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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 · Sep 15, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS AND SHE WOULD LOSE POWER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS AND SHE WOULD LOSE POWER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,614. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425671

72,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VIOLENTLY JERKING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VIOLENTLY JERKING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425493

80,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF EACH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OR THE VALVE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF EACH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OR THE VALVE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10425438

135,621 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WE WERE DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT AND THE CAR HARD SHIFTED DOWN FROM THIRD TO FIRST ON IT'S OWN. IT WAS SUCH A VIOLENT DOWNSHIFT THE CAR ACTUALLY TURNED OFF. WE WERE NEARLY REAR-ENDED AND HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOT HOME AND LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR BUT THERE ARE NO R…

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WE WERE DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT AND THE CAR HARD SHIFTED DOWN FROM THIRD TO FIRST ON IT'S OWN. IT WAS SUCH A VIOLENT DOWNSHIFT THE CAR ACTUALLY TURNED OFF. WE WERE NEARLY REAR-ENDED AND HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOT HOME AND LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I TOOK IT IN TODAY AND SPENT OVER $1000 BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON DURING THE RIDE HOME AND IT IS HARD SHIFTING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10425335

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY CAR SINCE I, PURCHASED IT BACK IN APRIL 2004. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE, CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE JERKS WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE THEN IT SKIPS BEFORE IT GETS INTO GEAR. ALSO TO ADD, ONCE THE CAR GETS TO A CERTAIN SPEED I CAN FEEL THE CAR REV-UP BEFORE IT EVEN…

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I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY CAR SINCE I, PURCHASED IT BACK IN APRIL 2004. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE, CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE JERKS WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE THEN IT SKIPS BEFORE IT GETS INTO GEAR. ALSO TO ADD, ONCE THE CAR GETS TO A CERTAIN SPEED I CAN FEEL THE CAR REV-UP BEFORE IT EVEN CATCHES GEAR WHICH IS MAINLY IN THE FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. I HAVE BEEN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH THEY REPLACED MY MOTOR MOUNTS AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL MAXIMA 2004'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10425329

85,000 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS TO 3000. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CHECK E…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS TO 3000. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIMING BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425199

91,000 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Power TrainInjury

I HAVE A 2004 MAXIMA AND I AM HAVING VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD WITH HARD SHIFTING RIGHT AROUND THE 20-25 MPH SHIFT GEAR AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS WHEN IT GEARS DOWN TO 1ST AND 2ND. I ALSO GOT A TRANSMISSION REBUILT BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE TH…

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I HAVE A 2004 MAXIMA AND I AM HAVING VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD WITH HARD SHIFTING RIGHT AROUND THE 20-25 MPH SHIFT GEAR AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS WHEN IT GEARS DOWN TO 1ST AND 2ND. I ALSO GOT A TRANSMISSION REBUILT BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10425152

96,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WHEN SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WHEN SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY .THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425023

130,000 miles · Sep 11, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING UP, WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND THEN JERKS THE CAR HARD. IT ALSO JERKS HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING WHEN STOPPING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424643

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2011
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT CREATES A HARD JERK RIGHT AFTER A SLOW START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424621

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.