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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
135,000 miles · Jul 12, 2009
Power Train

5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. 3 TO 5 SECOND DELAY PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS 1-2-3. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION STICKS IN 5TH GEAR EVEN WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276446

84,800 miles · Jul 9, 2009
Power TrainCrash

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED MAXIMA 2004 WHEN I FIRST DROVE IT WITH 84000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS FINE BUT NOT BUT A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED TO JERK FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND SOMETIME INTO 3RD. I HAPPENSABOUT 50% OF THE TIME IN JUST ONE DAY! I HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE READ SO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME M…

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I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED MAXIMA 2004 WHEN I FIRST DROVE IT WITH 84000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS FINE BUT NOT BUT A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED TO JERK FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND SOMETIME INTO 3RD. I HAPPENSABOUT 50% OF THE TIME IN JUST ONE DAY! I HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE READ SO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276173

52,000 miles · Jul 7, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SL HAS A UNRELIABLE RESPONSE FROM THE PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCK. IT ONLY LOCK AND UNLOCK PARTIALLY, WHICH I BELIEVE IT IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTING TO SEE ON A BRAND CAR LIKE MAXIMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275997

123,000 miles · Jul 6, 2009
Power Train

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA KEEPS JERKING AND MY TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS WITH ONLY APPROXIMATELY 123K. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275869

60,000 miles · Jul 6, 2009
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. HAPPENS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. STARTED @ 60K. TRANSMISSION SERVICED THROUGH DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275835

80,000 miles · Jul 1, 2009
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SE AUTO. TRANSMISSION JERKS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND SLIPS FROM 1ST TO 2ND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275412

100,500 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH APPROX 102K MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR QUITE REGULARLY. IT ALSO SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND BACK DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. AFTER READING SEVERAL BLOGS ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA BU…

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I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH APPROX 102K MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR QUITE REGULARLY. IT ALSO SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND BACK DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. AFTER READING SEVERAL BLOGS ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA BUT FOR SOME REASON THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. I FEEL AS THOUGH NISSAN SHOULD DEFINITELY BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM CONSIDERING HOW COMMON A PROBLEM IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275347

80,000 miles · Jun 29, 2009
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I HAVE OWNED 4 IN MY LIFE TIME. THIS MODEL HAS BEEN BY THE WORST! I'VE OWNED THE 86, 92, 00, 04. I PURCHASED THE 04 MODEL WITH 28K MILES ON IT. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO WATER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE AC UNIT. I MAY HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 OR 7 TIMES. MOST REC…

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I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I HAVE OWNED 4 IN MY LIFE TIME. THIS MODEL HAS BEEN BY THE WORST! I'VE OWNED THE 86, 92, 00, 04. I PURCHASED THE 04 MODEL WITH 28K MILES ON IT. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO WATER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE AC UNIT. I MAY HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 OR 7 TIMES. MOST RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN THE TRANSMISSION. IT STARTED AROUND 80K (RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED) IT JERKS EXTREMELY HARD WHEN ACCELERATING, AND IT JERKS ABOUT THE SAME WHEN I SLOW DOWN. I THOUGHT THIS HAD BEEN REPAIRED. I SPENT 1661.00 AT WITH ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR FEAR OF BEING OVER CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SAW SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO A RECALL DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSIONS THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE. READING FROM ANOTHER PERSONS POST, I REALIZED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY FOR ALL DAMAGES, NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS! IT IS NOT FAIR TO MAKE THE CONSUMER PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE NISSAN DECIDED TO CUT A FEW CORNERS. I ALSO THINK THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO RE-IMBURSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPENT THEIR MONEY ON HAVING THE TRANSMISSIONS REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275231

82,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Power Train

MYSELF AND OTHER OWNERS OF 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS ENCOUNTER PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARES JERK WHEN GOING INTO EACH GEAR AND DOWNSHIFTING. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE CAR MAY HESITATE. NISSAN DEALERS ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH ONLY SUBSIDES THE PROBL…

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MYSELF AND OTHER OWNERS OF 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS ENCOUNTER PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARES JERK WHEN GOING INTO EACH GEAR AND DOWNSHIFTING. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE CAR MAY HESITATE. NISSAN DEALERS ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH ONLY SUBSIDES THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AT ANYTIME, THE CAR CAN DELAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OF SOME SORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274680

60,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEARS. THE JERKING ALSO OCCURRED DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEARS. THE JERKING ALSO OCCURRED DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 45,000 MILES FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10274674

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.