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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

Power Train complaints

934 reports
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76,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10394159

99,200 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY JERKED INTO GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD ACT AS IF SOMEONE HAD REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY JERKED INTO GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD ACT AS IF SOMEONE HAD REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR A SECOND OPINION BEFORE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,300.

NHTSA ODI #10394135

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS, AT PERIODIC TIMES, STARTS PUTTERING LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL, THEN SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DOES THIS FOR EITHER A FEW MILES OR MY ENTIRE TRIP. IT ALSO JERKS VERY HARD WHEN CHANGING GEARS, EX FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. WITH IN THE LAST MONTH THE TRANSMISSION NOW FEELS LIKE IT I…

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FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS, AT PERIODIC TIMES, STARTS PUTTERING LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL, THEN SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DOES THIS FOR EITHER A FEW MILES OR MY ENTIRE TRIP. IT ALSO JERKS VERY HARD WHEN CHANGING GEARS, EX FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. WITH IN THE LAST MONTH THE TRANSMISSION NOW FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING. RECENTLY, GOT STUCK AT A RED LIGHT IN A VERY BUSY CITY DISTRICT B/C MY CAR WAS FINE BUT THEN WOULD NOT MOVE, FINALLY JERKED BACK TO LIFE & STARTED GOING BUT AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT DID THE SAME THING. I HAVE BEEN DOING TONS OF READING ON THIS & IT SEEMS LIKE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS HAVE A HORRIBLE REPUTATION ON THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. I BELIEVE DO TO ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP THROWING THOUSAND OF DOLLARS ON A CAR THAT I HAVE ALWAYS SERVICED PROPERLY & UNTIL I HOT THE 100K MILEAGE MARK NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SEVERE JERKING WHILE CHANGING GEARS, STALLING OUT, ETC. PLEASE LOOK INTO ASAP. THANKS

NHTSA ODI #10394591

54,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Power Train

MAXIMA 2004, 54K. TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND BANGS 1/2ND AND 2ND/3RD; WAS TOLD IT'S A VALVE BODY ISSUE. LOOKING AT $1500 REPAIR... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393763

65,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Power Train

VERY ROUGH SHIFT AFTER DECELERATION GOING INTO ACCELERATION AT 20 TO 35 MPH. IT FEELS AS IF I HAVE BEEN REARENDED AND HAS A LOUD SOUND MIMICKING SAME. IT VARIES GREATLY ON OCCURRENCE. WEEKS CAN GO BY WITH NOTHING, THEN IT WILL OCCUR REGULARLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON SINCE 2008 (APPROX 65K - 8…

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VERY ROUGH SHIFT AFTER DECELERATION GOING INTO ACCELERATION AT 20 TO 35 MPH. IT FEELS AS IF I HAVE BEEN REARENDED AND HAS A LOUD SOUND MIMICKING SAME. IT VARIES GREATLY ON OCCURRENCE. WEEKS CAN GO BY WITH NOTHING, THEN IT WILL OCCUR REGULARLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON SINCE 2008 (APPROX 65K - 80K MILES). THE CAR NOW HAS 113K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN CHANGED, ENGINE MOUNTS FIXED - ALL TO NO AVAIL. THE LAST RESORT IS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHICH IS HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393727

160,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Power Train

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT WILL BARELY SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY AND THEN IT JUST STARTED SLIPPING. IT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IF IT STICKS IN HIGH GEAR THEN IT WON'T SLOW DOWN AND I COULD WRECK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN PUT…

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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT WILL BARELY SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY AND THEN IT JUST STARTED SLIPPING. IT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IF IT STICKS IN HIGH GEAR THEN IT WON'T SLOW DOWN AND I COULD WRECK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN PUT A TRANSMISSON IN A CAR THAT'S NOT GOING TO LAST. MY CAR ISN'T THAT OLD. I SHOULDN'T BE SCARED TO DRIVE IT. A NEW TRANSMISSION COSTS ANYWHERE BETWEEN $1000-$2000. WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY THAT WHEN THEY'VE JUST PAYED FOR A CAR AND KNOW THE CARS TO MESSED UP TO DRIVE. ALL THE MONEY THEY MAKE OFF OF SELLING THESE CARS THEY SHOULD ATLEAST HAVE TO FIX THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10393617

100,000 miles · Mar 26, 2011
Power Train

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 2004 MAXIMA, THERE IS A HARD JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND WHEN I AM GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THE CV AXLES CHANGED, THE STRUTS CHANGED, AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS CHANGED. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT I CAN THINK OF. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP IN TRYING TO GET THIS PRO…

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WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 2004 MAXIMA, THERE IS A HARD JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND WHEN I AM GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THE CV AXLES CHANGED, THE STRUTS CHANGED, AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS CHANGED. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT I CAN THINK OF. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP IN TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED? NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. HELP. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI #10393389

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2011
EquipmentPower TrainSuspension

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT SWAYS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND SHIFTS HARD OR SKIPS OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. ONLY HAVE 59,500 MILES ON CAR AND FRONT STRUTS SWAY BAR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH STRUTS AND TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392809

79,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 79,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO BANG LOUDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE CO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 79,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO BANG LOUDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE CONTACT ASSUMES THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI #10392624

58,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION JERKS ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES AND IM STILL PAYING FOR THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T USE IT MUCH AND I HAVE NOW 58,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE AND I'VE GOT NOTHING. DEALER HAS NOT HELPED AND I CALLED NISSAN MOTORS OF AMERICA AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT ALL THE ON…

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TRANSMISSION JERKS ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES AND IM STILL PAYING FOR THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T USE IT MUCH AND I HAVE NOW 58,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE AND I'VE GOT NOTHING. DEALER HAS NOT HELPED AND I CALLED NISSAN MOTORS OF AMERICA AND I TOLD THEM ABOUT ALL THE ONLINE COMPLAINTS AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND DON'T THINK ITS FAIR THAT I HAVE TO PAY 3500 ON A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN AND FIXED FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392432

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.