2001 Nissan Maxima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 16%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Nissan Maxima, 16% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,500 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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!!”
NHTSA complaint #10211619, filed 2007-12, 82,000 miles“I have had a continuous problem with my 2001 Nissan Maxima cold start sensor and the dealer says no recall has been issued. Has anyone else reported this problem? Also, I was never sent a recall for the suspension, control arm: lower arm. Is it to late to have this replaced? Why was I not contacted or why dealer didn't notify me? What can I do because my front end is making noises?”
NHTSA complaint #10093936, filed 2004-10, 22,000 miles“2001 Nissan Maxima exhibiting difficulty starting 3-4 times, then dying at idle. Then it would start, but die when put in gear. We had it towed to dealer - they say bad engine mounts caused the wiring harness to short out, destroying it, the ECM, and the iac valve. They quote 3875 to repair, and say that sometimes when this happens the air fuel meter needs replacing too. From reading other reports, I doubt the bad engine mounts story. This sounds like an issue that has happened identically on this make/model year. …”
NHTSA complaint #10366786, filed 2010-11, 75,000 miles“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. 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10321367, filed 2010-03, 40,000 miles“We owned a 2001 Nissan Maxima for 2 1/2 years. We put an alternative on it and then on dec 23, 2005 we smelled smoke inside of the car sitting in our garage. Car would turn over but not fire. The mechanic said the computer had burned up on the car & had burned out numerous relays and sensors. The check engine light had been on for 3 months. The dealer checked it and said it was an o2 sensor. We replaced the upper intake, lower intake, gaskets, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel presser switch, o2 sensors, a computer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10158710, filed 2006-05, 129,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192192Jun 7, 2013As part of an enhanced emissions test for Inspection & Maintenance (I/M), some States may require the System Readiness Test (SRT) status be checked. - The SRT is used to indicate…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 9% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 5 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 31 | 22% |
| 2014 | 8 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 19% |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% |
| 2010 | 79 | 29% |
| 2009 | 79 | 23% |
| 2008 | 6 | 8% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 26 | 5% |
| 2005 | 38 | 4% |
| 2004 | 56 | 4% |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% |
| 2000 | 171 | 48% |
| 1999 | 83 | 50% |
| 1998 | 24 | 21% |
| 1997 | 39 | 38% |
| 1996 | 8 | 8% |
| 1995 | 19 | 13% |
| 1994 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 11 | 14% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 6 | 6% |
| 1989 | 8 | 13% |
| 1988 | 6 | 10% |
| 1987 | 22 | 13% |
| 1986 | 10 | 17% |
| 1985 | 7 | 13% |
| 1984 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2001 Nissan Maxima
29 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsTires
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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