2000 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 6%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Nissan Maxima, 6% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I recently had my transmission fluid changed (nov. 2010) on my 2000 Nissan Maxima se and was told that the radiator support is corroded with rust due to very poor quality. I was told by the auto mechanic that this shouldn't be happening and that it was a safety hazard since this could result in the engine or transmission falling out of the vehicle. I was told to file a complaint since this problem is happening with many Nissan maximas.”
NHTSA complaint #10372542, filed 2010-12, 139,072 miles“My Maxima jumps or slips out of gear while driving. I was just driving on the highway and without warning, the car slipped into neutral. It would no longer accelerate (pressing the gas just caused the engine to rev). I had my children in the car and it was lucky that I was able to get into the breakdown without being hit. I have taken the car to my repair shop and they think it's the transmission, but not sure. It has occurred twice since then. This is an extremely dangerous defect that apparently is a common problem with nissans 2000 and later.”
NHTSA complaint #10237053, filed 2008-08, 113,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566207, filed 2014-02, 99,000 miles“Transmission failure: bought vehicle in april of '99. Transmission began to slip at 15k. Reman trans under warranty. 2nd slip occurred at 30k under warranty. Denied vehicle trade. Reman trans. 3rd occurrence at 45k, replaced trans w/ oem under warranty. Denied trade. Transmission failure at high temp for long drives (2 hr incline) and had to wait for the trans to cool before it drove again, one occurrence at 55k, oil ok. Still intermittent power loss/slippage. Dealership unable to recreate problem. Denied trade. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249029, filed 2008-11, 15,000 miles“While pulling into the driveway vehicle decelerated. Vehicle was driven at 15 MPH to a transmission specialist. Vehicle was at the transmission specialist for 2 weeks, and they could not determine the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10087160, filed 2004-08, 75,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% |
| 2004 | 934 | 66% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 5 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2000 Nissan Maxima
171 complaintsEngine cooling
72 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsTires
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology