2001 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

The SE Service Engine light comes on almost every month (FYI: Ignore it and it will go away within a few trips, its just a ploy to get you into the dealership everytime your car is close to an oil change)

I was also just recently told that my alternator is going out.

The Nissan Service Department is very unprofessional and from reading some of these postings, I have realized that they must make a commission off of the services that they sell off to people. I am a woman, and every time I come there, the same service guy helps me and adds about 3 more "fixes" than what I originally came for. This includes oil changes too. The last time I came to change a battery, it cost me $175! After I declined to get my alternator replaced for $600! I am so disgusted with the service that Nissan has, it takes away from the value of the car.

No one says you have to use dealer for service. Go to an independent garage like Goodyear, City Garage, Pep boys etc (ask friends or co-workers for recommendations). I no longer use dealers, even for new cars. Worst service and highest prices.

I own a maxima. I should have never bought its the worst car ever. I bought it used and it woked real good for a couple of months. Then I had the whole engine just shut off in the middle of a turn in a major intersection. I had to replace the ignition control valve about 500.00. so now its been 5 months the car was running well and it happened again it just shut down wouldn't turn over at all. so now it sounds like it's the fuel pump or something. this car SUCKS I should have kept my Toyota Corrola I could have drove that thing with one wheel while on fire and it would have still drove fine.

What's an ignition control valve? Sounds like you got taken for a ride.

I think that it really pays to get an OBD 2 reader. I picked one up for about 80 bucks when the check engine light came on in my car (BTW, it won't come on when it's time for an oil change). 9 times out of ten it will be a faulty O2 sensor. In my case it was the sensor at the cat. Quit getting ripped off and enjoy the ride.

Nissan North America Sucks!!!...I purchased a 2004 Sentra SE-R Spec V new. The trunk mat that came with the car is not properly cut to shape to go around the sub woofer in the trunk. Nissan changed this in their 2005 models and will not upgrade previous models...That's customer care for you. If you have thought about buying a Nissan recently, I urge you to reconsider. Toyota, Honda, Subaru and even crappy Kia take better care of their customers. This is coming from a person who has been driving Nissans for more than twenty years now. If you buy a Nissan, buy it used. That way you won't be so disappointed.

Nissan North America is terrible! Like a previous poster said, that actually devalues the product. I bought (fell into the trap) of "Certified Used!" Do not buy certified used, it means they will no longer provide any service b/c it could be a warranty claim (hence low pay rates from NNA) vs. if they can word-smith so you can be sure to pay the high shop rates out of pocket.

My 142 point inspection certified a car with:

Oil sludge in the engine (that has lead to internal problems not covered of course)

Oil leaks

Rust that lead to the complete detachment of the tailpipe within 3 months after the car was supposedly certified rust free and "good as new.. with a warranty!"

and many more issues I won't take the time to list.

Nissan lost me and my family from this ordeal with pure unadulterated rudeness and apathy towards a 10 time Nissan purchasing family!

Nisaan makes a decent car, but if you have problems, forget it. 30K miles on a 3.5 liter Nissan Altima. Smoke cloud on every start and burning oil like gas. Not covered under warranty. Won't even try to find a cause.

My wife and I have been NBN (nothing but Nissan) drivers for 12 years now. We have been so Nissan loyal that our friends and family members tire of hearing about it--we even encouraged my Mother-In-Law to buy one to replace her ailing Chevy (all Chevy family--very upset with us). UNTIL...the Frontier fuel sender recall came along. Wiring junction rusted (as the recall suggests), sender replaced under warranty. In the meantime, the fuel pump crapped out from the low-voltage condition created by the corrosion problem. Nissan service quoted me $477 for a $65 fuel pump replacement. Nissan North America wouldn't return calls--finally, when cornered, said they would do nothing for "good will." So much for loyalty. Replacing it myself. So much for Nissan.

The frontier had a safety recall on fuel sensors that caused your pump to go in the gas tank. Call the attorney general on them. Nissan should fix this at no charge.