I HAVING MAJOR TRANSMISSION JERKING FROM MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE JERKING APPEARS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR GET HOT. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
1,425 reportsPROBLEM WITH STEERING WHEEL SHAKING BADLY WHILE BRAKING. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW TIRES AT FIRST SOON AFTER OWNERSHIP. I BOUGHT THIS MAXIMA NEW IN 2003 WITH ABOUT 10 MILES ON IT. COUPLE YEARS LATER HAD TO TAKE BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR BAD TIRES/CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALLS. HAD TWO NEW TIRES PUT ON AND HAD THE ROTORS MACHINED. PR…
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PROBLEM WITH STEERING WHEEL SHAKING BADLY WHILE BRAKING. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW TIRES AT FIRST SOON AFTER OWNERSHIP. I BOUGHT THIS MAXIMA NEW IN 2003 WITH ABOUT 10 MILES ON IT. COUPLE YEARS LATER HAD TO TAKE BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR BAD TIRES/CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALLS. HAD TWO NEW TIRES PUT ON AND HAD THE ROTORS MACHINED. PROBLEM RECURRED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER HAVING ROTORS MACHINED WITH SOME IMPROVEMENT, BUT NOW THE PROBLEM IS WORSE THAN EVER. BOUGHT TWO MORE TIRES AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS WHEN I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE BRAKEPADS, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE ONCE. FOG LIGHT ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED WHILE GETTING AN INSPECTION. HAD TO REPLACE A BATTERY WHICH MADE MY GAS GAUGE FAIL/CURRENTLY DOES NOT WORK. PUT GAS IN EVERY 300 MILES SO I DON'T GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD. CARE RUNS BADLY AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE/CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD TAKE THIS VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT SERIOUSLY HURTS SOMEBODY. *TR
MY PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ONE THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. I AM A USED CAR DEALER AND HAVE BOUGHT (3) 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS SL. EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW ANY SENSIBLE PERSON READING THIS COMPLAINT WOULD SIMPLY SAY "IDIOT, STOP BUYING NISSANS!!! BUT I WAS TRYING TO GIVE OUR AUTO INDUSTRY THE B…
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MY PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ONE THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. I AM A USED CAR DEALER AND HAVE BOUGHT (3) 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS SL. EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW ANY SENSIBLE PERSON READING THIS COMPLAINT WOULD SIMPLY SAY "IDIOT, STOP BUYING NISSANS!!! BUT I WAS TRYING TO GIVE OUR AUTO INDUSTRY THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT THAT SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY WOULD AT LEAST REALIZE AND ADMIT THAT , MAYBE ITS NOT THE WORLD THAT HAS THE PROBLEM. IT'S THE 2004 MAXIMA TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN THE CAR GETS WARM, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH. IT ALSO JERKS AND DELAYS (ONCE IT GETS HOT) WHEN GOING INTO GEAR. SEVERAL CREDIBLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS (I.E. MR. TRANSMISSION), HAVE TRACED IT BACK THE SAME THING. THE FAULTY VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. NOW AS A VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AND AFTER READING COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ; SURELY THERE HAS TO BE SOME NON-BIASED AGENCY, WATCH DOG, OR AUTHORITY THAT IS NOT GOING TO LET THESE CAR-MAKING BULLIES RIP ALL OF THESE PEOPLE OFF ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE A BUSINESS TO RUN AND THAT THEY CAN'T JUST STAY IN BUSINESS FIXING EVERY SINGLE COMPLAINT THAT AROUSES BUT THIS IS NOT A QUICK FIX FOR THE CONSUMERS AND IT IS COSTING HARD WORKING CONSUMERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP THE WORKING CLASS. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, CONSTANT KNOCK BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, ALSO GETS STUCK ON 5TH GEAR. *TR
TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IS SLIPPING. IT WILL NOT ALWAYS GO INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. *TR
TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR
TRANSMISSION ON 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR, AND FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR. IT ALSO SHIFTS VERY VIOLENTLY, SPORADICALLY, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER, AFTER PERFO…
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TRANSMISSION ON 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR, AND FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR. IT ALSO SHIFTS VERY VIOLENTLY, SPORADICALLY, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER, AFTER PERFORMING THE FLUSH, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. AFTER RETURNING FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW, REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE NISSANS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR QUALITY AND NEVER NEEDED THE AMOUNT OF MAJOR REPAIR SERVICES THAT I'VE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE, 110K. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 04 NISSAN MAXIMA IS BAD. IT KEEPS SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEAR 3 TO 2 OR 2 TO 3. IT JERKS VERY HEAVILY AND IS NOT GOOD. *TR
MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT IT JERKS VIOLENTLY WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND LOSSES POWER DURING ACCELERATION. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED AND WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL IT JERK VIOLENTLY LIKE SOMEONE HA…
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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT IT JERKS VIOLENTLY WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AND LOSSES POWER DURING ACCELERATION. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED AND WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL IT JERK VIOLENTLY LIKE SOMEONE HAD REAR-ENDED ME. THERE WAS A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME APPROACHING AT A RAPID SPEED. BECAUSE I HADN'T APPLIED MY BRAKES HE DIDN'T REALIZE MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM. I WAS TERRIFIED TO SAY THE LEAST. I MADE CALLS TO NISSAN BUT THEY COULD CARE LESS AND WILL ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. AFTER DOING SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH IN ASSESSING THE ISSUE AND TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MECHANICS HAVE DONE MANY THINGS LIKE NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS, ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED, FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENTS, ETC. NONE OF WHICH HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS JERKING WHEN GOING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR AND WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS MY MOTOR MOUNTS. I SPENT $500 REPLACING THEM AND IT STILL DID IT. WHEN I TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. NOW I JUST FORKED OUT $4000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. …
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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS JERKING WHEN GOING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR AND WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS MY MOTOR MOUNTS. I SPENT $500 REPLACING THEM AND IT STILL DID IT. WHEN I TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. NOW I JUST FORKED OUT $4000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WENT AND ONLINE AND SAW OVER 1,000 COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SAYING THAT THEIR CARS WERE DOING THE SAME THING. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON TRANSMISSIONS ON MY YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. *TR
Official recalls
205V512000 · 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
1PE04035 · 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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