2001 Nissan Maxima: engine stalls while driving

Filed Nov 26, 2012 · Engine · 158,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the engine unexpectedly stalled without warning when driving from a complete stop. The vehicle restarted and resumed normal function. The similar failure occurred continuously. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.

Filed May 4, 2011 · Electrical · 148,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 nissan maxima. While driving approximately 35 MPH the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact noticed that the check engine light illunimated prior to the vehicle stalling. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact the computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2008 · Engine · 54,888 miles · GA

In feb. 2008, my maxima 2001, with 55000 miles, stalled out at a stop light--it would start up again but then stalled out when I tried to go. It was towed to the dealership, and the iac valve and the ECM were both replaced for about $1700. Then, on oct. 20, 2008, 8 months later with the mileage just under 60,000 miles, the same thing happened but it was preceded by a smell of burning rubber. It was towed to the dealership and I was told that the engine harness needed to be replaced ($2000 parts and labor) and the iac valve and the ECM again needed to replaced (another $1700). At first, the dealer said that the iac valve and ECM were covered under the new parts warranty, but then I was told that if it was the engine harness that was responsible for the failure of the iac valve and the ECM, they were not under warranty and I'd have to pay the total bill of $3700! I started a case file with nissan consumer affairs and was told by a regional specialist that nissan could do nothing for me since the parts were not under warranty. From the internet (and not from the dealership), I learned that the ECM is covered under the epa specified major emission control components warranty for 8 years/80,000 miles but nissan has declined my claim, saying that the iac valve caused the failure of the ECM that first time in feb. 2008, so the ECM is not covered by that warranty. There is no language in the epa warranty that states that as an exclusion and there is no language in nissan's own new parts warranty that states that as an exclusion (I.e., a new part is not covered by the warranty if its failure is caused by another non-warranted part). I have read online many, many similar complaints about the failure of these parts. This seems to be a very dangerous design defect with the potential to cause serious harm. Both times I narrowly avoided accidents. Nissan hasn't been willing to honor the warranties. I have yet to authorize the repairs and I am not sure what to do next.

Filed Jun 6, 2008 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 nissan maxima. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and then immediately restarted. The dealer stated that the air control valve needed to be replaced at the cost of $550. The contact has not repaired the vehicle because he believes it is a safety defect. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2007 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · TX

While driving my 2001 maxima se, when I accelerate to pass, the car stalls momentarily then the engine revs almost to redline and then the transmission shifts. I took the car to baker jackson nissan in houston and they said that the problem was with the catalytic converter. They replaced the catalytic converter and the problem persists. They claim it is not the transmission.

Filed Jan 22, 2007 · Engine · 90,000 miles · MO

Tl* - while driving his 2001 nissan maxima at a speed of 30 MPH the vehicle stalled completely losing power. At the time of the failure contact stated that the steering wheel locked, as well as, losing the ability to brake. The contact could not restart the vehicle so he had to have the vehicle towed to dealer. The dealer stated that the idol air control valves caused the computer to short circuit, and that this seemed to be a common problem with the vehicle.

Filed Aug 23, 2006 · Acceleration · 79,200 miles · MS

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH on interstate during dry conditions, the vehicle stalled without warning reducing to 30 MPH. The vehicle was pulled off of the interstate. After sitting for a while and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle ran normally. This occurred intermittently. At times the vehicle would reduce in speed and other times the vehicle would stall. During each incident, the check engine light illuminated. Both the independent mechanic and the dealership were unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Jun 9, 2005 · Electrical · 108,896 miles · OH

I have a complaint about a 2001 nissan maxima that had an electrical short in its wiring harness that completely destroyed the ECM (electronic control module) and throttle body injection system causing the car to stall under 1700 rpms this caused the car to stall at highway speeds when rpms dropped below the stated threshold I have looked at the agencys service bulletins and complaint bulletins and these wiring harness shorts seem to be a consistent problem with nissans vehicles especially the maxima model and also fire related shorts. I spoke with nissans complaint division and they just said due to miles its out of warranty and not their problem. After looking at various web sites dedicated to nissan problems this is an ongoing problem even the service manager said that normally the alternator burns out before the ECM with these wiring shorts but said I was one of the unlucky ones, the last I heard wiring harnesses are suppose to be strapped down and not moving and properly wrapped and insulated so vibration does no wear through but apparently nissan does not think so. I feel that this is a design defect and safety defect that the federal safety agency should look at.. Also I am stuck with a nineteen hundred dollar bill from the dealer to fix the problem needless to say I am not happy. Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated. Simcerely jeff nelson nissan ref no.# #4951395

Filed Nov 22, 2004 · Electrical · 58,000 miles · UT

Highway driving, car jerks and sputters, could cause a crash ses light came on, car idles rough, car stalls replaced all 6 ignition coils, problem recurred a few days later.

Filed Aug 27, 2004 · Fuel system · CA

While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle, and towed it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that fuel pump needed to be replaced due to a worn part.

Filed May 6, 2004 · Fuel system · CA

While driving 10 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer to restart vehicle but was unable to do so. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced the fuel injection system pump due to worn out parts.

Filed Feb 14, 2002 · Suspension · VA

Rear suspension is not designed to accomdate 4 adult passengers. Trunk was empty with four passengers and rear suspension would bottom out. Dealer notified, unhelpful, and most likely stalling until the warranty expires.