Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
My Nissan was parked on the street about 11:00 pm. The following morning, just before 7:00 am, I had knocking at my door and it was the fireman wanting the keys to my car so they could access the latch to open the hood. Smoke was coming out of the sides of the hood and the firemen were already spraying my hood as the engine was on fire. Since the latch did not work, an electric saw was used to open it. The engine was doused with the fire hose till the smoke stopped. You could see that the whole engine was black. The fire was so strong that the front was sitting on top of the front tire. It has been reported as an accident with cause unknown and must have been burning anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. Odd that a fire would start since the car was sitting overnight for 6 to 7 hours, cold. I was fortunate not to be in the car. …
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
My 2000 Maxima has a check engine light illuminated. Normally, the cars runs fine but approximately 10 times over the last several years in extremely humid conditions and when the temperature is around 50 degrees (f), the idle gets extremely rough. I had the fault codes read and they were p1320 (three times) and p0420 (once). After being read, the codes were reset, but immediately returned. This defect has existed on and off for over two years and has been reset several during this time. When reset the last time, the weather was exactly as described above. The car has 36K miles and is driven around 4K miles per year. My investigation indicated defective coils, which are known problems to Nissan and should have been recalled a long time ago. …
We own a 2000 Nissan Maxima se. We have had multiple issues with it. At around 68,000 miles we had to pay around $1000 to replace all of the ignition coil wires on the car because it would stall and quit running. We took it to wallace Nissan in kingsport tennessee and had it repaired. They told us then that it was a " known issue" with no official recall from Nissan so we would have to cover the full cost out of pocket. Next we have always had these "noises" in the front wheels that they keep telling us is from rusted brake dust shields. Now the car vibrates all over the road, going to a mechanic tomorrow, most likely rack & pinion issue. …
I believe, the engine light problem was there since I bought it because after driving couple of months (1000-1500 miles) the light appeared. First, it will come and go after approx 61,000 miles it became permanent. In 2008 I took the vehicle to Nissan dealership bill kay at downers grove il paid approx. $2,000 for fixing the problem but after some time it again came up and started flashing. In 2010 again I took it to maineke auto work shop and got the ignition coils changed, silencer/exhaust changed and paid almost $1,200 but again the same problem of engine light came back. The problom goes on and on, recently I got the new battery and took it to the gerald Nissan at ogden ave. Naperville, il they said they changed the coils but light came back the very next day. I paid $800. Now they are again mentioning there is a problem with sensor. Please advise and help me with this problem. …
We had been smelling gasoline inside the car for about a day. When we started the car in the morning there was a little difficulty starting the car. We backed out and noticed some liquid in our parking space. Upon checking the liquid smelled like gasoline. When I checked under the hood, there was a gasoline leak when we started the car (spraying all over the engine). The injector fuel line where it goes into the fuel rail was leaking at the crimp clamp. The part was not available anywhere in the united states. (we were at the end of a weeks vacation in arizona). We thought we found a used part but it was the wrong one. Finally, after we had to rent a car to come home, Nissan said it would be shipping the part to our mechanic's distributor and would be available in 5 - 10 days. I had to take a bus back to arizona to pick up the car. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Nissan Maxima. One year ago, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the coil ignition failed. The coil ignition was replaced. Several months later, the engine warning light illuminated again on the instrument control panel and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer replaced all of the coil ignition springs. One week later, the light illuminated again and the dealer stated that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The oxygen sensor was replaced. Five months later, the failure recurred and the dealer stated that the catalyst needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired because the expense exceeds $1,200. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance because the warranty expired. The failure mileage was 74,000 and current mileage was 88,000.
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.
I drive a 2000 Nissan Maxima that currently has 48000 miles on it. I developed an engine ping at 45000 miles and took it to the dealer for sevice. They replaced all 6 coil packs and air something or other at a cost of $1300.00. I have driven it 5000 more miles and I once again have an engine ping. I took it back to the dealer a second time to which they told me I was a quart low on oil and that would cause a ping. They did an oil & filter change. I was pleased as I drove away and heard no engine ping, however about 30 miles later it came back. Their theory of being 1 quart low on oil is not correct. I decided to research this problem on the net, and see that this is a very common problem with Nissan's. This is not a cheap fix and I think Nissan should have to recall this as it should not be a consumer fix.
My Maxima started sputtering and acted as if it was going to die. The service engine soon light came on. At about 3500rpm the car brick walled and decelerated. First I took it to a mechanic who blew out all my hoses. That worked for a couple months. Then the light came back on and was acting up again. Replaced the 2 front oxygen sensors. Worked for about a week. Went back to the mechanic who replaced the mass air flow sensor and replaced the fuel filter. Ran good for a few weeks and started acting up again. Took it back to mechanic and had to have the first of 6 ignition coils replaced. Running fine, occasionally sputters, but my service engine light won't go away. Took it to a Nissan dealership and the service dept. Said that the 2000 model does not have an ECM software update!
Engine complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Nissan Maxima, 23% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Nissan Maxima engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.