2001 Nissan Maxima Complaint Log

WE OWN A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA, WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALER. IT HAS, ON 3 OCCASIONS, EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH "SURGING"/HIGH REVVING.*DT THE CAUSE IN EVERY CASE HAS BEEN A PART KNOWN AS AN "IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE" (IACV), WHICH FAILS AND IN DOING SO, CAUSES THE "ECM" (THE "ENGINE COMPUTER") TO FAIL. WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT HITACHI IS THE SOLE SOURCE FOR THE IACV, WHETHER THE PART IS OBTAINED FROM A NISSAN DEALER OR ANY OTHER SOURCE UNDER ANY OTHER BRAND. THIS ISSUE IS APPARENTLY A PARTICULARLY WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL SERIES OF VEHICLE, BOTH NISSAN AND INFINITI. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HAD THIS ISSUE, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED BY NISSAN. HOWEVER, THE SAME ISSUE HAS RECURRED ON 2 SUBSEQUENT OCCASIONS, AND BOTH TIMES NISSAN HAS WHOLLY FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. WE HAVE REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH NISSAN, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NISSAN CONSUMER RELATIONS, NISSAN'S VP OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, THE "EXECUTIVE OFFICES" ESCALATION DEPARTMENT, ETC., ALL WITH NO SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE FROM NISSAN BEYOND THEIR STATING THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, IT ISN'T NISSAN'S PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IN THIS LATEST OCCURRENCE, NISSAN INITIALLY STATED THAT THEIR REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WAS DUE TO OUR ALLEGEDLY HAVING INSTALLED "AN AFTERMARKET ECM" (WE HAD NOT). HOWEVER, WHEN THE NISSAN DEALER CONFIRMED TO NISSAN THAT THE ECM WAS IN FACT A FACTORY NISSAN PART, AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "AN AFTERMARKET ECM," NISSAN THEN REFUSED TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. FROM OUR LAYPERSON'S INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CIRCUITRY, AND IS GENERALLY WIDELY KNOWN IN THE REPAIR INDUSTRY, BY ENTHUSIASTS, MAJOR AUTO REVIEWING COMPANIES, ETC. THEREFORE, IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN'S CLAIM TO NOT KNOW OF THIS ISSUE IS DISINGENUOUS AT BEST. *TR *DT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRUCTURE OF THE FRONT RADIATOR SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

THE PIN AT THE END OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK (LOWER CONTROL ARM) BROKE OFF WHERE IT IS MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. THIS IS CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND AND ABNORMAL STEERING. THIS IS RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING RECALL NOTICE 02V146000. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR OF AUTO. WE HAVE TRIED TO REPLACE THE PIN, BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING SOMETIMES REMAINS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING SOMETIMES FAILS TO ILLUMINATE. THE LIGHTING EITHER FAILS TO ILLUMINATE OR REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,424 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, HAD TO REPLACE IDLE CONTROL MODULE TWICE FOR 500.00 EACH TIME BECAUSE ENGINE DIAGNOSIS INDICATED FAILURE. CAR DOES NOT START RIGHT AWAY, HAD TO PRESS PEDAL LIGHTLY TO RESTART EVEN AFTER IDLE CONTROL FIXED. FAILED SMOG CHECK, DISCOVERED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, HAD TO REPLACE FOR 800.00 FURTHER DIAGNOSIS: IGNITION COIL NUMBER 4 AND AIR FLOW METER FAILED, SERVICEMAN SAID THIS IS RATHER COMMON WITH MAXIMA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE STEERING VEERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT REPEATEDLY DURING BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SUSPENSION SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED HEARING ABOUT A RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V146000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT FEELS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

MY CAR SEEMED TO NOT BE GETTING ENOUGH GAS AND NUMEROUS LIGHTS INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE ARE ON. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP COULD ONLY FIGURE OUT IT WAS ONE OF THE COILS BUT TOLD ME NISSAN WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL ME WHICH ONE SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM. AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO NISSAN I AM NOW TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE ALL THE COILS SINCE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FRONT OR BACK OR UP AND DOWN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN VEERING TO THE RIGHT. A MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP DUE TO A FLAT TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. WITHIN THE SAME MONTH, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP DUE TO THE TIRE AND ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSVERSE LINK WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATING TO THIS FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 01/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/06/09. *JB

2001 NISSAN MAXIMA REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK AND CAP SECONDARY TO CORROSION. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED REQUIRING DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION IN WHICH THE CODE WAS RELATED TO THE EVAP SYSTEM SUBSEQUENTLY LEADING TO THE DISCOVERY OF GASOLINE VAPOR LEAKING FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS NYS INSPECTION DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEA SIDE AUTO SALES INC. AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE ON NOVEMBER 16, 2006, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JULY 5, 2008. HE CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND SEA SIDE AUTO SALES AND BOTH STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY VALID FOR ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR- MISFIRE-COIL PACKS NISSAN REPAIR DIRECTIVE IS TO REPLACE ALL SIX COIL PACKS WHETHER GOOD OR NOT. THESE FAILED AT 48K MILES. VERY EXPENSIVE $600, $350 FOR LABOR AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN. THEY ARE MAKING THE CONSUMER PAY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAWS NEVER BUYING A NISSAN AGAIN.. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SHIFTED GEARS. THE INCIDENT FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REAR-ENDED. THE RPMS INCREASED TO 3,000 AND THEN DECREASED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $550. THE CONTACT HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

IN FEB. 2008, MY MAXIMA 2001, WITH 55000 MILES, STALLED OUT AT A STOP LIGHT--IT WOULD START UP AGAIN BUT THEN STALLED OUT WHEN I TRIED TO GO. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE IAC VALVE AND THE ECM WERE BOTH REPLACED FOR ABOUT $1700. THEN, ON OCT. 20, 2008, 8 MONTHS LATER WITH THE MILEAGE JUST UNDER 60,000 MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT IT WAS PRECEDED BY A SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($2000 PARTS AND LABOR) AND THE IAC VALVE AND THE ECM AGAIN NEEDED TO REPLACED (ANOTHER $1700). AT FIRST, THE DEALER SAID THAT THE IAC VALVE AND ECM WERE COVERED UNDER THE NEW PARTS WARRANTY, BUT THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS THE ENGINE HARNESS THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE IAC VALVE AND THE ECM, THEY WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I'D HAVE TO PAY THE TOTAL BILL OF $3700! I STARTED A CASE FILE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD BY A REGIONAL SPECIALIST THAT NISSAN COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. FROM THE INTERNET (AND NOT FROM THE DEALERSHIP), I LEARNED THAT THE ECM IS COVERED UNDER THE EPA SPECIFIED MAJOR EMISSION CONTROL COMPONENTS WARRANTY FOR 8 YEARS/80,000 MILES BUT NISSAN HAS DECLINED MY CLAIM, SAYING THAT THE IAC VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE ECM THAT FIRST TIME IN FEB. 2008, SO THE ECM IS NOT COVERED BY THAT WARRANTY. THERE IS NO LANGUAGE IN THE EPA WARRANTY THAT STATES THAT AS AN EXCLUSION AND THERE IS NO LANGUAGE IN NISSAN'S OWN NEW PARTS WARRANTY THAT STATES THAT AS AN EXCLUSION (I.E., A NEW PART IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY IF ITS FAILURE IS CAUSED BY ANOTHER NON-WARRANTED PART). I HAVE READ ONLINE MANY, MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THESE PARTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS HARM. BOTH TIMES I NARROWLY AVOIDED ACCIDENTS. NISSAN HASN'T BEEN WILLING TO HONOR THE WARRANTIES. I HAVE YET TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIRS AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR

CAR RUNNING ROUGH. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. TOOK TO DEALER, TOLD THAT (1) IGNITION COIL BAD BUT HAVE TO REPLACE ALL (6) PER NISSAN REPAIR DIRECTIVE. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WIT 01 MAXIMA, NISSAN ISSUED TSB, BUT NO RECALL. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES OVER EVER 5 MONTHS. EVERY TIME ITS A CYLINDER MISFIRE BECAUSE OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COILS. THIS STARTED HAPPENING SINCE 40,000 MILES. WHEN A ENGINE MISFIRES THE CAR SPUTTERS AND THE CES LIGHT COMES ON. THIS JUST KEEPS HAPPENING AND I'VE SPENT OVER $2000 FOR JUST THIS SAME ISSUE. THE INCIDENT DATE POSTED IS THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2004. *TR

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT 87,000 MILES. I HAVE NOTICED THAT OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. *TR

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASES NEW IN '01. FROM REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR, STRONG SHUTTER IN BREAKS EVEN AFTER REPLACING TWICE AND NEEDS AGAIN, REPLACED REAR OXYGEN SENSORS TWICE WITH NOW A THIRD NEEDED, REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND NOW VEHICLE IS OUT OF COMMISSION DUE TO NEEDING A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM, IDLE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR, AND REAR O2 SENSORS(AGAIN)! ALSO A LEAKING POWER STEERING PUMP AND POWER WINDOW MOTORS ARE NEAR DEATH. I UNDERSTAND WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE BUT THIS IS AN EXTREME CASE! POTENTIAL EPA ISSUES DUE TO THE OXYGEN SENSORS FAILING TIME AFTER TIME. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TWICE, STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT 90,000 AND AGAIN AT 121,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

2001 MAXIMA 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. HAD TO REPLACE ALL THREE OXYGEN SENSORS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND RECENTLY THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE BOSE RADIO BLEW UP RECENTLY. THE RADIO BLEW UP WHILE DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK. POPPING SOUNDS THEN SMOKE FILLED MY CAR AND WITH AN AWFUL ODOR ALSO REPLACED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON PASSENGER SIDE TWICE WITHIN 3 MONTHS. REPLACED WHEEL BEARINGS ON FRONT DRIVERS' SIDE .

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND LEARNED THAT HIS FRONT BRIDGESTONE POTENZA, SIZE P225/50R1793V TIRES HAD CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALLS. HE STATED THAT TWO PRIOR SET OF TIRES HAD THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,379. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

WE OWN A 2001 MAXIMA, PURCHASED NEW, AND LIKE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS WEB SITE, HAVE EXPERIENCED ROTOR PROBLEMS. WE HAVE HAD THEM RESURFACED AND REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT, NOT DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS, I DO NOT JAM ON THE BRAKES, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, AND WE HAVE OWNED OTHER VEHICLES AND NEVER HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEM. WE ALSO OWN A 1999 CHEVROLET PICKUP WITH MORE MILES ON IT, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM ON IT. NISSAN SAYS, LIKE IT TELLS EVERYONE ELSE, THAT IT IS THE DRIVER'S HABITS WHICH IS UNTRUE, AND THEY JUST DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. WE ARE TIRED OF HAVING TO FIX THESE BRAKES, AND SPEND UNNECESSARY MONEY EVERY 12,000-15,000 MILES. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT SAFE WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO STOP THE CAR, AS IT VIBRATES IN THE STEERING WHEEL TERRIBLY, AND FEELS LIKE YOU COULD VERY EASILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NEXT TIME WE PURCHASE A CAR, WE WOULD PROBABLY NOT CONSIDER A NISSAN BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

TIMING CHAIN, GUIDE OR TENSIONER WORN. RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM TIMING CHAIN COVER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP OR AT LOW END OF RPMS WHEN REVVING MOTOR IN NEUTRAL. COULD PUNCTURE TIMING CHAIN COVER, CAUSING LOSS OF OIL OR CHAIN COULD FAIL. DEALERS STATES THAT REMOVAL OF ENGINE IS REQUIRED FOR SERVICE , AND BY THE TIME LABOR AND PARTS ARE TOTALED, IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. D DEALERS STATE THAT THIS WAS A PART THAT SHOULD NOT REQUIRE SERVICE. COST OF REPLACEMENT $4,000, HALF OR MORE OF THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, DEPENDING ON WHAT PRICE REFERENCE WAS USED.*AK

RECENTLY THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID ONE COIL FAILED BUT THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL SIX IGNITION COILS, BECAUSE THE OTHER ONES WILL FAIL ONE BY ONE SOON. *JB

THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ON. A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOUND ONE IGNITION COIL FAILED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED TO REPLACE ALL THE COILS SINCE THEY WILL FAIL ONE BY ONE SOON. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE 6 COILS AT THE PRICE OF ~$800. THIS APPARENTLY IS A DEFECT OF THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED FROM THE DEALER, BUT THE NEW SENSOR ALSO FAILED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS SHORT-CIRCUITED THE AAC WHICH CAUSED IT TO BLOW. ONCE THE AAC FAILED THE ELECTRIC SHOCK BLEW OUT THE EMC. IN ORDER TO PROPERLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT MUST PAY ALMOST $3,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, AS SOON AS THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND DECELERATING THE CAR BEGAN TO SLIGHTLY BUCK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION TRIED TO DOWN SHIFT. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE TO TWO MINUTES I SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURN. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE ENGINE RACED TO APPROXIMATELY 1600 TO 1900 RPMS AT IDLE. THE OBD-II INDICATED CODES OF P0505: IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND P0420: THREE WAY CATALYST FUNCTION. MY LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE FAULTY IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. HE CONTACTED THE LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE SHOP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILED AND SHORTED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, ECM. THIS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THE DEALER NOTED, AND CURRENTLY HAD ANOTHER 2001 MAXIMA IN THE SHOP THAT WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME FAILURES. THE DEALER INSPECTED MY CAR AND REPORTED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILED AND SHORTED THE ECM. THE FAILURE OF THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE SHOULD NOT SHORT THE ECM. THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE AND SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAR OWNER. THE ECM IS A $915 PART PLUS LABOR. THE ECM WAS REPLACED. THIS IS SIMILAR TO ODI ID NUMBERS: 10179328 AND 10179390. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE RESET. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND GREATER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSATE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 MAXIMA SE, WHEN I ACCELERATE TO PASS, THE CAR STALLS MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE REVS ALMOST TO REDLINE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO BAKER JACKSON NISSAN IN HOUSTON AND THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE POWER SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDS REPLACING, VOLUME OF USAGE HAS BEEN MINIMAL, MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 47K. *JB

TL* - WHILE DRIVING HIS 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY LOSING POWER. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AS WELL AS, LOSING THE ABILITY TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE SO HE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IDOL AIR CONTROL VALVES CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHORT CIRCUIT, AND THAT THIS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 100000 FAILURE MILEAGE)AT 30 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CROSSED OVER A LANE AND HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HEAD ON ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A LARGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. ALSO,THE AIRBAG WAS PUSHED SO FAR UP INTO THE DASHBOARD THAT IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIX CAR ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SIX CAR PILE UP AND THE VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT, REAR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOW AT A TOW LOT. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMNATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

I WANTED TO BRING TO YOU NOTICE THAT, CARX LOCATED AT 7880 TYLERSVILLE SQ DR, WEST CHESTER OH 45069-4688, (513) 777-7945 IS SELLING LOW QUALITY "FEDERAL" BRAND TIRES. NHTSA (NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY AGENCY) HAS RATED MORE THAN 2,400 LINES OF TIRES AND THE "FEDERAL TIRE" BRAND SOLD BY CARX DOES NOT EVEN APPEAR ON THEIR LIST!! CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF AT THIS PAGE (DROP DOWN LIST)HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV/TIRES/PAGES/TIRERATINGS.CFM. I AM NOT SURE IF THE "FEDERAL" TIRE COMPLIES WITH NHTSA DEVELOPED TIRE SAFETY GRADING SYSTEM, KNOWN AS THE "UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING SYSTEM (UTQGS)", THAT ALLOWS CONSUMERS TO COMPARE TIRE TREADWEAR, TRACTION PERFORMANCE, AND TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRES TIRE MANUFACTURERS TO GRADE THEIR TIRES IN THESE THREE AREAS AND PLACE THE INFORMATION ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. CAN YOU PLEASE ADVICE REGARDING A RETAILER SELLING TIRES NOT LISTED IN THE NHTSA DATABASE ?? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE TIRES SINCE THESE TIRES ARE NOT LISTED IN NHTSA DATABASE ...... MOREOVER, I DID NOT EVEN FIND THE 'FEDERAL' BRAND TIRES LISTED IN THE TOP 25 (TWENTY FIVE) TIRE BRANDS. THE TIRE PRESSURE IS NOT CONSISTENT AND HAS TO BE FILLED EVERY FEW DAYS ... TOOK THE CAR TO CARX AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE. *NM

I HAVE READ MANY HORRIFIC STORIES ABOUT PEOPLES IGNITION COILS GOING BAD....I HAVE A FEELING MY COILS ARE HEADED FOR DOOM SOON. I HAVE A 2001 MAXIMA GLE, LOVE THE CAR, BUT NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS. JUST BECAUSE OF THIS AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS I'VE HAD, I DON'T THINK I WOULD EVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. GO HONDA!! *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC VALVE) F AND THE ENGINE COMPUTER UNIT (ECU) FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 3 MONTHS AGO HE HAD DEALERSHIP LOOK AT VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BURNED OUT ECU CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSES A LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY AND LOCKED UP OF THE BRAKES. *AK

HAVE A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE PIN ON THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AROUND 75,000 MILES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SOME REASON. THIS PART, IF DEFECTIVE, REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND I AM VERY SUSPICIOUS AS TO THE REASONS WHY THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE'S VIN. THE LOSS OF CONTROLL WAS EXTREMELY NOTICABLE AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE BREAKING AND CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. NO PROBLEM WITH CAR OR THE EMISSION OR ENVIORMENTAL EQUIPMENT. SPENT $100 TWICE FOR NISSAN ANALYSIS. THEY WANT $1400 FOR LIGHT TO GO OFF. RIDICULOUS. CALLED NISSAN USA AFTER SEEING MANY MAXIMA 2001 CARS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM AND FRUSTRATION. RECOMMEND ANOTHER $100 ANALYSIS AND NO SUPPORT WHATSOEVER. NEVER BUYING NISSAN AGAIN.

2001 MAXIMA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A RUSTED FUEL FILLER NECK. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PART RUSTED BECAUSE NISSAN DID NOT PLACE A SHIELD TO PROTECT HE PART AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE DURING DRY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING REDUCING TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD REDUCE IN SPEED AND OTHER TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. DURING EACH INCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. BOTH THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALERSHIP WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

7/6/06 SMELLED STRANGE ODOR 30 MINUTES LATER MY 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA LOST TOTAL POWER IN THE FAST LANE, ALL GAUGES WENT TO ZERO, HEARD A HISSING SOUND AS I DODGED TRUCKS GOING BY AT 80 MPH AS I COASTED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE BATTERY WAS SQUIRTING FLUID OUT OF ALL THE VENT CAPS. I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALER IN WILKES-BARRE, PA AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR FOR A WEEK! I MADE THE DECISION TO TOW IT TO BRENNER NISSAN IN MECHANICSBURG,PA(90 MILES, $346 TOW BILL). THEY MADE AN INITIAL INSPECTION 7/7 AND DETERMINED I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM! I HAVE GATHERED INFORMATION ON NISSAN MAXIMA PROBLEMS AND WILL MEET WITH THE DEALER 7/10 TO DETERMINE HOW THIS PROBLEM WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITHOUT INCURRING $1000'S IN SERVICE CHARGES. THEY SEEMED UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THEN SEE WHAT ELSE WAS BROKE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH SURFACES 15 TO 40 MPH THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WAS UNSTABLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED AND THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND HEARD COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE PROBLEMS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 02V146000, REGARDING THE FRONT CONTROL ARM; LOWER ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EMISSION SYSTEM AND CATALYST CONVERTER, LIGHT SERVICE ENGINE WENT ON,AND I REPLACED OXYGEN SENSORS WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY 2 TIMES. AND NOW I NEED TO SPENT $700 TO FIX WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN CARS AGAIN. *NM

2001 NISSAN MAXIMA : IN DECEMBER 2004 SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED CODE P0420. VEHICLE WAS UNDER 80,000 EMISSIONS WARRANTY. DEALER "REPROGRAMMED THE ECM". FEB 2007 AT 81,800 MILES, BUT WITHIN THE 96 MONTH WARRANTY, SAME CODE APPEARS, HOWEVER NOW DEALER SAYS THAT O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE BAD. DEALER SAYS O2 SENSOR DAMAGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, YET NO CODE APPEARED FOR THE O2 SENSOR, AND VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN LESS THAN 2 DAYS WITH LIGHT ON. IN PROCESS OF DEALING WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA FOR REPLACEMENT. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS NEW OUT OF ALIGNMENT, AND ALIGNMENT WAS NEVER PERFECT. *NM

SOON AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRE ON MY NISSAN MAXIMA SE 2001. MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. I CALL THE COMPANY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AS I UNDERSTAND THE CONVERTER IS NOT A PART THAT IS LIKELY TO FAIL. I HAVE ALWAYS PURCHASED A 91 OCTANE GASOLINE OR HIGHER AND KEPT A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE MY EXHAUST SYSTEM BECAUSE OF CORROSION JUST RECENTLY AND AS IF THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH, DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE OTHER DAY, MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND VIBRATING. I AM NOT QUITE SURE WHAT HAS CAUSED THE VIBRATION BUT WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION. *NM

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BROKEN CAUSING ENGINE TO MISFIRE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. WANT $700 TO FIX AND FROM RESEARCH IT APPEARS IT OFTEN BREAKS AGAIN. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A CONSTANT KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED IT AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE NOISE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT ALSO BEGAN EXPERIENCING STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECENT FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE LOWER ARM SUSPENSION. SHE FOUND A RECALL REGARDING THE SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, BUT NISSAN STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HER VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.