IllustrationDRIVING IN MY NISSAN 2004 MAXIMA SE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING EVERY TIME HATE THIS CAR 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
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 reportsI NEVER DRIVE MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HARD, AND I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND. IT TENDS TO SLIP 40% OF THE TIME. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, AS WELL AS BEING TOLD ME TRANSMISSION WAS FINE BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A DISAPPOINTMENT KNOWING I SPENT THIS MUCH MONEY O…
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I NEVER DRIVE MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HARD, AND I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND. IT TENDS TO SLIP 40% OF THE TIME. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, AS WELL AS BEING TOLD ME TRANSMISSION WAS FINE BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A DISAPPOINTMENT KNOWING I SPENT THIS MUCH MONEY ON THE CAR AND HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT. *TR
MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ( JERKING MOTION WHEN CAR SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED TRANSMISSION OIL, BUT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 82,000 MILES. *TR
TRANSMISSION JERKING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 64,000 ON IT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ABOUT ONE MONTH. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY FIX THAT PROBLEM. NINE MONTHS LATER THE CAR STARTS JERKING AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING NOW IT HAS STARTED DOING IT EVERY TIME I BRAKE. EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WIT…
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TRANSMISSION JERKING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 64,000 ON IT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ABOUT ONE MONTH. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY FIX THAT PROBLEM. NINE MONTHS LATER THE CAR STARTS JERKING AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING NOW IT HAS STARTED DOING IT EVERY TIME I BRAKE. EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR CAR. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL CAR. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, THAT I TRULY LOVE, BUT IS JERKING VERY HEAVILY WHEN CHANGING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND SOMETHING WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I NEED A $4,000 TRANSMISSION BY THE DEALER. HAS ANYONE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THERE PROBLEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE TRANSM…
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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, THAT I TRULY LOVE, BUT IS JERKING VERY HEAVILY WHEN CHANGING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND SOMETHING WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I NEED A $4,000 TRANSMISSION BY THE DEALER. HAS ANYONE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THERE PROBLEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE 2004 MAXIMA'S. ON A WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_61092_1.HTML, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. WHEN I ACCELERATE AND GO BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR THE CAR STALLS AND SLAMS MAKING A LOUD NOISE IT DOES IT WHEN DECELERATING ALSO. I…
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THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE 2004 MAXIMA'S. ON A WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_61092_1.HTML, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. WHEN I ACCELERATE AND GO BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR THE CAR STALLS AND SLAMS MAKING A LOUD NOISE IT DOES IT WHEN DECELERATING ALSO. I THINK THESE TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON TUESDAY. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS TOO HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. ALSO NORMAL ACCELERATING AFTER MAKING TURNS, CAUSES AN UNBEARABLE JERK. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AND AFTER A FEW WEEK IT BEGAN TO JERK ANYTIME I SWITCHED GEARS. I TRIED CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION OIL BUT STILL NO SUCCESS. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION 4-DOOR SEDAN. AT 73,000 MILES, A GRINDING NOISE BEGAN WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. ALSO, SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO 'SEIZE' WHERE YOU COULD NOT SHIFT AT ALL; THIS ALL CULMINATED WHILE ON A TRIP TO THE BICYCLE SHOP WITH MY 3 KIDS, GETTING STRANDED (LUCKILY M…
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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION 4-DOOR SEDAN. AT 73,000 MILES, A GRINDING NOISE BEGAN WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. ALSO, SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO 'SEIZE' WHERE YOU COULD NOT SHIFT AT ALL; THIS ALL CULMINATED WHILE ON A TRIP TO THE BICYCLE SHOP WITH MY 3 KIDS, GETTING STRANDED (LUCKILY MADE IT TO A PARKING LOT) WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT EVEN COME OUT OF GEAR. TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND AFTER $1300 IN REPAIRS (NEW CLUTCH) THE 'SEIZING' PROBLEM IS BACK 2 MONTHS LATER, AND THE GRINDING WAS NEVER FIXED; THEY TOLD ME THAT WOULD BE AN EXTRA $1300... LOOKS LIKE MANY SENTRAS ARE HAVING SIMILAR SYNCHRONIZER ISSUES AS MY MAXIMA - AS WELL AS OTHER MAXIMAS. WHY CAN'T WE HOLD NISSAN ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT DEFICIENCIES? PLEASE HELP - THANKS!! *TR
IN 2005 I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT AROUND 60K MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. EVERYTIME I REVERSE AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE THERE IS A DELAY AND THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN JERKS INTO DRIVE. THE CAR ALSO JERKS/SLIPS INTO GEARS AS YOU ACCELERATE AND WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAS WORKED TO FIX THIS PROB…
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IN 2005 I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT AROUND 60K MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. EVERYTIME I REVERSE AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE THERE IS A DELAY AND THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN JERKS INTO DRIVE. THE CAR ALSO JERKS/SLIPS INTO GEARS AS YOU ACCELERATE AND WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAS WORKED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. PLEASE HELP, THIS IS NO WAY THAT THIS IS SIMPLY COINCIDENCE THAT EVERY MAXIMA IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *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.