2000 Nissan Maxima SE 4D from North America - Comments

I too had an ignition coil blow out a few years ago on my 2000 Maxima SE. I had the following costs

6 coils @ $56 each = $336.18

labor to check for problem and then replace coils = $151

shop supplies and tax = 32.67

total cost = $519.85

mileage was 57,753

I now have 85,000 miles and this was the only non wear and tear problem the car has had, that's pretty damn good by any standard. The MAXIMA is a wonderful car and I look forward to buying another Maxima in 5 years along with a Nissan Quest in 2 years.

I'm sad to see that I share this problem with so many Maxima owners. I too have a 2000 Maxima SE that started running rough around 75,000 miles. After taking it to the local Nissan dealership I was told that my ignition coils were bad and needed replacement. $700 later the car appeared to be running a lot better. I forgot to mention the $1,700 I spent on a transmission rebuild previous to this problem. Anyway, at exactly 80,750 miles my "Service Engine Soon" light is back on again. I have noticed from time to time that the car may hesitate during acceleration under 40 mph. According to the Nissan manual, the car should be serviced at 78,750 miles. Is there some preset that triggers the "Service Engine Soon" light if it has not been serviced 2,000 miles after a scheduled maintenence, or is this a coincidence? I have a 750 mile trip I was planning on driving in my Maxima next week and was wondering if I should park my Max and just rent a car to make this trip. If you have any advice please email me at rowdy_smurf@hotmail.com.

I'm planning to buy a used 2000 maxima se in a couple of days. thanks for all the feedback on the ignition coils...i'll definitely have my dealer check it out before I buy it. just have one more question:

I read somewhere that the 2000 maxima gives starting trouble and stalls in cold temperatures. any experience regarding this problem? I live in Connecticut so you can see why this is really important for me to find out!

I'll appreciate any feedback.

I have also been victimized by this infamous "coil problem". I own a 2000 Maxima SE and have a little over 37,000 mile on it. My "service engine soon" light came on about a week ago. I took the car to the dealer today and they said that there is no recall for this issue. They informed me that it would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $700 and $800.

My question is:

How can this issue be elevated so that it is considered worthy of being a recall?

I purchased my 2000 SE, 7 months ago; at buying point it was running real rough

during acceleration. The garage sent it to the dealership for repair/checkup.

The computer pulled 2 codes, 1 oxygen sensor and 1 mass air sensor.

The garage had to pay the 550$ CAN bill before I purchased the car.

I know that the coils were a potential problem when I got it. During my 7 months now, the only thing I noticed was that when the engine is still "cold" (even in summer) I get a jerky acceleration around 2500RPM then it goes away after the engine gets hotter.

For the rest, no check-engine lights, no coil replacement up to now.

I even installed a custom air intake (weapon R) and I love the car.

PS: I run with "Plus" grade gas.

Just another proud owner of a 2000 Maxima, bought it w/54,000 miles on it and prior to the 60,000 mile warranty ending we had one coil go bad. The dealership replaced it at no cost, then at about 65,000 the same problem and the dealer tells me that I need to replace one more coil that has gone bad, but that they suggest replacing all the rest to avoid future problems and to reduce my costs. I was irate, a few months earlier they were nice enough to replace just one under warranty, but now that my car is not under warranty they "suggest" to "reduce my cost in the future, we might as well replace 'em all while we're in there." My wife and I are very disappointed.

I own Nissan Maxima 2000 GLE (bought it in August, 2000).

The "Service Engine Soon" alarm light came out first around

35,000 miles, in my case, going "on" and "off".

Just a month ago, I hada problem to pass the Smog Check,

the first one for this car. There was a Milfunctioning

problem detected by the Smog Check specialist, and certainly, he noticed the BS "SES" light.

I went to the Nissan Dealership, so they reprogramed

my ECM under Warranty. Once I returned to the Smog Check,

my car still failed the Smog Check due to the "Not Complete" number of points exceeded allowe limit.

I was told by the Smog Check specialist I need special drive test once the ECM was reprogramed.

I've already lost $70 in the Smog Check wasting my free

retest. I'm afraid it may come up finally as the Oxygen (O2) Sensor problem. So, note my case. I'll let you know later the final of the story once gone through the BS to the end. One thing is for sure, there is a factory defect in Emission \ Electronic Control System.

And, Nissan should make a recall. A collective letter might work in the way.

I feel part of a popular coil club... misery loves company. I have a 99' Maxima SE, the check engine soon light came on coincidentally not long after I switched to regular from premium gas (I was told it wouldn't make a difference). I can't tell there is anything wrong by driving the car it, but I took it to a dealer who said I needed to replace all the coils (like every other Maxima owner it seems. I'm driving it with the light on, any risk?

Is there anywhere to source cheaper coil packs? What's involved in changing the coils, is it a do-it-yourself job?

Any comments would be welcome... please e-mail me at djmodlin@yahoo.com

Thanks.

I recently joined the club last week when the Service Engine Soon light appeared on my 2000 Maxima SE at 69k miles and the car started to show signs of rough idling. I haven't taken the car to the dealer yet, but based on all the posting before me I can guess what the problem may be related to... the ignition coils. To get rid of the light, I disconnected the positive lead to the car battery for 5-10 minutes to "restart" the computer system, but that's not going to help fix the rough idling/ignition coil problem. I will eventually replace the coils, but am disappointed as the rest of you are with the fact that I will be shelling out a lot of money to fix a problem that is widespread and not an isolated incident. After reading what everyone has to say its clear to me that the problem is a result of a faulty product and that hopefully, if enough people come forward to complain then something will be done about it. I recommend signing the petition that one person referred to earlier and to call Nissan directly to complain at 1-800-NISSAN1. Good luck.

I own a 1999 Maxima SE. I am having all these same problems. AT 48,000 miles my check engine light comes on and it's an O2 sensor and a knock sensor. I have ignored these for a while, but it has effected the performance of the car. Now at 82,000 miles my traction control system light and slip lights come on while driving. Does anyone know if I can ignore this problem with the TCS or it is something that needs to be fixed. I think the cars performance is lacking and I want to fix it, but I'm sure it will be expensive. Anyone have a cheap solution?

Coil failure continues. Maxima 2000 purchased in 01 with 18k miles. Check engine soon appeared at 39k miles and intermediate misfiring started soon after. Called my local Nissan service for a price quote. 700.00 to replace all six coils. He expressed that they are seeing issue come through there service department. I will look into replacing them myself if I can. Recall is in order. Will submit petition and complain just to me make feel better about losing 700.00. Nissan, never again.

Ignition coil failure good news. Repair it yourself. I was able to purchase and replace one coil to resolve the immediate misfiring issue. First the front three coils on the Max-00 are behind a plastic panel on top cam cover. 4 allen screaws hold this cover on. The rear three are nestled between the intake manifold pipes, but very visible on top. The power connectors are tricky. Push the green release tab in and pull connector out. I determined the bad coil by removeing the power to each cyclinder while the engine is running/misfiring. When I removed power the engine misfire became worse until I got to the one that was bad. When you remove power to the one that is bad you would hear no change in the engine misfire. In my case it was third coil from the left on the front.

I found the part on line rather than local. It only saved me 10.00. Price was 62.11 with shipping no tax. locally was between 72-77$ +tax. I found this price at Courtsey Nissan, Richardson, TX (800) 527-1909. Received the part yesterday, took three minutes to install. Just a bolt holds the coil in place. Removed, replaced, started, issue resolved. Beats paying 700.00 for all six. cstock@hotmail.com

I bought my 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE at 58K miles. Since then I have had nothing, but problems and it appears as though I'm not the only one. Shortly after having my car the "check engine soon light" came on. I had my co2 sensors replaced. Now the light is on again. I have done nothing with it. My left rear brake light is constantly going out as well. This also seems to be a reccuring problem although from reading the emails, everyone else says their right one goes out.

I took my car in back in March when my rear brakes went out. I thought it was strange after 69K miles, since on my Accord after 120K miles the rear brakes never had to be replaced. They replaced them and yesterday at 78K miles I heard a loud squealing. Briefly took it by the service center and wow, my rear brakes are out again! Has anyone else had brake problems? I am so fed up with this car right now. The Maxima was a recommended buy on Consumer Reports, but if I can get out of this car, I will, and I'll buy a Honda or Acura going forward.

2000 Maxima Problems

I, like most everyone else here am having issues with my Maxima. My problem is with cold start ups. The car sputters, surges and stalls. What I am wondering is, do all of you unhappy people that have coil problems have this problem. I was thinking it was just one of my sensors, but, I am told if the check engine light is off when I have it diagnosed they will not be able to find anything. Well, if I drive it to have it checked, the car will be warm and their will be no light on. Someone please email me at Willin01@aol. com if you have similiar problems or any suggestions. Thank You.

Ignition coil replacement suggested by my dealer. I only have 27000 miles and "Check Engine Soon" light is on. Occasionally stalling. Dealer replacement price for all 6 coils $645.00. Obviously I think this is very unfair, since this problem seems to be so common. I am amazed that I had no prior warning from Nissan regarding this potential problem. Now that I am 3000 miles past my warranty period, I am left to fend for myself on this issue. Very bad performance by Nissan. No longer recommending Nissan as a quality vehicle.