Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Long drives in hot weather (above 85 degrees) cause the transmission to fail. It usually occurs 45 minutes into a steady drive of 60 to 75 MPH or heavy stop and start driving. Pulling over and waiting 10 to 15 minutes will cure the problem, however it will occur again if the same type of driving continues. When the weather is cool out fall through spring, the problem rarely occurs. I have been told it is the internal seals of the transmission. When they get too hot they expand and allow fluid to "blow by" which decreases pressure in the valve body causes the transmission to disengage. I have flushed the transmission every 30,000 miles at the dealer since the car was new. This is not a one off problem. I have two 2000 Maxima's, both with the same problem. There is also a co-worker of mine with a 2001 Maxima with the same problem. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Nissan Maxima. The contact was driving 30 MPH when the vehicle began jerking and attempted to stall. The contact stated that the jerking occurred only when the vehicle was shifting between gears. The contact would have to shift into neutral in order to get the vehicle to start. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and the mechanic stated the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was not replaced. The contact noticed numerous complaints regarding the transmission for the year, make and model via the internet. The failure mileage was 110,000.
My Maxima jumps or slips out of gear while driving. I was just driving on the highway and without warning, the car slipped into neutral. It would no longer accelerate (pressing the gas just caused the engine to rev). I had my children in the car and it was lucky that I was able to get into the breakdown without being hit. I have taken the car to my repair shop and they "think" it's the transmission, but not sure. It has occurred twice since then. This is an extremely dangerous defect that apparently is a common problem with nissans 2000 and later.
The check engine light went on while on a trip. The codes indicated oxygen sensors on the front and rear banks. The car has 45,000 miles on it and this is the third time it has needed oxygen sensors replaced, each time at approximately 15,000 miles. This is a defective part, also each time they reflash the ECM "so it does not happen again", this is defective parts and Nissan should extend the warranty on them. At $650 for the repair, it is a very expensive maintenance item.
I recently had my transmission fluid changed (nov. 2010) on my 2000 Nissan Maxima se and was told that the radiator support is corroded with rust due to very poor quality. I was told by the auto mechanic that this shouldn't be happening and that it was a safety hazard since this could result in the engine or transmission falling out of the vehicle. I was told to file a complaint since this problem is happening with many Nissan maximas.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle needed to be placed into neutral in order to start. No warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle had not been inspected. The failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 98,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While pulling into the driveway vehicle decelerated. Vehicle was driven at 15 MPH to a transmission specialist. Vehicle was at the transmission specialist for 2 weeks, and they could not determine the cause of the problem.
At about 75,000 miles, engine would take a little longer to start especially in rainy weather. It sounded like it was taking longer for fuel to get to engine. Check engine light came on at 80,000 miles. Code indicated bad catalytic convertor. Mechanic reset and a few thousand miles later it came on again. Mechanic determined that both oxygen sensors were defective and they had to be replaced to pass smog check for $460 also, at about 80,000 miles, car had intermitant acceleration problems which became more problematic in rainy weather. I would floor accelerator and nothing would happen. Mechanic pressure tested fuel pump and found it too low and replaced fuel pump for $478. This solved problem for a few months and it began happening again. Then, one day I tried to back out of my garage and it wouldn't go in reverse when I shifted it. …
Transmission failure: bought vehicle in April of '99. Transmission began to slip at 15K. Reman trans under warranty. 2nd slip occurred at 30K under warranty. Denied vehicle trade. Reman trans. 3rd occurrence at 45K, replaced trans w/ OEM under warranty. Denied trade. Transmission failure at high temp for long drives (2 hr incline) and had to wait for the trans to cool before it drove again, one occurrence at 55K, oil OK. Still intermittent power loss/slippage. Dealership unable to recreate problem. Denied trade. Ignition coils: knocking, bad gas mileage, and power loss due to ignition coil failure at 70K. Was told I needed to replace all coils rather than the one that was damaged and all spark plugs. Alternator went out after repair. Replaced all coils, plugs and alternator ($1500). Still have power loss & occasional knocking. No help from Nissan. Denied trade. …
Transmission complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Nissan Maxima, 6% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Nissan Maxima transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
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.