Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased this car at a buy here pay here lot the ABS system warning light is on and the brakes almost go to the floor I was told it was the acculator of the braking system failure and dealership said there May be a recall it should be cause the cost is over 1,000.00 dollars to repair the car runs good but that is alot of money to spend on a used car known for this issue and that no dealerships buy here pay here lots for people who have no credit get stuck with a good running car and the brakes are a big safety issue
Our confirmation for earlier complaint is : 10628840 since we bought the car, it is an on going problem. We had engine light and suspension problem. While driving car some times starts wavering and jumping. Also gets very difficult to control the steering. Many of the Nissan places have charged us a healthy amount of money but the problem stays the same. Can not be driven on highways. I have submitted all the documents with the previous complaint. Please advise and help us. Thank you
Bought the Maxima new and at 12000 miles had to have the rotors turned. The dealer and Nissan said it was my driving habits. I promptly told them that this is the first car I had this done to (other than a used 74 vega I had in high school). Now the car is at 22,000 miles (and is only a little over 3 years old) and the vibration is back. The first time they turned the rotors it cost me $120 (but after complaining to Nissan they gave me a &100 service credit). But I have to do it again and think that it is certainly not my driving habits thar are causing this. And the commercials they had promoted this car as some kind of sports car ('cars like it - 0') driving very fast on the salt lakes where speed records are set. My problem was I believed the commercial. Other than this I am happy with the car, but am considering replacing the rotors with some other manufacturer's if that is possible.
I purchased a used 2000 Nissan Maxima that had 28,000 miles on it almost 3 years ago. I have only put 6,000 miles on the car, but have had problems with the check engine light being on almost continuously since I purchased the vehicle. I took it to my regular mechanic when it had to pass smog inspection. He temporarily fixed the engine light problem, but soon as I accelerated over 50 miles per hour, the light came on again. I have also had problems with the brakes, which had to be completely replaced twice, the ignition (car wouldn't start), and, a problem with the car when downshifting (engine seizes up violently). There is also a suspension problem, as car makes loud noise every time I have to go over speed bumps. My son is ready to get his driver's license, and I will have to get rid of this car at a loss, as I do not feel the car is safe for him to drive.
Car completely looses all power steering and brakes, with no driver and or passenger recourse but to escape the vehicle before a car comes up behind you. 93 complaints seen on line with the same problem . Seems I saw other Nissan Maxima owners in those complaints to Nissan petition that had 2001 2002 and 2003 . The ignition coil wires are being replaced and sometimes the ignition module. Takes a lot of money to find out what it is and the cost to fix is usually 600 to more than 1000 dollars, not to mention all the things replaced trying to figure out what it is. All coil wires have to be replaced as the diagnostic test wont show which cylinder it is, when driving all loss of RPM then stops suddenly with no steering because it locks up.
Ignition coils have failed and been replaced and now ABS/TCS indicator lights flash on and off; dealer told me ABS was not operational if the light was on, but ABS is operational based on self-test on the road. Based on the number of electrical/ignition complaints, it is clearly an electrical problem that Nissan and/or the dealer is not addressing.
Front rotors/pads completely wore out. Consumer replaced them three times in just 40, 000 miles. Rotors resurfaced twice by dealer. Once on 11/19/01 at 16252 miles. Second was on 04/29/02 at 21510 miles. The third was 10/10/03 at 40000 miles. This repair was by a private motor shop.
2000 Maxima engine failed. Piston rod broke into pieces and totally damaged the engine. The rotors were turned and the doors were hard to open. The drive belts were replaced. The deck lid light bulb was replaced. The consumer was unable to pull out the dip stick. Updated 03/20/06.
While traveling 20 MPH consumer placed foot on brake and pedal went all the way to floor. As a result, vehicle hit another vehicle. /no damge or injuries occurred. Dealer has checked, but still cannot find cause.
I bought the car new and right around 17K miles front end began to shake when I braked at 70 to slow down it continued to get worse so I took it in aroun 20K miles rotars were warped they turned then I said OK it is very early for these rotors to get warped so early but dealer offered no explanation. Now at 30000 I am back in for the same reason the car vibrates violently at high speeds if I break to stop my neighbor has the same problem at 20K miles. I also have this graoning noise coming from my brakes when I brakes at low speeds the noise is almost like what one would hear if the rotars were slippery and the pads were trying to grip it. I am not sure what the dealer will do today but I asked them to replace it and not turn the rotars everytime we turn them they loose mass. I also told them that I don't want to be back in another 5-10K miles. …
Brake complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Nissan Maxima, 9% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Nissan Maxima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Nissan Maxima. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Nissan Maxima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.