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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

What owners actually said

1,425 reports
32,000 miles · Jul 6, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 04V326000 (VISIBILITY:SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY) AT 15,915 MILES. THE SUNROOF WAS RUSTED OUT IN ALL FOUR CORNERS AND WAS NOT DESIGNED TO OPEN. WATER LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,582 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 04V326000 (VISIBILITY:SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY) AT 15,915 MILES. THE SUNROOF WAS RUSTED OUT IN ALL FOUR CORNERS AND WAS NOT DESIGNED TO OPEN. WATER LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,582 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WATER LEAKAGE AND CORROSION ARE SAFETY HAZARDS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE FACT THIS SUN ROOF IS A DEFECT AND THE CONSUMER FEELS IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR IT. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 08/01/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10195479

95,000 miles · Jul 4, 2007
Power Train

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH IT BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT. WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS THERE IS A EXTREMELY HARD SHIFT, MAINLY BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD, AND 3RD & 4TH GEARS. ALSO WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK INTO DRIVE THERE IS A SLIGHT PAUSE AND THEN AN EXTREMELY HARD JERK IN THE CAR. I HAVE TAK…

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH IT BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT. WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS THERE IS A EXTREMELY HARD SHIFT, MAINLY BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD, AND 3RD & 4TH GEARS. ALSO WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK INTO DRIVE THERE IS A SLIGHT PAUSE AND THEN AN EXTREMELY HARD JERK IN THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE VALVE BODY REPLACED FOR $950 AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GET BETTER FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS THEN IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED ABOUT 3 TIMES. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY MAXIMA OWNERS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY FOR GUESS WORK INSTEAD OF NISSAN DETERMINING THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. IF THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO EXPECT FROM NISSAN, IT WILL DEFINATELY BE MY LAST ONE.

NHTSA ODI #10195300

50,000 miles · Jul 2, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS A SET OF GOODYEAR EAGLE P245/45/R18 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A STRAIGHT LINE ON THE TOP OF HER TIRES WHERE IT APPEARS THEY MAY CRACK. SHE STATED THAT SHE PREVIOUSLY HAD THREE TIRES REPLACED FOR THIS SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS A SET OF GOODYEAR EAGLE P245/45/R18 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A STRAIGHT LINE ON THE TOP OF HER TIRES WHERE IT APPEARS THEY MAY CRACK. SHE STATED THAT SHE PREVIOUSLY HAD THREE TIRES REPLACED FOR THIS SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10195131

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SIDEWALLS ON HIS TIRES. IT STATED THAT THIS WAS A COSMETIC RECALL AND WAS NOT SAFETY RELATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT HIS VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SIDEWALLS ON HIS TIRES. IT STATED THAT THIS WAS A COSMETIC RECALL AND WAS NOT SAFETY RELATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10194993

70,000 miles · Jun 28, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED HER TO HAVE A HEADACHE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED HER TO HAVE A HEADACHE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194878

34,000 miles · Jun 27, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL WAS CRACKED ON ALL FOUR GOODYEAR TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 09/…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL WAS CRACKED ON ALL FOUR GOODYEAR TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 09/26/07.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10194790

39,000 miles · Jun 25, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND CRACKS WERE PRESENT IN THE TREAD. THE REMAINING GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A (P245/45R18) TIRES WERE ALSO CRACKED. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE THE INVOICE OR THE TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND CRACKS WERE PRESENT IN THE TREAD. THE REMAINING GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A (P245/45R18) TIRES WERE ALSO CRACKED. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE THE INVOICE OR THE TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194591

15,000 miles · Jun 25, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE CONTAINS THE ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A (P245/45R18) TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THEM WITH FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 15,695 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194182

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2007
Tires

THE 4 RSA GOODYEAR TIRES CRACKED WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT. GOODYEAR HAS PRODUCED BAD TIRES AND SOMEONE WILL GET KILLED SOON WHEN THESE TIRES BLOW ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10194069

22,000 miles · Jun 23, 2007
Tires

I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA 245/45/18 SIZE, IN SEPT. 2003. IN APRIL 2005 I HAD ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SIDEWALL CRACKING. MY CAR ONLY HAD 22,000 MILES ON IT. IN OCT 2006 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND GOODYEAR COULDN'T DETERMINE IF IT WAS FROM THE CRACKING AND I BOUGHT A NEW TIR…

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I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA 245/45/18 SIZE, IN SEPT. 2003. IN APRIL 2005 I HAD ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SIDEWALL CRACKING. MY CAR ONLY HAD 22,000 MILES ON IT. IN OCT 2006 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND GOODYEAR COULDN'T DETERMINE IF IT WAS FROM THE CRACKING AND I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE. IN JUNE 2007, WITH ONLY 46000 MILES I SUFFERED 3 FLAT TIRES DUE TO THE CRACKING (THE NEW TIRE I JUST BOUGHT WAS FINE). I COMPLAINED TO GOODYEAR AND THEY REPLACED ALL 4 FREE OF CHARGE WITH A SET OF DUNLOP DIREZZAS. I FEEL THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10194052

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.