Illustration04V326000 ONE OF THE RECALL NUMBER THE OTHER IS 05V512000 NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT I'VE CHANGED MY TIMING CHAIN ALSO ALREADY I ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER STATING IF I HAD TO REPLACE IT TO CONTACT NISSAN I BELIEVE I'M JUST GETTING THE RUN AROUND
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
1380–25K
10625–50K
28150–75K
34975–100K
260100–150K
55150K+
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.
33 crash reports16 fire reports22 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
56 reportsFOR STARTERS I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR THEN THE BATTERY AND THEN THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR AND THEN DORMAN THAT IS ON THE POSSESSIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY. AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO START STILL. NOW JUST MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME ON THIS.
WHEN IT RAINS THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR HAS WATER IN THE DOOR AND SOAKS THE BACK FLOOR
THE BODY CONTROL MODULE KEEPS THE FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS FROM WORKING. THE TAIL LIGHTS ALSO NOT WORKING. THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS NOT WORKING COST FOR REPLACING WITH LABOR AND TAX IS OVER 1K IN CALIFORNIA. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET TOWED HOME.
ENGINE RECALL I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS ON HIGHWAY 62 EAST IN MINNEAPOLIS MN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT 60 MILES AND I LOOK AND SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD AND THE BACK OF MY CAR FROM THE TAIL PIPES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE WIRING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. AN AUTO TECHNICIAN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT A WIRE BURNED THROUGH, WHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE WIRING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. AN AUTO TECHNICIAN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT A WIRE BURNED THROUGH, WHICH LIKELY CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT REPAIRS WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V512000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH TIM DAHLE NISSAN (4528 STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107) WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
ON OCTOBER 5, 2016 MY HUSBAND CAME HOME FROM PT AND PARKED THE CAR UNDER OUR CARPORT. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR THERE WAS NOT SIGNS OF SMOKE OR ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON IN THE CAR. HE CAME IN THE HOUSE AND STARTED TO GET DRESSED AND ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER OUR NEIGHBOR WAS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR" SCREAMING YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE". THE F…
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ON OCTOBER 5, 2016 MY HUSBAND CAME HOME FROM PT AND PARKED THE CAR UNDER OUR CARPORT. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR THERE WAS NOT SIGNS OF SMOKE OR ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON IN THE CAR. HE CAME IN THE HOUSE AND STARTED TO GET DRESSED AND ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER OUR NEIGHBOR WAS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR" SCREAMING YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE". THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND AFTER IT WAS OUT THEY FOUND THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE AND RULED IT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I CALLED NNA AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, SENT PHOTOS, THE POLICE REPORT, AND FIRE REPORT AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 6 WEEKS FOR THEM TO EVEN DECIDE IF THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH ANY FEES TO HAVE THE CAR PRESERVED. WE LIVE ON A MILITARY BASE SO WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AWAY SO THAT MILITARY HOUSING COULD ASSESS THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO THE CARPORT AND WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY DAILY FOR HAVING THE CAR SIT AT A TOW YARD WHILE NISSAN DECIDES IF THE WILL EVEN INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. I REALLY FEEL LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION AGAINST NISSAN BECAUSE WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS THIS CAN'T JUST BE ISOLATED INCIDENTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HORN ASSEMBLY AND HORN SWITCH WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,089.
ME RADIO AND GPS AND AIR AND HIT IS THE PROBLEM 1 DAY WORK OTHERS DAY NO
I BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE A YEAR AND TWO MONTHS AGO. IT HAD 91,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLAMMING GEARS A FEW MONTHS AGO RIGHT AROUND 100K MILES. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. BUT THEN ON 1/8/15 THE TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. IT WOULD GO INTO PARK AND REVERSE FINE BUT IN DRIVE …
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
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.