Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1380–25K
10625–50K
28150–75K
34975–100K
260100–150K
55150K+
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
2,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10468032
115,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA ODI #10467910
140,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Power Train
THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE A THUD NOISE AND THE GEAR INDICATOR SHOWED 5 INSTEAD OF D AND WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT AND FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION IT WOULD NOT GO INTO D AND WOULD CONTINUE TO…
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THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE A THUD NOISE AND THE GEAR INDICATOR SHOWED 5 INSTEAD OF D AND WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT AND FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION IT WOULD NOT GO INTO D AND WOULD CONTINUE TO INDICATE 5. NISSAN SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A FLUID CHANGE AND THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEN. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND NOW IT SOMETIMES CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION AND WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND INVOLVED US IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467587
73,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHIFTED GEARS AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHIFTED GEARS AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 94,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465133
85,000 miles · Jul 5, 2012
Structure
I HAVE A 2004 MAXIMA SL WITH 90,000(MI) AS I WAS DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY I NOTICED THE PASSENGER FRONT MAT WAS GETTING WET WHEN I GOT HOME I REMOVED THE MAT AND CARPET AND TO MY SURPRISED I FOUND A SIZABLE RUST HOLE IN THE FLOOR PASSENGER SIDE . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THE MANAGER OF MY DISCOVERY SHE TOLD ME TH…
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I HAVE A 2004 MAXIMA SL WITH 90,000(MI) AS I WAS DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY I NOTICED THE PASSENGER FRONT MAT WAS GETTING WET WHEN I GOT HOME I REMOVED THE MAT AND CARPET AND TO MY SURPRISED I FOUND A SIZABLE RUST HOLE IN THE FLOOR PASSENGER SIDE . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THE MANAGER OF MY DISCOVERY SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS GOING TO CONTACT NISSAN AND FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. IN THE MEAN TIME I STOPPED BY A FEW AUTOBODY SHOPS TO GET QUOTES ON FIXING IT I TRIED 5 SHOPS AND MOST OF THEM REFUSE TO TOUCH IT BECAUSE IS A STRUCTURAL PART OF THE VEHICLE, THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY THOUGHT I SHOULD GO SEE THE DEALER AS THE CAR SHOULDN'T RUST LIKE THAT BEING SO NEW. A FEW DAYS LATER I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THE MANAGER IF SHE HA HEARD FROM NISSAN SHE SAID NO, SHE MENTIONED THAT SHE HAS SEEN COUPLE MORE CARS COME IN FOR INSPECTIONS AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOMS ON THE PASSENGER SIDES WERE RUSTED CONSEQUENTLY FAILING INSPECTION. NISSAN SHOULD MAKE A RECALL OR FORCE TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE MY CAR IS WORTHLESS BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IT HAS. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE REPAIRS FOR USING WEAK OR CHEAPER MATERIALS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464308
102,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Power Train
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I LIKE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT, AM EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE STARTS ON THE DOWNSHIFT FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO JERK. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED LATE SHIFT ON ACCELERATI…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I LIKE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT, AM EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE STARTS ON THE DOWNSHIFT FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO JERK. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED LATE SHIFT ON ACCELERATION AND A HARD "THUNK" WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. DEALER QUOTED $4000 FOR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA FOR THIS SAME FAILURE, A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT THAT HAS BEEN FILED IN SEPT. 2011, AND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON NISSAN FORUMS. WHEN WILL NISSAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A DEFECTIVE PART? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10464019
25,000 miles · Jul 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
MY CLUTCH PEDAL KEEPS GETTING STUCK (ON THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RETRACTION) WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN I AM DRIVING. OFTEN TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS TO ACCOMMODATE SPEED BUT CANNOT AND WOULD HAVE TO SIGNAL HAZARDS TO AWARE OTHER DRIVERS OF EMERGENCY AND CANNOT PROCEED WITH DRIV…
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MY CLUTCH PEDAL KEEPS GETTING STUCK (ON THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RETRACTION) WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN I AM DRIVING. OFTEN TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS TO ACCOMMODATE SPEED BUT CANNOT AND WOULD HAVE TO SIGNAL HAZARDS TO AWARE OTHER DRIVERS OF EMERGENCY AND CANNOT PROCEED WITH DRIVING DUE TO COMPLICATIONS OF MY CLUTCH PEDAL NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY . I HAVE TRIED TROUBLE SHOOTING PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM SEEMS TO KEEP COMING BACK. I HAVE LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM IN THE FORUMS AND VARIOUS NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS WITH SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM... THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME WITH TWO KIDS AND I THE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BUT FRIGHTENING, I SOME TIMES AM STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTS MOVING I CANNOT AND OTHER DRIVERS HARASS AND THREATEN ME.. IT TAKES TIME FOR THE PEDAL TO RETRACT SOMETIMES HOURS. AT TIMES WHEN MOVING STEADILY IN MOTION THE PEDAL GETS STUCK AND CANNOT GET OUT OF GEAR AND HAVE TO FORCE THE SHIFTER OUT ON NEUTRAL TO ROLL WITH FRICTION LEAVING ME WITH LITTLE OR NO TIME TO REACT LEAVING ME VULNERABLE AND IN DANGER OF GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT HAVING ME MOVE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE.. PLEASE CONSIDER MY COMPLAINT NOT FOR MY BENEFIT BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHER CITIZENS AND COMMUTERS.. 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463854
128,000 miles · Jun 29, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON FIFTH GEAR AS THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON FIFTH GEAR AS THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10463556
94,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND INSTEAD, WOULD STALL FOR SECONDS BEFORE JERKING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND INSTEAD, WOULD STALL FOR SECONDS BEFORE JERKING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463418
100,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE THEN JERKED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE THEN JERKED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON THE VALVE BODY OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
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.
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.
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