2000 Nissan Maxima SE 4D from North America - Comments

I just purchased a used 1999 Maxima GLE in great condition and 65,000 miles. Two days after driving it off the lot, the Check Engine Soon light came on, and I asked the dealer to handle it. An O2 sensor later, and the light was off. Today, after getting a 60K service to clear up the minor shutter during idle and acceleration, and the problem is worse. In fact, it's really bad. The car is shaking all over, and at 30-40 MPH, it shudders. I took it back to the repair place, and they suggested a Nissan specialist, who diagnosed it and said it would be $770 to replace all coil packs. They said that replacing one or two will still have you coming back. I'll let you know if it works. I'll also use this forum as a negotiating point. Thanks for the posts. I'll contact Nissan also.

I have the same story. 2000 Maxima SE with 44,000 miles. I started noticing some ‘tinging’ on rare occasion starting about 35,000 miles, but was told to user higher octane to clear that up. This morning I started it and it ran really rough. The dealer said they could not isolate the cylinder so I would have to replace all 6 at $70 per coil. That is an extra $350 to replace the five that are good I will have to pony up because their equipment can’t isolate the problem.

The dealer said I could continue to drive it until it got worse and their computer could probably identify it at that time. I am just concerned about what it will do to my emission system if I am mis-firing and not burning clean. I plan to pay the $81 to the dealer for the diagnostics and get my car back. I will then head to the auto parts store and replace my own. From what I understand, they are just a part of the spark plug wires and shouldn not be brain surgery.

I have an '02 SE and about 2 months ago the check engine, TCS and SLIP lights came, car ran rough for that night, and then all was well after a few minutes of driving. The check engine light stayed on for several days, but then went away, all according to the Owners Manual.

Then in late December it came back. I scheduled an appointment with my local dealer and was informed after they looked at it that they couldn't find anything wrong with the wiring, that the bulletin said to reset the ECU and try it again. $112 dollars to have them "trace" the wires and reset the ECU. And the real pisser is my Warranty ran out just a few days prior.

Two weeks later, it came back. Took it in and they told me the TSB says to replace 2 coils. Did it, cost me $50 b/c of my service contract. Picked the car up a week later, drove it a couple days and guess what? It's BACK!!! The dealer is telling me that it will cost ANOTHER $50 to have the next two coils replaced. What a joke.

After reading this and some other information, I'm going to request a nice little chat with the local Nissan rep for the dealer. We're gonna hash this out and I'm going to use this forum as a reference point. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one out there seeing this, but I'm very disheartened by the way Nissan is handling this.

P.s. if anyone has a copy of the TSB that addresses this issue or knows where I can get a copy of it for free, I'd be appreciative. Email it to kgarris@innernet.net.

I am the second owner of a 2000 SE with approximately 39000 miles. The same three lights "Service Engine", "TCS", and "SLIP" came on as described in previous posts to this page. As described by others, the "TCS" and "SLIP" went out leaving the "Service Engine" light still on. The car ran slightly rough until warmed up as described by others. My mechanic has indicated that in talking with dealers in the area they "are replacing coils like crazy". The quoted cost per coil is $64.00. If anyone knows of a way (s) to influence Nissan or a dealer to fix this problem without charging the customer, please Email me at glenhard@nycap.rr.com.

Add me to the legion of Maxima victims. Same "Spark Knock" problem (Nissan TSB 01-059 issued 9/01). Mine began tinging @ 55k miles. Changed plugs. Strong for a nite of road racing; not solved. AutoZone sells C1266front C1267back for $50/ea. VERY easy to D.I.Y. Would not recommend taking car to "mechanic" unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Especially dealer. Yes, I used to work in "repair shop", that's why I don't let ANYONE touch my car!

Count me in as another 2000 Maxima owner with coil-pack woes. Seven months earlier I was pulling a "Check Engine" lamp, had the local Nissan dealer do a diagnose scan, wound up shelling out over $600 in coil-pack replacements.

Well, a few days ago the check engine lamp again paid me a visit, it was time again to head back to the Nissan dealer for another diagnose scan. This time the stored trouble code is saying that an oxygen sensor is shot, a replacement is going to set me back over $300.

Nuts. I've always purchased Toyotas and Nissans in the past simply because I loved their bulletproof reliability, these cars seemingly wore on like iron and rarely needed major mechanical attention. But for a 2000 model Nissan with barely over 40,000 miles on the clock? The frequency of these failures along with the high attendant costs is alarming.

If I didn't live Northwest Indiana (Lake County) which requires emissions testing every two years? I'd just keep driving in deference of spending the repair money on stuff that, after reading a few of the previous responses, might well fail again. Either-or, this has soured me on what is otherwise a very nice automobile. But Toyota and Honda also makes very nice vehicles and my 2000 Maxima will look sharp sitting one or the others used car lot.

Barney M. Slifer

sd90mac@netnitco.net.

I am also a victim of th 2000 Maxima SE, I purchased this car at 27,000 miles in 2002,also because of it's good ratings.

I 1st replaced oxygen sensor in exhaust area after a little more than a year of owning, now the ck engine light has been on and off since April 2004. Replaced 2 front oxygen sensors in May, still problem with idling and falling on its face at take off, Just received notice today from Nissan Dealer that Mas air flow sensor and seals needed to be replaced, along with burning a new chip.

Whats up with this model and year I am totally disgusted also tried to purchase a extended warranty a year after owning the car since I bought originally from a independent car lot. The Dealer would not sell it to me said it was a month over 2yr. max since the original owner purchased, Now

this dealer says they will sell me one after they do a inspection go figure. PS will see

Guess I'll keep the thread going..."Service Engine Soon" light came on in my 2000 Maxima so I hooked up my OBD II scanner, got code P1320; did some research and found coil (s) are the likely problem, which led me here. Makes me wonder how widespread this problem is...can't say what constitutes the necessity for a recall, but this certainly looks like a textbook case to me. But what do I know? Well, I know this much; I'll be changing my own coils rather than be getting rooked by a service department... just look at that cost spread from the other reports; from $550 to $1000 for the same job which requires about $250 in parts and (as also reported) should be a relatively simple procedure. Guess that's one reason these new car dealerships all look so nice and spiffy!

I feel I too am a victim of bad coils in my 2k Maxima. When visiting the dealership auto parts, the clerk alerted me that the number of coils for this car they sold last year was exceeded already by July! Six more months, they'll probably double their sales for this item. The dealerships are fully aware of this defect.

Check out this link for petition on the coil problem.

http://www.petitiononline.com/NIS_IGN/petition.html.

If anyone can provide information on where to purchase non-dealer coils for this Maxima, think thousands would greatly appreciate it!

I own a 2000 Nissan Maxima SE and at just under 40,000 miles my #1 ignition coil shorted out and had to be replaced. At just under 400 miles later the #4 engine coil shorted out. The problem was so intermittent that I tried to ignore it, but it does get to be annoying. It's such a nice looking car and I like mine to run as good as it looks. Now I'm looking at replacing the remaining 4 coils and that's going to run me about $400.00. This is quite expensive, but I haven't had any other problems with the car and over all I'm pleased with it. The next vehicle I buy I'm going to do a little more research on to check up on things such as this coil problem. Nissan makes good cars and though it is a serious problem that warrants a factory recall, I'd buy another one and probably will.

Dear fellow Max owners.

I purchased my 2000 SE in March of 00, and had problems from the get go. Unfortunately for me, my "coil" problems started way early with 15,000 miles on it. They fixed it under warranty, but occurred again 6 months later. After replacing the coil for the 2nd time, the lemon did it again less than a year later. I even hired a lawyer to sue Nissan for the issue. I really didn't get much for the headache and left a nasty taste in my mouth regarding Nissans. I mean, I've never put in fuel less than premium octane, and take care of my ride like it's a woman. Now the junker's starter is the problem and has been so for the past year and a half. Every time I start the car, it sounds like something's grinding in the engine. I don't think both problems are isolated. My co-woker's max does the same thing. Another thing I noticed was that the rear tail light bulb goes out easily. if you ever see the 2000-2004 maximas, you will notice a lot have one bulb out. Needless to say, I have become disenfranchised with the car and the company. I doubt I'll ever buy a Nissan car again.

I also have the same problem on my 2000 MAXIMA SE with 6000 miles. Service Engine Soon light was up 2 days ago, which was the 2nd time. The 1st time this happened was about 2 years ago and got covered by) and the dealership diagnosed as ignition coils failure. They asked for more than $600 to replace them. (Only 2 weeks after they charged me more than $1000 for a major maintaince!)

Also, my right rear brake light keeps burning out for intervals as short as several weeks. (I even got a ticket for that failing brake light once!)

I had the same ignition coil problem with my 2000 MAXIMA SE @ 60K miles. replaced 2 coils. Had the same problem again last week @67K miles. replaced the other 4 coils for a total cost of about (300 + 450).

Rule number one: Do not go to your local Nissan dealership on Friday the 13th. Today I found out I need ignition coils (6) for my 2000 Maxima GLE which is how I ended up here. I feel rather fortunate as the price quoted for 6 to be replaced, including an hour of labor, was $472 which seems cheap compared to other posts (lucky me). I'm really looking for some advice and answers to my specific questions. Please reply to shaulor@yahoo.com. I'd really appreciate it.

My friend works at a dealership. When my "Service Engine Soon" light initially came on he saw an oxygen sensor fault that he was able to reset for me. He said drive it for a few days, if it comes back on you'll likely need an O2 sensor. Guess what. It came back on in three days. This time diagnostics came up with a bad knock sensor. That's when he sent me to the Nissan dealer. I'm concerned with the differing faults. I feel more confident now after reading of others with the same issue.

1. Will replacing the coils fix my problem?

2. Can we buy these aftermarket? If so where?

3. Is this a DIY job? I have limited mechanical ability and they told me 1 hour of labor, so I'm not saving that much, but every bit helps

4. What kind of harm is done by just ignoring the light?

I'll add that I bought my Maxima about 2 years ago with 50k miles. I now have 92k miles. It has been a pretty decent car so I can't really bash Nissan. I'm just disappointed as this is my first Japanese car. I bought it for longevity and resale. (oh boy) Will I buy another? Don't know probably not. Someone commented that they wished they'd researched a little more before buying the car. I did my homework and heard nothing of this issue 2 years ago when I bought it. Ironically, the car I owned prior was a 95 Olds Aurora, a car with a horrible reputation. I drove it for years and put a wheel bearing on it, as well as brakes. It was a phenomenal ride and you people think you've got power. There was nothing like that 25 mpg 4.0 liter V8. Today, I really miss it!

I look forward to hearing from you.

It is great to see I am not the only person with the Maxima coil problem. My Maxima is a 1996 one... and I have about 150k miles on it. Recently I the Nissan dealer here in Delaware informed me I needed to replace all the coils for over $700 dollars, which is a hefty sum of money to a student like me. There definitely needs to be a recall on these coils. Everyone should contact Nissan USA!