2000 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 176 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 27 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 14, 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
Campaign 07E074000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, tread/beltFeb 23, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 , SIZE P205/55R16 89H TIRES. THE RECALLED TIRES ARE IDENTIFIED BY DOT SERIAL #W2 T2 VF3 XXX OR W2 T2 VF3 XXXX; WHERE XXX MAY BE 289, 299, 309, 319, 329, 339, 349, 359, 369, 379, 389, 399, 409, 419, 429, 439, 449, 459, 469, 479, 489, 499, 509, 519, 529, 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080, 090, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170, AND WHERE XXXX MAY BE 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, AND 4500. WITH INCREASING MILEAGE, THE TIRES MAY DEVELOP SHOULDER AREA CRACKING. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO EXPOSURE OF THE BELT EDGE.
UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, A BELT EDGE SEPARATION IS POSIBLE, WHICH COULD RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE.
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WHICH WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THESE ALTIMA VEHICLES. FIRESTONE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE AT 1-800-465-1904.
Campaign 01V065000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
176 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2005
HEAT DISPAY, SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER/RPM METER FADE OUT INTERMITTENTLY. TS
Air bags, Aug 30, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A NISSAN ALTIMA YEAR 2000. ON AUGUST 29 , 2005 THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. A 1989 BUICK HIT IT THE BACK BUMPER WHILE WAITING IN TRAFFIC FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. THERE WERE 3 TO 4 CARS IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS IT POSSIBLE FOR AIR BAGS NOT TO DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION? THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. THE REAR OF CAR SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. HOWEVER, THE FRONT OF THE CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. THE HOOD WAS DENTED, AND THE BUMPER CRACKED IN HALF AND FELL OFF.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2005
MULTIPLE TIMES IN 2004 (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY) STATING ROUGH IDLE-CANNOT FIGURE OUT. SAFETY CHECKS SHOW NO PROBLEMS. 2 AUG 05 CODE P1320 (PLUG #3 CLEANED); P 0303/GAS CAP. CODES CLEARED $112.00; DIDN'T EVEN GET CAR IN GEAR OFF DEALER'S LOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. SVC REP STATED WAS OFF AFTER WORK PERFORMED MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE. KEPT 2 DAYS, REFUSED TO PUT SR. TECH ON MY CAR WHO HAS WORKED ON THE CAR. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP, REPLACED ALL 6 IGNITION COILS. NEW CODE TO REPLACE TORQUE COVERTOR MALFUNCTION = TRANSMISSION. EST FROM 300-$3,000.00!
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2005
I BOUGHT THIS 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA NEW. SINCE APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER OF '03 THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS REPEATEDLY (TOO MANY TIMES TO KEEP TRACK OF) MALFUNCTIONED AT ARBITRARY TIMES GIVING EITHER NO INFO (GAUGES ALL GO TO 0) OR INCORRECT INFO (130 MPH AT 1K RPM W/NO WATER TEMP AND SUDDENLY FULL TANK OF GAS). PROBLEM CAN LAST ANY WHERE FROM MINUTES TO 24 HOURS+. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO MALFUNCTIONS WHENEVER THIS OCCURS. FIRST TOOK TO DEALER ON 12/31/03, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK WHILE MALFUNCTIONING. FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR WHILE MALFUNCTIONING TO SAME DEALERSHIP ON 8/1/05. PROBLEM HAS STARTED TO INCREASE IN FREQUENCY AND DURATION. THE SECOND THEY HOOKED DIAGNOSTIC EQUIP TO IT THE CLUSTER CORRECTED. THEY KEPT FOR 2 DAYS, DID NOT MALFUNCTION AGAIN SO THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE 100%. THEY WANT TO TRY REPLACING THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD AT $320, BUT 1) CAN'T GUARANTEE IT WILL SOLVE PROBLEM AND 2) CAN'T GET PART. THEY ESTIMATE 6-8 WKS MINIMUM TO GET PART. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE DEALERSHIP CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED SHOWING NO INFORMATION, BUT NO TECHNICIAN WAS AVAILABLE TO DIAGNOSE. SHOWED ZERO ON ALL GAUGES EXCEPT GAS WHICH ARBITRARILY READ 3/4 TANK FOR ENTIRE 20-25 MILE TRIP HOME. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT, OR WORSE, WAITING TO HAPPEN. *NM
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2005
CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON 2 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 1 WEEK.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 10, 2005
MY VEHICLE IS A 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA SE. (ALSO I HAVE HEARD THERE ARE OTHER NISSANS WITH THIS PROBLEM NOT JUST ALTIMA) THE PROBLEM IS THE GUAGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILING DURING OPERATION, IE. SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, GAS GUAGE, AND TEMP GUAGE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER TIME IT HAPPENS THERE IS NOTHING DIFFERENT THE GUAGES WILL JUST SHUT OFF AND NORMALLY FALL TO THE ZERO POSTION. SOMETIMES THE WILL FREEZE IN PLACE. AFTER THE FIRST MONTH I OWNED THE CAR (BOUGHT AS A PREOWNED VEHICLE) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE GUAGE FAILURES I HAD THE CODE CHECKED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE SPEED SENSOR WAS BAD. I BOUGHT AND REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR WITH AN OEM PART. HOWEVER THE GUAGE FAILURE WAS NOT FIXED IT STILL HAPPENS. THE INCIDENT DATE STARTED 21FEB2003 AND STILL PERSISTS AND THE NUMBERS OF FAILURES I HAVEN'T KEPT COUNT BUT ABOUT AVERAGE OF EVERYOTHER DAY IT GOES OUT.
Electrical system, Apr 12, 2005
MY FIRST PROBLEM IS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN DRIVING AT LOW OR HI GH SPEED THE ENTIRE CLUSTER WOULD STOP WORKING FOR A FEW MINUTES OR HOURS, AND THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER, AND SUDDENLY IT WOULD START WORKING AGAIN. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ALMOST CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT ON TURNPIKE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THA CIRCUIT BOARD WAS REPLACED. MY LATEST PROBLEM IS THE SECURITY/DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. MY DOORS KEEP UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN AS I'M DRIVING ( CHILD ON BOARD). I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS AMONG XTERRA OWNERS.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 14, 2005
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2000 NISSAN QUEST, WHEN THE CAR CONTINUED TO IDLE AT ABOUT 1200 RPMS AND WOULD NOT COME DOWN WHEN SHE LET UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE IDLE AIR MOTOR WAS STUCK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THE SPEED OF THE CAR AT 1200 RPM'S WAS ABOUT 40 MPH, AND TRYING TO STOP THE CAR WAS VERY HARD. MY WIFE WAS VERY LUCKY SHE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS VERY LUCKY SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VAN OVER AND STOP. FURTHERMORE, ON YOUR COMPLAINT FORM I AM UNABLE TO PUT DOWN THE VEHICLE WAS A NISSAN QUEST, AS THAT MODEL IS NOT ONE OF THE OPTIONS UNDER THE VEHICLE INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2005
2000 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH BAD IGNITION COILS - OVER 1200 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED AN ON-LINE PETITION. CONSUMERS ARE GETTING SCREWED BECAUSE OF FAULTY COILS SUPPLIED BY NISSAN. *JB
Service brakes, Air, Electrical system, Dec 27, 2004
ON COLD MORNINGS WHEN DRIVER APPLIES BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND PULSES RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ASLO IGNITION COILS ON 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA ARE DEFECTIVE BASED ON INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. CHECK ENGINE SOON COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND VIBRATES.*AK
Air bags, Dec 1, 2004, crash
DURING A 40 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Wheels, Nov 30, 2004
FAILURE TO COMPLETE VEHICLE GUARANTEED INSPECTION. RESULTING IN A SKID PLATE FALLING OFF BOTTOM OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, OIL LEAK, FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 28, 2004
NORMAL DRIVING HE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. HE VEHICLE IS RUNNING POORLY, POOR GAS MILEAGE. *AK
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2004
ON FIRST COOL DAY (MID-50S) OF NOVEMBER (IN HOUSTON, TX), THE ENGINE ON MY 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE BEGAN SHUDDERING OCCASIONALLY AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LAMP LIT. I TOOK VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF ALL SIX IGNITION COILS AT A COST OF $660 (INCLUDING LABOR, PARTS, AND SALES TAX), WHICH I DECLINED. MY FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM AMONG 2000-01 MAXIMAS, AND THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED TSB NTB01-059 WHICH ADDRESSES THE ISSUE.*AK
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2004
(1) I WAS EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS WITH MY 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA TO THE EXTENT THAT WHEN I ACCELERATED THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND PLACED ME IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. (2) THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS INTERMITTENT IGNITION COIL FAILURE BUT IT WAS UNDETERMINED AS TO WHICH COILS AND WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE ALL 6. (3) I HAVE SINCE READ MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE VERY SAME FAILURE TO THE EXTENT THAT NISSAN HAS BEGUN USING AN UPGRADED COIL. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IS DEFECTIVE. I NOTE THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN INSTITUTED ON THE IGNITION COILS AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE THAT PROVES VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. *JB
Air bags, Tires, Nov 5, 2004, crash
1. VEHICLE FISHTAILED ON WET SURFACE, LOST CONTROL, BEGAN TO ROLL. VEHICLE LEFT ROADWAY, HIT IRON FENCE, SPUN 180 DEGREES, REAR END HIT TREE. 2. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE LOST CONTROL, NOR SHOULD IT HAVE BEGUN TO ROLL IN THAT SITUATION. NOT A SINGLE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN FRONT HIT IRON FENCE AT APPROX. 40 MILES PER HOUR. PASSENGERS WERE LEFT WITH MINOR, NON-INCAPCITATING INJURIES (WHIPLASH, MUSCLE PAINS, BRUISED ORGANS). 3. CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS. AWAITING COMPENSATION FROM INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 3, 2004
CAR HESITATION AND RUNNING ROUGH. SERVICE ENGINE CAME ON AND CAR DROPPED OFF AT NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER CALLED AND SAID THE (6)COILS NEED REPLACING. THE CAR HAS 68000 MILES ON IT NOW. THE COILS HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 2001 WHEN THE CAR HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT. I READ THERE SERVICE BOOKLET AND NO WHERE DOES IT SAY TO HAVE THE COILS REPLACED EVERY 30,000MILES. WHEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE COILS AT 30,000MILES HE SAID THAT NISSAN HAD SOME DEFECTIVE COILS AND THEY DID THE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THIS TIME IT COSTS ME $611.65 AS THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER. AFTER CHECKING EDMUNDS WEB SITE AND SEVERAL OTHERS IT APPEARS EVERY 2000 MAXIMA HAS TO HAVE THE COILS REPLACED EVERY 30,000MILES OR SO AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Oct 20, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2004
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/GAUGES WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Oct 1, 2004
THE ACCELERATOR CONNECTING ROD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING.UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THE SOCKET WAS CRACKED.*AK
Power train, Sep 20, 2004
WHEN AT A STOP ENGINE REVVED AT A HIGH RATE. CONSUMER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, THEN TO DRIVE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2004
TRIED TO START CAR IN GARAGE. BATTERY EXPLODED, SPILLING ACID AND WATER ON GARAGE FLOOR. DAMAGE TO HOOD, PRESSURE OF EXPLOSURE CAUSING TWO DENTS AND CRACKING PAINT. *AK
Visibility, Jul 20, 2004
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON 18 JUL 2004 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A CRASH AND THE GLASS BLEW DOWN INTO THE SHADE PROTECTOR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE FAILED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM