The Lemon Index2001 Nissan Maxima.
The 2001 Nissan Maxima is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 48 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 40, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Nissan Maxima year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 172 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Maxima year. 2001 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 46K to 116K miles on the car (117 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 60K–174K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 50K–93K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 49K–102K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2022
Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2020
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.
- airbags 2015
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Show all 7 recalls
- 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.
- suspension 2002
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 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 105 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.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Almost every 10,000 miles there is a problem with the brakes. On 7/18/2003 vehicle was taken to the dealer who resurfaced the rotors on the front and back.
2001 Nissan Maxima owner · NHTSA complaint 10029723
More owner reports
Consumer stated that when trying to apply the brakes the brake pedal would go to the floor causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance and a vehicle accident. Dealer notified ts
NHTSA complaint 8022494
While driving 55 mph or higher the steering wheel vibrated when the brake were applied. The driver suspected that the rotors were warped.
NHTSA complaint 10020274
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Maxima year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2001 Nissan Maxima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (35%), electrical (17%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Nissan Maxima get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Maxima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 46,700 and 116,700 miles. The middle report was at 72,000 miles, from 117 complaints.
Does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 Nissan Maxima cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Maxima year is better than the 2001?
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