Hello all. I have been considering the purchase of an 00-01 Maxima recently and after perusing the FAQ I am somewhat concerned over two issues: the auto transmission TSB and the VIM failures. What exactly is entailed in the TSB, what needs to be fixed, and what VINs does it apply to? I will probaby be buying an auto car based on the shortage of 5-speeds and I want to make sure that mine will be eligible for the fix. In regards to the manifold failures, how prevalent is this issue. Is it a design issue that will eventually catch up with them all, or a build problem which only effects some cars. Has it been determined what the actual cause of the failure is? Is a complete replacement the only way to fix it? I really don't want to deal with the hassle of trying to get it fixed under warranty, and I certainly don't want to pay for it. Every other aspect of the car seems wonderful, it is just these two issues which have me on the fence. Could the collective here point me in the right direction as far as how concerned I really should be about these problems? Thanks in advance for all of your help.

 

OK, I found more info on the TSB (I know, SEARCH!) but it seems that even this is not fixing the issue. Again, I am wondering how common this problem is.

This really blows, I really like the Maxima, but I am not willing to deal with these issues in a car with 30-40k miles. I wish Nissan would get back to the way they built cars in the early '90s, my SE-R was a tank. I have been shopping for weeks, and had finally pretty much settled on the Max. I really don't want to start searching again!

 

i would have to say the problem is not prevalent at all. ive seen a few post with legitimate problems but most of them just being paranoid about power loss. im assuming you are talking about the variable manifold issue. the biggest problem you might run into is the condition of the paint (since its used, you should be able to get an idea of what frustrates alot of owners) and the brake rotors. some of have not warped but a large majority of owners have had problems with warpage.

 

got an 00 Max with 90,000 miles. NO probs so far, other than rotor warpage, 1 mass aif flow sensor, 1 02 sensor. Tranny has been serviced twice, other toutine maintenance done. But mine has been fine!

 

00 max, 70k, supercharged for 25k, still on the original automatic, replaced the o2 sensor, and coils were done under warranty ages ago. No problems aside from those two... yet.

My friend has one with slightly lower mileage and just blew his tranny - however he is the type of person to put the pedal to the metal just to be the first to stop at the next red light.

Take care of the car and it will take care of you : one tip I have is to check the ATF regularly and do a flush every 35k or so. Your tranny will thank you later... but it's all about preventative maintenance and how you treat your car.

 

2000 with 91000 miles. chipped paint. warped rotors (replaced at 80000 anyway) no other problems.... that i didn't create myself

 

I have a 2000 and my check engine light just came on for the mass air flow sensor. What do they run and where is the best place to get them?

thanks

 

the sensor itself runs about 100 from what ive been told from dave b. you can find his number in the faq at the top. if you get it from your local dealer, they will try to sell you sensor and the tube and ive heard that runs somewhere around 600.

 

okay that doesnt sound to bad. thanks

 

As far as I know, there have been few documented VIM failures (much of what you read is from my experience).

I am certain there are more out there but most drivers will never notice since they have autos and rarely go over 5k rpms.

I would not be particularly worried about VIM failure, honestly. To check the car you are thinking of buying - leave it in 2 and run it to redline. If you feel the car continues to pull harder all the way up to redline past 5k rpms - no problem.

If you don't feel a noticeable increasing pull over 5k to redline or if the car just feels like it is "making noise" from 5k to redline, there may be a problem.

I suspect that the problem is caused by the vibration of excessive wheel hop which somehow causes the butterflys in the VIM to stick/break.

 

I have 2 01s, an SE Manual (38K Miles) and a GLE Auto (41K Miles). The only problem I have had with either, warping front rotors (you had to apply brakes at more than 70mph to notice) on my SE which I replaced with aftermarket and 25K miles ago and have had no further problems.

 

did you go with aftermarket pads as well? what rotors and pads did you go with? mine warped at 9k and they are showing signs again at 30k so i think i might go with brembo blanks and either hawk pads or bendix iq pads.

 

I went with Stillen Cross-Drilled and have Axxis Metal Master pads on the front. I have stock pads and Stillen X-Drilled on the rear. I haven't had any problems and have alos heard that stock pads are ok with front or rear aftermarket rotors.

 

I have a 2k auto and it has over 170K and the only prob I've had was replacing the tranny early around 48k and since then no other problems and the car actually runs better with tranny fix and gets better gas mileage also feels stronger when accelerating than when first bought.

Good luck with your purchase, it is a good car and you won't have any regrets.