2000 Nissan Maxima GLE from North America - Comments

2000 Nissan Maximas need a major recall to correct the O2 sensor!

I have the 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE model, but it seems like almost all the 2000 Maximas are notorious for the "service engine soon" light being on all the time, even if you get it fixed.

My maxima had that problem starting at around 25k mile. Diagnosis came back with the oxygen sensor problem. Other time it was the coils. Those two problems happened a few times while the car was still on warranty. But, I really HATE my maxima now with the expired warranty, because it's costing me a fortune to fix everything each time the light comes on. At around 75K mile, I had to replace all six coil packs. I have no idea if all six were needed all at the same time. It could have been just one or a few, I wouldn't know. That cost me well over $1000 and I still had to pay the "diagnostic fee"! I was also told to replace the starter and that was over $400. I spent even more on that day on getting other things replaced (engine belt, c/v boot, other small things).

After spending a few thousand dollars that day, I was hoping to never to go back to the dealer for a service for at least two years! Well, I thought it was my bad luck, but it seems like it's just the 2000 maxima! The service engine light came on again after about two weeks! I was so upset, but I've had that problem of having that light coming on after getting a service done by the dealership numerous times. Thus, I decided to just ignore it. The light came on and off whenever it felt like. Just last week, I went in for a emission check for the annual registration, and it didn't pass, because of the "service engine soon" light!

Now, I had to go back to the dealership and get it checked or get the light disappeared! So, I went in and the diagnosis came back with bad oxygen sensor and the cat converter. Estimate came out to be $1400 (parts & labor), and that doesn't include the diagnostic fee of $145! Does the cat converter need to be replaced immediately after the "service engine soon" light comes on? How much time do I have before I absolutely have to replace it? Does anyone know?

Now I hate the dealership as well. I strongly feel that they are plotting something on my car for the next service. I came out without getting anything fixed/replaced, and just paid the diagnostic fee. And, I don't understand why it took them two days to diagnose.

I plan on taking the maxima to a local shop and hear what they have to say. I really wish I got rid of this very stressful money eating 2000 Maxima last year or before 70K mile! I spent too much money on it already that I can't even get rid of it now.

I really don't understand why there is no recall for the oxygen sensor problem!

This car need a recall to correct the O2 sensor problem that occurs too often!

You should check your owner’s manual warranty. I think it is the federal requirement to cover the cat converter for 8 years, 80,000 miles.

After putting in over $3,000.00 in repairs for the same problems you describe, I too came to hate my 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE.

When is Nissan going to take responsibility for these problems? I have found their customer service department to be very rude and unresponsive.

I had the same problem with Bank 1 O2 sensor problem with my 1999 Nissan Maxima. I spent about $800 to have the dealer replaced both O2 sensors, a new harness (per dealer, the harness was burned because it was placed too close to the engine or exhaust (which one I forgot?) and the many hours of the mechanics labor. Then about a week later the check engine light came back on. But at that time, the car was driven back to school out of state by my daughter and I could not bring it back to the dealer to claim the warranty. Now I am facing the problem of not being able to renew the car registration.

I totally agree that Nissan should recall the car to repair this problem. I love the V6 engine of my Maxima. But this O2 sensor issue is very annoying. If Nissan will not recall the car, I told myself this will be the only and last Nissan car I own. I hope you guys who have the same problem will join me to request Nissan to take responsibility. If not, may be we should consider a campaign to boycott Nissan.

I too have a 2000 Maxima GlE, I've been trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with my car because my "Service Engine Soon" light is on. After reading your comments and situations, I have no problem believing that the same problem is happening with my car. My car runs great, I love that V6 Engine, but with that light on I can't trust my car on a long trip. If this is a Nissan problem, I agree that they should step up.

It's a shame that a lot of people are complaining about their 2000 GLE Nissan Maxima's and yet the company is not doing anything to fix it. I have had to replace my Coils, Mass Airflow Sensor, Idle Air Control Valve and now am up to the Cat. converter and O2 sensor. The problem is still the same. The service engine soon light is still on. I thought I bought a lemon and I wonder if all other Nissans are like that. What happened to good old customer satisfaction? Nissan should know that many people end up with the same manufacturers if their cars serve them good.it's a shame how many people are commenting and complaining about the service engine soon light.

I have also paid to have the coils and O2 sensors replaced on my car (I bought it used about 3 years ago) and the "service engine soon" light has come on at least 8 times. This week it was on and after the diagnostic testing, found out that it is an intermittent problem. Nothing was really wrong. So, they sent it home with me and less than 24 hours later the light is on. I have to get an emissions test done and now I have to take it back so the light will go off (hopefully long enough for me to pass the emissions test) I am in full support of Nissan recalling b/c of this problem.

I have a 2000 Maxima and I also have the problems with the oxygen sensor, 2 times I had to replace coils and the car has 100k miles and still the light for check engine soon is on... something is wrong with Nissan in this area...

Okay, I know that you guys are thinking that recalls are needed or that your car might be a "lemon." In actuality, however, this is just how these particular Nissans are made. I am a mechanic and a Vehicle emissions inspector and I know about the service engine light all too well. On 1996- to 2003 Maximas, the light comes on for various reasons. Here are the most commons codes I experience when I scan these cars: Bank 1 or 2 Oxygen sensors (That's 4 in total), Knock sensors, Camshaft sensors, and the most annoying to fix, EVAP leak or purge valve. I have lots of customers who buy each of these items from the dealer and they pass inspection with the light off. Simply put, this car has quite a number of sensors, and after a certain number of miles.. these sensors wear or fail. It is extremely common with most Nissans. It is just the way it is. It is a very great car, but very costly to maintain in the long run (due to the inevitable failure of so many sensors). Engineering is to blame. In comparison, Toyotas require just a few repairs to fix the SES light. I have owned 2 late model Maximas, and have spend almost $1000 dollars in parts each just to keep that darn light off. Keep in mind I am a technician. Good luck folks.

This is to everyone complaining about their O2 sensors..

I've had similar problems with my 2000 Maxima, but after doing some research I found the the problem was not the 02 sensor, but rather the Mass Airflow Meter, (MAF) it's a very quick and fairly inexpensive fix, I did it myself in about 20 Min and now my car runs like a dream. Just go on Ebay and look for a MAF for your Maxima, I got mine for about $80, if you can't find one there go to www.courtesyparts.com and get one from there about $110. I live in Canada and the Nissan dealers here charge over $600 for a MAF replacement (ridiculous!!!) Its not that hard to replace one either even if you don't have a lot of mechanical knowledge, just google it to find a bunch of great easy to follow guides.

I have to agree about the 2000 Nissan Maxima SES light problem which came on shortly after my purchase and required ignition coil replacement (all of them). Despite speaking to Nissan customer service by phone, they tell me "I see no case records of this problem". Apparently they aren't able to/refuse to look at the links I sent them. The SES light needless to say has come on again and again since then. After being as nice and understanding as I could be, I must admit that I now also hate nissan after what I have gone through and regret the original purchase. Never again.

Wow. This is like the twilight zone. Ignition Coils, O2 Sensors, Service Engine lights, Catalytic Converter... when will it ever end. Been there, spent 1000's dollars, and my light is still on.

I have a 2000 maxima gle check engine light is on and I cannot drive the car when it is cold you can floor the gas all the way and the car sputters and won't go, but after it warms up it still sputters occasionally, but is drivable to a certain extent, I have been told air flow sensor coil packs knock sensor does anybody else have or had this problem thanks in advance.

December 26, 2006.

I just read all these comments about the 2000 Nissan Maxima and just kept getting more mad and honestly worried that I am the next victim in having to spend thousands of dollars to keep fixing the SES light. I changed the battery, alternator and the belts and the light is still on. I also replaced two of the coils over the last 2 years and I was told there are 4 for the Maxima. So it looks like I will be replacing the other 2 coils very soon. If this is an engineering problem then I agree Nissan needs to recall the car and fix the problems each and every time the SES light comes on or buy the cars back from every owner!!! I bought a foreign car thinking and being told that they are better built then American cars I guess they meant every foreign car other than Nissan!!!

I too have a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE. I had the same problem in May of this year. I had it checked by my neighbour, who happens to be a mechanic. He did some diagnostics test on the car and it came out that the Cat converter had a problem as well as the sensor. He did some more research a told me not to do anything to the car. He had reset the cpu in the car and told me to drive it. I hadn't seen a light until today. I called him and he said it has to be a problem with the cpu/sensor. I think a recall is needed on these cars. There should be a petition or something to get Nissans attention.

Amazing! It appears that I am also not alone with O2 sensor problems, auto trans issues (poss. MAF malfunction) and the dreaded "service engine soon" indicator problems (mine had the nerve to start blinking at me one time when I was going up a twisty stretch of road). In light of these shared issues, I think a class action suit is in order. Anybody know of how to start one if one has not been started already? I will be on the list post haste. The auto trans issue IS quite unsettling, especially when trying to pass on the highway. The high revs and delay in shift have almost left stains in my shorts on 2 occasion's.