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
88,800 miles · May 10, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,800.
NHTSA ODI #10329703
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN HARD JERKING SLAMMING IN TRANSMISSION CAR ONLY HAS 35000 MILES AND IT SEEM THAT'S ONCE THEY GET TO 40,000 TO 60,000 THESE TRANSMISSIONS START FAILING I HAVE KIDS AND THIS CAR WAS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND THIS IS OF REAL CONCERN AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10329408
90,500 miles · May 4, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HAS A DELAY IN SHIFTING GEARS. IT JOLTS/KICKS REALLY HARD AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AS IF IT'S GOING TO STOP. I CAN'T REALLY DRIVE BEYOND 30MPH W/O HAVING AN ISSUE. IT STARTED DOING IT ONCE A DAY AND THE DEALER SAID THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM. NOW, THE CAR DOES IT A LOT MORE AND THE JOLTS/KICKS ARE MUCH WORSE THEN BEFO…
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TRANSMISSION HAS A DELAY IN SHIFTING GEARS. IT JOLTS/KICKS REALLY HARD AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AS IF IT'S GOING TO STOP. I CAN'T REALLY DRIVE BEYOND 30MPH W/O HAVING AN ISSUE. IT STARTED DOING IT ONCE A DAY AND THE DEALER SAID THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM. NOW, THE CAR DOES IT A LOT MORE AND THE JOLTS/KICKS ARE MUCH WORSE THEN BEFORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328857
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2010
Power Train
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SEVERE JERKING IN TRANSMISSION. MY PERSONAL MECHANIC SAYS ALOT OF CARS THE SAME YEAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD HAS BEEN A RECALL. ONLY 45,000 MILES SLIPPING AND JERKING WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN FOR A WHILE I HAVE ALL MY SERVICE RECORDS FOR THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328656
68,000 miles · May 1, 2010
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON I295 IN N.J. WHEN I EXPERIENCED LACK OF POWER IN MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IT ALMOST CAUSED A HORRIBLE CRASH IF I DIDN'T CHANGE LANES IT SEEMS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS PLEASE HELP AND INVESTIGATE T.Y. P.S. I WON'T DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN EVEN THOUGH I OWE ALOT OF MONE…
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I WAS DRIVING ON I295 IN N.J. WHEN I EXPERIENCED LACK OF POWER IN MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IT ALMOST CAUSED A HORRIBLE CRASH IF I DIDN'T CHANGE LANES IT SEEMS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS PLEASE HELP AND INVESTIGATE T.Y. P.S. I WON'T DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN EVEN THOUGH I OWE ALOT OF MONEY ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328317
70,000 miles · Apr 27, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION ACTING UP ON MY 04 NISSAN MAXIMA. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THESE ISSUES BUT HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL AND NOTHING IS DONE ABOUT IT. I'M HAVING HARD SHIFTS AND MIS-SHIFTS. I HONESTLY THINK THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SHOULD BE MADE AGAINST NISSAN FOR NOT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327668
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2010
Power Train
NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 -2006 DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANMISSIONS THAT NISSAN HAS TRIED TO COVER UP FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS PLEASE INVESTIGATE OR GOOGLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL YOU WILL COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF BUYERS WHO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 50,000 MILES OR MORE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT COVER OR CLAI…
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NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 -2006 DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANMISSIONS THAT NISSAN HAS TRIED TO COVER UP FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS PLEASE INVESTIGATE OR GOOGLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL YOU WILL COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF BUYERS WHO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 50,000 MILES OR MORE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT COVER OR CLAIM ITS SOMETHING ISOLATED WRONG ,AND JUST HOW TOYOTA TRIED TO COVER THERE TRACKS NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL AND I HOPE WHOEVER READS THIS PLEASE INVESTIGATE IT AND THE PROOF IS THERE ALL WE NEED IS HELP MY NEXT STEP IS CONTACTING A LAWYER. WE AS CONSUMERS PAY ALOT OF MONEY FOR THESE VEHICLES AND THEY SHOULD PERFORM PROPERLY. VERY HARD JERKING IN TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327279
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2010
Power Train
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION HARD TRANSMISSION JERKS ALMOST CAUSING MAJOR ACCIDENT NISSAN NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THOUSANDS OF CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327272
54,000 miles · Apr 24, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricVehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN 2003 RIGHT AFTER THE REDESIGN,AND EVERY SINCE I HAVE HAD IT LITTLE THINGS START GOING WRONG. AT 39,000 MILES MAJOR THINGS START GOING WRONG NOW AT 54,000 MILES I HAVE NO ABS BRAKING SYSTEM,AND OTHER THINGS SEEMS TO START ACTING UP. I HAVE TRIED ASKING NISSAN FOR HELP BUT THEY TOLD ME TO GET LOST.…
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I BOUGHT A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN 2003 RIGHT AFTER THE REDESIGN,AND EVERY SINCE I HAVE HAD IT LITTLE THINGS START GOING WRONG. AT 39,000 MILES MAJOR THINGS START GOING WRONG NOW AT 54,000 MILES I HAVE NO ABS BRAKING SYSTEM,AND OTHER THINGS SEEMS TO START ACTING UP. I HAVE TRIED ASKING NISSAN FOR HELP BUT THEY TOLD ME TO GET LOST. I WISH THE TSB WOULD LOOK OUT FOR THE CONSUMERS AND GET THEM SOME RELIEF. I GUESS THE ONLY THING WE AS CONSUMER CAN DO IS GET A LAWYER AND SUE UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND I KNOW YOU DON'T NEED ANY MONEY TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY. I KNOW THAT 928 COMPLAINTS THAT SOME THING IS WRONG WITH THE PRODUCT,AND I AM SURE THAT THE COURTS WILL AGREE WITH ME. I HAD HIGH HOPES FOR NISSAN CARS BUT NOW IF YOU TRY TO GIVE ME ONE I WOULD TRY AND HAVE YOU COMMITTED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN EVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327247
84,000 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON THE NISSAN 2004 IS NOT ONLY FAULTY BUT DANGEROUS. THE PROBLEM COMES FROM A SHORT ON THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SENSOR SHORT WHICH IN TURNS CAUSES THE ABS MODULE TO FAIL. THE ABS MOTOR WILL RUN EVEN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION CAUSING THE BATTERY AND MOTOR TO BECOME VERY HOT. *TR
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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