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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 · Dec 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE AROUND THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER AND THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLE BE A FLOOD CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF MILDEW AND THE VISOR ARE WATER DAMAGED. TO THIS DAY THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS THE 26TH DAY OF DE…

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I TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE AROUND THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER AND THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLE BE A FLOOD CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF MILDEW AND THE VISOR ARE WATER DAMAGED. TO THIS DAY THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS THE 26TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2011. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING AND I AM AFRAID TO ENTER TRAFFIC AS THE CAR STALLS AND THEN STICKS UPON ACCELERATING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL AS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON WHEN THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD TURNED THEM OFF. I CAN SMELL FUMES UPON STARTING AND DRIVING THIS CAR. I AM PARENT AND I DON'T LIKE TO GIVE MY CHILD OR ANY OTHER PERSON A RIDE BECAUSE OF THE SMELLS. THE TIRES WERE BALD ON THE CAR AND TWICE WHEN IT RAINED I ALMOST HAS 2 MAJOR COLLISIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE OTHER LANE DRIVING 45 IN A 65 MPH ZONE. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THIS CAR IS A GOOD CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FINANCE COMPANY AND THEY ARE STATING THIS IS OUT OF THERE HANDS. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE DIFFERENT ITEM THAT SEEMS TO BE WATER DAMAGED. I ALSO WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER LAW GROUP REGARDING THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441212

99,000 miles · Dec 25, 2011
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! PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441191

89,000 miles · Dec 20, 2011
Power Train

AT APPROXIMATELY 89000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. NISSAN DEALERS TOLD US THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AS TIME WENT ON IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. JUST RECENTLY WE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING THE SAME THING BUT GOT WORSE AND WOULD SLIP AND BANG IN…

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AT APPROXIMATELY 89000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. NISSAN DEALERS TOLD US THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AS TIME WENT ON IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. JUST RECENTLY WE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING THE SAME THING BUT GOT WORSE AND WOULD SLIP AND BANG INTO GEAR AT TAKE OFF. THIS HAS BEEN DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS IT HESITATES FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT TAKES OFF MAKING IT DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. WE NOTIFIED THE NISSAN DEALERS AGAIN AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO MANY TIMES BY THE SERVICE CENTERS OF THE DEALER. WE CURRENTLY BOUGHT A NEW 2010 MAXIMA AND THINGS SEEM TO BE OK. I REALLY WISH THAT NISSAN WOULD OWN UP TO THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS TRANSMISSION. I RECENTLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS QUOTED A $3600.00 REPLACEMENT COST. I BELIEVE THIS IS UNFAIR AND THAT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED THEY SHOULD REPLACE THIS FAULTY PART AT NO COST AND REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440647

72,000 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHEN THE PROBLEM INITIALLY STARTED YOU COULD HEAR A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE. NISSAN CERTIFIED DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. LAST MONTH THEY GAVE ME A LIST WHICH WAS HALF PRINTED AND HALF WRITTEN MEANING THAT THE MOST COSTLY, EXPENSIVE, AND IMPORTANT ITEM WERE NOT PUT IN THEIR DATABASE SYSTEM. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC B…

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WHEN THE PROBLEM INITIALLY STARTED YOU COULD HEAR A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE. NISSAN CERTIFIED DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. LAST MONTH THEY GAVE ME A LIST WHICH WAS HALF PRINTED AND HALF WRITTEN MEANING THAT THE MOST COSTLY, EXPENSIVE, AND IMPORTANT ITEM WERE NOT PUT IN THEIR DATABASE SYSTEM. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GET RID OF THE CAR ( CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO BROKEN TENSIONER, MAIN CHAIN). IN ORDER FOR THEM JUST TO CONFIRM THAT-THAT'S THE PROBLEM, IT WOULD APPS. TAKE 8 LABOR HOURS TO TAKE THE MOTOR APART. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS LITERALLY GOING TO FALL APART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440297

55,000 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Air BagsCrash

MY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT A PART FAILING, BUT IN NISSAN'S RESPONSE TO REPLACE A PART. MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IN THE REPAIR WORK, THE AIRBAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (ORDERED). THE PART WAS ORDERED ON OCT. 12, 2011 AND AFTER MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OF THE PART BEING OR…

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MY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT A PART FAILING, BUT IN NISSAN'S RESPONSE TO REPLACE A PART. MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IN THE REPAIR WORK, THE AIRBAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (ORDERED). THE PART WAS ORDERED ON OCT. 12, 2011 AND AFTER MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OF THE PART BEING ORDERED, THE PART HAS STILL NOT BEEN PRODUCED BY NISSAN. FIRST I WAS TOLD IT WAS A BACK-ORDER ISSUE, BUT THEN I LOST MY PATIENCE AFTER 2 MONTHS AND CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE, I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMPONENT DISTRIBUTION ISSUE, WHICH TELLS ME ABSOLUTELY (WAIT FOR IT) NOTHING. THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING FOR ME IS THAT I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE DELIVERY OF THE PART IS INDEFINITE, SO MY CAR SITS AT THE COLLISION SHOP BASICALLY IN LIMBO. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND CANNOT FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION FOR MY VEHICLE RELATING TO THIS PART. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER, THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TESTING OF THE PART, THEREFORE THE PART IS NOT BEING PRODUCED. IN MY OPINION THIS IS DISCREETLY BEING KEPT QUIET AND DISGUISED AS A BACK-ORDER ISSUE BY NISSAN. I SEE RECALL ISSUES FOR THIS PART FOR THE ALTIMAS, BUT NOT THE MAXIMAS. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A BIGGER ISSUE THAN NISSAN IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I AM TRYING TO FIND ALL AVENUES TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS MATTER AND HOPE THAT IT REGISTERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440292

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10440149

74,600 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR AND POPS BACK IN AT WILL, I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC WHO SEES NO PHYSICAL SIGNS OF UNDUE WEAR. HE CLEANED FILTER AND PUT IN NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID TO NO AVAIL. I FEAR THIS DEFECT WILL HAPPEN AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AND GET ME OR MY FAMILY INJURED OR WORSE. HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLA…

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THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR AND POPS BACK IN AT WILL, I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC WHO SEES NO PHYSICAL SIGNS OF UNDUE WEAR. HE CLEANED FILTER AND PUT IN NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID TO NO AVAIL. I FEAR THIS DEFECT WILL HAPPEN AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AND GET ME OR MY FAMILY INJURED OR WORSE. HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS EXIST ABOUT THIS CAR MODEL AND YEARS 2004-2006. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SHIFTS VERY ROUGHLY IN LOWER GEARS, EVEN WHEN I EXPECT A BAD SHIFT I CAN'T TELL WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.THIS OCCURS DURING SPEEDS OF 0 TO 60. I'VE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAILURES AFTER NISSAN REPLACED THE ORIGINAL. THIS IS A FAULTY PIECE OF MANUFACTURING. NISSAN NEEDS TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OR RE-ENGINEER THE EXISTING ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440141

100,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Power Train

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2009 WITH 99,000 MILES ON IT. IT RAN EXCELLENT. AT THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR, 2011 IT STARTED HESITATING WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO 1ST. THE PROBLEM THEN PROGRESSED INTO WHEN LETTING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND REAPPLYING IT GOING TO 4 RPM THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR. THE MAIN PROBLEM WOULD BE WHEN GOING BEL…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2009 WITH 99,000 MILES ON IT. IT RAN EXCELLENT. AT THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR, 2011 IT STARTED HESITATING WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO 1ST. THE PROBLEM THEN PROGRESSED INTO WHEN LETTING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND REAPPLYING IT GOING TO 4 RPM THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR. THE MAIN PROBLEM WOULD BE WHEN GOING BELOW 40 MILES AN HOUR. TODAY, DEC 2011, IT SLIPPED AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY GO. NISSAN SAYS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT $4500.00. I HAVE READ SO MANY FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2004 MAXIMAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. 600 PLUS... WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. HOW LONG BEFORE NISSAN HONORS THEIR CUSTOMERS AND DOES SOME TYPE OF RECALL ON THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439920

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A VALVE BODY NEAR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A VALVE BODY NEAR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10439156

75,000 miles · Dec 6, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION JERKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. WONT SHIFT INTO 3RD. MAKES A VERY HARD JERK WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND WON'T GO TO 2ND SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438812

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.