Research · Midsize Cars

2001 Nissan MaximaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 181 owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve air bags (30) and electrical system (30). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
181
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Aug 9, 2022NHTSA 22E066000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2020NHTSA 20V008000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 15, 2015NHTSA 15V287000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

181 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2001 – Oct 2022
  1. Air bags30
  2. Electrical system30
  3. Engine and engine cooling29
  4. Suspension24
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic23
  6. Vehicle speed control12
  7. Equipment10
  8. Structure9
  9. Power train8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Maxima model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996102
1997110
1998115
1999174
2000376
2001181
2002220
2003206
20041,426
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
2016142
2017106
201836
201918
202022
20213
20225
20231
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

30 reports5 crashes
“FEW DAYS AGO THE AIR BAG RED SYMBOL START BLINKING. THEN, I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TRY TO RE-START THE ENGINE BUT DOESN'T START ENGINE ANYMORE. CAR IS UNUSABLE. THANKS TO GOD! ITS JUST HAPPENED CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. CAR WAS LEFT AT THE FRONT OF MY HOME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2019Air bagsODI 11233024

Electrical system

30 reports3 fires
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. IDENTIFIED THAT THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND GASKET NEED TO BE REPLACED. IDENTIFIED ALSO THAT ECM IS NOW BURNED OUT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2014Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 10586020

Engine and engine cooling

29 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE LOWER RADIATOR TIE BAR WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2013Engine and engine coolingODI 10542283
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Maxima
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192522$2,900404
Maxima
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200444
  • Maxima
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Maxima
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Nissan Maxima as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4207Vehicle 4190
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Maxima questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Nissan Maxima problems?

Owners filed 181 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (30), electrical system (30), engine and engine cooling (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Nissan Maxima get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Nissan Maxima at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026