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 2001 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The lower radiator support beam rusted out causing the engine support to brake free from the beam. Now the entire lower support beam needs to be replaced at an extremely high cost of labor and parts. This is a common problem according to all the car websites and the youtube videos showing how to change out the beam. I do not see any recalls for this. For as many people who seem to have had this problem it should have been recalled. People were having this problem 5 yrs ago according to the videos and reports. According to the body shop this is a major problem and they have seen a lot of this type of corrosion issues with this Nissan model and year. According to what I have been told a very serious accident can occur while driving this vehicle if the beam breaks while in motion at high speed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft and crank shaft part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. No further details were available. The VIN was not included NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The lower radiator support bar and surrounding lower structure started rusting away after about 4-5 years from new. The lower radiator support is now almost entirely gone. The dealer quoted $5400 to repair. I was told by the service rep that if/when the core support let go, the engine could fall causing a wreck.
While driving at approximately 30 MPH and decelerating the car began to slightly buck when the transmission tried to down shift. After approximately one to two minutes I smelled an electrical burn. When I came to a stop and put the car in park the engine raced to approximately 1600 to 1900 rpms at idle. The OBD-ii indicated codes of p0505: idle air control valve and p0420: three way catalyst function. My local mechanic inspected the car and replaced the faulty idle air control valve. He contacted the local Nissan service shop, and they informed him that idle air control valve failed and shorted the engine control module, ECM. This seemed to be a common problem the dealer noted, and currently had another 2001 Maxima in the shop that was exhibiting the same failures. The dealer inspected my car and reported the idle air control valve failed and shorted the ECM. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. At 55 MPH the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic, who diagnosed the failure as the mass air flow sensor. The replacement part was ordered from the dealer, but the new sensor also failed. The diagnostic test showed that the sensor needed to be reprogrammed. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer, who stated that the engine motor mounts short-circuited the aac which caused it to blow. Once the aac failed the electric shock blew out the emc. In order to properly repair the vehicle the contact must pay almost $3,000. The contact stated that when the key was put in the ignition and the accelerator pedal depressed the vehicle operated normally. However, as soon as the pedal was released the car shut off again. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.
Went to fix the passenger air bag recall and dealer informed that front cross frame/bar's metal is falling apart because of severe corrosion/rusting which is main support for the radiator and the engine. Also advised that it's highly dangerous to drive since engine/radiator can just fall anytime when it lacks the support. When Nissan consumer affairs is approached they failed to admit the defective material used but responded that vehicle is out of warranty and they could not cover. Also observed similar recent complaints from other owners, hope our complaints gets further attention and concerns are addressed.
2001 Nissan Maxima : in December 2004 service engine light came on and I pulled code p0420. Vehicle was under 80,000 emissions warranty. Dealer "reprogrammed the ECM". Feb 2007 at 81,800 miles, but within the 96 month warranty, same code appears, however now dealer says that o2 sensor and catalytic converter are bad. Dealer says o2 sensor damaged catalytic converter, yet no code appeared for the o2 sensor, and vehicle was only driven less than 2 days with light on. In process of dealing with Nissan north America for replacement. Also, vehicle was new out of alignment, and alignment was never perfect.
Timing chain, guide or tensioner worn. Rattle noise coming from timing chain cover when accelerating from stop or at low end of rpms when revving motor in neutral. Could puncture timing chain cover, causing loss of oil or chain could fail. Dealers states that removal of engine is required for service , and by the time labor and parts are totaled, it makes more sense to replace the engine. D dealers state that this was a part that should not require service. Cost of replacement $4,000, half or more of the value of the vehicle, depending on what price reference was used.
Rear muffler flange will completely rust-through, causing separation of muffler and intake pipe. Exhaust fumes will leak at this point which is near rear passengar seating. Both muffler and corresponding exhaust pipes are solid and relatively free of rust, however failure of this flange resulted in both pipe and muffler replacement. This seems rather extreme for a flange failure. Problem ocurred within four years of ownership (car was purchased new). A letter was sent to the manufacturer, they responded my stating car was out of warranty. My out of pocket expense $300.
Driving to work on the freeway and the car bucked and randomly accelerated and idled high. Later found out that the iac valve had antifreeze that leaked through a gasket causing it to short out. Shortly after also discovered that the valve shorting out ($200 part) cause the ECM to short out. After labor and parts this turns a $200 repair into over a $2000 repair and causes for unsafe driving due to the erratic idle and surging at the time when the valve shorts out.
Engine complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Nissan Maxima, 20% of the model year's 172 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Nissan Maxima engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Nissan Maxima, though it has 3 recalls for other components. 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 2001 Nissan Maxima engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 7% 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.