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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 · Oct 17, 2014
Power Train

MY 2004 MAXIMA IS HESITATING TO SHIFT AN IM DISABLE LIVING ON 700 DOLLARS A MONTH. MY DAUGHTER IS IN COLLEGE DRIVING THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC AN IM AFRAID SHE IS GOING TO GET HURT MAKING LEFT TURNS IN THIS CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE CALLS WITH ME DRIVING IT,BUT I LIVE IN SOUTH GA. WHERE PEOPLE ARE MORE SENSIBLE TOWARD OTHERS. THIS IS…

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MY 2004 MAXIMA IS HESITATING TO SHIFT AN IM DISABLE LIVING ON 700 DOLLARS A MONTH. MY DAUGHTER IS IN COLLEGE DRIVING THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC AN IM AFRAID SHE IS GOING TO GET HURT MAKING LEFT TURNS IN THIS CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE CALLS WITH ME DRIVING IT,BUT I LIVE IN SOUTH GA. WHERE PEOPLE ARE MORE SENSIBLE TOWARD OTHERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AN SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED FROM THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TO GET A USED TRANSMISSION UNDER 1500 DOLLARS THAT I HAD TO BORROW TO KEEP MY CHILD SAFE. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD COUNTABLE FOR THIS. I PAID 19000 DOLLARS FOR THIS CAR AND YOUR SCREW UP IS COSTING ME TO PUT A 2002-2003 TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN ALBANY GA. ARE THANKING NISSAN FOR THEIR 2500-3000 CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE 2004-2005 MAXIMA OWNERS ARE SPENDING WITH THEM AND MY TRANSMISSION OWNER MADE THIS STATEMENT TO ME. AATCO TRANSMISSION OF ALBANY WHO STATES HE HAS REDONE SO MANY VALVE BODIES ON THESE CARS. I GUESS SOME ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN WHEN PEOPLE THAT DOES NOT HAS THE FUNDINGS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THEMSELVES. I HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS UNTIL I FOUND THE MONEY AN IT BROKE ALL MY MOTOR MOUNTS FROM THE JERKING AND HARD SHIFTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648302

56,078 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DOWN SHIFTING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DOWN SHIFTING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,078.

NHTSA ODI #10643157

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY 3 GIRLS AND 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS WERE IN MY VEHICLE AND THEY WERE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID AND IT BROKE MY DAUGHTER'S NOSE. I CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING AND WAS TOLD IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE …

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MY 3 GIRLS AND 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS WERE IN MY VEHICLE AND THEY WERE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID AND IT BROKE MY DAUGHTER'S NOSE. I CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING AND WAS TOLD IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE MOST OF THE DAMAGE OF THE CAR IS (ALL OF THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE). EVERYONE WAS TAKING TO THE ER AND THE DAUGHTER WITH THE WORST INJURY WAS REFERRED TO A SPECIALIST BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT AND BECAUSE THE AIRBAG SHATTERED THE INSIDE OF HER NOSE INTO PIECES IT WAS NOTHING TO DO TO REPAIR. MY DAUGHTER PLAYS BASKETBALL AND I COULDN'T EVEN GET A NOSE BRACE FOR PROTECTION. THIS WAS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE GIRLS AND I WISH NO PARENT WILL EVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I SAW THE STORY ON THE CBS EVENING NEWS (AIRED 10/2/14) WHERE THE LONG LADY IS SUING HONDA BECAUSE OF THAT WHAT AIRBAG DID TO HER). AIRBAGS APPEARS TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST, I AM THANKFUL THAT THE GIRLS ARE STILL ALIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641055

123,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Power Train

WHILE PULLING OUT INTO A ENTER SECTION OF A MAIN ROAD IN MORNING TRAFFIC MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO ALMOST BE T-BONED. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640743

100,030 miles · Sep 28, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I BOUGHT USED 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA CAR AT NORTH SHORE AUTO MALL ON 9/18/14,THE SERVICE TECH. DROVE CAR UP TO FRONT OF DEALERSHIP W/CAR STILL RUNNING HE TEST DROVE CAR W/ME( DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT THE TIME) I GOT IN AND WE WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE, CAR WAS GREAT. GOT BACK TO DEALER, GAVE THE BALANCE. ONCE I LEFT DEALER, WHI…

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I BOUGHT USED 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA CAR AT NORTH SHORE AUTO MALL ON 9/18/14,THE SERVICE TECH. DROVE CAR UP TO FRONT OF DEALERSHIP W/CAR STILL RUNNING HE TEST DROVE CAR W/ME( DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT THE TIME) I GOT IN AND WE WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE, CAR WAS GREAT. GOT BACK TO DEALER, GAVE THE BALANCE. ONCE I LEFT DEALER, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SKIP & FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL, I PULLED OVER TO RIGHT LANE, PUT HAZARDS ON W/TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THE CAR STALLED, I ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION, CARS WERE BEEPING, SWERVING OUT OF THE WAY, I COULDN'T GET ANY ACCELERATION WITH IT IN DRIVE, SO I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL & AFTER 3 TRIES IT STARTED UP W/MUCH HESITATION. I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE & OTHERS ON THE ROAD, I TOOK SIDE STREETS TO MAKE IT HOME & WHEN I STOPPED AT STOP SIGN IT STALLED AGAIN, I REPEATED THE SAME STEPS AS ABOVE W/HAZARDS ON THE WHOLE RIDE HOME.NOW I KNOW WHY THE SERVICE TECH. TOOK TEST RIDE W/ME. I HAD A FRIEND WITH ME AS MY WITNESS.THIS CAR WONT PASS INSPECTION , THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, I CALLED DEALER HE SAID MAKE AN APPT, I SAID I ONLY HAVE 7 DAYS FOR INSPECTION STICKER, HE SAID, HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SERVICE AND TO CALL THEM. I CALLED ON MONDAY THE 22ND &1ST,AVAILABLE APPT.WASN'T TIL 9/25/14, MY 7 DAYS WERE UP ON THAT THURSDAY. HE SAID HE'LL CALL ME AROUND NOON, I WAITED TIL FRIDAY 5PM, HE NOR ANYONE IN SERV. CALLED TO UPDATE ME & LET ME KNOW CAR WILL BE THERE OVER THE WEEKEND. WHAT DO I DO & WHAT'S THE TIME LIMIT ON FIXING MY CAR W/O ANY COMMUNICATION TO ME. IM SOOOOO UPSET AT THE LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS, IM AFRAID IF I SAY SOMETHING DEROGATORY, THEY WILL SABOTAGE MY CAR. PLEASE HELP ME..!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639642

100,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO RESPOND BEFORE SUDDENLY SURGING FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO RESPOND BEFORE SUDDENLY SURGING FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639401

100,030 miles · Sep 23, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE PICKING MY NEW, USED MAXIMA 2004 FROM DEALER, PULLING OUT OF THE LOT AND WAITING FOR CLEARANCE TO GET ON HIGHWAY, I PROCEEDED TO TURN ONTO HW & IT STALLED & ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON & "CHECK ENGINE" IT HASN'T SHUT OFF YET, I FELT LIKE I WAS IN A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE.. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT BECAUSE CARS WERE COMING…

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WHILE PICKING MY NEW, USED MAXIMA 2004 FROM DEALER, PULLING OUT OF THE LOT AND WAITING FOR CLEARANCE TO GET ON HIGHWAY, I PROCEEDED TO TURN ONTO HW & IT STALLED & ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON & "CHECK ENGINE" IT HASN'T SHUT OFF YET, I FELT LIKE I WAS IN A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE.. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT BECAUSE CARS WERE COMING, I QUICKLY PUT HAZARDS ON, AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO START IT, IT WAS TRYING TO TURN OVER AS I WAS PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL LIKE A JACK HAMMER, I FINALLY FLOORED IT & IT STARTED NOT WITHOUT WHIPLASH TO MY NECK, MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE IT JERKED SOOOOO HARD INTO GEAR !!!. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND WAS SO NERVOUS BECAUSE CARS WERE HONKING & SWEARING AT ME...I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED AND GREATLY DISAPPOINTED THAT I ALMOST CAUSED MULTIPLE CAR COLLISION. I CALLED MGR AT DEALERSHIP WHEN I GOT HOME & HE SAID " JUST CALL SERVICE AND MAKE AN APPT. I SAID I JUST LEFT YOUR LOT W/NEW PLATES AND TOLD HIM WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED, HE SAID " I HAVE NOTHING TO DO W/SERVICE, SO CALL THEM IN THE A.M. & MAKE AN APPT." DIDN'T EVEN APOLOGIZE. I GOT ANXIETY BECAUSE I'M 47 YRS OLD AND HAD QUITE A FEW CARS AND I KNOW WHEN A CAR JERKS, GOES FROM DRIVE TO 5TH GEAR WITH POWERFUL JERKING MOTION ALL THE TIME, SKIPPING & STALLING WHILE IN DRIVE, MOST LIKELY A BAD TRANSMISSION, ITS OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, I JUST BOUGHT IT 9/18/14 & I CANT DRIVE IT, IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION IN 7 DAYS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, LOOKS LIKE 7 DAYS IS NOT HAPPENING MY APPT IS 9/25/14 SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER WARRANTY. INSTEAD OF BEING EXCITED ABOUT CAR I'M SO ANGRY & I FEEL LIKE ONCE THEY HAD MY MONEY, THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT ME OR MY FAMILY OR DRIVERS ON ROAD. THANKFULLY NO-ONE GOT HURT, ITS BEEN PARKED SINCE 9/21/14, THEY SAID THEY DID 21 PT INSP, YAA RIGHT !! SURE THEY DID, HOW CAN THEY KNOWINGLY LET ME DRIVE OFF LOT..WITH NO REGARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. IS THIS LEGAL ?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638581

100,038 miles · Sep 20, 2014
EnginePower TrainSuspension

[XXX] STARTING IT UP TAKES 2-3X WITH PUTTING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. WHILE DRIVING IT JUST STALLS OUT WHICH IS VERY SCARY & DANGEROUS AND IT GOES FROM DRIVE TO 5TH GEAR NO 1-4, AND IT HESITATES & WHEN DRIVING UP TO A RED LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE, THEN IT STARTS TO CONK OUT. ALSO NO PICK UP FRO…

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[XXX] STARTING IT UP TAKES 2-3X WITH PUTTING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. WHILE DRIVING IT JUST STALLS OUT WHICH IS VERY SCARY & DANGEROUS AND IT GOES FROM DRIVE TO 5TH GEAR NO 1-4, AND IT HESITATES & WHEN DRIVING UP TO A RED LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE, THEN IT STARTS TO CONK OUT. ALSO NO PICK UP FROM AN IDLE POSITION, I JUST BOUGHT IT 9/17/14 AND CALLED DEALER AND HE TOLD HIM IT WONT PASS INSPECTION "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON" CONSTANT. IT FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION ISN'T IN PROPER GEAR (5TH) JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING. EVERYONE BEHIND ME LEANS ON THE HORN AND YELLS AT ME WHEN IT STALLS OUT IN DRIVE. IM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THE DEALER (NORTH SHORE AUTO MALL, LYNN MA 01905, MGR NAME [XXX], REAL JERK !!) SAID THEY DID A 21 POINT INSPECTION, BUT THAT'S BS, THEY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT SEEING THAT THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS AND KNEW THEY SOLD ME A CAR W/BAD TRANSMISSION/ALTERNATOR. NOW THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW ME. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME RESOURCES THAT YOU KNOW OF TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I COULD GO ON & ON ABOUT THE TREATMENT I HAD TO ENDURE BUT THAT WONT HELP HOPEFULLY YOU CAN REGARDS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637691

100,702 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GEARS WERE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE DOWNSHIFTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,702.

NHTSA ODI #10637196

113,400 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Power Train

PURCHASED THIS CAR APPROX 4 WEEKS AGO. ON DRIVE HOME FROM DEALERSHIP, TRANSMISSION GOT WORSE AND WORSE. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED - TOTAL OVERHAUL. ALSO PASSENGER FLOORBOARD IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE CONSUMER REVIEWS. RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637137

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.