIRELY GONE. THE DEALER QUOTED $5400 TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT IF/WHEN THE CORE SUPPORT LET GO, THE ENGINE COULD FALL CAUSING A WRECK.

Mileage: 12,000

20160913AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ORC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20160703CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOWENS MILL RD. IN DOUGLAS GA WHEN A VEHICLE THAT HAVE ON THEIR TURN SIGNAL INVOLVED ME HITTING THE BACK OF HER VEHICLE. THERE WASN'T MUCH DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SEVERELY. THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE CAME OUT BUT DIDN'T. IN 2015, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON NISSAN AIRBAGS, SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN TIFTON, GA. I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF THEY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG OR NOT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CLOSE WHEN THEY BEGAN TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE. MY APPOINTMENT WAS AT 9AM AND I DIDN'T GET OUT OF THEIR TO CLOSING. THE EMPLOYEES WAS READY TO GO ABOUT THE TIME THEY BEGAN TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, LOOKING AT THE DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE, THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE CAME OUT BUT IT DIDN'T. I WILL BE SUBMITTING PHOTOS OF DAMAGES.

Mileage: 239,000

20160703CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOWENS MILL RD. IN DOUGLAS GA WHEN A VEHICLE THAT HAVE ON THEIR TURN SIGNAL INVOLVED ME HITTING THE BACK OF HER VEHICLE. THERE WASN'T MUCH DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SEVERELY. THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE CAME OUT BUT DIDN'T. IN 2015, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON NISSAN AIRBAGS, SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN TIFTON, GA. I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF THEY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG OR NOT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CLOSE WHEN THEY BEGAN TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE. MY APPOINTMENT WAS AT 9AM AND I DIDN'T GET OUT OF THEIR TO CLOSING. THE EMPLOYEES WAS READY TO GO ABOUT THE TIME THEY BEGAN TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, LOOKING AT THE DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE, THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE CAME OUT BUT IT DIDN'T. I WILL BE SUBMITTING PHOTOS OF DAMAGES.

Mileage: 239,000

20160703CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING

I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOWENS MILL RD. IN DOUGLAS GA WHEN A VEHICLE THAT HAVE ON THEIR TURN SIGNAL INVOLVED ME HITTING THE BACK OF HER VEHICLE. THERE WASN'T MUCH DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SEVERELY. THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE CAME OUT BUT DIDN'T. IN 2015, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON NISSAN AIRBAGS, SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN TIFTON, GA. I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF THEY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG OR NOT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CLOSE WHEN THEY BEGAN TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE. MY APPOINTMENT WAS AT 9AM AND I DIDN'T GET OUT OF THEIR TO CLOSING. THE EMPLOYEES WAS READY TO GO ABOUT THE TIME THEY BEGAN TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, LOOKING AT THE DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE, THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE CAME OUT BUT IT DIDN'T. I WILL BE SUBMITTING PHOTOS OF DAMAGES.

Mileage: 239,000

20160205STRUCTURE:BODY

THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT BEAM RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE SUPPORT TO BRAKE FREE FROM THE BEAM. NOW THE ENTIRE LOWER SUPPORT BEAM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH COST OF LABOR AND PARTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO ALL THE CAR WEBSITES AND THE YOUTUBE VIDEOS SHOWING HOW TO CHANGE OUT THE BEAM. I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS. FOR AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SEEM TO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM 5 YRS AGO ACCORDING TO THE VIDEOS AND REPORTS. ACCORDING TO THE BODY SHOP THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS TYPE OF CORROSION ISSUES WITH THIS NISSAN MODEL AND YEAR. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IF THE BEAM BREAKS WHILE IN MOTION AT HIGH SPEED. THERE ARE STILL A LARGE NUMBER OF THIS YEAR AND MAKE ON THE STREET AND NO WARNINGS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Mileage: 177,000

Compare 2001NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA has 225 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 4 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Yes, the 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA is AIR BAGS with 26 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2001 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.