NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Nissan Maxima[1]. The engine group has the most, with 35 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the groups, biggest first. - Engine. 35 complaints[2]. Owners describe warning lights that keep coming back, failed oxygen sensors, a rusted exhaust joint and hard starting. - Air Bags. 29 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners say the bags stayed shut after a collision. - Electrical System. 27 complaints[6]. Owners describe smoke and burning wires under the hood, flickering dash lights and a heating and cooling control that quit. - Suspension. 24 complaints[7]. Owners describe worn struts, bearings and a control arm, plus a rear end that bottoms out with a full car. - Brakes. 23 complaints[8]. - Speed Control. 11 complaints[9]. - Structure. 9 complaints[10]. - Power Train. 8 complaints[11]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2001 Maxima is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V008), January 2020. About 307,962 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags (15V287), May 2015. About 1,090,569 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm (02V146), May 2002. About 90,500 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4-DR W/SAB None[16], 4-DR None[17].
How 2001 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 152 | 0 |
| 1996 | 96 | 0 |
| 1997 | 102 | 1 |
| 1998 | 113 | 1 |
| 1999 | 165 | 0 |
| 2000 | 360 | 0 |
| 2001 | 172 | 3 |
| 2002 | 205 | 6 |
| 2003 | 206 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1,426 | 2 |
| 2005 | 948 | 2 |
| 2006 | 576 | 2 |
| 2007 | 129 | 1 |
| 2008 | 79 | 0 |
| 2009 | 339 | 1 |
| 2010 | 275 | 1 |
| 2011 | 106 | 0 |
| 2012 | 107 | 0 |
| 2013 | 62 | 0 |
| 2014 | 96 | 0 |
| 2016 | 142 | 8 |
| 2017 | 106 | 4 |
| 2018 | 36 | 2 |
| 2019 | 18 | 1 |
| 2020 | 22 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Maxima show 172 complaints and 3 recalls for 2001[3]. Among the 28 model years listed, 19 have fewer complaints than 2001 and 8 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2023 (1) and the most are for 2004 (1,426)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2001 Maxima?
The 2001 Maxima has a long complaint list, with 172 reports on file[1]. Engine problems lead the list[2], and air bag complaints come next[5]. Some air bag reports mention crashes[5] and some electrical reports mention fires[6], so those deserve a close look. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the engine, wiring, suspension and brakes is a sensible step.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
- Engine complaints lead the list[2], followed by air bags[5] and the electrical system[6]. See the problems section for details.
- Does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have recalls?
- Yes, the page lists recalls for this model year[3]. See the Recalls section for the full list.
- How many complaints does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have?
- NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on file[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2001 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- Owners report problems in several areas[1]. Check the problems section and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Nissan Maxima
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Nissan Maxima (8 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 35 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,370). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Maxima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Maxima, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 29 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 118,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,722). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,732). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 134,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V008, filed January 9, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V287, filed May 15, 2015: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V146, filed May 30, 2002: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Maxima, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records