FaultScore

2000 Nissan Maxima brake problems

36 of the 467 complaints about the 2000 Nissan Maxima are about the braking system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 29,000 miles.

B

36

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Rotor 13 36.1%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 6 16.7%
Disc 4 11.1%
Service Brakes 4 11.1%
Pads 3 8.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 5.6%
Rotor 2 5.6%
Control Unit/Module 1 2.8%
Service Brakes, Electric 1 2.8%

Brakes across every Nissan Maxima year

1993 12 3.7%
1998 13 4.0%
2000 36 11.0%
2001 23 7.1%
2002 23 7.1%
2004 74 22.7%
2005 28 8.6%
2006 61 18.7%
2007 25 7.7%
2016 21 6.4%
2017 10 3.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 177,000 miles Blair, NE

SERVICE BRAKES

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 RECALL IT SHOULD BE CAUSE THE COST IS OVER 1,000.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE CAR RUNS GOOD BUT THAT IS ALOT OF MONEY TO SPEND ON A USED CAR KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE AND THAT NO DEALERSHIPS BUY HERE PAY HERE LOTS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO CREDIT GET STUCK WITH A GOOD RUNNING CAR AND THE BRAKES ARE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA complaint #11092044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Lombard, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

OUR CONFIRMATION FOR EARLIER COMPLAINT IS : 10628840 SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, IT IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. WE HAD ENGINE LIGHT AND SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING CAR SOME TIMES STARTS WAVERING AND JUMPING. ALSO GETS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING. MANY OF THE NISSAN PLACES HAVE CHARGED US A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT THE PROBLEM STAYS THE SAME. CAN NOT BE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS. I HAVE SUBMITTED ALL THE DOCUMENTS WITH THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE AND HELP US. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10906823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Omaha, NE

SERVICE BRAKES

CAR COMPLETELY LOOSES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WITH NO DRIVER AND OR PASSENGER RECOURSE BUT TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE BEFORE A CAR COMES UP BEHIND YOU. 93 COMPLAINTS SEEN ON LINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . SEEMS I SAW OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS IN THOSE COMPLAINTS TO NISSAN PETITION THAT HAD 2001 2002 AND 2003 . THE IGNITION COIL WIRES ARE BEING REPLACED AND SOMETIMES THE IGNITION MODULE. TAKES A LOT OF MONEY TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND THE COST TO FIX IS USUALLY 600 TO MORE THAN 1000 DOLLARS, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE THINGS REPLACED TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS. ALL COIL WIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WONT SHOW WHICH CYLINDER IT IS, WHEN DRIVING ALL LOSS OF RPM THEN STOPS SUDDENLY WITH NO STEERING BECAUSE IT LOCKS UP.

NHTSA complaint #10566207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Louis, MO

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED CORROSION ON BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10473057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankfort, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

I HAVE A NISSAN MAXIMA 2000 GXE SEDAN. EVERY WINTER DURING SNOW DAYS, I PRESS THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND I FEEL A ROD IS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. CAR NEVER GETS COMPLETELY STOP, SOME TIMES I AVOID ACCIDENTS. I HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, TIRES MANY TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE LONG A WHILE NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10332224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Bayside, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

2000 MAXIMA ENGINE FAILED. PISTON ROD BROKE INTO PIECES AND TOTALLY DAMAGED THE ENGINE. *TS THE ROTORS WERE TURNED AND THE DOORS WERE HARD TO OPEN. THE DRIVE BELTS WERE REPLACED. *JB THE DECK LID LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PULL OUT THE DIP STICK. UPDATED 03/20/06.

NHTSA complaint #10150849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,000 miles Huntington Beach, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

I PURCHASED A USED 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT HAD 28,000 MILES ON IT ALMOST 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE ONLY PUT 6,000 MILES ON THE CAR, BUT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHEN IT HAD TO PASS SMOG INSPECTION. HE TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM, BUT SOON AS I ACCELERATED OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, WHICH HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED TWICE, THE IGNITION (CAR WOULDN'T START), AND, A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WHEN DOWNSHIFTING (ENGINE SEIZES UP VIOLENTLY). THERE IS ALSO A SUSPENSION PROBLEM, AS CAR MAKES LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME I HAVE TO GO OVER SPEED BUMPS. MY SON IS READY TO GET HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE, AND I WILL HAVE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AT A LOSS, AS I DO NOT FEEL THE CAR IS SAFE FOR HIM TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10134400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boxford, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S IGNITION COILS, BRAKE CALIPER, PADS AND ROTORS.*MR THE VEHICLE IGNITION COIL FAILED AT 37000 MILES. ALL SIX COILS WERE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP. ALL FOUR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 36200 MILES. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE REPAIRS MAY HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN 624020 FOR THE IGNITION AND SERVICE BULLETIN 618790 FOR THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10079872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES WITHIN 30,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND VIBRATING WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 55 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10056488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Nashville, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AFTER 20,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO WARPED TO TURN.

NHTSA complaint #10047535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE FRONT ROTORS WARP ABOUT EVERY 12,000 MILES. EACH TIME, THE DEALER HAS EITHER REPLACED OR RE-SURFACED THE ROTORS. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND NISSAN HASN'T CORRECTED THE ISSUE. SO FAR, MY ROTORS HAVE BEEN SERVICED 4 TIMES, AND NOW COMING ON NUMBER 5.

NHTSA complaint #10043202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,252 miles NEW Paltz, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT ROTORS/PADS COMPLETELY WORE OUT. CONSUMER REPLACED THEM THREE TIMES IN JUST 40, 000 MILES. *AK ROTORS RESURFACED TWICE BY DEALER. ONCE ON 11/19/01 AT 16252 MILES. SECOND WAS ON 04/29/02 AT 21510 MILES. THE THIRD WAS 10/10/03 AT 40000 MILES. THIS REPAIR WAS BY A PRIVATE MOTOR SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10042883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,252 miles NEW Paltz, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

FRONT ROTORS/PADS COMPLETELY WORE OUT. CONSUMER REPLACED THEM THREE TIMES IN JUST 40, 000 MILES. *AK ROTORS RESURFACED TWICE BY DEALER. ONCE ON 11/19/01 AT 16252 MILES. SECOND WAS ON 04/29/02 AT 21510 MILES. THE THIRD WAS 10/10/03 AT 40000 MILES. THIS REPAIR WAS BY A PRIVATE MOTOR SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10042883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Lexington, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

BOUGHT THE MAXIMA NEW AND AT 12000 MILES HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED. THE DEALER AND NISSAN SAID IT WAS MY DRIVING HABITS. I PROMPTLY TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I HAD THIS DONE TO (OTHER THAN A USED 74 VEGA I HAD IN HIGH SCHOOL). NOW THE CAR IS AT 22,000 MILES (AND IS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS OLD) AND THE VIBRATION IS BACK. THE FIRST TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS IT COST ME $120 (BUT AFTER COMPLAINING TO NISSAN THEY GAVE ME A &100 SERVICE CREDIT). BUT I HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN AND THINK THAT IT IS CERTAINLY NOT MY DRIVING HABITS THAR ARE CAUSING THIS. AND THE COMMERCIALS THEY HAD PROMOTED THIS CAR AS SOME KIND OF SPORTS CAR ('CARS LIKE IT - 0') DRIVING VERY FAST ON THE SALT LAKES WHERE SPEED RECORDS ARE SET. MY PROBLEM WAS I BELIEVED THE COMMERCIAL. OTHER THAN THIS I AM HAPPY WITH THE CAR, BUT AM CONSIDERING REPLACING THE ROTORS WITH SOME OTHER MANUFACTURER'S IF THAT IS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10038702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waldorf, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH STEERING BECOMES ERRATIC UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE VIBRATES AND SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. ALSO BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #10034251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,700 miles Sparta, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

EVERY FIFTEEN THOUSAND MILES FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPING. CONSUMER OWNS TWO OF THE SAME VEHICLES, BUT DIFFERENT YEARS, BOTH EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10033975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Columbus, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED AND NOW ABS/TCS INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF; DEALER TOLD ME ABS WAS NOT OPERATIONAL IF THE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT ABS IS OPERATIONAL BASED ON SELF-TEST ON THE ROAD. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL/IGNITION COMPLAINTS, IT IS CLEARLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT NISSAN AND/OR THE DEALER IS NOT ADDRESSING.

NHTSA complaint #10025594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,000 miles Edmonds, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE VEHICLES ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10015513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Sewell, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLES FRONT END VIBRATES. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VIBRATION IS SO SEVERE. THERE IS A TIS BULLETIN FOR THE BRAKES NTB00-088A. TS

NHTSA complaint #10002170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockford, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

THE CAR HAS A STRONG VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE NOISE STARTED AS A MILD THUMPING FEEL IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. WE FIRST REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE REPORT WAS MADE IN JUNE 2001. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ROTORS WERE GLAZED AT 8000 MILES AND THAT A CHARGE OF $120 WAS REQUIRED. WE STRONGLY DISAGREED WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS. FOR THE MOST PART WE DROVE THE CAR LOCALLY BELOW 40 MPH. AS WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50-65 MPH THE VIBRATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AND ARE GETTING WORSE THE MORE THE CAR IS DRIVEN. AFTER READING SIMILAR NHTSA COMPLAINTS THAT DESCRIBED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM MY CONCERNS HEIGHTENED SINCE MY WIFE USES THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT OUR YOUNG CHILDREN. MR

NHTSA complaint #767931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexander, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND TREMBLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8009469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexander, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #8009470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND RIGHT AROUND 17K MILES FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE WHEN I BRAKED AT 70 TO SLOW DOWN IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE SO I TOOK IT IN AROUN 20K MILES ROTARS WERE WARPED THEY TURNED THEN I SAID OK IT IS VERY EARLY FOR THESE ROTORS TO GET WARPED SO EARLY BUT DEALER OFFERED NO EXPLANATION. NOW AT 30000 I AM BACK IN FOR THE SAME REASON THE CAR VIBRATES VIOLENTLY AT HIGH SPEEDS IF I BREAK TO STOP MY NEIGHBOR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AT 20K MILES. I ALSO HAVE THIS GRAONING NOISE COMING FROM MY BRAKES WHEN I BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS THE NOISE IS ALMOST LIKE WHAT ONE WOULD HEAR IF THE ROTARS WERE SLIPPERY AND THE PADS WERE TRYING TO GRIP IT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE DEALER WILL DO TODAY BUT I ASKED THEM TO REPLACE IT AND NOT TURN THE ROTARS EVERYTIME WE TURN THEM THEY LOOSE MASS. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT I DON'T WANT TO BE BACK IN ANOTHER 5-10K MILES. WHAT AFTER THE WARRANTY I DON'T WANT A BREAK JOB EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS @ $30K THESE CARS BETTER HAVE BREAKS THAT LAST BUT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT THERE MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE HERE IT IS NOT PLEASANT TO EXPERIENCE THE VIBRATIONS AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN ONE IS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN IT COULD END UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THX SO MUCH!!!

NHTSA complaint #758500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carbondale, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

VEHICLE WAS SHAKING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER, AND DEALER ROTATED THE ROTORS. 5OO0 MILES LATER, BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. SOON AFTER THAT VEHICLE WAS BACK IN SHOP TO GET BRAKES REPLACED AGAIN.*AK CONSUMER STATED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED*SLC

NHTSA complaint #8002451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leechburg, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHILE DRIVING 55-65MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND INDICATIION WAS THAT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #8002373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

RED Bank, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ROTORS CAUSE SEVERE DRIEVABILITY PROBLEMS AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH AND MAY IMPACT EFFECTIVESNESS OF ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #756712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

RED Bank, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ROTORS CAUSE SEVERE DRIEVABILITY PROBLEMS AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH AND MAY IMPACT EFFECTIVESNESS OF ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #756712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Langhorne, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

FRONT BRAKE PADS WEAR PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS HAS REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDEFURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8001972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Villa Rica, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ROTORS WARPED FRONT & REAR 12,105 - RESURFACED ROTORS; WARPED AT 19967 -REPLACED; WARPED AT 28800, RESURFACED; REAR PADS COMPLETELY WORN, FRONT 75% GOOD. DEALER SAYING NO KNOWN DEFECT, CANNOT EXPLAIN.

NHTSA complaint #751162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

S. O Zone Parrk, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VOLENTLY WHEN AT HIGH SPEEDS AND PRESSI9NG THE BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #893544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2000 Nissan Maxima problems

← Full 2000 Nissan Maxima report