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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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74,420 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Power Train

MY CAR DIED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BACK UP, I DISMISSED IT. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT WOULD NOT START AT THE GROCER. IT RESTARTED ONLY AFTER JUMPING. I DROVE IT TO AUTO ZONE FOR A NEW BATTERY WHICH SEEMED TO HELP. YESTERDAY WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARALLEL PARK IT DIED AGAI…

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MY CAR DIED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BACK UP, I DISMISSED IT. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT WOULD NOT START AT THE GROCER. IT RESTARTED ONLY AFTER JUMPING. I DROVE IT TO AUTO ZONE FOR A NEW BATTERY WHICH SEEMED TO HELP. YESTERDAY WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARALLEL PARK IT DIED AGAIN MID AISLE. I RESTARTED IT AND SLOWLY PRESSED FORWARD BY FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR. I BACKED OUT AGAIN AND AFTER CHANGING GEAR, IT DRAGGED FORWARD WITHOUT TORQUE. FINALLY, IT LURCHED INTO TORQUE ONLY TO DRAG DOWN AT EACH RED LIGHT. I'M APPALLED AT ALL THE ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO RELIEF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345012

68,000 miles · Jul 23, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE HAD MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA FOR SIX YEARS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR AND JERKS INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE. IT BANGS AND THROWS ME FORWARD WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. IT ALSO THROWS ME INTO GEAR WHEN GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. IT HAS ABOUT 76,197 MILES. …

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I HAVE HAD MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA FOR SIX YEARS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR AND JERKS INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE. IT BANGS AND THROWS ME FORWARD WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. IT ALSO THROWS ME INTO GEAR WHEN GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. IT HAS ABOUT 76,197 MILES. AT 70,000 MILES THE STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED I REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, BY FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I TOLD NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, IT WILL COST ME A TOTAL OF $3553.13 TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA , I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344993

47,000 miles · Jul 23, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE W/ A LITTLE BIT OVER 50000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION DOES "JERK" WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM WHEN CHANGING FROM 1ST. TO SECOND GEAR AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN THE SAME GEARS. I TOUGH THAT WAS AA ISOLATED PROBLEM, TILL FINDING A FEW WEB SITE W/ OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ( 003/2004 MODELS) COMPLAINING …

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I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE W/ A LITTLE BIT OVER 50000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION DOES "JERK" WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM WHEN CHANGING FROM 1ST. TO SECOND GEAR AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN THE SAME GEARS. I TOUGH THAT WAS AA ISOLATED PROBLEM, TILL FINDING A FEW WEB SITE W/ OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ( 003/2004 MODELS) COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE MOTOR MOUNT AND I DID AS WELL AS FLUSHING THE FLUID AND NOTHING DID HAPPEN. IS MY REASONING THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER SINCE IT SHOWS A PATTERN AND ALSO IS UNKNOWN WHAT CAN HAPPENS W/ THE CAR IN CASE OF A COMPLETE FAILURE. BELOW THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THE "INCIDENT DATE" MY RESPONSE IS "APPROXIMATED". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344982

62,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WITH AN EXTREMELY HIGH INCREASE IN THE RPMS. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN THE SPEED RATE OCCURRED. THE FAILURES WERE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WITH AN EXTREMELY HIGH INCREASE IN THE RPMS. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN THE SPEED RATE OCCURRED. THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10344650

80,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Power Train

CAR STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD AND IT TURN OFF ON ME, TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN, GOING 20-35 MILES AND HR BECAUSE CAR WONT ACCELERATE AFTER YOU COME TO A STOP POINTING..STEP ON THE GAS, CAR BARLEY MOVED, WENT TO GET CAR CHECK OUT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, REPLACE SENSORS, GOT IT OUT OF THE SHOP AND IT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM…

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CAR STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD AND IT TURN OFF ON ME, TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN, GOING 20-35 MILES AND HR BECAUSE CAR WONT ACCELERATE AFTER YOU COME TO A STOP POINTING..STEP ON THE GAS, CAR BARLEY MOVED, WENT TO GET CAR CHECK OUT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, REPLACE SENSORS, GOT IT OUT OF THE SHOP AND IT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, IT WILL TURN OFF ONCE THE CAR GET WARMER, FOUND IT, ITS THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR IS AT 82,000 MILES, HAD THE CAR ABOUT OVER A YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344608

72,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Power TrainCrash

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LUNGES WHILE BRAKING OR ACCELERATING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. CAUSED REAR-END ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE & KIDS IN THE CAR. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF CONSUMER'S COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE & NISSAN NOR THE GOVERNMENT WILL FESS UP TO THE ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN ON-GOING SAFETY ISSUE & NEEDS TO BE ADDRE…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LUNGES WHILE BRAKING OR ACCELERATING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. CAUSED REAR-END ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE & KIDS IN THE CAR. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF CONSUMER'S COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE & NISSAN NOR THE GOVERNMENT WILL FESS UP TO THE ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN ON-GOING SAFETY ISSUE & NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN & THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PUT PRESSURE ON NISSAN CORP. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM @ THERE EXPENSE INSTEAD OF THE CONSUMER. THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT IS INCORRECT DUE TO THIS BEING AN ONGOING ISSUE & THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NO RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344433

60,000 miles · Jul 16, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS ABRUPTLY WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THIS STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 60K MILES. AT THAT TIME, IT WAS JUST ASSUMED TO BE A RANDOM EVENT. HOWEVER, AT APPROXIMATELY 75K MILES, THE JERKING BECAME MORE AND MORE CONSISTENT, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE JERKING HAPPENING IN A RAND…

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TRANSMISSION IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS ABRUPTLY WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THIS STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 60K MILES. AT THAT TIME, IT WAS JUST ASSUMED TO BE A RANDOM EVENT. HOWEVER, AT APPROXIMATELY 75K MILES, THE JERKING BECAME MORE AND MORE CONSISTENT, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE JERKING HAPPENING IN A RANDOM NATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY RECOMMENDED A "TRANSMISSION FLUSH" BE PERFORMED EVERY 18 - 24 MONTHS. I GOT THE FLUSH DONE AND IT SEEMED TO WORK FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, THEN STARTED AGAIN. AT THAT POINT, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THAT RECOMMENDED A "TRANSMISSION FLUSH" BECAUSE THE FLUID SEEMED A LITTLE DARK. I THEN INFORMED THEM THAT THE FLUSH HAD BEEN PERFORMED 6 MONTHS PRIOR AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THE RESPONSE WAS, "YOU SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER..." AN ENGINE DIAGS CHECK TURNED UP, YOU GUESSED IT, NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING THEME OF MANY OWNERS WHO EXPLAIN VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR MAXIMAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343664

121,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343130

74,000 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, 3000 OVER MY WARRANTY. NISSAN NEEDS TO WON UP TO THESE TRANNY PROBLEMS IN THESE $30,000 VEHICLES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE CONSUMERAFAIRS.COM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342664

60,046 miles · Jul 10, 2010
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60,000 MILES WITH MY WIFE AND I IN THE CAR. I WAS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE USING THE RAMP AND ONCE I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO JUMP OFF OF THE ROAD BECAUSE A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS APPROACHING AND NEARLY RAN OVER ME. I HAD TO DRIVE OFF INTO THE GRASS TO K…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60,000 MILES WITH MY WIFE AND I IN THE CAR. I WAS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE USING THE RAMP AND ONCE I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO JUMP OFF OF THE ROAD BECAUSE A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS APPROACHING AND NEARLY RAN OVER ME. I HAD TO DRIVE OFF INTO THE GRASS TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. PROBLEM IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. THIS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. I AM THANKFUL THAT WE WERE NOT KILLED BY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC...... THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AND NISSAN SAYS THEY HAVE NO RECORDS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THIS WITH 2004 MAXIMA'S. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINT JUST LIKE MINE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. IS THAT WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR NISSAN TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM? HOW CAN I GET THIS RESOLVED??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342408

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.