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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.

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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

2 reports
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132,489 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10264878

29,000 miles · Jan 30, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OF THE GEARS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CLUTCH SYSTEM TWICE, YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ANOTHER DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OF THE GEARS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CLUTCH SYSTEM TWICE, YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ANOTHER DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY PARKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FULE PUMP AND MAP SENSOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10216470

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.