IllustrationWHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY OR AVOID TRAFFIC, THE CAR SLIPS GOING INTO GEAR. WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE SAFELY AS ITS HARD TO PREDICT THE VEHICLES BEHAVIOR. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND ACCORDING TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM IS NOT THAT UNCOMMON WITH SAID VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL. *TR
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
Power Train complaints
934 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND SHIFTING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD DRAIN AND SEAL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DRAINING AND SEALIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND SHIFTING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD DRAIN AND SEAL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DRAINING AND SEALING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR TRANSMISSION FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (CERRITOS NISSAN) AND THEY SAY THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD TRANNY AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 120,000+ MILES ON IT. OUR FIRST TRANSMISSION LASTED 5YRS. BEFORE HAVING TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THI…
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WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR TRANSMISSION FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (CERRITOS NISSAN) AND THEY SAY THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD TRANNY AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 120,000+ MILES ON IT. OUR FIRST TRANSMISSION LASTED 5YRS. BEFORE HAVING TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THIS ONE HAS LASTED 3YRS. THE TRANSMISSION NOW IS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR WHEN YOU SWITCH TO THE TIP TRONIC SETTING TO SEE THE GEARING AND THIS IS THE REASON THERE IS NO POWER DURING ACCELERATION. WE ALSO NEED MOTOR MOUNTS NOW BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENT JERKING THAT THE TRANNY DOES WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. AND THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID WE NEEDED A TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS BAD AS WELL, TOTAL REPAIR COST $6700.00+. I'VE RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WAS PERFECTLY FINE. OUR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES DO NOT WORK AGAIN, THAT WAS REPLACED 1YR AGO. AND WE ARE NOW ON OUR THIRD SET OF FRONT STRUTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SYMPTOMS STARTED AS A HARD JERK INTO GEAR WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND BACK TO DRIVE. I CHANGED THE FLUID AND THAT WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT THE HARD JERKING STARTED AGAIN WHICH LED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE TRANSMISSION BECAME HESITANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
SEEMS LIKE WHEN WEATHER IS WARM, TRANSMISSION JERKS IN 1,2,3 GEARS. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SPEEDING UP. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM MAKE AND MODEL. SHOULDN'T NISSAN BE MADE TO OWN THEIR ISSUE. MOST VEHICLES NEVER HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN REGULARLY SERVICED. NOT THE C…
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SEEMS LIKE WHEN WEATHER IS WARM, TRANSMISSION JERKS IN 1,2,3 GEARS. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SPEEDING UP. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM MAKE AND MODEL. SHOULDN'T NISSAN BE MADE TO OWN THEIR ISSUE. MOST VEHICLES NEVER HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN REGULARLY SERVICED. NOT THE CASE WITH THIS CAR. MY WIFE WON'T DRIVE IT, AND I WON'T LET HER. IM TRYING TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH IT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THERE. I CAN'T AFFORD THE FIX. HELP. *TR
WHEN ACCELERATING THERE IS A HARD JERKY STALL SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. AFRAID I'M GOING TO BE REAR-ENDED. WHEN DECELERATING, THERE IS A HARD SHIFT JERK FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. REMINDS ME OF SEMI TRUCK ROAD SIGNS (NO ENGINE BRAKE ALLOWED). *TR
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO "SLIP" AROUND 100,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO FIVE STAR NISSAN IN WARNER ROBINS GA, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND RECOMMEND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, WHICH THEY DID PERFORM. AT ABOUT 111,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AGAIN, AND IT STARTED TO "SHIFT HARD". I TOOK IT BACK TO FIVE STAR NISSA…
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TRANSMISSION STARTED TO "SLIP" AROUND 100,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO FIVE STAR NISSAN IN WARNER ROBINS GA, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND RECOMMEND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, WHICH THEY DID PERFORM. AT ABOUT 111,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AGAIN, AND IT STARTED TO "SHIFT HARD". I TOOK IT BACK TO FIVE STAR NISSAN WHO ADVISED ME "THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT". LUCKILY IT DID NOT FAIL IN TRAFFIC. *TR
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.