2001 Nissan Maxima Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Maxima.

20002002
Complaints
225
Crashes
15
Fires
4
Injuries
12
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2001 Nissan Maxima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#126 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:123,633 mi
Crash-related:3
#216 complaints

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor

Avg mileage:27,107 mi
Fires:1
#313 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:85,660 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Nissan Maxima.

Airbags
26
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
123,633
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
27,107
Electrical Faults
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
85,660
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
93,634
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
112,680
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
79,064
Engine Problems
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
123,947
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
105,007
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
126,709
Electrical System:Ignition
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2001 Nissan Maxima

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,398,531 vehicles.

20V008000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~307,962 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. 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. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

15V287000Airbags
~1,090,569 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Other Nissan Maxima Years

2001 Nissan Maxima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2001 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2001 Nissan Maxima has 225 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 26 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
Top reported problems: Airbags (26 complaints, avg 123,633 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor (16 complaints, avg 27,107 mi); Electrical Faults (13 complaints, avg 85,660 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 95,173 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Nissan Maxima include 15 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,398,531 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2001 Nissan Maxima?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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