Is the 2000 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
359 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 56, 5.6× a quiet Maxima year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 48k–100k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Maxima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 170 (47%) | 40k–75k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 53 (15%) | 50k–98k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exhaust | 27 (8%) | 28k–88k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 23 (6%) | 64k–162k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 17 (5%) | 44k–112k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 22 (6%) | 76k–150k miles · ahead | — |
| Brakes | 33 (9%) | 16k–47k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 359 complaints: 25 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Ses, TCS, and slip lights on. Engine running roughly. Dx from auto zone on ses is ignition coils. Upon checking internet, this is a very common problem with maximas and can cause engine failure.
2000 Nissan maxima. Problem with engine misfiring related to NTB01059. Problem continues to recur though coil packs (6) are replaced.
My son was driving this car and heard the engine making unusual noise and a clunking noise. I took the car to a mechanic to have it checked out and found out the front sub frame is completely rusted out.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Nissan Maxima: 3
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 20
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Nissan Maxima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Identify: A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty
Vent control valve replacement
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light on/flashing
Neighbouring years
2001 Maxima: 172 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Maxima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Maxima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
359 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 56, 5.6× a quiet Maxima year. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 48k–100k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Nissan Maxima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (170), engine (53), exhaust (27), air bags (23), suspension (17). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 48k–100k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.