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
98,100 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO JERK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO JERK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,100.
NHTSA ODI #10462134
80,000 miles · Jun 17, 2012
StructureVisibility
MY MOON-ROOF IS MARKED WITH AS3 DOT 467 M078. CAN SOME PLEASE TELL ME WITH IS THE SAME MARKING THAT IN THE 2004 RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462000
80,000 miles · Jun 17, 2012
Structure
THE SKYVIEW ROOF IN MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IS LEAKING WATER. DURING A HARD RAIN WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING STILL FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR, WATER WILL RUN THROUGH THE INTERIOR LAMPS ONTO THE INTERIOR. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO THE POINT THAT I HATES WHEN IT RAINS. I HAVE TO PLACE A LARGE BATH TOWEL OVER THE DASHBOARD AND GEAR LEVER TO H…
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THE SKYVIEW ROOF IN MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IS LEAKING WATER. DURING A HARD RAIN WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING STILL FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR, WATER WILL RUN THROUGH THE INTERIOR LAMPS ONTO THE INTERIOR. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO THE POINT THAT I HATES WHEN IT RAINS. I HAVE TO PLACE A LARGE BATH TOWEL OVER THE DASHBOARD AND GEAR LEVER TO HELP PREVENT WATER AND ELECTRICAL DAMAGE! I ALSO THE BACK SEAT GETS WET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461998
65,518 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANMISSION SKIPPED @ 65,518 WICH I WAS TOLD WAS OUT OF THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY PAID $4,000.00 ON 12/08/08 FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A NEW TRANMISSION. FOUND OUT LATER NISSAN USES RE-BUILT TRANI. RIGHT AFTER THE INITIONAL TRANI WAS PUT IN I CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM...TOOK IT A FEW TIMES BACK BUT ALL I GOT WAS THE RUN AROU…
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TRANMISSION SKIPPED @ 65,518 WICH I WAS TOLD WAS OUT OF THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY PAID $4,000.00 ON 12/08/08 FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A NEW TRANMISSION. FOUND OUT LATER NISSAN USES RE-BUILT TRANI. RIGHT AFTER THE INITIONAL TRANI WAS PUT IN I CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM...TOOK IT A FEW TIMES BACK BUT ALL I GOT WAS THE RUN AROUND...THEY STATED IT MIGHT BE THE MOTOR MOUNT, THAT GOT FIXED STILL THE PROBLEM WAS THERE. THE CAR WENT THRU DIAGNOSTIC READING FROM 2009 THRU 2012 BUT SINCE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON IT WOULD NOT GIVE ANY DIAGNOSIS CODES.... UNTIL APRIL OF THIS YEAR MY TRANSMISSION SKIPPED AGAIN @ APPROX. 113,500.00 WHILE BEING TESTED BY A NISSAN MECHANIC...UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10461583
124,000 miles · Jun 5, 2012
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IS FAILING PREMATURELY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR OF THIS PRICE RANGE/AGE. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A DEFECT. TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY AND SOMETIMES REFUSES TO CHANGE GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460705
84,000 miles · May 31, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK SLIGHTLY. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A VIOLENT JERK. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR AND ALSO WHEN DRIVING…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK SLIGHTLY. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A VIOLENT JERK. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR AND ALSO WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION CENTER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10460197
120,000 miles · May 31, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR OR FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK SEVERELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR OR FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK SEVERELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10460138
142,000 miles · May 29, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459884
60,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Power Train
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW NISSAN MAXIMA 8 YRS AGO. FOR THE LAST 2 YRS IT HAS BEEN GIVEN ME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WILL GET STUCK IN BETWEEN GEARS AND THEN SUDDENLY JERK WILL I'M DRIVING, WHICH IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I'VE NOTICED THAT IT TENDS TO GET WORSE WHEN IT'S HOT OR I AM GOING INCLINE. I'VE DONE SOME R…
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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW NISSAN MAXIMA 8 YRS AGO. FOR THE LAST 2 YRS IT HAS BEEN GIVEN ME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WILL GET STUCK IN BETWEEN GEARS AND THEN SUDDENLY JERK WILL I'M DRIVING, WHICH IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I'VE NOTICED THAT IT TENDS TO GET WORSE WHEN IT'S HOT OR I AM GOING INCLINE. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. I PURPOSELY BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR TO AVOID THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT I HAVE TO PAY $3,000 TO FIX IT WHEN IT'S OBVIOUS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURE FLAW. IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST THIS MODEL, AND NISSAN NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I HOPE THIS CAN CHANGE SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459698
75,600 miles · May 21, 2012
Power Train
TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. ALSO JERKS AND BANKS HARD WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO DRIVE AFTER REVERSING. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT PRESSED REALLY HARD, THE VEHICLE LUNGS FORWARD VERY HARD. *TT
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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