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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
26,500 miles · Jun 3, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

EVER SINCE THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, I NOTICED SOMETHING RATHER ODD. AT 50 MPH, EVEN LESS AT MOST TIMES, THERE IS A TERRIBLE SHIMMY WHICH CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES AT OR ABOVE 50 MPH, THE WHEEL SHAKES FEROCIOUSLY OUT OF CONTROL, AND THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS SERIOUS ACCIDENT, E…

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EVER SINCE THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, I NOTICED SOMETHING RATHER ODD. AT 50 MPH, EVEN LESS AT MOST TIMES, THERE IS A TERRIBLE SHIMMY WHICH CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES AT OR ABOVE 50 MPH, THE WHEEL SHAKES FEROCIOUSLY OUT OF CONTROL, AND THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IN RAIN OR SNOW, AND EVEN ON DRY LAND. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. EVERYONE WITH A 2004-2006 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A LEMON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158911

17,688 miles · Jun 3, 2006
Tires

I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR NOW HAS 17000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, POHANKA NISSAN IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA, THE CAR FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE TIRES HAVE FAILED. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A M+S P245/45 R18. THE TIRES HAVE SIDEWA…

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I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR NOW HAS 17000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, POHANKA NISSAN IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA, THE CAR FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE TIRES HAVE FAILED. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A M+S P245/45 R18. THE TIRES HAVE SIDEWALL CRACKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES AND CORDS ARE SHOWING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON NISSAN'S EQUIPPED WITH THESE TIRES. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS APPARENTLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM HAS NOT RESULTED IN A RECALL. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE TIRES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AFTER 18 MOS. AND 17,000 MILES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158897

32,000 miles · May 22, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE TIRES, IT WAS NOTICED THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE CRACKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OF A PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE CRACKED SIDEWALLS. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED TO REPLACE THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE TWO REAR TIRES DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A PROB…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE TIRES, IT WAS NOTICED THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE CRACKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OF A PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE CRACKED SIDEWALLS. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED TO REPLACE THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE TWO REAR TIRES DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A PROBLEM. THE TIRES WERE REGULARLY ROTATED AND THE PROPER PRESSURE WAS MAINTAINED. THE TIRE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS WAS THE FORTH VEHICLE SEEN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY. THE TIRE BRAND NAME IS EAGLE RSA AND THE SIZE IS P245/45/R18. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10157979

10,000 miles · May 16, 2006
Steering

BOUGHT THE MAXIMA NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2004, AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I STARTED NOTICING STEERING VIBRATIONS, WHICH WAS GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. THEY MANIFEST TYPICALLY AROUND 55 MPH. AFTER TAKING IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SHIMMY HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. THE SHIMMY IS DISTRACTING, EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND PROBABLY CAUSE …

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BOUGHT THE MAXIMA NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2004, AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I STARTED NOTICING STEERING VIBRATIONS, WHICH WAS GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. THEY MANIFEST TYPICALLY AROUND 55 MPH. AFTER TAKING IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SHIMMY HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. THE SHIMMY IS DISTRACTING, EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND PROBABLY CAUSE EXTRA WEAR AND TEAR ON FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE TIRES. AT THIS MOMENT NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND FOR MY CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157648

7,744 miles · May 10, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN INSPECTING THE TIRES IT WAS DISCOVERED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SIDEWALLS WERE CRACKED. THE TIRES ARE STILL MAINTAINING AIR PRESSURE; HOWEVER THE CRACKS ARE MORE SEVERE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10157204

24,400 miles · May 8, 2006
Tires

1) FLAT TIRE ON NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 CAR WITH 2003 MANUFACTURED GOOD YEAR EAGLE RS-A P245 45R18 96V TIRES.... 2) TIES ARE DEFECTIVE AN INDEPENDENT GOODYEAR EMPLOYEE TOLD ME SO, AND TOLD ME THEY ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND STILL WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET BUT OFFERED A $100 OFF EACH TIRE,…

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1) FLAT TIRE ON NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 CAR WITH 2003 MANUFACTURED GOOD YEAR EAGLE RS-A P245 45R18 96V TIRES.... 2) TIES ARE DEFECTIVE AN INDEPENDENT GOODYEAR EMPLOYEE TOLD ME SO, AND TOLD ME THEY ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND STILL WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET BUT OFFERED A $100 OFF EACH TIRE, THEY ARE $300 TIRES.. THE TIRES HAVE 24K MILES ON THEM, THE FRONT TIRES ARE WORSE THEN THE REAR BUT ALL ARE THE SAME. THE TREAD STILL HAS AT LEAST HALF THE TREAD IF NOT MORE LEFT... THERE IS SEVERE CRACKING AND IT IS POSSIBLE THEY COULD BLOW OUT ON OTHERS AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND IF YOU SEND ME A DIRECT EMAIL ADDRESS.. 3) I TOOK THE CAR TO GOODYEAR THEY SAID THE TIRE IS DEFECTED AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BUT SENT ME ON MY WAY BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIME FOR UNSAFE DEFECTIVE TIRES........ SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED DRIVING ON THOSE TIRES.... THEY ARE A ROAD HAZARD... *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156976

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2006
Air BagsCrash

MY NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 MET WITH AN ACCIDENT, MAY CAR HIT THE SUV IN THE FRONT BADLY. THE DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE. LEFT LIGHT IS GONE, RADIATOR IS BROKEN, HOOD IS UP, MUDGUARD IS DOWN AND OTHER DAMAGES. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY INSPITE OF HEAVY DAMAGE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156499

40,000 miles · Apr 27, 2006
Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING IT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10156313

25,000 miles · Apr 27, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION OF THE TIRES IT WAS NOTICED THE SIDEWALLS ON ALL FOUR TIRES ARE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE DEALER AND TIRE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10156292

37,000 miles · Apr 26, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

FRONT BRAKES PULSATE VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING. FRONT END SHIMMIES CONSTANTLY. ORIGINAL FRONT TIRES WORE OUT WITHIN 10,000 MILES. NISSAN CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE DESIGN FLAWS AND COMPONENT FAILURES (ROTOR FAILURE) IN THIS 2004 MAXIMA. OWNERS ARE GETTING NOTHING BUT THE RUNAROUND WHEN VEHICLE SAFETY IS A HUGE ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156119

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.