28th Apr 2010, 19:05
Wow, it all sounds to familiar. I own a 2000 Nissan Maxima SE 5spd. I love the performance and acceleration of the car, it's just all those annoying bugs that bring this car down.
I have replaced spark plugs, and the #5 coil myself due to the car running very sluggish.
My check engine light is still on, so on to the next sensor.
If anyone reads this, do not have Nissan or almost any mechanic replace your coils, because it will end up costing you $800 and up! Go on e-bay or other discount web sites; you can find the coils for around $25 each like I did.
I replaced all my spark plugs and #5 coil, and it only ended up costing me around $50, and about an hour of my time.
So if you love your Maxima, get a manual, roll up your sleeves and plan on doing some work! Good luck!
I plan on getting a 02 or 03 Maxima next; the 3.5 liter engine is more reliable and stronger (255HP vs 222HP).
18th May 2010, 02:39
Well let me first start with having owned a couple of cars in my lifetime, I would like to say that the Maxima has been the best car I ever owned... great power, acceleration, roomy, reliable if maintained properly...
I bought the 00 GLE model three years ago, and the car never left me stranded so far, thank god LOL...
When I got it, the starter was making a squealing noise that bothered me, so I went to Autozone and got one with a lifetime warranty.. problem solved...
Maybe a couple of months later, got an ignition code and changed one coil, and did the spark plugs also... Don't let the dealer charge you 800 dollars PLEASE! You can do it yourself... Anything you need to know, you can find it at maxima.org, and save a ton of money and stress. Great used car IMO... sorry to hear so many people have so many problems here.
22nd Jun 2010, 10:50
Well here is my 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE story.
I just got married. My wife has always wanted a 99-01 Maxima, so me being the good husband I am, I started looking for one for her. After a few weeks of searching I stumbled upon a 2000 Maxima GLE, pearl white, with tan leather and wood grain. This is the most desired color combination for this car, so I thought I would buy it.
I got the car from its second owner. It had approximately 130K on it. I only paid $4800 for the car, which is a steal. This is exactly what they owed on the car. I went to the bank to get the title with them. I asked the previous owner if they had had any problems with the car, and I was told this was the best car they had ever owned, and they did not want to get rid of it, but his wife had lost her job, and they could not afford the payment at the time.
So I purchased the car, and drove it home. The first thing I did was put a new set of tires on it, and had a full detail done. The car was fine for the first 2-3 weeks we owned it, then ever since it has been an uphill struggle. I will never own another Nissan as long as I live. I have included a laundry list of the problems we have had with this piece of junk in less than a year.
I have had to replace the fowling parts in 9 months time. California emissions.
All 4 O2 sensors
2 catalytic converters
Alternator
Fuel pump
Starter
Both CV axles
Both cooling fans
Ball joints
A/C compressor
6 coil packs
Idle air control valve
Blower motor resistor/amplifier
All 4 window motors
Knock sensor
I’m sure there are a few other things I’m forgetting, there has been so much in so little time.
22nd Jun 2010, 12:33
OK, so my 200 Maxima GLE has been totally revamped, new engine, new coils, new sparks. It's still not running, it's losing power as if I'm running out of gas. The dealership told me they didn't know what was wrong, because it was throwing out so many codes. I have replaced almost everything, and am loathed to spend the 3500 they want without a guarantee that it will work. Is anybody else having these problems?
5th Sep 2010, 17:52
We have replaced the starter 2 times as well as all of the coils and stuff that others speak about. I now drive around with an extra starter in the trunk for "just in case". Has anyone else had a starter issue? Any other ideas if it is not the starter?
13th Sep 2010, 06:27
All of you could have saved yourselves thousands of dollars, and your hair, by doing some simple research, and paying better attention to your cars as you drove them.
Every single one of your ignorant complaints stems from a very common problem with the early VQ30 Maximas: the MAF gets debris from the crappy air filter, and the engine gets starved of oxygen.
Do yourselves a favor: Go to Autozone, buy MAF cleaner, and replace your air filter once a year.
Congrats. You have now saved your Maxima for the price of $10 a year.
My 2000 Maxima has had that p505 code throw three times. I simply fueled up with premium, went home, changed my air filter and cleaned my MAF handler control. Light gone. Engine perfect.
178,000 miles and counting. Full stock engine, car, trans etc. The only thing replaced on my car is 1 wheel due to curb rash, and many sets of tires.
Please: educate yourselves on your cars common problems, no matter your car. Knowing that your engine's slight RPM spikes at or near idle has a common cause and easy fix. Catch it early. Don't complain to Nissan that your car, with 130,000 miles on it, chewed through its air handler and oxygen related parts because you let your engine suck up debris.
Take care of your Maxima, and it will take care of your wallet. It is the most reliable V6 car ever made.
29th Sep 2010, 15:11
I hate my 2000 Nissan Maxima. The whole damn car needs to be recalled. I want my money back. I've spent about $3000 since I've had it and that's only been since last fall. :( I loved my Maxima when I first got it, but now I just hope it gets totaled. Just about everything has been replaced on this car and it still blows. Engine/belts/radiator/whole exhaust/framing member for the engine/drive train/clutch/idle pulley (still screwed up) / mass airflow sensor ($500) / mmmm... that pretty much sums it up I guess.
I've also had some severe rust damage, which explains why my whole exhaust went bad, as well as the framing member for the motor, which could have fallen out at any time!
Nissan... I want some answers.
29th Oct 2010, 12:20
I also hate my 2000 Nissan Maxima. I can't even bear to add up all it has cost me in repairs in the three years I have had it. I just sent it off by tow truck for yet another repair, which will likely cost $1000+, as all repairs on this vehicle seem to cost a ridiculous amount.
I can't afford to repair it, and I'd probably get a pittance if I sold it. It's colossally frustrating and time-wasting. The only thing I like are the heated seats at this point, mainly because the heaters are still working.
My ex-husband gave me this vehicle when he was dying of cancer, and I will feel guilty if I get rid of it. However, it is bankrupting me. I too wish my Maxima (Maxima grief) would just get totaled somehow, while sparing me injury.
23rd Apr 2010, 12:49
Same story with my 1999 Maxima. I would never buy a Nissan car.