2000 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

2001 Nissan Maxima in Massachusetts cannot pass insp with SES light. I went to mechanic, he reads codes, says it is the two back O2 sensors. Replace those. Pay $500. Get a rejection insp sticker. Within 12 hours, light is back on. I cannot afford to get into a spiral of repairs and costs. What is my likely future in repairs...anyone?

I have a 2000 Maxima SE and have exactly the same problems as all others. It's got 140k miles.

All coils have been replaced within the past 6 month to the tune of $1500 and the second day out of the shop the SES light comes back on. I bring it back and they run diagnostics that shows the Cat Converter is going bad and is $961 to replace. Service Mgr tells me to either get it fixed today or bring it home and park it till I have the money. He said the converter can go at any time and if it does it will get sucked into my engine and a big cloud of smoke with appear thus signal a blown engine. Which would cost about 8K to replace. Is it true my engine will blow if I don't get the Cat Conv replaced???

Have since called Nissan and their customer service rep told me "Wow, you got 140K miles on your car! That's a great life for a car. Your out of warranty so Nissan can't help you". I can't believe how surprised she was that I got 140K on my car. That's nothing!! My wifes Toyota has 210K and runs great! With todays technology a car should definitely last 200K with minor maintenance. Especially since 100K of my miles are highway.

So basically Nissan can S a D and Toyota, HERE I COME!!!

Mass resident returns with update. Okay, I am an engineer and need to look at this in steps. I bought this vehicle for 30K. Service Engine light light came on at 30,000 miles. What other vehicle has that record? I have replaced O2 sensors, cat, coils during that time...again..what other vehicle has that record??? Now at a mere 70 k miles, I cannot get an emission sticker and the dealer replaces O2 sensors (again) and in 36 hours the SES light returns and now the man says it is the cat once again. So read my lips.. I have 72,000 miles on this 30K car and have replace O2 sensors 2x, looking at cat 2x and coils 1x. anyone got a better running record than that? This is the biggest Dog I have had in 30 years of my driving life. I went to Honda today and traded it in for a mere $4500 just to be rid of the albatross. I went to Nissan first and asked what if anything they could offer and they said... quote "other cars have similar issues". Name me one! My final thought,,,, my 2001 black Massachusetts Nissan Maxima SE, low miles, sweet looking is out there in a few weeks buffed and shined by some wholesaler... buyer be ware!!! Never, ever, ever a Nissan again.

I also was having problem with service engine light

I replaced the mass air flow sensor after dealer told me it would be around 400 for them to do job. I picked one up from junk yard for 100. 10 min fix... car is running great.

Hi,

I had the same issue with my 2000 SE Maxima a cpl years ago. I had to replace the coils, luckily it was under warranty, but now I'm noticing the same problems this past winter. Fine during the summer though. Anyway anyone have problems with a rattling under the car near the front. I can feel it near the floor when I'm driving. It started occurring when I went over uneven/bumpy road. I had it checked out and was told nothing was wrong. Well now it's starting to become more prevalent. Any ideas?

I just purchased my first car, a 2000 Maxima se with 114,000 miles. when I hit the throttle it bogs and won't accelerate. If you ease off the throttle it will get to a point that it will pick up and go. (stays around 4000 and bogs there) I think its not fuel pump, but I'm not sure can anyone help me with this...

I have a 1999 Maxima SE, with 121,000 miles on it. I took the car in for a oil change, tune up, and a full transmission flush, The car was running fine before work was done, now it is kinda hiccuping when I idle at a light or a stop sign. Took it back to shop and was told that it may be the throttle position sensor causing it to run like this. Anyone else had this problem?

If your 2000+ maxima runs like crap when cold give it gas shakes hiccups, but is fine when it warms up, you scan and get O2 or cat don't replace any of these. save your time and money just put on a maf (mass airflow sensor), guaranteed to have a max life of 80,000 no more. problems will be solved. Thank me later!!!

I have a 2002 Nissan Maxima GLE with 83,400 miles on it with a "Service Engine Soon" issue. The light first came on at the end of Jan. 07 with 78,986 miles. I read the manual, tried tightening the gas cap as the manual recommended, but ended having to take it to the dealer because the light wouldn't go off. I was told the oxygen sensor was bad ($298.53 later.) The invoice says codes: P0139 & P1147 - showing defective rear 02 sensor bank 1. Well, now it's Aug. 07 with 83,400 miles and the light is back on. I was told that I needed a new vent control valve which affects the emission system. The service rep said best case scenario was replacing this for $262 (P+L). He also said worst case scenario was that if that didn't work, I would need a charcoal canister which then brought my cost to a total of $474.00. Of course the follow-up phone call I got after I authorized the work was that it did "unfortunately require the canister". Figures. That's when I simply plugged in "Nissan Maxima Vent Control Valve" into Google and found this site. I found this alarming to say the least. I know most of you are referencing the 2000 Maxima, but is anyone else out there experiencing this with the 2002? I can't help but think I'm being taken for a ride by my Nissan dealership. Help!

I bought my 2000 Maxima from a guy that already did the research about the SES light. Of course mine is lit, and Autozone said it's the code for the O2 sensor.

It was explained to me there are two banks of catalytic converters on this car, and the computer compares the values between the banks of O2 sensors. If the value exceeds a certain parameter, it throws a code. In no way has it affected how the car drives, and I regularly get 28mpg on the highway. I did replace the MAF sensor due to slight stumbling issues which helped quite a bit. Not expensive, about $40 for a genuine Nissan part.

I advise everyone on here that has a thrown SES light to get the codes read, and unless it's one for the coil, just ignore it and drive as usual. No need to freak out or spend insane amounts of money at the dealer. Someone mentioned the SES light is there as a money maker, I tend to agree.

After reading all these comments I feel better about the fact I'm now getting rid of my 2000 Maxima SE for all the reasons mentioned. Bad coil packs, bad 02 sensor, defective MAF (Dealer said it was because I didn't use a Nissan air filter... right), and finally bad Cat. What started out as a car that I was proud to drive has ended up as a car I'll be happy to get rid of. Nissan would not change any of the parts even though I made an appointment when my car was under the 80k warranty, but came for service at 80,250...let's face it they are not a customer oriented company! I believe the best way to respond to them is to buy another brand. I will never buy another Nissan again.

I read the comments on the SES light and advice to ignore the light, do not repair and "keep on trucking". However, those folks must live in states that do not require the SES light to be UNLIT to pass inspection. My state rejects cars with SES light that are lit. You are obligated to do whatever to get it fixed within 30 days. No sticker=no driving car. I have to work and the constant taking the car in and out of the shop to make the 30 day deadline was impacting my job. Needless to say, I no longer drive a Nissan.

Yup, I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima SE at its got problems! I bought it brand new, has about 150Kms. The first major thing to go was the ignition coils at about 110Kms. that is what caused the misfiring 'bucking'. All six have been replaced. Most recently its go other issues, stalling, lagging and throttle problems and warning lights I have to contend with.

It sure seems everyone has come to realize this model has some pretty bad defects, that are costly to repair. I am pretty peeved myself as I thought it would be a very reliable car, but at 150K, it doesn't run all that well.

I will try to find cost effective ways to keep it running reasonably well (and avoid Dealership!) and hopefully get another 50K out it. This board has been helpful so thanks for all your input everyone.

Have a 2001 Maxima at 140,000 miles ses light came on. The car would stall immediately after cold start (less than about 40 degrees F) unless you used the throttle to regulate idle speed for approximately 10 seconds. Fix turned out to be replacing the idle air control valve.

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