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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

Tires complaints

141 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE AROUND THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER AND THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLE BE A FLOOD CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF MILDEW AND THE VISOR ARE WATER DAMAGED. TO THIS DAY THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS THE 26TH DAY OF DE…

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I TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE AROUND THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER AND THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLE BE A FLOOD CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF MILDEW AND THE VISOR ARE WATER DAMAGED. TO THIS DAY THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS THE 26TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2011. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING AND I AM AFRAID TO ENTER TRAFFIC AS THE CAR STALLS AND THEN STICKS UPON ACCELERATING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL AS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON WHEN THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD TURNED THEM OFF. I CAN SMELL FUMES UPON STARTING AND DRIVING THIS CAR. I AM PARENT AND I DON'T LIKE TO GIVE MY CHILD OR ANY OTHER PERSON A RIDE BECAUSE OF THE SMELLS. THE TIRES WERE BALD ON THE CAR AND TWICE WHEN IT RAINED I ALMOST HAS 2 MAJOR COLLISIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE OTHER LANE DRIVING 45 IN A 65 MPH ZONE. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THIS CAR IS A GOOD CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FINANCE COMPANY AND THEY ARE STATING THIS IS OUT OF THERE HANDS. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE DIFFERENT ITEM THAT SEEMS TO BE WATER DAMAGED. I ALSO WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER LAW GROUP REGARDING THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441212

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2011
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicTires

I HAVE A NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I HAD TO REPLACE ALL TIRES BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT CAME TO ME IN THE MAIL AFTER I BROUGHT MY NEW TIRES AND WAS NOT REIMBURSED. I ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH FRONT ROTORS THAT THEY KEPT REPLACING NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL MY WARRANT RAN OUT AND THAN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE ROTORS SO IT WOULD …

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I HAVE A NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I HAD TO REPLACE ALL TIRES BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT CAME TO ME IN THE MAIL AFTER I BROUGHT MY NEW TIRES AND WAS NOT REIMBURSED. I ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH FRONT ROTORS THAT THEY KEPT REPLACING NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL MY WARRANT RAN OUT AND THAN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE ROTORS SO IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.NOW AFTER ALL OF THAT AND MORE I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE OUT OF NOWHERE MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT BECAUSE OF YEARS NOT MILEAGE AND NO MATTER WHERE I WENT I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WOULD REPLACE IT WITH A NEW OR USE TRANSMISSION THAT I WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO ONE WANTS TO WORK ON IT.I WAS TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT ONLY THE 2004 HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381514

134,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Power TrainTires

CAR MALFUNCTION ON TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353359

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2009
Tires

LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO INITIATE A NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF A PARTICULAR TIRE, DESPITE HIS CLAIMS WHICH SUGGEST THE NEED FOR THE INVESTIGATION. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED GOODYEAR PRODUCES THE GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA- 245-45R-18 TIRE THAT IS USED ON VARIOUS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC CARS. NISSAN …

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LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO INITIATE A NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF A PARTICULAR TIRE, DESPITE HIS CLAIMS WHICH SUGGEST THE NEED FOR THE INVESTIGATION. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED GOODYEAR PRODUCES THE GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA- 245-45R-18 TIRE THAT IS USED ON VARIOUS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC CARS. NISSAN USED THE TIRE ON THEIR 2004 MAXIMA. ALL OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD CRACKED SIDEWALLS OR HAVE BLOWN OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. ON FEBRUARY 5, 2009 THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED AFTER THE RECALL DATE AND BASED UPON THE DATA AT NHTSA AND COMPLAINTS TO GOODYEAR, THE TIRE WAS UNSAFE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS INADEQUATE AND POSSES A SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10289548

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2009
Tires

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH FOUR GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA TIRES. TWO OF WHICH HAD SIDEWALL CRACKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I PUT IN A REQUEST TO GOODYEAR REGARDING THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT/REPLACEMENT. I NOW HAVE A THIRD TIRE THAT HAS GONE FLAT DUE TO SIDEWALL CRACKING. GOODYEAR IS FAILING TO RECOGNIZE THI…

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH FOUR GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA TIRES. TWO OF WHICH HAD SIDEWALL CRACKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I PUT IN A REQUEST TO GOODYEAR REGARDING THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT/REPLACEMENT. I NOW HAVE A THIRD TIRE THAT HAS GONE FLAT DUE TO SIDEWALL CRACKING. GOODYEAR IS FAILING TO RECOGNIZE THIS DEFECT OR ITS DANGER. I SIMPLY AM ASKING FOR REPLACEMENT AS THESE TIRES ARE FAR FROM WORN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285928

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainTires

2004 MAXIMA HAS HAD TIMING CHAIN NOISE FOR YEARS HAS BEEN BLOWING OIL FOR 2 YEARS NOW TRANSMISSION IS BANGING AND SHIFTING VERY HARD LOSING POWER ETC. FOR 3 MONTHS NOW HAD TRANS FLUSHED DID NOT HELP AT ALL TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE IN THE FIRST YEAR A/C HAS NOT WORKED FOR 2 YEARS THIS CAR IS VERY MUCH A LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278731

56,306 miles · May 19, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 10 MILES AWAY TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE TIRE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 10 MILES AWAY TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE TIRE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GOODYEAR FOR TIRES WITH DOT NUMBERS WITH THE 47TH WEEK AND A RANGE OF 3104. THE RECALL EXPIRED IN DECEMBER OF 2007. GOODYEAR REIMBURSED HIM FOR TWO TIRES SINCE THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO DECEMBER OF 2007. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2009 WITH A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A, SIZE 245/45/R18. THE DOT NUMBER WAS MGA9CMDR0506. THE LOW PROFILE TIRES CONTINUE TO FAIL DUE TO THE SIDEWALL CRACKING. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. HE HAS PHOTOS AND INVOICES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,306. UPDATED 6/01/09 *CN UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB ALL OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD CRACKED SIDEWALLS. UPDATED 10/07/09

NHTSA ODI #10269379

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

65,000 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Power TrainTires

IM HAVING SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, THE TRANSMISSION GET STUCK IN HIGH GEAR AND SHIFT VERY HARD, MY CAR ONLY HAS 65 K MILES AND THIS SEEN LIKE A PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF MAXIM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262733

15,913 miles · Feb 23, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA XE. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES, SIZE P245/45/R18. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CRACKING ON THE TWO FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE RODE POORLY ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA XE. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES, SIZE P245/45/R18. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CRACKING ON THE TWO FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE RODE POORLY ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL TIRE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR THESE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE TIRES WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT EXCEEDED THE EXPIRATION DATE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF THE "SPECIAL TIRE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM" TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE REMEDY. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT FILED A SAFETY COMPLAINT ON THE OTHER THREE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE (ODI NUMBER 10259643). THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,913 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,800.

NHTSA ODI #10259647

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.