Nissan Maxima 2000–2003 problems by year and mileage
5th generation (A33)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026943 complaints, 623 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2000 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 360
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2000
- Electrical system171 reports · median 53,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system72 reports · median 58,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit26 reports
The 2001 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- 72,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 172
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2001
- Airbag system29 reports
- Engine and its cooling system28 reports
- Electrical system27 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Air bags · Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2002 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 205
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2002
- Engine and its cooling system30 reports
- Airbag system29 reports
- Throttle and speed control23 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Air bags · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2003 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- 87,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 206
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2003
- Engine and its cooling system54 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Engine43 reports · median 122,000 mi
- Airbag system35 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Air bags · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2003; earliest: the 2000, and the 2000 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2000–2003 Nissan Maxima reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 68,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 150,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 623
- Recalls
- 6
Most reported
- Electrical system25.1% of complaints · median 57,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system19.5% of complaints · median 70,000 mi
- Airbag system12.3% of complaints · median 118,000 mi
Owners filed 943 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2003 Nissan Maxima; the electrical system leads with 25.1% of them, and half of the 623 that record an odometer reading came by 68,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 39,000 to 110,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2000–2003 Nissan Maxima last?
On the 2000–2003 Nissan Maxima, half of the 623 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 68,000 miles and 90% by 150,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
66 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 16 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Maxima reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Maxima 2000–2003 · 623 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 60 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 16 complaints (2.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 17,000
- 25%
- 39,000
- Median
- 68,000
- 75%
- 110,000
- 90%
- 150,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 28 | 4.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 41 | 6.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 54 | 8.7% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 38 | 6.1% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 60 | 9.6% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 56 | 9.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 43 | 6.9% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 39 | 6.3% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 38 | 6.1% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 45 | 7.2% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 23 | 3.7% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 20 | 3.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 27 | 4.3% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 25 | 4.0% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 20 | 3.2% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 15 | 2.4% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 12 | 1.9% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 12 | 1.9% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 6 | 1.0% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.8% |
| 200,000+ | 16 | 2.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Maxima problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Maxima 2000–2003
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Exterior lighting59 reportsmedian 17,000middle half 6,500–90,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit69 reportsmedian 27,000middle half 16,000–43,000
- Electrical system237 reportsmedian 57,000middle half 43,000–86,000
- Engine and its cooling system184 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 37,000–100,000
- Suspension57 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 33,000–115,000
- Airbag system116 reportsmedian 118,000middle half 58,000–153,000
- Engine78 reportsmedian 124,000middle half 98,000–150,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 237 | 25.1% | 57,000 | 43,000–86,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 184 | 19.5% | 70,000 | 37,000–100,000 |
| Airbag system | 116 | 12.3% | 118,000 | 58,000–153,000 |
| Engine | 78 | 8.3% | 124,000 | 98,000–150,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 69 | 7.3% | 27,000 | 16,000–43,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 59 | 6.3% | 17,000 | 6,500–90,000 |
| Suspension | 57 | 6.0% | 72,000 | 33,000–115,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 54 | 5.7% | 74,000 | 40,000–96,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 51 | 5.4% | 75,000 | 42,000–110,000 |
| Body structure | 48 | 5.1% | 99,000 | 39,000–139,000 |
Known problems with the 2000–2003 Maxima
Emissions / Exhaust 2000–2001
Pre-catalytic converter failure with substrate ingestion into the engine, a widely reported cause of high oil consumption and cylinder wear on the VQ30DE-K.
Engine Mounts
Collapsed hydraulic front engine mount causing heavy idle vibration and driveline shudder.
Before you buy a 2000–2003 Maxima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 623 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check emissions / exhaust on 2000–2001 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine mounts.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Maxima problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi44% below | At 90k mi64% below | At 120k mi78% below | At 150k mi89% below | At 200k mi97% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 43,000–86,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 37,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 58,000–153,000 | in window | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Engine | 98,000–150,000 | later | later | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 16,000–43,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 6,500–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 33,000–115,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Maxima 2000–2003 · 623 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 44% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 64% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 78% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 89% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2000–2003 Nissan Maxima recalls (6)
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (2), the engine and its cooling system (1), the suspension (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jan 2020 · 2001–2003 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact…
May 2015 · 2001–2003 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.…
Nov 2003 · 2002–2003 · Engine and Engine CoolingThis could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
What can happen. This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are…
May 2002 · 2001–2002 · SuspensionThis can cause a knocking sound and abnormal steering.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the pin at the end of the front suspension transverse link (lower control arm) could break where it is mounted to the frame.
What can happen. This can cause a knocking sound and abnormal steering. This could result in difficulty controlling the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the transverse links on the left and right sides with new ones. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
Feb 2002 · 2002 · Vehicle Speed ControlThis will cause the engine malfunction indicator lamp to come on and the engine speed to be severely limited.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles equipped with an electronic throttle control system, the stopper for the accelerator pedal will prevent excessive movement of the accelerator position sensor. If the driver applies overly excessive force to the accelerator pedal…
What can happen. This will cause the engine malfunction indicator lamp to come on and the engine speed to be severely limited. If this occurs unexpectedly, it could lead to a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new accelerator pedal stopper. Owner notification began march 11, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Jan 2002 · 2002 · Power TrainOn certain passenger vehicles equipped with a traction control system, the odometer in the subject vehicles…
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a traction control system, the odometer in the subject vehicles registers distance in kilometers instead of miles as is specified in the design. The odometer does not have a label that indicates "kilometers" or "km" as required by fmvss no. 101, "Controls and displays."
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the odometer to determine if it is correct and, if not, will replace the speedometer/odometer assembly. Owner notification began december 12, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 943 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 73 (7.7%)
- Fires
- 12
- Injury reports
- 48
- Fatality reports
- 4
Maxima problems by model year
The 2000 drew the most complaints of this generation, 360, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2001 the fewest, 172. A typical year drew about 206.
The first year of the generation, 2000, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 360 | 231 | 60,000 | Electrical system (171) | 0 |
| 2001 | 172 | 117 | 72,000 | Airbag system (29) | 3 |
| 2002 | 205 | 128 | 64,000 | Engine and its cooling system (30) | 6 |
| 2003 | 206 | 147 | 87,000 | Engine and its cooling system (54) | 3 |
What Maxima owners reported
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The…
2003 · 225,000 miles · Engine
Tires. Goodyear viva 3 model, size 215/55r16 (and most other sizes). These tires go out of round at exceptionally low mileage. An common complaint at walmart (the only retailer that sells this model) is that the tires go out of round, produce unbelievable noise, and vibration in the steering column. I have experience…
2000 · 95,000 miles · Tyres
takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v008000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to the gilman Nissan fort bend located at 26001 southwest fwy, rosenberg, tx 77471, and after two days it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The…
2002 · 123,000 miles · Airbag system
the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign…
2002 · 130,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 623 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Maxima generations
- Maxima 1995–1999 187 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Maxima 2004–2008 2,679 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Maxima 2009–2014 778 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Maxima 2016–2023 155 reports with mileage, most about problems owners could not categorise