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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
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2006
Suspension

FRONT STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR (4) TIMES IN A 2004 MODEL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169582

44,400 miles · Sep 28, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED ON OR OFF. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT THE LIGHT OFF. MOST OF THE TIMES, THE ABS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHOUT THIS SAFETY FEATURE. THERE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED ON OR OFF. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT THE LIGHT OFF. MOST OF THE TIMES, THE ABS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHOUT THIS SAFETY FEATURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM AND THE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10169546

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2006
Tires

2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SE OEM GOODYEAR EAGLES 245/45/18 DEFECTIVE SIDEWALLS. MORE SPECIFICALLY, SUBJECT TIRES DEVELOPED MAJOR CRACKS OF 6 INCHES OR MORE ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. AN INTERNET QUERY YIELDED NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS CONCERNING MAXIMAS AND GOODYEAR TIRES. THREE OF FOUR TIRES HAD MAJOR CRACKING ON INSIDE SID…

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2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SE OEM GOODYEAR EAGLES 245/45/18 DEFECTIVE SIDEWALLS. MORE SPECIFICALLY, SUBJECT TIRES DEVELOPED MAJOR CRACKS OF 6 INCHES OR MORE ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. AN INTERNET QUERY YIELDED NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS CONCERNING MAXIMAS AND GOODYEAR TIRES. THREE OF FOUR TIRES HAD MAJOR CRACKING ON INSIDE SIDEWALL, DAMAGE ONLY DETECTABLE WHEN VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON LIFT. ONE OF FOUR TIRES HAD OBVIOUS SIGNS OF MAJOR CRACKING ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL; WHICH PROMPTED FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY OF INNER SIDEWALL CRACKING. ALL TIRES COULD CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL DURING NORMAL USE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169343

25,000 miles · Sep 26, 2006
Tires

ALL 4 TIRES OF MY NISSAN 2004 (FIRST OWNER) DEVELOP CRACKS ON SIDEWALLS, NOT SURE WHEN CRACKS DEVELOPED HOWEVER, BASED ON 1/8" WIDE CRACK (GAP) ON RIGHT REAR INSIDE TIRE, CRACK MUST HAVE STARTED BETWEEN 25,000 & 30,000 MILES , ALL ALONG PERIMETER WHERE SIDEWALL MEETS TREAD. TIRE SIZE (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER) P245-45-R18…

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ALL 4 TIRES OF MY NISSAN 2004 (FIRST OWNER) DEVELOP CRACKS ON SIDEWALLS, NOT SURE WHEN CRACKS DEVELOPED HOWEVER, BASED ON 1/8" WIDE CRACK (GAP) ON RIGHT REAR INSIDE TIRE, CRACK MUST HAVE STARTED BETWEEN 25,000 & 30,000 MILES , ALL ALONG PERIMETER WHERE SIDEWALL MEETS TREAD. TIRE SIZE (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER) P245-45-R18, GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A. DEALER (CENTRAL VALLEY NISSAN, MODESTO CA). CONDITION OF TIRES ARE OBVIOUSLY A SIGN OF STRUCTURAL DEFECT. TIRES CAN EXPLODE AT ANY TIME AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN PLACED. DEALERSHIPS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED TO WATCH FOR CONDITIONS ON MODELS THAT WERE SOLD WITH THIS PARTICULAR TIRE. I FOUND THE CONDITION MYSELF AND UNFORTUNATELY HAVE NEVER BEEN WARNED BY THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE ARE AT RISK TODAY AND NOT AWARE OF THE IMPENDING CONSEQUENCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169337

56,000 miles · Sep 25, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES, HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING NUMEROUS TIMES; HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED BECAUSE THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED; HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIP…

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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES, HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING NUMEROUS TIMES; HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED BECAUSE THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED; HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIPS TO THE DEALER. MOST RECENTLY, I REPLACED THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES DUE TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. A MONTH LATER, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS, AND I AM TOLD THAT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE CHARGE WILL BE $1,645. THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. I AM AT THE DEALER AT LEAST ONCE, SOMETIMES TWICE A MONTH. I USED TO BE THE BIGGEST CHEERLEADER FOR NISSAN. I HAD A 1991 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I BOUGHT USED WITH 173,000 MILES ON IT. THAT CAR WAS ON THE ROAD UNTIL IT HAD MORE THAN 300,000. NOW I FEEL LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT THE HEADACHES THAT COME ALONG WITH A USED CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 18TH BECAUSE SOMETHING WEIRD GOING ON WITH THE BRAKES. I HAD HAD THE BRAKES CHANGED ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THAT, I KNEW THAT THEY WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. I RECEIVED A CALL LATER THAT DAY TELLING ME THAT MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO COVER THE COST BECAUSE THE PART WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I CONTACT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO LODGE A COMPLAINT ON SEPTEMBER 19TH TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST FOR THE ABS SYSTEM FAILING, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO COVER A MAJOR REPAIR LIKE THAT ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT A REGIONAL SPECIALIST WOULD CALL ME BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS. 2 DAYS PASSED WITHOUT A RETURN CALL. I CALLED AGAIN ON THE 22, AND AGAIN ON THE 25TH WITH NO RESPONSE. L BELIEVE THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF ALL OF THE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS WITH THE MAXIMA AND BY NOT RESPONDING HOPE THAT CONSUMERS WILL GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OVER AND OVER AGAIN BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10169241

20,000 miles · Sep 14, 2006
Tires

ALL 4 TIRES OF MY NISSAN 2004 (FIRST OWNER) DEVELOP CRACKS ON SIDEWALLS (25000 MILES), ALL ALONG PERIMETER WHERE SIDEWALL MEETS TREAD. TIRE SIZE (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER) P245-45-R18, GOODYEAR. DEALER (SHEEHY NISSAN, SPRINGFIELD, VA) RELEASED DOCUMENT : "FOUND ALL 4 TIRES HAVE SPLITS IN SIDEWALLS. NO APPARENT DAMAGE …

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ALL 4 TIRES OF MY NISSAN 2004 (FIRST OWNER) DEVELOP CRACKS ON SIDEWALLS (25000 MILES), ALL ALONG PERIMETER WHERE SIDEWALL MEETS TREAD. TIRE SIZE (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER) P245-45-R18, GOODYEAR. DEALER (SHEEHY NISSAN, SPRINGFIELD, VA) RELEASED DOCUMENT : "FOUND ALL 4 TIRES HAVE SPLITS IN SIDEWALLS. NO APPARENT DAMAGE -- LOOKS LIKE UNDER WARRANTY." TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED BY DEALER AT RECOMMENDED INTERVALS,WHEELS BALANCED. NISSAN MANUAL:AT ROTATION DEALER INSPECTS FOR ABNORMALITIES; NO MENTION OF PROBLEMS AT ABOUT 2600 MILES. DEALER ADVISE CONTACT GOODYEAR HQ, TIRES NOT GUARANTEED NISSAN. WAS ADVISED BY GOODYEAR HQ TO HAVE CAR INSPECTED @ CRAVEN TIRES, FAIRFAX STATION, VA. CRAVEN TIRES RELEASED WRITTEN STATEMENT: "WE FOUND CRACKS IN ALL 4 TIRES INCONSISTENT WITH DRY ROT DUE TO MILEAGE AND AGE OF TIRES. CUSTOMER WAS OFFERED 25% COURTESY DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES. CUSTOMER HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME. OFFER STANDS FOR 30 DAYS. NOTE TREAD DEPTH ON ALL 4 TIRES IS 4/32 OF AN INCH." NOTE THAT 4/32 IS MEASURED FROM EMBEDDED "CONSUMPTION" BAR, NOTE ALSO THAT NEW TIRES ARE 10/32 INCH, HENCE TIRES WOULD STILL HAVE 40% LIFE (4/10). MY OPINION IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT AND THEREFORE A DANGER FOR ALL THESE TIRES, NOT ONLY ON MY CAR. DEALER (MR. RON DEL RIO, SHEEHY NISSAN, SPRINGFIELD, VA) CONFIRMED BY MOUTH THAT THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED ON MANY OTHER MAXIMAS EN ALTIMAS, BUT THAT ALL CLIENTS HAD DECIDED TO PAY THEMSELVES FOR REPLACEMENT. THESE TIRES WILL SEE SEPARATION OF SIDEWALLS/TREAD, RAPID DEFLATION AND MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT. DO NOT USE THE CAR UNTIL THIS IS SOLVED TO MY FULL SATISFACTION; WILL NOT HESITATE TO BRING THE MATTER IN FRONT OF THE COURT. I AM AWAITING ANSWER ON MY NOTES THAT I SENT TO GOODYEAR CORPORATE ADDRESS AND NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICES. NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT IT WILL ANSWER ME WITHIN 2-3 DAYS, AS THE MATTER HAD TO BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF "HIGHER LEVEL" PEOPLE WITHIN THEIR ORGANIZATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10168299

28,000 miles · Sep 14, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED CRACKS WERE NOTICED ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED TO CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES DETERMINED THE CRACKS WERE A RESULT OF WEAR AND AGE, NOT DRY ROT. THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10168294

73,000 miles · Sep 8, 2006
Seats

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER NHTSA RECALL # 05V512000 WAS RECEIVED, REGARDING THE SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: POWER ADJUST. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED UNTIL THE POWER SEAT MOTOR WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10167689

27,000 miles · Aug 25, 2006
Electrical System

CAR WON'T START. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166567

47,000 miles · Aug 23, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE SIDEWALL OF ALL FOUR TIRES WERE DISCOVERED TO BE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE SIDEWALLS WERE WORN AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR, MODEL EAGLE RS-A, P245/45R18.

NHTSA ODI #10166352

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.