MYRModel Year Report

2001 Nissan Maxima

◆ Worse than typical
2001 Nissan Maxima
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:58:13.411Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
172
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

19% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2001: 172 complaints 2001 172 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1985 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2001: 172 complaints 2001 172 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2021 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1984 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1986 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1996 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1998 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2001: 172 complaints 2001 172 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2004 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2008 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2010 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2016 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2020 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint

2001: 172 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198663
1987178
198860
198964
1990106
199177
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041,425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
20151
2016142
2017106
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

19% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car was involved in a motor vehicle collision, and airbags on either side did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-27

While traveling at 60 MPH steering wheel locked up and loss of brakes occurred, causing vehicle to hit a tree, both air bags did not deploy. Manufacturer was not notified at this time.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-06-13

Also filed under Steering

Takata recall hi, the reason why I'm writing is I had a recall quite some time ago about a year maybe and it was done but a week later it came back on the dash flashing and it still flashing and I do know that this should not be on like this so I...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-07

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

Electrical system

16% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.

FIRE

Suspension

16% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing lower arm and wheel bearing.

Service brakes

13% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2001Complaint volume 172 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2002-07-29Suspension02V146000 On certain passenger vehicles, the pin at the end of the front suspension transverse link (Lower control arm) could break where it is mounted to the frame.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the transverse links on the left and right sides with new ones. Owner notification began July 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2015-06-15Air bags15V287000 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.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2020-02-12Air bags20V008000 Nissan North America, Inc.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  9. R
    2022-09-23Air bags22E066000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 28 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V146000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V287000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V008000 · Air bags
  • Recall 22E066000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2001 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Nissan Maxima is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.