CarBrief

NHTSA has 360 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Maxima[1], nearly half of them name the electrical system[2]. The agency lists no recalls for this model year[3].

360owner complaints[1]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 360 complaints for this year[1]. They are unverified owner reports, and 25 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 26 injuries[1]. Two deaths are reported[1]. One complaint can name several components, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Electrical system[2] 171 52,500
Engine[5] 81 60,000
Brakes[6] 32 29,000
Air bags[7] 23 106,500
Power train[8] 22 97,000
Structure[9] 22 111,632
Suspension[10] 17 60,000
Speed control[11] 12 91,500

Electrical. This is the biggest group, with 171 complaints and 3 fires[2]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, several describe failed ignition coils[2], with misfiring, rough running or loss of power[2]. One describes a coil catching fire. Others describe stalling in cold weather or a computer fault[2].

Engine. In a sample of 12 texts, 6 describe the engine stalling[5], often with no warning and sometimes with no cause found by the dealer. A few mention a check engine light and catalytic converter work[5].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 texts, several describe shaking or vibration, with warped rotors named as the cause[6]. A few describe the pedal going to the floor[6]. The median failure mileage is 29,000, the lowest of the groups above[6].

Air bags. There are 23 complaints, with 20 crashes and 25 injuries[7]. In a sample of 12 texts, 11 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[7]. The other says they deployed but did not inflate[7]. These are owner accounts, and we cannot tell from them whether each air bag should have deployed.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2000 Maxima[3]. That does not mean nothing ever failed. Owners still filed complaints, as shown above[1].

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions with the 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, regular fuel and front-wheel drive[12][4].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Automatic 4-spd[12] 18 / 26 / 20 $3,350
Manual 5-spd[4] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,200

EPA bases the fuel cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA has not rated the 2000 Maxima in its 5-Star program[13][14]. Both listed body versions say not rated[13][14].

Engine and size

The EPA fuel economy entries list a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine[12][4]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan GXE/GLE/SE, converted from metric[15]. They can differ slightly from US models.

Measurement Value
Length[15] 191 in
Width[15] 70 in
Height[15] 57 in
Wheelbase[15] 108 in
Curb weight[15] 3,199 lb

How 2000 compares with other years

1995: 152 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 96 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 102 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 113 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 165 complaints, 0 recalls2000: 360 complaints, 0 recalls36020002001: 172 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 205 complaints, 6 recalls2003: 206 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 1,426 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 948 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 576 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 129 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 79 complaints, 0 recalls2009: 339 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 275 complaints, 1 recalls20102011: 106 complaints, 0 recalls2012: 107 complaints, 0 recalls2013: 62 complaints, 0 recalls20132014: 96 complaints, 0 recalls2016: 142 complaints, 8 recalls2017: 106 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 36 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 18 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 22 complaints, 1 recalls20202021: 3 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2023: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2023
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Maxima model year. The 2000 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951520
1996960
19971021
19981131
19991650
20003600
20011723
20022056
20032063
20041,4262
20059482
20065762
20071291
2008790
20093391
20102751
20111060
20121070
2013620
2014960
20161428
20171064
2018362
2019181
2020221
202130
202250
202310

With 360 complaints[3], 2000 sits above every Maxima year from 1995 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2003[3]. The adjacent years are 1999 with 165 and 2001 with 172[3]. Only 2004 (1,426), 2005 (948) and 2006 (576) have more[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. Years 2001 to 2003 carry recalls (3, 6 and 3), while 2000 has none[3].

Should you buy a used 2000 Maxima?

The record is mixed. There are no recalls on file[3], but the complaint count is high for this model line[3], and the biggest group is electrical[2]. Owners in our sample often describe ignition coil trouble[2], and some describe stalling[5]. Ask for service records covering the ignition coils and brakes. The air bag complaints are serious, since 20 of 23 mention a crash[7]. Our data cannot say whether any one car has these problems, so have a mechanic inspect it first.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Nissan Maxima?
Electrical system complaints lead with 171 of 360[1][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, ignition coils appear often[2].
Does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2000 model year[3].
What gas mileage does the 2000 Nissan Maxima get?
EPA lists 18 city, 26 highway and 20 combined MPG for the automatic[12], and 19, 25 and 21 for the manual[4].
How does the 2000 Maxima compare with other years?
Its 360 complaints are more than 2001 with 172 and 1999 with 165, but fewer than 2004 with 1,426[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 360 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Nissan Maxima (25 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 26 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 171 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Maxima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Maxima, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 81 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 32 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 23 complaints name the air bags component group (20 crashes, 0 fires, 25 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 22 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 22 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 111,632). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for Maxima, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAXIMA 4DR SEDAN GXE/GLE/SE: length 191 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,199 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.