TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
2004 Nissan Maxima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Maxima years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Maxima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 99.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1,189 reports with mileage · 236 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 934 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 141 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
13 reportsMY 3 GIRLS AND 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS WERE IN MY VEHICLE AND THEY WERE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID AND IT BROKE MY DAUGHTER'S NOSE. I CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING AND WAS TOLD IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE …
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MY 3 GIRLS AND 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS WERE IN MY VEHICLE AND THEY WERE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID AND IT BROKE MY DAUGHTER'S NOSE. I CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING AND WAS TOLD IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE MOST OF THE DAMAGE OF THE CAR IS (ALL OF THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE). EVERYONE WAS TAKING TO THE ER AND THE DAUGHTER WITH THE WORST INJURY WAS REFERRED TO A SPECIALIST BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT AND BECAUSE THE AIRBAG SHATTERED THE INSIDE OF HER NOSE INTO PIECES IT WAS NOTHING TO DO TO REPAIR. MY DAUGHTER PLAYS BASKETBALL AND I COULDN'T EVEN GET A NOSE BRACE FOR PROTECTION. THIS WAS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE GIRLS AND I WISH NO PARENT WILL EVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I SAW THE STORY ON THE CBS EVENING NEWS (AIRED 10/2/14) WHERE THE LONG LADY IS SUING HONDA BECAUSE OF THAT WHAT AIRBAG DID TO HER). AIRBAGS APPEARS TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST, I AM THANKFUL THAT THE GIRLS ARE STILL ALIVE. *TR
MY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT A PART FAILING, BUT IN NISSAN'S RESPONSE TO REPLACE A PART. MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IN THE REPAIR WORK, THE AIRBAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (ORDERED). THE PART WAS ORDERED ON OCT. 12, 2011 AND AFTER MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OF THE PART BEING OR…
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MY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT A PART FAILING, BUT IN NISSAN'S RESPONSE TO REPLACE A PART. MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IN THE REPAIR WORK, THE AIRBAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (ORDERED). THE PART WAS ORDERED ON OCT. 12, 2011 AND AFTER MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OF THE PART BEING ORDERED, THE PART HAS STILL NOT BEEN PRODUCED BY NISSAN. FIRST I WAS TOLD IT WAS A BACK-ORDER ISSUE, BUT THEN I LOST MY PATIENCE AFTER 2 MONTHS AND CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE, I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMPONENT DISTRIBUTION ISSUE, WHICH TELLS ME ABSOLUTELY (WAIT FOR IT) NOTHING. THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING FOR ME IS THAT I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE DELIVERY OF THE PART IS INDEFINITE, SO MY CAR SITS AT THE COLLISION SHOP BASICALLY IN LIMBO. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND CANNOT FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION FOR MY VEHICLE RELATING TO THIS PART. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER, THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TESTING OF THE PART, THEREFORE THE PART IS NOT BEING PRODUCED. IN MY OPINION THIS IS DISCREETLY BEING KEPT QUIET AND DISGUISED AS A BACK-ORDER ISSUE BY NISSAN. I SEE RECALL ISSUES FOR THIS PART FOR THE ALTIMAS, BUT NOT THE MAXIMAS. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A BIGGER ISSUE THAN NISSAN IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I AM TRYING TO FIND ALL AVENUES TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS MATTER AND HOPE THAT IT REGISTERS. *TR
ON MAY 06, 2011 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. MY DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHERE NO ONE WAS SITTING DEPLOYED. I WAS 8-MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY STOMACH ALMOST CAUSING A EARLY LABOR (PRE-MATURE) I WAS FORTUNATE…
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ON MAY 06, 2011 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. MY DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHERE NO ONE WAS SITTING DEPLOYED. I WAS 8-MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY STOMACH ALMOST CAUSING A EARLY LABOR (PRE-MATURE) I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE DOCTORS WERE ABLE TO STOP MY BABY FROM COMING. IF MY AIRBAG WOULD HAVE GONE OFF PROPERLY IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED MY STOMACH FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR A AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS CORRECT BECAUSE I PAID FOR THIS PRODUCT TO WORK. *TR
I ALSO SEEM TO BE HAVING TRANSMISSION JERK PROBLEMS WITH MY NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CAR HAS 100000 MILES ON IT. I GET A JERKING MOTION WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND THAT REALLY HURTS MY NECK. IT JERKS ESPECIALLY HARD WHEN MAKING A TURN AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND PICKS UP SPEED AGAIN. AND, IN MY CASE IT ALSO JERKS ONE DAY AND BE…
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I ALSO SEEM TO BE HAVING TRANSMISSION JERK PROBLEMS WITH MY NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CAR HAS 100000 MILES ON IT. I GET A JERKING MOTION WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND THAT REALLY HURTS MY NECK. IT JERKS ESPECIALLY HARD WHEN MAKING A TURN AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND PICKS UP SPEED AGAIN. AND, IN MY CASE IT ALSO JERKS ONE DAY AND BEHAVES OK ANOTHER DAY. ALSO THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WITH A WARMER ENGINE, AND IS RARELY HAPPENING WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT A FRIEND WAS DRIVING ON SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 23,2007. THERE WAS 3 OF US IN THE CAR. WE WERE GOING THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT WAS GREEN WHEN A COP RAN THE RED LIGHT AND WE BASICALLY T-BONED HIM RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE POLICE CAR. THE OFFICER WAS IN CHASE OF A STOLEN CAR. THE WHOL…
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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT A FRIEND WAS DRIVING ON SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 23,2007. THERE WAS 3 OF US IN THE CAR. WE WERE GOING THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT WAS GREEN WHEN A COP RAN THE RED LIGHT AND WE BASICALLY T-BONED HIM RIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE POLICE CAR. THE OFFICER WAS IN CHASE OF A STOLEN CAR. THE WHOLE FRONT END HAS DAMAGE ON MY CAR. YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE AIRBAG SENSORS IN FRONT BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! I AM WONDERING WHY THIS WOULD BE AND WHAT CAN BE DONE? *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED HER TO HAVE A HEADACHE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED HER TO HAVE A HEADACHE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH A DRUNK DRIVER WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER TRUCK WAS COMING IN MY DIRECTION IN THE MEDIAN AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS ON. AFTER I PASSED THE TRUCK I SAW A PARKED DARK CAR IN THE LEFT LANE WITH NO LIGHTS ON AND TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT I HIT IT PRETTY MUCH WITH THE FRONT OF MY 200…
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I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH A DRUNK DRIVER WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER TRUCK WAS COMING IN MY DIRECTION IN THE MEDIAN AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS ON. AFTER I PASSED THE TRUCK I SAW A PARKED DARK CAR IN THE LEFT LANE WITH NO LIGHTS ON AND TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT I HIT IT PRETTY MUCH WITH THE FRONT OF MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY, I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT I SUSTAINED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES. I FILED A REQUEST TO HAVE NISSAN INVESTIGATE, AND RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT DECELERATION OF YOUR VEHICLE TO INFLATE THE AIR BAG. I FIGURED I WOULD GET THESE RESULTS SINCE NISSAN MADE THE DECISION THEMSELVES. I AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I FELT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *AK
A SMALL PICKUP TRUCK GOING SOUTH FAILED TO YIELD ON COMING TRAFFIC MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, AN TURNED INTO MY VEHICLE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SUSTAINED A BRUISED LEFT ELBOW FROM HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AS WE CRASHED. *NM
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA ALL FEATURES HAD LOCKED UP. CONSUMER TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHEN TRYING THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY HITTING A TAURUS AND A TRAILER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED AND AS THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY A FAMILY MEMBER, WHICH THE VEHICLE …
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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA ALL FEATURES HAD LOCKED UP. CONSUMER TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHEN TRYING THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY HITTING A TAURUS AND A TRAILER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED AND AS THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY A FAMILY MEMBER, WHICH THE VEHICLE NEARLY MISSED FELL BACKWARDS AND BROKE HER WRIST. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE GEAR SHIFT TO LOCK OR FOR THE VEHICLE TO JUMP AND ROLL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PLACED IN PARK AND THE PARKING BRAKE HAD BEEN PULLED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *JB
Official recalls
205V512000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Nov 7, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE DRIVER PREFERRED PACKAGE, THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCH MAY BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND COULD BE PINCHED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PINCHED HARNESS, IN COMBINATION WITH DRIVING VIBRATION, MAY RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE HARNESS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE IN THE SEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND ROUTE IT CORRECTLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
04V326000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Jul 7, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SKYVIEW ROOFS, THE GLASS FOR THE ROOF MAY NOT HAVE BEEN QUENCHED PROPERLY AFTER THE FORMING PROCESS, RESULTING IN TEMPER IMBALANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL STRESS IN THE GLASS AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE GLASS TO SHATTER, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE GLASS IN THE SKYVIEW ROOF. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE04035 · Glass Roof Shattering
Opened Apr 12, 2004 · Closed Jul 13, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON APRIL 12, 2004, BASED ON FIVE REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE SKYVIEW GLASS-PANELED ROOF, WHICH IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES, WOULD SUDDENLY SHATTER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE.FIVE INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING IN CUTS TO THE HEAD, HANDS, ARMS, OR FACE.NISSAN DISCOVERED THAT THEIR SUPPLIER FOR THE SKYVIEW GLASS PANELED ROOF DID NOT PROPERLY QUENCH (COOL) THE GLASS AFTER IT WAS FORMED.THE RESULTING TEMPER IMBALANCE COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL STRESS IN THE GLASS AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE GLASS TO SHATTER.NISSAN REPORTS THAT GLASS PRODUCED BEGINNING OCTOBER 23, 2003 WAS PROPERLY QUENCHED.NISSAN HAS INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL RECALL 32,100 MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS BUILT FROM THE BEGINNING OF PRODUCTION THRU DECEMBER 17, 2003.IT REPORTS THAT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER DECEMBER 17 ARE NOT AFFECTED.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING SKYVIEW GLASS WITH NEW PROPERLY QUENCHED GLASS.NISSAN WILL BEGIN OWNER NOTIFICATION ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004.ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY ONE COMPLAINT AND NISSAN REPORTS NO COMPLAINTS OF SKYVIEW GLASS PANELED ROOF BREAKAGE ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THE DECEMBER 17 DATE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED, HOWEVER THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AS APPROPRIATE.
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