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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22,000 miles · Apr 24, 2006

Power Train

THE CLUTCH IN THE CONSUMER'S 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WENT TO THE FLOOR. *NM THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH DID NOT ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO SHIFT GEAR AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER COULD FORCE THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE NEXT GEAR BUT WORRIED ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE …

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NHTSA ODI #10156272

24,000 miles · Sep 27, 2005

Power Train

SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AXLE REPLACEMENT THREE TIMES AND NEW TIRES REPLACED ALL WITHIN 90 DAYS. THE TIRES ARE PROBABLY TO BIG AND WIDE FOR THIS CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137799

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2004

Power Train

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CONCERNS INVOLVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON THE LATEST CARS.*MR THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE DRIVER STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HILL AND REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL SINCE TODAY'S CAR HAVE A VERY LOW REV. ENGINE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN. HE THINKS THE NEW VEHICLE'S SHOULD BE PRODUCED LIKE THE FORMER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR NEVER ROLLS BACK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10083802

5,900 miles · Mar 8, 2004

Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SL- DESIGN DEFECT IN SHIFT KNOB ATTACHING MECHANISM MAKES KNOB VERY LOOSE AND LIKELY TO COME OFF IN HAND. THIS ALSO EXPOSES A SOMEWHAT POINTED METAL SHIFTING SHAFT TO DIRVER AND OCCUPANTS. MY SHIFT KNOB CAME OFF IN MY HAND WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10060699

Official recalls

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

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.