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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
164,875 miles · May 1, 2014
EnginePower Train

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, TRAFFIC BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO CONGESTION. AS I SLOWED DOWN, THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. I WAS NEARLY HIT FROM BEHIND. THE CAR JERKED TWO MORE TIMES AS I MADE MY WAY OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I PRAYED THEN STARTED MY CAR AGAIN. I WAS APPRO…

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AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, TRAFFIC BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO CONGESTION. AS I SLOWED DOWN, THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. I WAS NEARLY HIT FROM BEHIND. THE CAR JERKED TWO MORE TIMES AS I MADE MY WAY OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I PRAYED THEN STARTED MY CAR AGAIN. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM HOME. AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PULLED ONTO MY LOCAL STREET, I CAME TO A RED LIGHT. AS I SLOWED DOWN, THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AGAIN. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER A WHILE, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. I PARKED THE CAR, CHECKED MY OIL (LEVELS WERE GOOD) AND STARTED TO CALL AROUND FOR HELP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585872

181,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DROVE MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA OFF THE LOT ON 3/3/14 AND NOTICED A JERK ONCE I GOT TO 30MPH, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AFTER I PURCHASED IT THAT WHAT EVER PROBLEMS I HAVE I NEED TO FIX MYSELF BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569164

130,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
EngineService BrakesFire

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER AND TOOK HER VEHICLE …

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER AND TOOK HER VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A FIRE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. DYD ... UPDATED 03/24/14 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10566090

100,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
Power Train

MAXIMA HAS BEGUN SHIFTING VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AND INTO REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565720

990,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT GEARS SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT GEARS SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10561139

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineStructureFire

WOKE UP TO A HORN STEADILY BEEPING, WENT TO MY WINDOW TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I SEE FLAMES SHOOTING ABOUT 15 FT HIGH AND KNEW MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER THE FIRE THE OWNER TOLD ME HE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR THAT DAY, AND THAT IT MELTED THE DASHBOARD AND QUICKLY DESTROYED INTERIOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR, …

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WOKE UP TO A HORN STEADILY BEEPING, WENT TO MY WINDOW TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I SEE FLAMES SHOOTING ABOUT 15 FT HIGH AND KNEW MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER THE FIRE THE OWNER TOLD ME HE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR THAT DAY, AND THAT IT MELTED THE DASHBOARD AND QUICKLY DESTROYED INTERIOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN FATALITIES OR INJURIES AS THE CAR HAD A FULL GAS TANK, AND LUCKILY DID NOT REACH GAS TANK, BUT IF IT HAD THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOMES, AND MANY LIVES PUT AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559536

125,000 miles · Nov 18, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10552769

60,000 miles · Nov 13, 2013
Service Brakes

WHILE INITIATING MY BRAKES THE ABS APPEARS TO BE ACTIVATING,AND CAUSING LOAD NOISE AND SHAKING VEHICLE.IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE MY BRAKES WITH CALIPER BROKE AND IM TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE THAT WAY. I TURN VEHICLE OFF, AND IT RESETS ITSELF TO NORMAL. BRAKES WORK WELL AND I MOVE ON, A DAY OR 2 LATER SAME THING,SO EVERY TIME IM COMING …

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WHILE INITIATING MY BRAKES THE ABS APPEARS TO BE ACTIVATING,AND CAUSING LOAD NOISE AND SHAKING VEHICLE.IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE MY BRAKES WITH CALIPER BROKE AND IM TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE THAT WAY. I TURN VEHICLE OFF, AND IT RESETS ITSELF TO NORMAL. BRAKES WORK WELL AND I MOVE ON, A DAY OR 2 LATER SAME THING,SO EVERY TIME IM COMING TO A STOP SIGN I START PUMPING THE BRAKES AND HOPING THEY ARE WORKING, VEHICLE NOW HAS OVER 100K MILES, AND PROBLEM BEEN HAPPENING SINCE ABOUT 60K . NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.BUT LOOKING AT THIS SITE,SEEMS LIKE NISSAN DOESN'T WANT TO RECALL THIS PART. AND TO TOP IT OFF, NOW MY NISSAN ARMADA ABS LIGHT AND BRAKES ARE ACTING UP THE SAME WAY. COINCIDENCE OR FLAW PARTS?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552077

152,000 miles · Nov 12, 2013
Power Train

OK MY BROTHER AND I WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 85 AND CAME TO A STOP BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. I TRY TO TAKE OFF BUT MY CAR JUST STALLS. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE IN THE LEFT LANE BECAUSE IF WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND COULD HAVE BEEN IN A REAL BAD ACCIDENT. WE WERE STILL FORTU…

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OK MY BROTHER AND I WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 85 AND CAME TO A STOP BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. I TRY TO TAKE OFF BUT MY CAR JUST STALLS. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE IN THE LEFT LANE BECAUSE IF WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND COULD HAVE BEEN IN A REAL BAD ACCIDENT. WE WERE STILL FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE HIT US BECAUSE MY CARS TAIL WAS STILL STUCK OUT A LIL BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN NEUTRAL. I KNOW ITS PROBABLY MY TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER BUT I JUST THANK GOD THAT WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551849

59,000 miles · Nov 11, 2013
EnginePower Train

MY WIFE'S 2004 MAXIMA WHICH SHE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW AT THE POMOCO NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN HAMPTON, VIRGINIA HAS 59,000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY AND THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN DECELERATING AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. THE EVENT OCCURS AROUND AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 25-30 MPH DURING DOWNSHIFTING OF THE TRA…

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MY WIFE'S 2004 MAXIMA WHICH SHE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW AT THE POMOCO NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN HAMPTON, VIRGINIA HAS 59,000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY AND THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN DECELERATING AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. THE EVENT OCCURS AROUND AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 25-30 MPH DURING DOWNSHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE EXPERIENCE FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS CRASHED INTO YOU FROM THE REAR...AND THE FORCE FROM THE GEARING THRUST THROWS THE CAR FORWARD VIOLENTLY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND IS A CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN FOR US. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WESLEY CHAPEL NISSAN DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN WESLEY CHAPEL, FLORIDA FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE TECH SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3300 FOR PARTS & LABOR. AS REFLECTED IN THE LOW MILEAGE, THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY LITTLE AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BY HER AND HAS REMAINED GARAGED THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS 2004 MAXIMA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TRANSMISSION (FAILURE) PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE RANGE, BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER ACTIVATED BY THE NISSAN COMPANY TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED FOR A FEW NISSAN MODELS REGARDING FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS EXCLUDING THE MAXIMA. CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT NISSAN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD BY REP THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED. I EXPLAINED TO THE REP THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING THEME WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SPECIFIC YEAR OF THE MAXIMA MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551834

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.