2001 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

Service engine soon light came on at 52K miles.

Catalytic converter and O2 sensors replaced at 53K miles.

At 83K miles dealer wants to replace same parts again at my cost - $1200.

Loved the car when new, has good handling and ample power.

Cannot trust Nissan service department. Will go to independent service if necessary.

I too own a 2001 Nissan Maxima and I'm having issues with the "Service Engine Soon" light. It seems that light has been on through most of the life of the vehicle. I took my car to the dealer and they were able to turn the light off on three occasions, but within a few days the light was back on. When I took it in again for the forth time I was told the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. After they informed me it would cost $1,300 to replace and I told them not to touch it. What's interesting here is I had an extended warranty (100,000 miles) and it was not until I was over the miles on the warranty they announced what the problem was. Why didn't they tell me what the problem was while it was still under the warranty? Perhaps Nissan does not pay the dealership enough on the warranty claim so they waited for the miles to be exceeded and let me pay for it.

When the car is running it's a delight to drive. When it's in the shop it costs a fortune to repair. The Escort GT I owned prior to the Maxima was MUCH more reliable and MUCH less costly to repair. I have spent at least $7,000 in repairs (Not including the maintenance) to keep the Maxima on the road.

I will NEVER buy another Nissan!

$7,000?! What the hell did you do, take it to the dealer?

In my experience, you only go to the dealer, if no one else has the tools to do the work (not likely). Otherwise, you either take it somewhere else, or do it yourself.

I agree with above comment: Don't take the car to a dealer unless you have to. Get an estimate from a good shop first. You may save a lot of money. My Service light went on, too. I took it to Autozone for a free light test, and they turned the light off for me for free. (The light possibly came on for a gas cap I did not put on and turn for three clicks. The light test was inconclusive. However, the light did not go off, as it is supposed to in a few runs with the car after I corrected the possible gas-cap malfunction.) It must not have been any serious problem, because I took the car for an inspection sticker a few weeks later, and it passed all the tests, including a stiff emissions one.