VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT 45MPH. TRANSMISSION ACTING VERY STRANGELY NOW. *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
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.
Power Train complaints
934 reportsVERY HARD SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 3RD BACK TO 2ND. I TALK TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE TOLD ME THAT ALL 04 MAXIMA AND SOME OF THE 05 MAXIMA HAD BAD TRANSMISSION AND NISSAN CORPORATION NEEDS TO RECALL THEM. *TR
TRANSMISSION KICKS BETWEEN 1ST AND 3RD SHIFTS. *TR
VEHICLE STARTED TO SLAM INTO GEARS AND HESITATE TO MOVE. GEAR SHIFTER MOVES FREELY THROUGH ALL THE GEARS NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ON MY WAY INTO WORK ONE DAY THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD THUD AND WOULD NOT MOVE ANY LONGER. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $4,000. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST ABOUT A YEAR OUTSIDE OF ITS WARRA…
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VEHICLE STARTED TO SLAM INTO GEARS AND HESITATE TO MOVE. GEAR SHIFTER MOVES FREELY THROUGH ALL THE GEARS NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ON MY WAY INTO WORK ONE DAY THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD THUD AND WOULD NOT MOVE ANY LONGER. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $4,000. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST ABOUT A YEAR OUTSIDE OF ITS WARRANTY. YOU CAN PLACE THE CAR INTO GEAR AND THE RPM'S WILL DROP LIKE IT SHOULD, HOWEVER, WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE THEN. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF REPORTS FROM OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAXIMA 18 MONTHS AGO. FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT,FROM THE ROTORS TO A WEIGHT FALLING OFF THE WHEEL(WHICH THEY SAY I LOST).I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTE…
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I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAXIMA 18 MONTHS AGO. FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT,FROM THE ROTORS TO A WEIGHT FALLING OFF THE WHEEL(WHICH THEY SAY I LOST).I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING SO BAD I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT.WHEN I TOOK IT BACK FOR THE FIFTH TIME I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED(I HAD NOT OWNED IT BUT 2 MONTHS). FINALLY I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER (SAME AFFILIATE) WHO FIXED IT SO THE SHAKING WAS NOT AS BAD (AFTER 3 VISITS). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEN,AND NOW WHEN THE JERKING HAS GOTTEN WORSE,SOMETIMES JERKS SO HARD IT HURTS MY NECK. THE GEARS JERK WHEN CHANGING. I THOUGHT I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT A LEMON,BUT AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS (WHICH ARE EITHER THE SAME OR SIMILAR) I KNOW NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR LOOSE THERE LIVES(AS WELL AS OTHERS).AND I DO PLAN TO CONTINUE EMAILING SENDING LETTERS,AND CALLING UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS.NOW I DON'T FEEL ALONE IN THIS ISSUE JUST PISSED OFF. THAT NISSAN HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO ON SO LONG WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SHIFT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 68,000 MILES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SHIFT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 68,000 MILES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TRANSMISSION JERK. *TR
ON FEB 8, 2012, AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR STARTED JERKING AS THOUGH IT WAS NOT GETTING GAS, THEN IT STALLED OUT ON ME. I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH NO TROUBLE, STARTED TO PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL, MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND STALLED OUT AGAIN. VERY SCARY, THANK GOODNESS, I WAS JUST ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND A…
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ON FEB 8, 2012, AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR STARTED JERKING AS THOUGH IT WAS NOT GETTING GAS, THEN IT STALLED OUT ON ME. I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH NO TROUBLE, STARTED TO PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL, MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND STALLED OUT AGAIN. VERY SCARY, THANK GOODNESS, I WAS JUST ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD. MY HUSBAND USED PLUG-IN READER TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ENGINE, IT READS BANK ONE-CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. WE HAD JUST REPLACED THIS SENSOR IN DEC 2011, MY CAR WAS ACTING UP, BUT NOT STALLING OUT ON ME. SO NOW WE KNOW WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS SENSOR WORKING PROPERLY. LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT INDEED THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SENSOR ON 2003 MAXIMAS FOR DOING THE EXACT SAME THING, JERKING AND STALLING OUT. I CALLED A NISSAN SERVICE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. I AM NOW DRIVING MY HUSBANDS TRUCK INSTEAD OF MY CAR BECAUSE I AM TERRIFIED OF THIS SENSOR GOING OUT AGAIN WHILE I AM GOING 65 MPH AND IT STALLING OUT ON ME. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES A "HARD JERK" WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO KICKS TO SHIFT IN GEAR WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. I SEE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OCCURRENCES ONLINE BY OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
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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