2000 Nissan Maxima SE 4D from North America - Comments

The last comment is correct. I do not do ANY maintenance on my car (myself), but I bought the parts at Auto Zone (also available at Pep Boys) for ~$65/70 each.

Yesterday I did this work over ~1+ hours, which was mainly because I don't know my way around a car - it's a 10-15minute job!

The car was hesitating previously especially at first start. I actually changed out the front 3 and the car was already OK, but I had bought all of them and just did them all.

Was able to go back to Auto Zone and have them reset the "service engine soon" light (which might have also been done by disconnecting the battery for 10mins, I was out for a test ride, anyway)

I have a '00 maxima and I just want to junk it.

I had so many issue with this car: misfiring, MAF sensors, and O2 sensor problem. I signed the online petition last year. I don't know why Nissan has not made the recall with so many people having same problem. I replace all six coils around 50K and replaced one last year and other one 2 weeks ago. I am really getting sick of this issue. I had it with this piece of junk. I will never buy Nissan again.

Hello everyone! I thought I was alone on this one, but I am not. I bought the 2000 maxima in 2006. The SES light came on the same day I bought it.

So far I have replaced two ignition coils, each one costing about 75 dollars. I still have the same problem with the light being on all the time. I think we all should complain about this engineering problem. Down with Nissan. I ain't buying another Nissan no more.

If you have that problem, don't take it to the dealer. They just want to take your money. You can do it yourself or look for a good mechanic around. It usually is only one ignition coil that gives trouble at a time.

Yes I replaced all of my coils at 50k miles and a idle controll valve...

Same problem as all! this is such bull crap! 2000 Maxima GLE---somehow I made it much further than most of you and I am a little over 95,000 miles.

I have noticed a drop in perfor mance and mileage for a couple months, but haven't really been that bothered because I am not very good with cars. My SES light came on a few days ago. I took it to my friend that has an OBD reader and of course it is the P1320 code! I am glad I found this forum- so if someone tells me $900 to fix it I will know that is bull!

Question though---i bought it from a nissan dealer and it had one of the "certified pre-owned warranties" on it up to 3 years after purchase or 100,000 miles. I have had a couple other problems since I got it (a little over 2 years ago with 68,000) but they have not been covered by that. I am thinking since this sounds like an engine problem that it should be covered??? warranty said it covers engine, drive train, and transmission.

Any advice? should it be covered under that? I don't want to get charged $100 diag fee and then have them tell me its not covered!

I had same problem after 8 years on 2000 maxima at 90k. I purchase part for $550 including 6 coil and 6 plugs. I paid $160 for installation and checking harness (sometime wire inside gets broken so light comes on). He cut the tape where he though harness get max load, 160 is more, but dealer charge way too much + more on parts as well. He had reset computer after replacing coils. He said reset only cost $80 at other place. I know dealer reset computer at 60K when engine light ON as warranty not freebies. At first I was confuse with 2003 maxima design, but 2000 is easy to change plugs from above comments (read manual, but feels it is half hearted in explanation)

I had done some other repairs as well like coolant hoses and oil switch, but not very expensive apart from $200 labor (expensive for anything). Also replace CV boot both (they are expensive and you can't do it at apt parking lot)

Next time I will change plugs myself, but it will be next 60-80K.

I have a 2000 Maxima that I purchased 3 years ago and drive only occasionally as a second vehicle. First I had O2 sensor problems and now the coils. The story is the same no matter where I have taken the car. P1320 code and replace all the coils. This is a prime example of a design flaw. The coils should cost about $20 a piece, instead they cost $60 - $75 because Nissan and the dealers know this a big money maker. The last year I have replaced an O2 sensor and the P1706 code goes off about every month (it's a manual) and don't ever put on different size tires or the computer will feed you bad codes all day long. I will not purchase another Nissan, the local dealership in Wichita has the worst customer service I ever had the misfortune of dealing with for any product.

Same problem. P1320 code error on my 2000 Maxima SE. The mechanic cannot locate the single ignition coil so recommends I should replace all 6 plus all six spark plugs.

$110 for each coil and $12 for each spark plug plus labor plus tax = $925.

This is at 72K miles and it also happened in 2002. Where is the recall already!

I am thinking about purchasing a 99 Nissan Maxima ES; it has 234,000kms on it, which is about 145k miles. I'll be test driving it tomorrow, but after reading all the comments about the ignition coil problems in most 99 and 00 models, I'm having second thoughts. Does the problem with the coils happen mostly under hot weather conditions? Does it also happen in cold weather conditions?

I will make sure to ask the guy I'm buying it from if he's had these problems yet, because perhaps I may have them after I purchase and drive it a little. Any suggestions for what I should look for in the Maxima would be greatly appreciated as this will be the first car I purchase. Thanks

In response to when the misfires happen, it's in cold as well as hot weather. It's winter in Michigan and we're experiencing it. Just got a quite from the local Nissan dealership. $919 parts & labor to replace all plugs and coils. Thank you for all of the comments and tips on replacing ourselves. We won't be handing over anymore hard earned money to Nissan.

I'm having the same problems with my 2000 Maxima.

Took it for an oil change while my SES light was on; my mechanic says it's the MAF sensor. Then I took it to Autozone and I'm getting codes 1320 and 0100.

This car is way too expensive to maintain. I need help on how to change the coils. Anybody know? PLEASE.

I recently bought my 2000 Maxima SE. I have worked as a mechanic for a while, so this was a good car to buy cheap b/c of these defects. That said, these problems are easy enough to fix that no serious expertise is needed. Translation: AVOID THE DEALER at all costs. Here are a few things to do that may save you some money...

1. Borg-Warner makes a replacement coil with a lifetime warranty I picked up at $54.24 ea (O'reilly's). Pep boys will probably have this as well.

2. Pick up a Chilton's or Haynes repair manual while you are at the autoparts if you can turn a wrench and DIY

3. Some of the codes are read for free at autozone, Others require more sophisticated equipment. Either way, GET THE CODE, and LOOK IT UP on the internet, etc. Don't trust a mechanic who has plenty of reasons to make money off of your ignorance.

4. Replace what's needed

5. Be a happy used-car owner

Good luck!

My 1999 Nissan Maxima had a random misfire almost since new.

It would miss while idling at a long traffic signal. No SES light or trouble code was ever produced. I asked my dealer to replace the first coil pack as a test. This cured my misfire for about 18 months until a similar misfire began. Since a coil pack fixed my first problem, I began changing the remaining coils myself. I finally replaced the remaining 5 coils and the misfire was gone. However, I now had the infamous SES lamp and code P1320. Taking a lesson from my Haynes manual, I began reading the coil terminals with an ohm meter. To my surprise 2 of my new aftermarket coils had readings out of range. I replaced them with Nissan parts and my code was clear.

A Haynes manual,ohm meter and a scan tool are necessary for this kind of repair work.

Just bought 2000 maxima. After reading this web site not to sure I made the right choice. Service engine light just came on.

Have a one-owner 2000 Maxima with 72K. Had the #2 coil replaced a few years back and the same symptoms just reappeared. The misfire comes and goes, usually after the car sits for awhile but is still slightly warm. SES code said multiple misfire so I was quoted (best offer) $1200 to replace all coils and plugs. Tried DIY instead and the work is pretty easy. The rear bank plugs and coils are a little tight, but only had to loosen the accelerator cable to get to #5. So far have replaced the plugs with platinum+2 for $21. The car now has its pep back. Noticed the #3 plug was pitted and melted. If coil symptoms reappear, I'll change the #3 coil first for $70...then go from there.