SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← 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 →
1,425Owner complaints

Model-year median: 99

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
172
2001205
2002206
20031,425
2004948
2005576
2006129
2007
Compare all Maxima years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
934Tires
141Suspension
102Engine And Engine Cooling
70Service Brakes, Hydraulic
61
All reported categories
Electrical System
56Structure
56Engine
51Vehicle Speed Control
38Steering
37Visibility
30Unknown Or Other
23Equipment
20Seats
15Air Bags
13Exterior Lighting
9Latches/locks/linkages
7Wheels
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
6Fuel/propulsion System
6Service Brakes
5Service Brakes, Electric
4Seat Belts
3Child Seat
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Traction Control System
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Service Brakes, Air
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

What owners actually said

1,425 reports
99,899 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,899. UPDATED 5/6/08 *CN UPDATED 05/06/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224885

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2008
Power Train

I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMUM SE FOR THEIR TRANSMISSION. I CAME ACROSS A COMPLAINT WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING AS I. MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN JERKING ALOT AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS HAVING TO THINK THAT ONE DAY SOMEONE WILL HIT MY CAR FROM BEHIND…

Read full complaint

I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMUM SE FOR THEIR TRANSMISSION. I CAME ACROSS A COMPLAINT WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING AS I. MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN JERKING ALOT AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS HAVING TO THINK THAT ONE DAY SOMEONE WILL HIT MY CAR FROM BEHIND BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION WILL STALL ON ME. PLEASE HELP!! THEY REALLY NEED TO RECALL THIS BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224863

46,500 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Power Train

TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE JERKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224403

26,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior LightingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS, THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BATTERY WIRING BURNED. CURRENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION PULLS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED. THE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS, THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BATTERY WIRING BURNED. CURRENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION PULLS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10224241

73,600 miles · Apr 10, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

GRINDING NOISES DETECTED FROM APPLYING BRAKES ON THURSDAY 4/3/08.. CAR TAKEN TO NISSAN REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. DIAGNOSIS IS ABS SYSTEM FAILURE AND REAR RIGHT WHEEL SENSOR FAILURE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO INDICATE A PROBLEM CONTACTED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS ON MONDAY 4/7/08 WHICH IS SAME D…

Read full complaint

GRINDING NOISES DETECTED FROM APPLYING BRAKES ON THURSDAY 4/3/08.. CAR TAKEN TO NISSAN REPAIR SHOP TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. DIAGNOSIS IS ABS SYSTEM FAILURE AND REAR RIGHT WHEEL SENSOR FAILURE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO INDICATE A PROBLEM CONTACTED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS ON MONDAY 4/7/08 WHICH IS SAME DAY THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REQUESTED SOME ASSISTANCE FROM HEADQUARTERS WITH NO REPLY AS OF THIS DATE. REPAIR BILL +- $2,300.00 TO GET MY CAR BACK ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224085

74,000 miles · Apr 9, 2008
Power Train

MY 2004 MAXIMA JERKS TO AN EXTREME WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONGER THAN 15 MINUTES. ITS EXCESSIVLY JERKS GEARS AND JERKS TO A STOP WHEN I LIGHTLY TAP THE BRAKES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS WELL AS RIDICULOUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223845

84,000 miles · Apr 8, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART IT BEFORE IT WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART IT BEFORE IT WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION WERE FAILING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10223714

98,000 miles · Apr 7, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

NISSAN TRANSMISSION AND TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED COMMENTS WHICH DEMONSTRATE EXTENT OF PROBLEM. NISSAN AND THEIR DEALERSHIP SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_61092.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223562

98,356 miles · Apr 7, 2008
Power Train

OUR 04 NISSAN MAXIMA SE WAS PURCHASED AT 23K MILES FROM DEALERSHIP AND WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR COVERAGE UP TO 80K. IT SEEMS THAT RIGHT AT 82K WE STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT WERE EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE -I CAN SAY THAT RIGHT AROUND 60K WE HAD SLIGHT TRANSMISSION CONCERNS BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID DIAGN…

Read full complaint

OUR 04 NISSAN MAXIMA SE WAS PURCHASED AT 23K MILES FROM DEALERSHIP AND WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR COVERAGE UP TO 80K. IT SEEMS THAT RIGHT AT 82K WE STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT WERE EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE -I CAN SAY THAT RIGHT AROUND 60K WE HAD SLIGHT TRANSMISSION CONCERNS BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID DIAGNOSE AS SUCH, ALTHOUGH MY WIFE STRONGLY SUGGESTED TO THEM THAT IT SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND GEARS JERKING/SHIFTING. NOW, AT 98K OUR TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT -THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS AT ALL AND MY WIFE WAS STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY IN CONNECTICUT (WE LIVE IN NEW JERSEY) WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED THIS -NO WARNING EXCEPT FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND CAR'S RPM REVVING UP TO 5 & 6, SHE EXITED TO LET CAR COOL DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE INTO ANY GEAR ONCE RESTARTED. WE REALLY FEEL THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND IS REFUSING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR SUBSTANDARD PRODUCT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223532

178,000 miles · Apr 5, 2008
Power Train

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE SLIPS DURING 1ST AND 2ND GEAR,WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING,AND WHILE COMING OFF THE FREEWAY IT KNOCKS WHILE SWITCHING GEARS. IT ALSO MISSES GEARS WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND BREAK AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE ,THE RPM REVS UP AND THEN IT CATCHES THE GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223464

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.