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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
80,000 miles · May 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN 2006.THE FIRST YEAR MY TIRES WERE ON RECALL.THAT SAME YEAR MY CAR HAD A RATTLING NOISE WHEN YOU START THE CAR. ONE DAY DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET WITH MY KIDS THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVING PAST 20 MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO …

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I PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN 2006.THE FIRST YEAR MY TIRES WERE ON RECALL.THAT SAME YEAR MY CAR HAD A RATTLING NOISE WHEN YOU START THE CAR. ONE DAY DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET WITH MY KIDS THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVING PAST 20 MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS A CAM CRANK SENSOR. THAT COST ME 441.46 CENTS. THE CAR WAS NOW DRIVING ON 4TH AND 5TH GEAR.THAT WAS ON 10/10/O8.THIS PAST YEAR ON 1/22/09 THE DEALER CALLED ME TO SAY THAT NISSAN RECALLED THE REAR SUSPENSION MEMBRANE. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO GET FIXED I WAS THEN TOLD MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. NISSAN DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THIS BILL. I PAID 3,000 TO REPLACE THE TRASMISSION. MY CAR IS STILL RATTLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269569

95,000 miles · May 19, 2009
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TWO YEARS AGO AND WITH ABOUT 75,000.00 MILES ON THE CAR. I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AROUND 95,000 MILES WITH THE HARD SHIFT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. I ALSO HAD A VERY HARD SHIFT BETWEEN REVERSE AND FIRST. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS AND HAD THE TRANSMISSIO…

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I PURCHASED MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TWO YEARS AGO AND WITH ABOUT 75,000.00 MILES ON THE CAR. I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AROUND 95,000 MILES WITH THE HARD SHIFT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. I ALSO HAD A VERY HARD SHIFT BETWEEN REVERSE AND FIRST. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE (TRANSMISSION FLUSH) AND EVEN CHANGED THE GRADE OF OIL BUT DO NOT HAVE ANY CHANGE IN THE HARD SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. FINALLY, I TOOK IT INTO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING, CV JOINT AND TIE ROD END WERE WORN. I HAD THEM REPLACED AROUND 105,000 MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE WITH THE HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN ANY GEAR. I HOPE THIS HELP OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS. THESE ARE GREAT CARS (THIS IS OUR THIRD ONE). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269449

89,386 miles · May 19, 2009
Wheels

NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 . MY WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT IN MY CAR I UNDERSTAND THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A NEWER MODEL NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269407

56,306 miles · May 19, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 10 MILES AWAY TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE TIRE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 10 MILES AWAY TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE TIRE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GOODYEAR FOR TIRES WITH DOT NUMBERS WITH THE 47TH WEEK AND A RANGE OF 3104. THE RECALL EXPIRED IN DECEMBER OF 2007. GOODYEAR REIMBURSED HIM FOR TWO TIRES SINCE THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO DECEMBER OF 2007. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2009 WITH A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A, SIZE 245/45/R18. THE DOT NUMBER WAS MGA9CMDR0506. THE LOW PROFILE TIRES CONTINUE TO FAIL DUE TO THE SIDEWALL CRACKING. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. HE HAS PHOTOS AND INVOICES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,306. UPDATED 6/01/09 *CN UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB ALL OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD CRACKED SIDEWALLS. UPDATED 10/07/09

NHTSA ODI #10269379

50,000 miles · May 14, 2009
Power Train

PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268773

80,000 miles · May 14, 2009
Power Train

THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM WITH 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AUTOMATIC TRANS. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET REGARDING TRANSMISSION JERKING AND SLIPPING ON THESE PARTICULAR CARS. NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. MY MAXIMA JERKS REALLY HARD WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM REVERSE TO FIRST WHILE BACKING OUT. ALSO…

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THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM WITH 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AUTOMATIC TRANS. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET REGARDING TRANSMISSION JERKING AND SLIPPING ON THESE PARTICULAR CARS. NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. MY MAXIMA JERKS REALLY HARD WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM REVERSE TO FIRST WHILE BACKING OUT. ALSO JERKS SUDDENLY WHILE DOWN SHIFTING ON FREEWAY OR STREETS FROM 4 TO 3 RD GEAR. I AM REALLY NERVOUS DRIVING THIS CAR IT JERKS OFTEN AND TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WILL COST ABOUT $4000. THIS CAR IS 5 YRS OLD. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268760

95,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD, DID NOT HAVE THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND HAD CAR SHUT OFF AND COULD HEAR A MOTOR OR PUMP RUNNING. DETERMINED IT WAS THE ABS PUMP, VEHICLE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT NOW NISSAN IS CHARGING $1500.00 TO FIX PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR IS NOT FIXED AND SITTING UNDER CA…

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RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD, DID NOT HAVE THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND HAD CAR SHUT OFF AND COULD HEAR A MOTOR OR PUMP RUNNING. DETERMINED IT WAS THE ABS PUMP, VEHICLE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT NOW NISSAN IS CHARGING $1500.00 TO FIX PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR IS NOT FIXED AND SITTING UNDER CAR PORT UNTIL WE CAN RESOLVE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268411

73,000 miles · May 7, 2009
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION THAT PUTS THE CAR INTO GEAR AFTER 2 SECONDS OF THE ENGINE RACING. IT POPS INTO GEAR BY ITSELF AFTER 2 SECONDS WITH A BANG. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AROUND 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING/DECELERATING. IT DOES THIS WHEN HEATED UP AND FOR CARS AROUND 75,000 MILES. THIS CAN CAUSE MAJOR…

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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION THAT PUTS THE CAR INTO GEAR AFTER 2 SECONDS OF THE ENGINE RACING. IT POPS INTO GEAR BY ITSELF AFTER 2 SECONDS WITH A BANG. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AROUND 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING/DECELERATING. IT DOES THIS WHEN HEATED UP AND FOR CARS AROUND 75,000 MILES. THIS CAN CAUSE MAJOR LIFE THREATNING ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY CAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE 200 MORE CARS ON WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. I CALLED IN 1-800-NISSAN-1 BUT THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE MY MONEY. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. IT COST ME $2300 AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED YET. PLEASE CALL IN AND FILE A LAW SUITE FOR NOT RECALLING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267961

80,000 miles · May 6, 2009
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. JERKS BAD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AND DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST. GETTING WORST AS I DRIVE. TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED, BUT DID NOT HELP. I SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. WHY HAVEN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267819

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

MY CAR IS JERKING AND BUCKING BAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AND IT HAS NOT HELPED. OTHERS HAVE HAD VALVE BODY WORK DONE AND EVEN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CARS ARE STILL DOING THE SAME. THE TRANSMI…

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MY CAR IS JERKING AND BUCKING BAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AND IT HAS NOT HELPED. OTHERS HAVE HAD VALVE BODY WORK DONE AND EVEN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CARS ARE STILL DOING THE SAME. THE TRANSMISSIONS HAD TO HAVE BEEN POORLY BUILT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I AM STILL PAYING ON THE CAR AND HAVING MAJOR CAR ISSUES. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE CD PLAYER HAD TO REPAIRED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. UPDATED 01/21/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10267800

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.