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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

Steering complaints

37 reports
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102,000 miles · Jun 21, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

1 COVE COURT

NHTSA ODI #10726440

166,000 miles · Apr 18, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 60MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLS OUT I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE I COME WITHIN SECONDS OF BEING REAR ENDED I'M IN THE MIDDLE LANE SO I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MERGE OVER BUT GUESS WHAT I CAN'T BECAUSE THE CAR IS STALLED OUT SO I PUT CAUTION LIGHTS ON AND IT …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 60MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLS OUT I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE I COME WITHIN SECONDS OF BEING REAR ENDED I'M IN THE MIDDLE LANE SO I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MERGE OVER BUT GUESS WHAT I CAN'T BECAUSE THE CAR IS STALLED OUT SO I PUT CAUTION LIGHTS ON AND IT TAKES ABOUT TWINS BEFORE THE CAR WILL EVEN START BACK UP AND WHEN IT DOES ITS GEARED UP TO WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A FIFTH GEAR AND IT BARLEY TAKES OFF I'M TALKING MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND IT'S TAKING OFF AT 2MPH COME ON NOW, SO CALL FOR HELP GET MY CAR TOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAID IT WAS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD IT REPLACED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF CAME AND PICKED UP MY CAR HAD TO DRIVE THAT DAY 45MINS FROM WHERE I LIVED AND ABOUT E0MINS INTO THE TRIP BAM IT STALLS AGAIN AT 60MPH SAME SCENARY AFTER THE CAR COOLS DOWN IT STARTS BACK UP JUST FINE BUT AFTER 30MINS OF A CONSTANT DRIVE IT STALLS OUT AND I'M STUCK IN 5TH GEAR ....PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706406

115,000 miles · Mar 15, 2015
Power TrainSteering

THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SUFFERS FROM A COMMON ISSUE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VALVE BODY CAUSES PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHIN THESE CARS. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN HARD JERKING / DELAYED SHIFTING WHEN CHANGING GEARS IN THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS MEANS LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY CATCHES IT…

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THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SUFFERS FROM A COMMON ISSUE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VALVE BODY CAUSES PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHIN THESE CARS. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN HARD JERKING / DELAYED SHIFTING WHEN CHANGING GEARS IN THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS MEANS LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY CATCHES ITSELF SINCE THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO REV HIGHER THAN NORMAL. OVERTIME THE CAR WILL EXPERIENCE SLOW ACCELERATION, DUE TO THE CAR BEING THROWN INTO A SAFETY MODE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH KEEPS THE CAR IN A "5TH" GEAR STATE. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE CODES THIS FAULTY PART WILL THROW, A VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PASS CERTAIN STATE EMISSIONS. REPAIRS ARE UPWARDS TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND UNFORTUNATELY REPLACING IT WITH THE SAME PART WILL ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE RESPONSE TIME, AND PUTS THE DRIVER AT SERIOUS RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694351

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER. I DON?T KNOW HOW I DID IT, BEING PETITE AND NOT SO STRONG, BUT I MANAGED TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE TO THE SIDE, THEN IT TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN T…

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER. I DON?T KNOW HOW I DID IT, BEING PETITE AND NOT SO STRONG, BUT I MANAGED TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE TO THE SIDE, THEN IT TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN THE KEY FOR A FEW SECONDS UNTIL THE ENGINE RESTARTED. IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, AND I WAS SAVED THE 5-7 TIMES THIS HAPPENED TO ME. LUCK WAS ON MY SIDE! I DIDN'T DRIVE MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE I WAS TERRIFIED MY CAR WOULD STALL AND MY SON AND I WOULD DIE IN A TERRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT. I FINALLY HAD TO GO TO MY SHOP AND REPLACE THE TWO CAMSHAFT SENSORS WITH THE FOLLOWING CODES P3040 AND P0345. WITH SOME SEARCHING, I FOUND OUT THAT I?M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I STAND BY THE FORMER COMPLAINT: ?I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMA?S WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT COVER AND RECALL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD ONLY RECALL CERTAIN MAKES WHEN IT IS THE SAME EXACT ERROR CODE ON BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS A P3040 AND P0345 CAM SENSOR/CAM SHAFT RECALL THROUGH NISSAN. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. SHOULDN'T THEY RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM?? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588192

105,000 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS PROBLEM BEGAN. WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE AND TURNING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER THE CAR WILL DIE, STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND THERE IS NO WAY TO STEER. UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT IN PARK THEN IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPT…

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS PROBLEM BEGAN. WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE AND TURNING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER THE CAR WILL DIE, STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND THERE IS NO WAY TO STEER. UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT IN PARK THEN IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. YOU ALSO CANNOT EVEN STEER OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMAS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT COVER AND RECALL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD ONLY RECALL CERTAIN MAKES WHEN IT IS THE SAME EXACT ERROR CODE ON BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS A P3040 CAM SENSOR/CAM SHAFT RECALL THROUGH NISSAN. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. SHOULDN'T THEY RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497783

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2012
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAXIMA 18 MONTHS AGO. FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT,FROM THE ROTORS TO A WEIGHT FALLING OFF THE WHEEL(WHICH THEY SAY I LOST).I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTE…

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I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAXIMA 18 MONTHS AGO. FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT,FROM THE ROTORS TO A WEIGHT FALLING OFF THE WHEEL(WHICH THEY SAY I LOST).I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING SO BAD I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT.WHEN I TOOK IT BACK FOR THE FIFTH TIME I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED(I HAD NOT OWNED IT BUT 2 MONTHS). FINALLY I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER (SAME AFFILIATE) WHO FIXED IT SO THE SHAKING WAS NOT AS BAD (AFTER 3 VISITS). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEN,AND NOW WHEN THE JERKING HAS GOTTEN WORSE,SOMETIMES JERKS SO HARD IT HURTS MY NECK. THE GEARS JERK WHEN CHANGING. I THOUGHT I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT A LEMON,BUT AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS (WHICH ARE EITHER THE SAME OR SIMILAR) I KNOW NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR LOOSE THERE LIVES(AS WELL AS OTHERS).AND I DO PLAN TO CONTINUE EMAILING SENDING LETTERS,AND CALLING UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS.NOW I DON'T FEEL ALONE IN THIS ISSUE JUST PISSED OFF. THAT NISSAN HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO ON SO LONG WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10448375

78,000 miles · Sep 21, 2011
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND JERKED INTO ANOTHER LANE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY AND WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND JERKED INTO ANOTHER LANE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY AND WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED EVOQ 11/01/11

NHTSA ODI #10426619

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES,BODY WORK, DRIVERS DOOR. HAD ISSUES RIGHT AFTER WIFE BOUGHT THE CAR SHE WENT WITHOUT ME BUT UPON LOOKING AT CAR AFTER SHE CAME HOME WITH IT DID THE CAR FAX ON IT ON THING WERE SOME ELECTRICAL CHECKS THAT'S IT NO ACCIDENTS. STEERING TIGHT WHEN I DROVE IT AND NOTICED NOISE FROM SUSPENSIO…

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FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES,BODY WORK, DRIVERS DOOR. HAD ISSUES RIGHT AFTER WIFE BOUGHT THE CAR SHE WENT WITHOUT ME BUT UPON LOOKING AT CAR AFTER SHE CAME HOME WITH IT DID THE CAR FAX ON IT ON THING WERE SOME ELECTRICAL CHECKS THAT'S IT NO ACCIDENTS. STEERING TIGHT WHEN I DROVE IT AND NOTICED NOISE FROM SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND DRIVER DOOR SAGGING. BROUGHT TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THE SAID A BAR WAS RUBBING ON ANOTHER THEY FIX THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH SUSPENSION IN HEARING THINGS IS THERE EXACT WORDS AND REPLACED THE DOOR HINGES WHICH ARE PURPLE AND THE CAR IS RED DOOR SAGGING AGAIN BUT I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT END OF 2008 GOT SIDESWIPED BY 2500 DODGE RAM TRUCK AT 45 MPH ON DRIVERSIDE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT BECAUSE BODY SHOP ON REPAIR DAMAGE NOT REPLACED I BROUGHT MY CAR TO ANOTHER BODY SHOP BECAUSE OF ISSUES IM HAVING AND THEY SAID WORK WAS DONE INCORRECTLY. AND TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MILES CONTINUOUSLY WHEN I COME TO STOP AND START AGAIN THE TRANNY ALWAYS SLIPS BAD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND INTO 4TH SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367952

80,000 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Power TrainSteering

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION ISSUES 1ST N 2ND SHIFT HARD, 2ND N 3RD SLIPPING SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358280

45,680 miles · Jul 25, 2010
Steering

MAXIMA 2004 SL 3.5 STEERING WHEEL TILT STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345165

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.