IllustrationWHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR BY ITSELF AND STAY LOCKED IN THAT GEAR. WHEN THIS INITIALLY OCCURS THE ENGINE WILL STALL, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN 5TH GEAR MAKING IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE IN ANY CONDITIONS. *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 reportsMY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA (38,500 MILES) BUCKS WHEN MOVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. IT FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN A JERKING MOTION. THERE IS ALSO A NOTICEABLE WHINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *TR
TRANSMISSION SKIPS AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES. WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR IT JERKS AND WHEN STOPPING IT ALSO JERKS. CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT SENDING SOMEONE TO CHECK IT. RECENTLY FOUND ON WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2…
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TRANSMISSION SKIPS AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES. WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR IT JERKS AND WHEN STOPPING IT ALSO JERKS. CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT SENDING SOMEONE TO CHECK IT. RECENTLY FOUND ON WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 91,000 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE AROUND THE 85,000 MARK AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED PROPER ASSISTANCE FROM THE NISSAN CONSUMERS. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT HAS STARTING JERKING WHEN SHIFTING OR BRAKING. I GOOGLED THIS AND COME TO FIND OUT THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME THING! BASICALLY WE ARE BEING TO TOLD WE MUST GET A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS ABOUT 3300.00! MY CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT STARTED THIS AT AROUND 6…
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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT HAS STARTING JERKING WHEN SHIFTING OR BRAKING. I GOOGLED THIS AND COME TO FIND OUT THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME THING! BASICALLY WE ARE BEING TO TOLD WE MUST GET A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS ABOUT 3300.00! MY CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT STARTED THIS AT AROUND 60,000 BUT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BEEN TO SEVERAL NISSAN SITES AND SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA'S AND YOU SHOULD HAVE 100 OF COMPLAINTS ON FILE. THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ON THE NATIONAL RECALL LIST, THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD,…
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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BEEN TO SEVERAL NISSAN SITES AND SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA'S AND YOU SHOULD HAVE 100 OF COMPLAINTS ON FILE. THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ON THE NATIONAL RECALL LIST, THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, IT THE WHEN DRIVING IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR FROM 1ST TO 2ND VERY HARD AND IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE YOU THE CAR CAN GET AWAY FROM YOU. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS. NISSAN IS TRYING TO PASS THIS BUCK TO THE CONSUMER AND THAT IS NOT FEAR, THEY NEW THEY HAD A BAD TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL BUT FAILED TO WARN THE CONSUMER. AND ON SEPT 8 2008, THE CAR GOT AWAY FROM ME AND I ALL MOST CRASHED LUCKILY I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR FROM JERKING. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE WITH A BUCKING SLIPPING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE READ 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YR AS MY CAR. I ALSO CALLED NISSAN AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME TO TAKE A HIKE. *TR
I JUST BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING AND JERKING. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE, AND IT WILL COST ME 4500 DOLLARS !!!! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MAKES IDLING NOISES. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT JERKS HARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE APPROACHES A STOP OR YIELDS, IT FEELS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MAKES IDLING NOISES. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT JERKS HARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE APPROACHES A STOP OR YIELDS, IT FEELS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC APPROXIMATELY 15 SEPARATE TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS THE VEHICLE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,261 AND APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
MY NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A SHIFTING JERK ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING DOWN INTO SECOND GEAR. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST HAD ONE TWO WEEKS PRIOR. IT DID NOT HELP. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR ONLY HAS 95K MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THE…
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MY NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A SHIFTING JERK ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING DOWN INTO SECOND GEAR. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST HAD ONE TWO WEEKS PRIOR. IT DID NOT HELP. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR ONLY HAS 95K MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 04 MAXIMA AND DECIDED TO OFFICIALLY FILE A COMPLAINT. *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.