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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
70,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHAKE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHAKE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,402.

NHTSA ODI #10536481

120,000 miles · Aug 15, 2013
Structure

I HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST THROUGH ON BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER FRONT FLOOR PANS. IT APPEARS THERE WAS ORIGINALLY A DOUBLE LAYER OF METAL AND BOTH LAYERS ARE RUSTED WITH LARGE HOLES IN THEM. THE CAR IS BEYOND THE FIVE YEAR RUST THROUGH WARRANTY BUT THIS REALLY IS SEVERE AND DIFFICULT TO NOTICE SINCE IT IS UNDER THE CAR. THE RUST…

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I HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST THROUGH ON BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER FRONT FLOOR PANS. IT APPEARS THERE WAS ORIGINALLY A DOUBLE LAYER OF METAL AND BOTH LAYERS ARE RUSTED WITH LARGE HOLES IN THEM. THE CAR IS BEYOND THE FIVE YEAR RUST THROUGH WARRANTY BUT THIS REALLY IS SEVERE AND DIFFICULT TO NOTICE SINCE IT IS UNDER THE CAR. THE RUST DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE RUST TO BEGIN FROM THE INSIDE BUT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT TO ME. I WILL TAKE THIS UP WITH NISSAN AS I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, BUT I DOUBT THEY WILL OFFER TO STAND BEHIND THIS, SINCE THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT IS POSSIBLE FOR FUMES OR ROAD DEBRIS TO COME THROUGH THE CARPET AND INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHAT THE MILEAGE WAS WHEN THIS BEGAN BUT THIS AMOUNT OF RUST DID NOT BEGIN RECENTLY. I SUSPECT MAY NISSAN MAXIMA'S ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF SAFETY NOTICE TO CURRENT OWNERS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10535619

172,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilitySeatsFire

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JULY 3RD, 2013 AROUND 7:00AM. I SMELLED SMOKE IN MY CAR SO I PULLED OVER, OPENED MY HOOD AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO WORK. I SMELLED SMOKE AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME TO REALIZE THAT MY BOTTOM WAS GETTING HOT. I LOOKED DOWN TO THE RIGHT TO SEE IF MY SEAT WARMER WAS…

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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JULY 3RD, 2013 AROUND 7:00AM. I SMELLED SMOKE IN MY CAR SO I PULLED OVER, OPENED MY HOOD AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO WORK. I SMELLED SMOKE AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME TO REALIZE THAT MY BOTTOM WAS GETTING HOT. I LOOKED DOWN TO THE RIGHT TO SEE IF MY SEAT WARMER WAS ON AND IT WASN'T. THEN MY SEAT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD & BACKWARD BY ITSELF ABOUT 3 TIMES. I TURNED BACK AROUND TO THE FRONT AND THERE WAS A CLOUD OF SMOKE IN MY FACE & FLAMES AT MY FEET. I QUICKLY GRABBED MY PHONE AND MY IPAD, RELEASED MY SEAT BELT, PULLED UP MY EMERGENCY BRAKE, OPENED THE DOOR AND JUMPED OUT OF MY CAR FALLING ONTO THE GROUND, JUMP UP, AND CALLED 911. WHILE WAITING ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT & THE POLICE I STOOD THERE CRYING HYSTERICALLY, TERRIFIED AND WATCHED MY CAR GO UP IN FLAMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534994

84,000 miles · Aug 5, 2013
Power Train

CAR STARTED SLIPPING AND JERKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AT 84,000 MILES. WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE CAR JERK VERY HARD AND SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION EVERYTIME I SHIFT GEARS. ALSO WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE GEARS FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T WONT TO CHANGE AND WHEN ITS FINALLY CHANGED GEARS THEN IT JERK FOR…

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CAR STARTED SLIPPING AND JERKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AT 84,000 MILES. WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE CAR JERK VERY HARD AND SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION EVERYTIME I SHIFT GEARS. ALSO WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE GEARS FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T WONT TO CHANGE AND WHEN ITS FINALLY CHANGED GEARS THEN IT JERK FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. THAT WAS A HAZARD. HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE AND NOW IT STARTING TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533602

80,000 miles · Aug 1, 2013
Engine

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR NISSAN MAXIMA 04 MY NISSAN MAXIMA 04 JERKS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 2 TO 3RD, SLIPS ONLY AFTER WARMED UP AND IM GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE FROM 3RD TO 2ND AFTER A LONG TRIP. IT ALSO SOMETIMES SHIFTS HARD INTO GEAR BUT NOT ALWAYS. THANKS, *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533048

95,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WHEN IT WANTS TO. 5 SECOND DELAY GOING INTO GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AFTER TRANSMISSION HEATS UP. SLIPS INTO TO 2ND AND 3RD WITH A HIGH REV. AFTER SLOWING,SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL THEN BANGS INTO GEAR. AFTER A STOP IT SLIPS VERY HARD BETWEEN TWO GEARS. OFTEN SMELL BURNED OIL OR FLUID INSIDE CABIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531909

68,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR PANEL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR PANEL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531810

137,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND LUNGED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000. ...UPDATED 09-26-13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10531755

30,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10523749

87,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Power Train

CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFTING FROM D TO R OR R TO D. HARD SHIFTING THEN BEGAN TO OCCUR DURING 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. SHIFTS ARE HARD AND FEEL AS IF THE CAR HAS BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. IF YOU DO NOT ANTICIPATE THE HARD SHIFT THE CAR COULD JUMP FORWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. OWNER LOOKING INTO REPLACING TH…

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CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFTING FROM D TO R OR R TO D. HARD SHIFTING THEN BEGAN TO OCCUR DURING 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. SHIFTS ARE HARD AND FEEL AS IF THE CAR HAS BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. IF YOU DO NOT ANTICIPATE THE HARD SHIFT THE CAR COULD JUMP FORWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. OWNER LOOKING INTO REPLACING THE VALVE BODY AS THIS APPEARS TO BE THE MAIN (COSTLY) FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523602

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.