KnownCarProblems2001 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 172 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Nissan Maxima, most often about the engine (20% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). It is 9th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2001 Nissan Maxima problems
Engine
35 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
The intake manifold gasket needed to be replace at 87,000 miles. I have noticed that other Maxima owners have had the same experience.
- while driving his 2001 Nissan Maxima at a speed of 30 MPH the vehicle stalled completely losing power. At the time of the failure contact stated that the steering wheel locked, as well as, losing the ability to brake. The contact could not restart the vehicle so he had to have the vehicle towed to dealer. The dealer…
Air bags
29 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 124,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor indicator illuminated and flashed off and on. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, but no assistance was offered.…
Takata recall hi, the reason why I'm writing is I had a recall quite some time ago about a year maybe and it was done but a week later it came back on the dash flashing and it still flashing and I do know that this should not be on like this so I need to know if there is a recall for this, if so could you please set…
Electrical
27 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, starter assembly.
Highway driving, car jerks and sputters, could cause a crash ses light came on, car idles rough, car stalls replaced all 6 ignition coils, problem recurred a few days later.
The "check engine soon" light is on. A local Nissan dealer found one ignition coil failed. The dealer suggested to replace all the coils since they will fail one by one soon. I had to replace all the 6 coils at the price of ~$800. This apparently is a defect of the manufacturer.
Suspension
24 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle drove over a bump, he heard a knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and referenced recall 02v146000…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a constant knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the brakes were the cause of the failure. They test drove the vehicle and diagnosed it as unsafe to drive. The dealer claimed…
Brakes
23 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, pedals and linkages, disc, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Front rotors have failed three times within 60,000 and Nissan says that this is due to driving habits, I.e., rotors get hot and then fail. Reference # 4029350 perjudy ext. 3773. Dealer has replaced rotors each time and I find no fault with dealer with the exception that they do not know what is causing this; other…
Rotors warp and cause steering to shake when brakes applied - on my Maxima I have needed to have the disks turned 3 times (1st time at 13k miles) and then the rotors replaced before I had 30k miles on my car. Now at 44500 I need to get the disks turned again. I had a 98 Maxima before the 01 and never had to get work.
Speed control
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: cables.
: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH on interstate during dry conditions, the vehicle stalled without warning reducing to 30 MPH. The vehicle was pulled off of the interstate. After sitting for a while and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle ran normally. This occurred intermittently. At times the vehicle would…
I bought a 2001 Nissan Maxima brand new in june 2001. One day while driving in 2004 I experienced sudden acceleration and the engine racing. It did stop after a few seconds but I took it immediately to my neighborhood car mechanic. He couldn't duplicate the problem but found a defective air pollution part and replaced…
Fuel system
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system, delivery.
2001 Nissan Maxima required the replacement of the fuel tank filler neck and cap secondary to corrosion. The service engine soon indicator light was illuminated requiring diagnostic evaluation in which the code was related to the evap system subsequently leading to the discovery of gasoline vapor leaking from the fuel…
Check engine light keeps coming on, had to replace idle control module twice for 500.00 each time because engine diagnosis indicated failure. Car does not start right away, had to press pedal lightly to restart even after idle control fixed. Failed smog check, discovered catalytic converter failed, had to replace for…
Body and structure
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 116,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
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…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. During a routine inspection, he was advised that the structure of the front radiator support needed to be replaced, because of corrosion. The failure and current mileages were 152000.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Nissan Maxima recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Full defect summary
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 2006-2010 m35 and m45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags
Risk: 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 injury or death.
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. Note: on december 18, 2015 nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 infiniti fx35 and fx45 vehicles.
Full defect summary
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 bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: This can cause a knocking sound and abnormal steering. This could result in difficulty controlling the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2001 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (35 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); air bags (29 complaints, typically around 124,000 miles); electrical (27 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 9, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is 9th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints, with 172 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.