The Lemon Index2000 Nissan Maxima.
The 2000 Nissan Maxima is better than average by owner complaints: 100 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 70, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 20 to 21 mpg combined. The best Nissan Maxima year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 360 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Maxima year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 42K to 94K miles on the car (231 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 40K–75K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 29K–88K miles
Recalls 3
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 112 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Buzzing noise coming from the engine compartment for several seconds
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Front rotors/pads completely wore out. Consumer replaced them three times in just 40, 000 miles.
2000 Nissan Maxima owner · NHTSA complaint 10042883
More owner reports
2000 Nissan Maxima - ignition coils failing pre-maturely. Loss of power.
NHTSA complaint 10021277
Rotors cause severe drievability problems at speeds over 40 mph and may impact effectivesness of abs system.
NHTSA complaint 756712
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 70; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Maxima year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2000 Nissan Maxima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (25%), electrical (20%) and engine (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Nissan Maxima get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Nissan Maxima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,000 and 94,300 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 231 complaints.
Does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Nissan Maxima cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Nissan Maxima have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Maxima year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works