← New search

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

38 reports
Clear category filter
54,000 miles · Apr 24, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricVehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN 2003 RIGHT AFTER THE REDESIGN,AND EVERY SINCE I HAVE HAD IT LITTLE THINGS START GOING WRONG. AT 39,000 MILES MAJOR THINGS START GOING WRONG NOW AT 54,000 MILES I HAVE NO ABS BRAKING SYSTEM,AND OTHER THINGS SEEMS TO START ACTING UP. I HAVE TRIED ASKING NISSAN FOR HELP BUT THEY TOLD ME TO GET LOST.…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN 2003 RIGHT AFTER THE REDESIGN,AND EVERY SINCE I HAVE HAD IT LITTLE THINGS START GOING WRONG. AT 39,000 MILES MAJOR THINGS START GOING WRONG NOW AT 54,000 MILES I HAVE NO ABS BRAKING SYSTEM,AND OTHER THINGS SEEMS TO START ACTING UP. I HAVE TRIED ASKING NISSAN FOR HELP BUT THEY TOLD ME TO GET LOST. I WISH THE TSB WOULD LOOK OUT FOR THE CONSUMERS AND GET THEM SOME RELIEF. I GUESS THE ONLY THING WE AS CONSUMER CAN DO IS GET A LAWYER AND SUE UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND I KNOW YOU DON'T NEED ANY MONEY TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY. I KNOW THAT 928 COMPLAINTS THAT SOME THING IS WRONG WITH THE PRODUCT,AND I AM SURE THAT THE COURTS WILL AGREE WITH ME. I HAD HIGH HOPES FOR NISSAN CARS BUT NOW IF YOU TRY TO GIVE ME ONE I WOULD TRY AND HAVE YOU COMMITTED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN EVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327247

67,500 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS PARKING WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVABLE CONDITION AND THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED T…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS PARKING WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVABLE CONDITION AND THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A CLAIM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 67,500.

NHTSA ODI #10327033

67,000 miles · Nov 3, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. HE THEN CRASHED INTO ONE PARKED VEHICLE WHICH PUSHED THAT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. HE THEN CRASHED INTO ONE PARKED VEHICLE WHICH PUSHED THAT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED SPECULATED THAT AN ANIMAL GOT STUCK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000. THE POLICE REPORT INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10290801

75,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107000. UPDATED 3/…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GET STUCK IN GEAR WHEN TRYING TO RESUME SPEED AFTER STOPPING AND DROPPING 10-20 MPH SLOWER. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED, THE TRANSMISSION IDLED, BUT THE VEHICLE STAGGERED IN 1ST GEAR. UPDATED 05/10/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10285476

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 100 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF A HILL, STRUCK A STOP SIGN, MADE 360 DEGREE TURNS INTO AN INTERSECTION, AND CRASHED THROUGH A BRICK WALL AND A CHAIN FENCE BEFORE LANDING IN SOMEONE'S HOME. TWO OCCUPANTS WERE KILLED, INCLUDING THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED T…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 100 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF A HILL, STRUCK A STOP SIGN, MADE 360 DEGREE TURNS INTO AN INTERSECTION, AND CRASHED THROUGH A BRICK WALL AND A CHAIN FENCE BEFORE LANDING IN SOMEONE'S HOME. TWO OCCUPANTS WERE KILLED, INCLUDING THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN DRIVING AND WOULD HAVE OBEYED THE SPEED LIMIT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR HER MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, INCLUDING UNEXPECTED ACELERATION AND BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10260610

73,535 miles · Mar 15, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

THE CAR SURGES FORWARD ON IT'S ON WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. I'VE DOCUMENTED THE SPIKE UP TO 6000(RPMS). THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WERE MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FIVE DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS, BUT THEY CAN NOT SEEM T…

Read full complaint

THE CAR SURGES FORWARD ON IT'S ON WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. I'VE DOCUMENTED THE SPIKE UP TO 6000(RPMS). THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WERE MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FIVE DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS, BUT THEY CAN NOT SEEM TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152788

8,500 miles · Apr 12, 2005
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WHILE PARKING (MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE). THE CAR STRUCK A HIGH CURB BACKED UP BY A BERM WHICH BROUGHT IT TO A STOP. I BANKED MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD (AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY). AIR DAM WAS TORN OFF. NO OTHER OBVIOUS DAMAGE. THE CAR HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116801

8,000 miles · Dec 12, 2003
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE ELECTRONIC SECTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE ORDER WAS PUT IN JUNE OF 2003, BUT THE PARTS DID NOT ARRIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050460

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.