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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

Power Train complaints

934 reports
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100,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND LOVED IT UNTIL A YEAR AGO. AT AROUND 100,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED STALLING AND JUMPING. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT IS SLIPPING SO BADLY THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE WARRANTY AND NOW NISSAN SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT…

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I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND LOVED IT UNTIL A YEAR AGO. AT AROUND 100,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED STALLING AND JUMPING. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT IS SLIPPING SO BADLY THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE WARRANTY AND NOW NISSAN SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400060

84,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH AND ABOVE, HE WOULD HEAR A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH AND ABOVE, HE WOULD HEAR A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10399885

149,786 miles · May 10, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND JERKING, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER MAXIMA COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399797

80,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Power Train

ONE MONTH AFTER PAYING OFF MY 2004 MAXIMA, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD SLAM INTO 1ST FROM 2ND GEAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN, OR JERK INTO 2ND OR 3RD WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN I WOULD HAVE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE, IT WOULD JERK INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE. I BROUGHT IT INTO A NISSAN DEALER AND THEY TOLD M…

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ONE MONTH AFTER PAYING OFF MY 2004 MAXIMA, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD SLAM INTO 1ST FROM 2ND GEAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN, OR JERK INTO 2ND OR 3RD WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN I WOULD HAVE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE, IT WOULD JERK INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE. I BROUGHT IT INTO A NISSAN DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE MOTOR MOUNTS - NEEDED 3 REPLACED AND HAD A FEW OTHER THINGS DONE - $2,000. A WEEK LATER IT IS DOING THE SAME THING - NOT QUITE AS BAD AS BEFORE - BUT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $3,750 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT AND FROM READING ALL OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE, NHTS WEBSITE AND OTHER BLOGS, THIS IS A DEFINITE NISSAN PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE CARS. I HAVE ALREADY ADVISED ANYONE AND EVERYONE THAT I TALK TO NOT TO EVER BUY A NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399634

86,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING FROM FIRST TO SECOND AND OCCASIONALLY THRID GEAR THE VEHICLE WILL JERK AND SOMETIMES HESISTATE WHEN SHIFITING TO THE NEXT GEAR. AFTER SEEING OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE, I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10399343

105,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE RPMS WOULD ALSO INCREASE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE RPMS WOULD ALSO INCREASE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399089

88,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. CAR RPM'S GO WAY HIGH AND THEN JERKS AND GOES INTO GEAR. HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR IS WARMED UP. DOES NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY BUT IT DOES HAPPEN GETTING OFF AN EXIT. DOWNSHIFTING FROM GEARS 3 TO 2 THE CAR JERKS AND HESITATES ALMOST GIVING ME WHIPLASH. I WENT TO A NISSAN DEAL…

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SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. CAR RPM'S GO WAY HIGH AND THEN JERKS AND GOES INTO GEAR. HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR IS WARMED UP. DOES NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY BUT IT DOES HAPPEN GETTING OFF AN EXIT. DOWNSHIFTING FROM GEARS 3 TO 2 THE CAR JERKS AND HESITATES ALMOST GIVING ME WHIPLASH. I WENT TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BUT THE TEST CAN BACK WITH NO PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BUT IT IS MY ONLY WAY OF TRANSPORTATION SO I HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING IT. NISSAN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THERE MISTAKE AND HAVE THE CAR RECALLED. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.. PLEASE HELP US OUT AND DO THE RIGHT THING TO MAKE OUR CARS SAFER TO DRIVE..THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10398973

79,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR OR FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR OR FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10398245

95,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10398208

100,000 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Power Train

MAXIMA 04 PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, SOMETIMES IT SLIPS FREELY AND THEN IT TAKES AGAIN CAUSING THE ONE DRIVING TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NISSAN MUST RECALL MAXIMA 04 MODELS TO FIX TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397484

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.