IllustrationHARD JERKS IN TRANSMISSION WHILE GOING UP FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR OR COMING DOWN FROM 3RD TO 2ND. OCCURS ALMOST EVERYDAY WHEN THE CAR HAS WARMED UP. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1380–25K
10625–50K
28150–75K
34975–100K
260100–150K
55150K+
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
What owners actually said
1,425 reportsCAR JERKS. NISSAN DEALER STATES I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS. $4,000.00. *TR
IT STARTED WITH A LOUD NOISE OUT OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE BACK AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ THE SPEED. THEN IT SHUTS DOWN IF IM AT A STOP LIGHT FOR A WHILE OR OUT OF NOWHERE THIS IS NOT SAFE!!! AT ALL AS IT CAN CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. ITS HAS HAPPENED AT TURNING LANE…
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IT STARTED WITH A LOUD NOISE OUT OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE BACK AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ THE SPEED. THEN IT SHUTS DOWN IF IM AT A STOP LIGHT FOR A WHILE OR OUT OF NOWHERE THIS IS NOT SAFE!!! AT ALL AS IT CAN CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. ITS HAS HAPPENED AT TURNING LANES AND THE CAR BEHIND THANK GOD STOP IN TIME OR ELSE HE WOULD OF REAR ENDED ME. SOO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ABS PUMP, HARNESS, AND IPDM. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 9MONTHS ITS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 56,000MILES ON IT AND FOR THE PRICE I PAID THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING TO A CAR THAT CLAIMS TO BE SOOOOO RELIABLE. NOT HAPPY AT ALL!!!!! NOW IM STUCK PAYING $2500.00 FOR REPAIR AND SOMETHING THAT I'VE READ SOOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT AND NISSAN JUST AVOIDS IT AND SAYS CANT DO ANYTHING SINCE IT HAS NO WARRANTY VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!! ANGRY!!! FRUSTRATED!!! AND BROKE!!!!! *TR
I WOULD LIKE TO PLACE A COMPLAINT ON THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THIS CAR LIKE MANY OTHER 2004 MAXIMAS, HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.. IT JERKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. ALSO WHEN NOT MAKING A COMPLETE STOP, I.E. TURNING A CORNER, THIS PROBLEM WILL ALSO OCCUR. USUALLY, AS I HAVE READ ON OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS, AND…
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I WOULD LIKE TO PLACE A COMPLAINT ON THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THIS CAR LIKE MANY OTHER 2004 MAXIMAS, HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.. IT JERKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. ALSO WHEN NOT MAKING A COMPLETE STOP, I.E. TURNING A CORNER, THIS PROBLEM WILL ALSO OCCUR. USUALLY, AS I HAVE READ ON OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS, AND ALSO MY OWN EXPERIENCE, THIS HAPPENS AFTER REACHING THE 75K MARK. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO PLEASE TAKE THIS IN CONSIDERATION, AND TAKE A LOOK IN TO WHAT'S GOING ON WITH NISSAN'S TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AS THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM... THEY HAVE NOT AGREED TO STATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY DO HAVE TRANSMISSIONS IN STOCK AT SEVERAL DEALERS FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. SO I BEG YOU PLEASE HELP US RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM... THANK YOU KINDLY. *TR
TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN GEAR 1 & 2 . MFG SAID I NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. ONLY HAD 78000 WHEN PROBLEM FIRST STARTED. COULD NEVER DUPLICATE PROBLEM AT SERVICE SHOP. CHECKED ONLINE AND SAW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2004 MAXIMA SE. *TR
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE RPM'S INCREASED INTO THE RED ZONE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE. THE GEAR FINAL CHANGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK BADLY. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SETTLED BACK INTO GEAR AND PROCEEDED UP THE HILL. THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE RPM'S INCREASED INTO THE RED ZONE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE. THE GEAR FINAL CHANGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK BADLY. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SETTLED BACK INTO GEAR AND PROCEEDED UP THE HILL. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS. CURRENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION IS CAUSING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUCKLES AND BUMPS WHEN SWITCHING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE WARMER THE ENGINE THE HARDER THE BUMP. ON OCCASION IT IS SO BAD IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER'S SHOP FOR A WEEK AND THEY CAN'T ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE ALREADY BILLE…
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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUCKLES AND BUMPS WHEN SWITCHING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE WARMER THE ENGINE THE HARDER THE BUMP. ON OCCASION IT IS SO BAD IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER'S SHOP FOR A WEEK AND THEY CAN'T ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE ALREADY BILLED ME $1400.
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND RECENTLY HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE NORMAL POWER AND IT JERKS WHEN UP/DOWN SHIFTING IN LOW GEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE FROM VIEWING SIMILAR…
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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND RECENTLY HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE NORMAL POWER AND IT JERKS WHEN UP/DOWN SHIFTING IN LOW GEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE FROM VIEWING SIMILAR TYPE COMPLAINTS. NISSAN REFUSES TO HANDLE THE SITUATION SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT ON THE PART OF THE DEALER. THE VIOLENT UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR ROADS. *TR
Official recalls
205V512000 · 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
1PE04035 · 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.