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
114,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFT ERRATICALLY! SLIPS, CLUNKS, SLAMS INTO OR OUT OF GEAR! THERE ARE TIMES IT IS SO BAD THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE ON PUBLIC ROADS OR HIGHWAYS. SINCE I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM I HAVE READ MANY OTHER OF THE COMPLAINTS WHOM DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEMS. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR/TRANSMISSION. THE KNOW…
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TRANSMISSION SHIFT ERRATICALLY! SLIPS, CLUNKS, SLAMS INTO OR OUT OF GEAR! THERE ARE TIMES IT IS SO BAD THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE ON PUBLIC ROADS OR HIGHWAYS. SINCE I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM I HAVE READ MANY OTHER OF THE COMPLAINTS WHOM DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEMS. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR/TRANSMISSION. THE KNOW IT IS A DEADLY PROBLEM. IF THERE HAVE BEEN "UNEXPLAINED" INJURY OR DEADLY ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE NISSAN MAXIMA THE NHTSB MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AND CAUSING THE DEADLY ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10747509
120,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10736073
76,000 miles · Jul 18, 2015
Unknown Or Other
FLOORBOARDS ON '04 MAXIMA COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. CAR IS 1 OWNER, GARAGED, LOW MILEAGE. REAR SUB FRAME PART WAS REPLACED ON RECALL SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. REASON- NOT SUITABLE FOR NORTHERN CLIMATE. CAR WAS BOUGHT AND IS STILL IN ST. LOUIS AREA
NHTSA ODI #10734921
130,000 miles · Jul 12, 2015
Power Train
TRANSMISSION JERKS REALLY HARD WHEN DRIVING AND GOING INTO GEAR. ALSO WHILE DRIVING IT DOESNT WANT TO SHIFT AT TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #10733507
104,328 miles · Jul 3, 2015
Structure
I NOTICED A SMELL WHEN I WAS DRIVING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SO I TOOK MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA INTO A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT I TRUST ON 6/26/15. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN THE AIR, IT TOOK HIM TWO SECONDS TO NOTE THE PROBLEM: THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE COMPLETELY ROTTING/RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT.…
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I NOTICED A SMELL WHEN I WAS DRIVING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SO I TOOK MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA INTO A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT I TRUST ON 6/26/15. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN THE AIR, IT TOOK HIM TWO SECONDS TO NOTE THE PROBLEM: THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE COMPLETELY ROTTING/RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. YOU CAN SEE MY CARPET THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MIND YOU, THERE IS NO HISTORY OF FLOOD DAMAGE TO THIS CAR (I PAID THE $40 FOR A CARFAX TO FIND OUT), AND I LIVE IN TENNESSEE, WHERE WE DO NOT GET ENOUGH SNOW FOR SALT TO CAUSE ANY DAMAGE. I'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB TAKING CARE OF MY CAR AND AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS SITUATION. I'VE ALSO DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, SO I KNOW I'M JUST ONE OF MANY 2004 MAXIMA OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS AN IMMENSE SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS TOLD I MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SAFELY FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO BEFORE I RISK MY SEAT FALLING FORWARD WITH ME IF I BRAKE TOO SUDDENLY. WITH AS MANY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT THE DAMAGE BEGINS LOCALIZED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, RESPECTIVELY, THIS APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE 2004 MAXIMA THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFETY OF THESE CARS' DRIVERS.
NHTSA ODI #10731852
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other
I JUST BOUGHT A 2004 MAXIMA ON AUGUST 2014.JUST BROUGHT THE CAR FOR A OIL AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT A HAVE A ROTTED FLOOR PANEL AN THE PASSANGER SIDE.WENT ON LINE AND NOTICE THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM.CAN YOU HELP? I DONT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE.I HAVE CHILDREN AND IAM AFRAID THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A ACC…
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I JUST BOUGHT A 2004 MAXIMA ON AUGUST 2014.JUST BROUGHT THE CAR FOR A OIL AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT A HAVE A ROTTED FLOOR PANEL AN THE PASSANGER SIDE.WENT ON LINE AND NOTICE THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM.CAN YOU HELP? I DONT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE.I HAVE CHILDREN AND IAM AFRAID THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10730806
139,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 76,000 MILES. NISSAN WOULD NOT HELP IN REPAIRS. FAILED AGAIN @ 139,000 MILES. SAFETY ISSUE WOULD BE WHEN CAR STOPS COMPLETELY AND YOUR CAR COULD GET REAR ENDED AND/OR WHEN IT JUST ALL OF THE SUDDEN SLOWS EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING. ALL THIS WITH LITTLE ONES IN THE CAR!
NHTSA ODI #10726938
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR GETS VERY JERKY AND CAUSES EITHER DELAYED OR UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHICH IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHILE DRIVING IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10726872
146,000 miles · Jun 22, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
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.
2004 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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