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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

Seats complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2023
Seats

UNKNOWN - I recently purchased this vehicle today from a private seller on April 18, 2023. Previous owner had stated the driver seat adjuster motor(to move the seat forward and backwards) has never functioned properly and gets stuck in the far back position or rotates counterclockwise at times(while remaining in the far back pos…

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UNKNOWN - I recently purchased this vehicle today from a private seller on April 18, 2023. Previous owner had stated the driver seat adjuster motor(to move the seat forward and backwards) has never functioned properly and gets stuck in the far back position or rotates counterclockwise at times(while remaining in the far back position). This is a big safety issue for me as it is very difficult to reach the brake and gas pedals without compromising my field of vision whilst driving. I did a VIN check on vincheck.info and it comfirms a recall report for this specific seating problem for this vehicle's year, make, and model. As for everything else, it is unknown as I did just recently purchase the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11517777

175,000 miles · Oct 5, 2017
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE WIRING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. AN AUTO TECHNICIAN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT A WIRE BURNED THROUGH, WHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE WIRING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. AN AUTO TECHNICIAN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT A WIRE BURNED THROUGH, WHICH LIKELY CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT REPAIRS WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V512000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH TIM DAHLE NISSAN (4528 STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107) WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ODI #11031964

164,000 miles · May 11, 2017
Seats

I HAVE POWER SEATS. WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE MOVES AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTONS. THE SEAT MOVES UP TOWARDS THE STIRRING WHEEL AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT STOP. IT HAS MOVED SO CLOSE THAT I HAD TO LEAN THE SEAT BACK TO KEEP FROM HAVING AN ACCIDENT. IT ALSO MOVES BACK THE SAME WAY. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN .

NHTSA ODI #10984992

240,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE GAUGES STARTED FLICKERING ERRATICALLY AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE GAUGES STARTED FLICKERING ERRATICALLY AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCHED FAILED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V512000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ODI #10713428

84,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
SeatsStructure

THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IS RUSTING AWAY, A HOLE ABOUT 12 BY 12 INCHES AND INCREASING BENEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT MAY FALL THROUGH ONE DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627266

172,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilitySeatsFire

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JULY 3RD, 2013 AROUND 7:00AM. I SMELLED SMOKE IN MY CAR SO I PULLED OVER, OPENED MY HOOD AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO WORK. I SMELLED SMOKE AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME TO REALIZE THAT MY BOTTOM WAS GETTING HOT. I LOOKED DOWN TO THE RIGHT TO SEE IF MY SEAT WARMER WAS…

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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JULY 3RD, 2013 AROUND 7:00AM. I SMELLED SMOKE IN MY CAR SO I PULLED OVER, OPENED MY HOOD AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO WORK. I SMELLED SMOKE AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME TO REALIZE THAT MY BOTTOM WAS GETTING HOT. I LOOKED DOWN TO THE RIGHT TO SEE IF MY SEAT WARMER WAS ON AND IT WASN'T. THEN MY SEAT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD & BACKWARD BY ITSELF ABOUT 3 TIMES. I TURNED BACK AROUND TO THE FRONT AND THERE WAS A CLOUD OF SMOKE IN MY FACE & FLAMES AT MY FEET. I QUICKLY GRABBED MY PHONE AND MY IPAD, RELEASED MY SEAT BELT, PULLED UP MY EMERGENCY BRAKE, OPENED THE DOOR AND JUMPED OUT OF MY CAR FALLING ONTO THE GROUND, JUMP UP, AND CALLED 911. WHILE WAITING ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT & THE POLICE I STOOD THERE CRYING HYSTERICALLY, TERRIFIED AND WATCHED MY CAR GO UP IN FLAMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534994

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2012
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPACE UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAD BECOME RUSTED AND WAS ROTTING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPACE UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAD BECOME RUSTED AND WAS ROTTING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ... UPDATED 12/26/12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10484946

87,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
SeatsStructure

WHILE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, MECHANIC NOTICED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE METAL UNDERNEATH BOTH FRONT SEATS. FIRST LAYER WAS ROTTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THERE IS ALSO A SMALL HOLE ROTTED THROUGH THE SECOND LAYER. VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER AS OF YE…

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WHILE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, MECHANIC NOTICED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE METAL UNDERNEATH BOTH FRONT SEATS. FIRST LAYER WAS ROTTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THERE IS ALSO A SMALL HOLE ROTTED THROUGH THE SECOND LAYER. VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER AS OF YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449076

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2008
SeatsFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN ADJUSTER, BUT NOT BY THE DEALER OR A MEC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN ADJUSTER, BUT NOT BY THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10231836

26,000 miles · Aug 3, 2007
Seats

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BOLTS ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. THERE WAS NOTHING HOLDING THE SEAT DOWN AND IT ROLLED ALL THE WAY TO THE BACKSEAT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEREFORE, SHE HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BOLTS ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. THERE WAS NOTHING HOLDING THE SEAT DOWN AND IT ROLLED ALL THE WAY TO THE BACKSEAT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEREFORE, SHE HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HER HUSBAND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE AND STATED THAT THE BOLTS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE SEAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOLTS AND REPAIRED THE SEAT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198369

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.