2001 Nissan Maxima GLE from North America - Comments

First, let me say that I am 47, and do not ever abuse my cars.

I bought a 2001 Maxima GLE new with extended warranty. Got more than my money's worth with that warranty because of the constant repairs. Got sick of it and and finally traded for a reliable Toyota.

In only 69500 miles I replaced the O2 sensors 4 times under warranty and twice out of warranty ($570), the main computer, the alternator died and left me along a dark road (at 41000 miles), muffler system completely rotted out at 39000 miles (warranty did not cover that), the drivers window stuck down, when climate control was put on "auto" the engine would bog down terribly at lights. Turn it off and car smoothes out perfectly. Took it to the dealer and they had no clue what caused this.

Final straw was a rattle in front end when going slowly over rough parking lots. Took it in and was told I needed wheel bearings, front and rear struts and a lower control arm. At $1700 estimated repair I ran to the Toyota dealer. I now drive a Prius.

What a great disappointment this car was. It was a great looking car and comfortable to drive, but I was always thinking about what will break next. Every time I left the Nissan repair I felt like I had been violated.

Good looking car, fun to drive, comfortable.

Expensive to fix anything, needs repairs far too often, unreliable.

This guy obviously works for Toyota. Look at every other review of this car and you see smiley faces. He goes out of his way to praise Toyota and bash Nissan. The 2001 Maxima is a great car. It is more powerful and smooth than the V6 Camry, and it hasn't had as many recalls.

No this guy doesn't "obviously work for Toyota." I had a 2000 Maxima that also had a myriad of problems, and I also take extremely good care of my cars. 2000-2003 Maximas are junk, PERIOD. Like this poster, I traded mine in on a Toyota product, and I haven't once regretted that decision. That Maxima cost me about $2000 in repairs in the 10 months I owned it. That's the sign of a junk car, and the repairs I had to make on it (O2 sensors, catalytic converter, etc.) are extremely common on this generation Maxima. If you're a Maxima owner, you'll soon have similar problems with your car if you haven't already.

I own a 2001 Nissan Maxima GLE. My alternator died in 2004, cost me $950! Engine lights come on all the time, but I'm tied of taking it to the dealer since it costs me $100 just for them to read the computer, and the repairs always seem to cost $1000. I expect the car will die an agonizing death, but hopefully I'll have sold it before then and gotten a reliable car. Maybe Ford's are worth a gamble, though if I wanted to be safe I'd go back to Honda (owned a 1988 Honda Accord for 13 years with not a single problem)!! Only reason I got the Maxima was because everybody and their mother were buying Honda's, and I wanted to be different. Well... I am, I'm paying big bucks that I never needed to spend on my Accord.

My 01 Maxima is a piece of trash and to think I traded in my old 87 Camry (which I might add never ever had a thing go wrong with it) for it. I've had to buy an OBD because the engine light goes on so often. I put at least $1000 into repairs a year on it. Seems the sensors are going all the time. Yesterday the coils went and I think I should put it out on the street with a FREE sign on it. Garbage car, will never buy a Nissan product again. My next car will be a reliable Camry, I'd trade this for my 87 Camry back in a second.

I have owned two Maximas and love them. My 2001 however has been a disappointment... front windows have stuck from the beginning, check engine lights used to stay on and after many many visits to repair place, I finally took it to a dealership and they replaced the catalytic converter (no more check engine lights), leather seats have split... front on both sides and back (leather seemed to not wear well).

In spite of all of these troubles with the 2001, I still love Maximas. They are great looking! Ride is rough... always is with a Maxima, but have gotten used to it.

My dilemma now is whether or not to get another Maxima, or change to Toyota. Toyotas seem to be geared to an older audience which keeps bringing me back to Maxima.

The complaints about this car are more than justifiable. I have a 2001 SE and I love the way it performs, but the maintenance is ridiculous! When I purchased the car at 90,000 miles the exhaust system was rusted out. Now the rubber bands that suspend the exhaust system is deteriorating. Now at 109,000 miles I just had to replace all 6 ignition coils, 3 of them went bad. To be safe I replaced the PCV valves as well. I replaced one O2 sensor, and now I need to replace another one. My car is a 5 speed manual and it rolls on the high way like the high octane speedster it is, and the gas mileage is great too. But if you own one, or you're considering purchasing one, make sure you have a good and inexpensive mechanic.

I had a 2000 Mugzima before too (I like to nick name it Mugzima), bought it in 05 with 105k miles. 20k later, the idle stopped. I just modified the linkage to prevent stalling. Check engine light comes on. Then I had a problem with the radiator fan, bearing goes bad. Then trans wasn't going on overdrive after 100 miles of driving daily. (probably to do with running warm with the radiator fan disconnected. I sold it with 133k miles. Engine or trans never broke though.