IllustrationCAR HAVE A HARD JERK WHEN SHIFTING. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY CAR JERK REAL HARD LIKE SOMEONE KICKED ME FROM BEHIND. *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 reportsTHE 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
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSES CAR TO JERK VERY BADLY, ACTS AS THO IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO. PULLING OFF YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE NO CARS ARE COMING AT ALL BECAUSE IF YOU JUST GO, YOU'RE LIKELY TO BE HIT. *TR
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM I SEE AFTER DOING ONLINE RESEARCH. *TR
I WAS INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD AND THE RADIATOR SPLIT AT THE TOP, SPRAYING COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THE CAP WAS FUNCTIONING. NO INJURY BUT VERY DANGEROUS. THE RADIATOR LOOKS LIKE IT IS MADE OF SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC. I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE RADIATOR. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I DIDN'T ASK FOR…
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I WAS INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD AND THE RADIATOR SPLIT AT THE TOP, SPRAYING COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THE CAP WAS FUNCTIONING. NO INJURY BUT VERY DANGEROUS. THE RADIATOR LOOKS LIKE IT IS MADE OF SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC. I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE RADIATOR. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I DIDN'T ASK FOR COMPENSATION. I ASKED THAT THE NISSAN ENGINEERING DEPT REVIEW THE DEFECT FOR SAFETY REASONS AND RECEIVED NO REPLY. I REPLACED THE RADIATOR MYSELF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE THE RADIATOR IN MY GARAGE. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA W/124,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE AROUND 115,000 MILE. IT SEEMS LIKEN THERE HAS BEEN A PLETHORA OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE CAR IS JERKING IS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS ALSO REVVING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE A YEAR AND TWO MONTHS AGO. IT HAD 91,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLAMMING GEARS A FEW MONTHS AGO RIGHT AROUND 100K MILES. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. BUT THEN ON 1/8/15 THE TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. IT WOULD GO INTO PARK AND REVERSE FINE BUT IN DRIVE …
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
CAR JERKS WHEN GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. SOMETIMES IT WON'T GO AT ALL. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *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.