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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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100 miles · Mar 30, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

2004 AND NEWER NISSAN MAXIMAS HAS A SERIOUS STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AFTER 40MPH. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE NO COMPLAINTS, BUT THE INTERNET IF FULL OF CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR IS 6YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES. NEW TIRES, BRAKES,ROTORS,ALIGNMENT MULTIPLY TIRE BALANCES HAS NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM. ON …

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2004 AND NEWER NISSAN MAXIMAS HAS A SERIOUS STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AFTER 40MPH. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE NO COMPLAINTS, BUT THE INTERNET IF FULL OF CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR IS 6YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES. NEW TIRES, BRAKES,ROTORS,ALIGNMENT MULTIPLY TIRE BALANCES HAS NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM. ON THE INTERNET CUSTOMER HAVE REPLACED STRUTS, BEARING,CV AXLES AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10322768

1,600 miles · Jan 18, 2010
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2003 IN CALIFORNIA. WITHIN MONTHS TO THE FIRST YEAR, I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. I'VE HAD MY WHEELS ALIGNED, TIRES BALANCE NUMEROUS TIMES AND CHECKED DUE TO A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY AND A CLANKING OR THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT …

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2003 IN CALIFORNIA. WITHIN MONTHS TO THE FIRST YEAR, I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. I'VE HAD MY WHEELS ALIGNED, TIRES BALANCE NUMEROUS TIMES AND CHECKED DUE TO A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY AND A CLANKING OR THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THESE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD FOR YEARS AND COMPLAINED CONTINUOUSLY. HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES FOR THESE PROBLEMS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. NISSAN FIXED NOISE AFTER 5 TIMES IN THE SHOP IN 2004 AND 2005. NOW OVER THE YEARS THE NOISE HAS COME BACK, BUT THE SHIMMY WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEM. I JUST LEARNED TO IGNORE IT UNTIL NOW. I'M READING NOW ONLINE OF OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M PLANNING ON APPROACHING MY NISSAN DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA ABOUT THE SHIMMY, ABNORMAL TIRE WARE AND CLANKIING NOISE AS WELL. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300131

55,000 miles · Mar 29, 2009
EquipmentSteeringTires

THE CAR RPM DROP DOWN BELOW 500, LAST YEAR IT LED TO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SPEND AROUND A GRAND, BUT NEVER FIX,UNTIL TODAY THE DEALER CLAIM THAT THIS HAPPENED TO NISSAN MAXIM 04, AND LAST YEAR I START HAVING STEERING SHAKING, THE DEALER TOLD IF I CHANGE MY RIMS AND TIRES IT WILL FIX IT, AND IN AUG-2008 I HAVE 4 NEW RIM AND GO…

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THE CAR RPM DROP DOWN BELOW 500, LAST YEAR IT LED TO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SPEND AROUND A GRAND, BUT NEVER FIX,UNTIL TODAY THE DEALER CLAIM THAT THIS HAPPENED TO NISSAN MAXIM 04, AND LAST YEAR I START HAVING STEERING SHAKING, THE DEALER TOLD IF I CHANGE MY RIMS AND TIRES IT WILL FIX IT, AND IN AUG-2008 I HAVE 4 NEW RIM AND GOOD YEARS TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM EXIT, I WENT IN JAN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD IF THEY TIGHTENED SOME THING IT WILL FIX, BUT NO I STILL HAVE UNTIL TODAY, CAR SHAKES IF YOU EXCEED SPEED OF 55 OR 50 M/H. I AM STILL HAVING THOSE PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263565

98,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Power TrainSteering

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SE SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VERY HARD, ALSO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN I BACK UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A MONTH OR SO AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA. THIS CAR HAS …

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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SE SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VERY HARD, ALSO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN I BACK UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A MONTH OR SO AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT NOW HAS 100,600 MILES. I HAVE JUST HAD THE RACK & PINION REPLACED LAST WEEK AS WELL AS THAT WAS BAD ($1100). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254732

60,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
SteeringSuspension

VEHICLE FRONT END SHAKES AT 40-70 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240563

15,000 miles · Aug 28, 2008
Steering

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF MY CAR "SHIMMY'S". WHEN APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS "SHIMMY" BECOMES A BIT MORE PRONOUNCED. I HAVE HAD ALL WORK ON MY CAR DONE AT THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION FOR THIS SP…

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AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF MY CAR "SHIMMY'S". WHEN APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS "SHIMMY" BECOMES A BIT MORE PRONOUNCED. I HAVE HAD ALL WORK ON MY CAR DONE AT THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, AND THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE (TIRE PRESSURE, WHEEL BALANCE/ALIGNMENT, STRUTS) HAVE ALL BEEN LOOKED AT/REPLACED BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE; THEREFORE, IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE AND SHOULD BE FIXED VIA A RECALL - THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240070

43,668 miles · Jun 30, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES, STRUTS, AND TIRES. THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CURRENTLY THE REAR SENSORS AND THE ACTUATOR …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES, STRUTS, AND TIRES. THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CURRENTLY THE REAR SENSORS AND THE ACTUATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE THE ENTIRE TIME. HE CONSULTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS RECENTLY SURFACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,668.

NHTSA ODI #10232729

65,000 miles · Feb 5, 2008
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA EXP TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS @ 65K REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HAD (4) FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS (1) TRANSMISSION MOUNT.(1)RACK AND PINION REPLACED,(1) RIGHT FRONT AXLE REPLACED. STRUTS ARE NOW BAD! WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, OIL SEALS REPLACED AND THE FRONT END MAKES NOISE LIKE SOMETHING BIG IS LO…

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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA EXP TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS @ 65K REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HAD (4) FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS (1) TRANSMISSION MOUNT.(1)RACK AND PINION REPLACED,(1) RIGHT FRONT AXLE REPLACED. STRUTS ARE NOW BAD! WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, OIL SEALS REPLACED AND THE FRONT END MAKES NOISE LIKE SOMETHING BIG IS LOOSE. OVER $12,000.00 DOLLARS INTO VEHICLE LAST YEAR ALONE? WHEN THE CAR CAME BACK WITH THE NEW TRANS IT STILL WAS NOT RIGHT ? I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING? I CHOSE NOT TO PAY @ LAST MINUTE TO BRING TO THERE ATTENTION AND I WAS SENT TO COLLECTIONS? I AM STILL PAYING THE $3,997.00 PLUS $1,500.00 FINE FOR ISF THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS 2ND TRANSMISSION AND ITS GONE BAD NOW AS WELL? NISSAN DID REPLACE THE RIGHT AXLE @NO/CHARGE THAT WAS ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217011

16,134 miles · Sep 28, 2007
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE WORSENED WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER, THEY ALIGNED AND BALANCED THE TIRES. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,740 AN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE WORSENED WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER, THEY ALIGNED AND BALANCED THE TIRES. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,740 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,134.

NHTSA ODI #10204366

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2007
Steering

VERY BAD STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE FIXED BY BUYING NEW TIRES, CHANGING THE WHEELS, PUTTING ON NEW ROTORS, ROTATING AND BALANCING THE TIRES, AND TIGHTENING THE STEERING RACK. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED ALL THE LUGS SAYING THEY WERE THE WRONG KIND WHEN IN FACT THE…

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VERY BAD STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE FIXED BY BUYING NEW TIRES, CHANGING THE WHEELS, PUTTING ON NEW ROTORS, ROTATING AND BALANCING THE TIRES, AND TIGHTENING THE STEERING RACK. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED ALL THE LUGS SAYING THEY WERE THE WRONG KIND WHEN IN FACT THEY INSTALLED THE WRONG ONES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10182736

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.