Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 377 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Nissan Maxima, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 150 | 40% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 47 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 5% |
| Air bags | 17 | 5% |
| Power train | 15 | 4% |
| Structure | 11 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 3% |
| Tires | 9 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 TIRE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR AND THE MAIN ENGINE MOUNT IS RUSTED ALL OUT NOW MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING WAS MAKING A NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THEN PULLED OVER
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
2000 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY OR SECONDARY ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTS TO BUCK. SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL AND SLIP LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. THIS CAUSES ME TO SUDDENLY LO
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TAKATA RECALL, AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING... WON'T SHUT OFF. STATIONARY, MOVING, ANYWHERE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I PURCHASED THIS CAR AT A BUY HERE PAY HERE LOT THE ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND THE BRAKES ALMOST GO TO THE FLOOR I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ACCULATOR OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE AND DEALERSHIP SAID THERE MAY BE A R
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT LOST POWER AND STALLED THE DASHBOARD HAS NO LIGHT AND BATTERY IS CHARGED THAN WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT DRAINS AND SHUTS OFF .
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
UPON INSPECTION THE FRAME AND CROSS MEMBER ARE RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. IT IS NOW TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND ULTIMATELY USELESS. THE MECHANIC IS AFRAID TO LET THE CAR DOWN OFF THE LIFT TO SUPPORT ITS OWN WEIGHT. HOW IS T
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY ON FREEWAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, AND THE ROAD WAS FLAT AND HAD NO OBSTACLE. THEN THE AIRBAGS ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2000 Nissan Maxima. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 377 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 150 of them (40%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.