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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 →

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.

33 crash reports16 fire reports22 injury reports

Equipment complaints

20 reports
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55,000 miles · Mar 29, 2009
EquipmentSteeringTires

THE CAR RPM DROP DOWN BELOW 500, LAST YEAR IT LED TO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SPEND AROUND A GRAND, BUT NEVER FIX,UNTIL TODAY THE DEALER CLAIM THAT THIS HAPPENED TO NISSAN MAXIM 04, AND LAST YEAR I START HAVING STEERING SHAKING, THE DEALER TOLD IF I CHANGE MY RIMS AND TIRES IT WILL FIX IT, AND IN AUG-2008 I HAVE 4 NEW RIM AND GO…

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THE CAR RPM DROP DOWN BELOW 500, LAST YEAR IT LED TO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SPEND AROUND A GRAND, BUT NEVER FIX,UNTIL TODAY THE DEALER CLAIM THAT THIS HAPPENED TO NISSAN MAXIM 04, AND LAST YEAR I START HAVING STEERING SHAKING, THE DEALER TOLD IF I CHANGE MY RIMS AND TIRES IT WILL FIX IT, AND IN AUG-2008 I HAVE 4 NEW RIM AND GOOD YEARS TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM EXIT, I WENT IN JAN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD IF THEY TIGHTENED SOME THING IT WILL FIX, BUT NO I STILL HAVE UNTIL TODAY, CAR SHAKES IF YOU EXCEED SPEED OF 55 OR 50 M/H. I AM STILL HAVING THOSE PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263565

26,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior LightingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS, THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BATTERY WIRING BURNED. CURRENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION PULLS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS, THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BATTERY WIRING BURNED. CURRENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION PULLS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10224241

27,000 miles · Mar 31, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentTires

I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, ON FEBRUARY 27 2007 WITH ONLY 24,000 MILES. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FAIL. I NOTICE SOME JERKING WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND THEN HIT THE GAS, AS WELL AS A METAL RATTLING NOISE (WHEN I GIVE IT GAS). I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHICH THEY STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T FEEL IT JERK AND THEY DID…

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I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, ON FEBRUARY 27 2007 WITH ONLY 24,000 MILES. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FAIL. I NOTICE SOME JERKING WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND THEN HIT THE GAS, AS WELL AS A METAL RATTLING NOISE (WHEN I GIVE IT GAS). I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHICH THEY STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T FEEL IT JERK AND THEY DIDN'T HEAR THE RATTLING NOISE. THE NOISE HAS BECOME WORSE. NOW A YEAR LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSE THAT MY IGNITION COIL WENT BAD. (HAD TO REPLACE ALL SIX) COST $1000. TO THIS POINT THE CAR STILL REMAINS IN THE SHOP DUE TO IGNITION COIL. FINALLY, THE ROTOR WENT BAD WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE AMT $380. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. I HIGHLY BELIEVE THAT AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE PLACE TO GET THIS ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222982

87,000 miles · Jan 25, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SINCE PURCHASING IT BRAND NEW. WITHIN 60 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE BRAKES. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 SINCE KEEPING THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPAIRED. I AM ON MY FOURTH SET OF TIRES AND HAVE HAD THREE ALIGNMENTS AN…

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SINCE PURCHASING IT BRAND NEW. WITHIN 60 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE BRAKES. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 SINCE KEEPING THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPAIRED. I AM ON MY FOURTH SET OF TIRES AND HAVE HAD THREE ALIGNMENTS AND MY FRONT END INSPECTED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE MOUNT. IN 2006 MY AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT AND I SPENT OVER $500 HAVING THAT REPAIRED. NOW I AM IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THERE IS INTERNAL DAMAGE DUE TO THE CLUTCH SLIPPING EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC CAR. I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH THE SAME MODEL/YEAR CAR AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR OR THE SAME PROBLEMS. ONCE OF MY FRIENDS JUST REPLACED HIS TRANSMISSION IN HIS 2004 MAXIMA. THIS CAR HAS COST ME AT LEAST $5,000 IN REPAIRS SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT AND I HAVE NEVER EVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON ANYTHING. I KNOW THAT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECTS IN THE 2004 MAXIMA, BUT ARE NOT OWNING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN TAKING CARE OF ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT AND TALKED ABOUT WITH DIFFERENT 2004 MAXIMA OWNERS. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. THE BODY STYLE OF THE CAR IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT THE CAR ITSELF IS A PIECE OF CRAP DUE TO POOR MECHANICS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215973

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2007
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE THAT I BOUGHT 2 YEARS AGO WITH 14000 MILES ON IT. CURRENTLY HAVE 24000 MILES SO I DON'T DRIVE A LOT. IN THOSE 2 YEARS, I'VE HAD STRUTS, BRAKES, ROTORS,A/C PROBLEMS, TONS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ISSUES(WAS IN SHOP 4 TIMES) AND AT 19000 MILES, A TIRE BLOWOUT AND AGAIN ANOTHER ONE AT 24000 MILES. I SUBMIT…

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE THAT I BOUGHT 2 YEARS AGO WITH 14000 MILES ON IT. CURRENTLY HAVE 24000 MILES SO I DON'T DRIVE A LOT. IN THOSE 2 YEARS, I'VE HAD STRUTS, BRAKES, ROTORS,A/C PROBLEMS, TONS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ISSUES(WAS IN SHOP 4 TIMES) AND AT 19000 MILES, A TIRE BLOWOUT AND AGAIN ANOTHER ONE AT 24000 MILES. I SUBMITTED MY PAPERWORK FOR CRACKED SIDEWALLS ON MY GOODYEAR RSA TIRES ON JULY 1,2007 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING YET. THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE CAR FROM YOU KNOW WHERE. IT JUST HAS PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM--I GET ONE THING FIXED AND SOMETHING ELSE SEEMS TO COME UP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10199997

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2007
EquipmentPower TrainTires

BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2004 MAXIMA. IT STARTED WITH JERKING, AND SPEED CHANGES WHILE DRIVING. ROTATORS, AIR CONDITIONING, TIRES, STRUTS, AND TREMBLING IN WHEEL. TRANSMISSION IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. ALSO, THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED, TREMBLING IS STILL THERE, AIR CONDITIONING LOW AND HOSE REPLACED. BUT NOW IT…

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BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2004 MAXIMA. IT STARTED WITH JERKING, AND SPEED CHANGES WHILE DRIVING. ROTATORS, AIR CONDITIONING, TIRES, STRUTS, AND TREMBLING IN WHEEL. TRANSMISSION IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. ALSO, THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED, TREMBLING IS STILL THERE, AIR CONDITIONING LOW AND HOSE REPLACED. BUT NOW IT RUMBLES WHEN TURNED ON. TIRES ALMOST COST ME LIFE ON EXPRESSWAY DUE TO CRACK IN SIDEWALLS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196043

6,000 miles · Jan 2, 2006
EquipmentSuspension

I BOUGHT THIS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AT DIFEO NISSAN DEALERSHIP OF JERSEY CITY. SINCE I GOT IT, I HAD TO TAKE IT FOUR TIMES TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE FRONT STRUTS. RIGHT NOW AS I AM SENDING YOU THIS EMAIL, I CAN HEAR THAT SOUND AGAIN. THIS IS CAUSING ME A LOT OF INCONVIENCE, SO I WOULD BE GLAD IF SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. …

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I BOUGHT THIS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AT DIFEO NISSAN DEALERSHIP OF JERSEY CITY. SINCE I GOT IT, I HAD TO TAKE IT FOUR TIMES TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE FRONT STRUTS. RIGHT NOW AS I AM SENDING YOU THIS EMAIL, I CAN HEAR THAT SOUND AGAIN. THIS IS CAUSING ME A LOT OF INCONVIENCE, SO I WOULD BE GLAD IF SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE GOING THROUGH ALL THIS FRUSTRATION FOR A CAR I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY FOR. SECONDLY THE C.D. DON'T PLAY WHEN IT'S COLD IN THE CAR. PLEASE COULD SOMEONE GET BACK TO ME OR DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS FOR ME PLEASE. THANK YOU,SEEPERSAUD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146701

4,727 miles · Oct 8, 2004
EquipmentSteeringTires

STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES AT SPEEDS FROM 50-80 MPH AND ALSO SHIMMIES HARSHLY WHEN BRAKING AT LOWER SPEEDS. I HAD THIS IN FOR REPAIR TWICE SO FAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THE NEXT TIME THEY ROTATED THE TIRES. ALSO, HAD GPS/NAV SYSTEM IN FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES TO DATE. THE DVD WAS REPROGRAMMED THE FIRST TIME AND REPL…

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STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES AT SPEEDS FROM 50-80 MPH AND ALSO SHIMMIES HARSHLY WHEN BRAKING AT LOWER SPEEDS. I HAD THIS IN FOR REPAIR TWICE SO FAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THE NEXT TIME THEY ROTATED THE TIRES. ALSO, HAD GPS/NAV SYSTEM IN FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES TO DATE. THE DVD WAS REPROGRAMMED THE FIRST TIME AND REPLACED TWICE. I'M GETTING READY TO FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10093804

1,500 miles · Apr 23, 2004
Equipment

THE CD PLAYER IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PLAY THE SYSTEM IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET RESULTS. WHEN THE SYSTEM FINALLY DID START TO WORK, THE SOUND BLASTED OUT AND ONLY THE END OF THE SONG PLAYED. THE CD'S PLAYED RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SYSTEM …

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THE CD PLAYER IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PLAY THE SYSTEM IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET RESULTS. WHEN THE SYSTEM FINALLY DID START TO WORK, THE SOUND BLASTED OUT AND ONLY THE END OF THE SONG PLAYED. THE CD'S PLAYED RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SYSTEM FOUR TIMES WITH THE SAME SYSTEM. *JB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064904

4,727 miles · Apr 3, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipment

GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM GIVES A DISC ERROR MESSAGE WHEN TRYING TO USE IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10064484

Official recalls

2

05V512000 · 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

1

PE04035 · 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.