VehicleVerdict

2000 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 467 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.7 times the median Maxima year — the 2000 model ranks #4 of 42 Maxima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 34 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 178 reports (38% of the total).

467

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

33

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

34

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted1,725 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 40 complaints1985: 64 complaints1986: 74 complaints1987: 194 complaints1988: 73 complaints1989: 78 complaints1990: 138 complaints1991: 99 complaints1992: 140 complaints1993: 102 complaints1994: 128 complaints1995: 195 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 123 complaints1998: 133 complaints1999: 215 complaints2000: 467 complaints2001: 225 complaints2002: 278 complaints2003: 249 complaints2004: 1,725 complaints2005: 1,152 complaints2006: 733 complaints2007: 169 complaints2008: 99 complaints2009: 460 complaints2010: 399 complaints2011: 138 complaints2012: 137 complaints2013: 71 complaints2014: 126 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 224 complaints2017: 154 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 28 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 2 complaints
Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System17838%
Engine8418%
Brakes368%
Body & Structure266%
Airbags245%
Transmission225%
Suspension174%
Other133%
Speed Control123%
Tires & Wheels112%
Lighting112%
Fuel System102%
Steering82%
Seat Belts61%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Seats10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BATTERY EXPLODED WHEN IGNITION TURNED ONE CLICK TO "ON" POSITION. VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE. HEARD A BOOM WHEN I TURNED KEY. OPENED HOOD TO SEE SMOKE AND A DAMAGED BATTERY. CAPS WERE BLOWN CLEAR, TOP OF CELL WAS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES. BATTERY ACID SPRAYED HOOD AND SURROUNDING AREA.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 6, 2003 · fire

“MY NISSAN WAS PARKED ON THE STREET ABOUT 11:00 PM. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, JUST BEFORE 7:00 AM, I HAD KNOCKING AT MY DOOR AND IT WAS THE FIREMAN WANTING THE KEYS TO MY CAR SO THEY COULD ACCESS THE LATCH TO OPEN THE HOOD. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE SIDES OF THE HOOD AND THE FIREMEN WERE ALREADY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 18, 2010 · fire

“WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH CONSUMER PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. /NO DAMGE OR INJURIES OCCURRED. DEALER HAS CHECKED, BUT STILL CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 6, 2001 · crash

“MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. MOTORCYCLES EVERYWHERE. TRAFFIC. IM IN THE FAR LANE ON THE BELTWAY AND MY EXITS COMING UP. MOTORCYCLES EVERYWHERE. HEAVY TRAFFIC TOO BUT ITS MOVING. I CANT CUT OFF THE MOTORCYCLES. SO I WAIT TO PASS THEM. IM MERGING, LOOKING TO THE SIDE, LOOKING BEHIND ME. I WASN'T PAYING TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 25, 2013 · crash

“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*NLM THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK UP PROPERLY DURING THE IMPACT. CONSUMER WAS THRUST FORWARD HITTING THE CHEST AREA AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING INJURY. *JG”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 25, 2002 · crash

2000 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 2000 Nissan Maxima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 467 complaints put the 2000 model at #4 of 42 Maxima years. It is one of the Maxima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (178 complaints), engine (84 complaints), brakes (36 complaints).

Does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Maxima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Maxima years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2016, 1999, 1995, 1987. The cleanest record among Maxima years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.