Model year record

2001 Nissan Maxima

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 225 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V008000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 307,962
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-01-09
Owners notified: 2020-02-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V287000

Air bags

Component: Air bags
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 1,090,569
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-05-15
Owners notified: 2015-06-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V146000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component: Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 90,500
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-05-30
Owners notified: 2002-07-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CAN CAUSE A KNOCKING SOUND AND ABNORMAL STEERING. THIS COULD RESULT IN DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags	26	128,478 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	16	26,500 mi
Electrical system	13	73,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	10	82,732 mi
Suspension	9	100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	8	80,000 mi
Engine	7	140,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	7	88,722 mi
Structure: body	6	116,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	4	58,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	4	100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	4	90,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	4	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	4	50,322 mi
Equipment	4	54,888 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	4	59,000 mi
Seats	4	—
Steering	4	97,948 mi
Air bags: frontal	3	58,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	3	61,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	3	70,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	15,000 mi
Tires	3	23,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	2	14,125 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	2	108,896 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	15,000 mi
Exterior lighting	2	164,424 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	36,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	164,627 mi
Power train	2	—
Seat belts	2	63,500 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	2	43,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	2	76,000 mi
Suspension: front	2	88,722 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	2	32,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	2	77,700 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	2	—
Tires: tread/belt	2	—
Unknown or other	2	239,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	2	88,000 mi
Child seat: latch connector/clip	1	—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	51,231 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid	1	22,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	—
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	43,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	1	96,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	1	33,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: tank valve/gauge	1	32,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	50,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Interior lighting	1	164,424 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	60,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	32,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	47,488 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	28,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	53,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	55,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	—
Structure	1	14,125 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	159,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	—
Suspension: multiple axle	1	—
Suspension: rear	1	—
Tires: sidewall	1	117,379 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables	1	—
Visibility/wiper	1	—
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	22,000 mi
Wheels: hubcap/cover	1	—
Wheels: rim	1	—

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.