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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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96,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Power Train

LAST NIGHT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO A BUSY STREET, UNKNOWN TO ME MY CAR WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. MY VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THE FAST APPROACHING TRAFFIC. NO MATTER WHAT I DID I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF 5TH GEAR NOR GET MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. I HAD…

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LAST NIGHT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO A BUSY STREET, UNKNOWN TO ME MY CAR WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. MY VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THE FAST APPROACHING TRAFFIC. NO MATTER WHAT I DID I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF 5TH GEAR NOR GET MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO TRAVEL VERY SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY TO GET HOME. WHILE HOME, I DECIDED TO RESEARCH MY PROBLEM WITH MY CAR ON THE INTERNET. TO MY SURPRISE, THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE OF CAR LISTED ON NUMEROUS WEB SITES. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE RESEARCHED, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING NOR ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS. FROM A SAFETY POINT OF VIEW, THIS PROBLEM IS JUST AS BAD AS A STUCK ACCELERATOR. I WONDER HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT AS MANY OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED WERE NOT ABLE TO REPORT WHAT HAD OCCURRED. WITH THE NUMBER OF 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA'S ON THE ROAD AND THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE NHTSA AND NISSAN NA SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER POSSIBLE INJURY AND DEATH. MY CAR IS NOW STUCK IN 5TH GEAR AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY LONGER AS THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS TO OCCUR. I WILL BE COPYING THIS COMPLAINT TO THE OFFICE OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, RICHARD BLUMENTHAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339801

83,500 miles · Jun 22, 2010
Power Train

OWN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SE AND HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PARTICULARLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND VICE VERSA. WHEN ACCELERATING AND BREAKING AT AROUND 20 MPH FEELS LIKE IT LOSES POWER. IT ALSO BUCKS WHEN BRAKING AT ABOUT 20 MPH. OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS SINCE AROUND 83500 MILES. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATES THE COD…

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OWN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SE AND HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PARTICULARLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND VICE VERSA. WHEN ACCELERATING AND BREAKING AT AROUND 20 MPH FEELS LIKE IT LOSES POWER. IT ALSO BUCKS WHEN BRAKING AT ABOUT 20 MPH. OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS SINCE AROUND 83500 MILES. BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATES THE CODES REVEAL THAT THERE IS A COMMUNICATION ERROR BETWEEN TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER. I CHECKED ONLINE FORUMS AND HAVE ZERO FAITH IN BRINGING THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND NOT GETTING RIPPED OFF. SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS BUT AT A SIGNIFICANT COST WHICH I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD COVER. I HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFETIME AND NEVER ONCE HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THEM. MY WIFE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING OUR KIDS IN THE CAR FOR FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND CRASHING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339558

110,000 miles · Jun 22, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE GEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 110,250. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ 11/9/10 *CN UPDATED 11/16/10

NHTSA ODI #10339533

87,000 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LUNGED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, BEFORE REGAINING NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LUNGED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, BEFORE REGAINING NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10339315

74,000 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING REPAIRS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING REPAIRS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 5 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART HAD SLIPPED OFF THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST. THE NEXT OCCASION OF OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/04/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10339306

65,245 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT MERGED INTO TRAFFIC AT 60 MPH AND THERE WAS A STRONG PULL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE ,BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTAR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT MERGED INTO TRAFFIC AT 60 MPH AND THERE WAS A STRONG PULL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE ,BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART ONCE PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,245 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,398.

NHTSA ODI #10336668

61,000 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH AUTO 5-SPEED. CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP IN 5TH GEAR AS I WAS PREPARING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY FROM A STANDING START, ON AN ON-RAMP; HAD NO POWER AND MY WIFE AND I ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED BY AN 18-WHEELER. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT EXIT, THE CAR STILL HAD JUST ONE GEAR AV…

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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH AUTO 5-SPEED. CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP IN 5TH GEAR AS I WAS PREPARING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY FROM A STANDING START, ON AN ON-RAMP; HAD NO POWER AND MY WIFE AND I ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED BY AN 18-WHEELER. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT EXIT, THE CAR STILL HAD JUST ONE GEAR AVAILABLE (5TH), AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. ONLY AFTER I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES DID THE OTHER GEARS "RETURN." BUT THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336353

79,000 miles · Jun 10, 2010
Power Train

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA ONLY AT 80,000 MILES JERKS WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE!!! THERE IS A 3 SECOND DELAY THEN IT JERKS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM SITTING AT A LIGHT OR HAVE MY CAR RUNNING THEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE JERKS STARTS. EVEN WHEN I AM DRIVING IT'S STARTING TO JERK A LITTLE. I BOUGHT A NISSAN BECAUSE TH…

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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA ONLY AT 80,000 MILES JERKS WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE!!! THERE IS A 3 SECOND DELAY THEN IT JERKS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM SITTING AT A LIGHT OR HAVE MY CAR RUNNING THEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE JERKS STARTS. EVEN WHEN I AM DRIVING IT'S STARTING TO JERK A LITTLE. I BOUGHT A NISSAN BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DEPENDABLE LONG LASTING CARS. I WOULD HOPE THAT IT WOULD LAST OVER A 100,000 MILES BEFORE ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTED .NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THIS CAR ENDS UP HURTING SOMEBODY BECAUSE NISSAN REFUSE TO RECALL THIS ISSUE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFAULT! NISSAN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM! THEY ACTED LIKE NO ONE ELSE IS COMPLAINING. SO PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS MANUFACTURE DEFECT BECAUSE NISSAN SEEMS NOT TO CARE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335750

69,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS HARD SHIFTING FROM 1-2 2-3 SMALL VIBRATION THAT CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED BY DEALER OR TIRE SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335364

80,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SHE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DID ADVISE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS UNUSUALLY DARK IN COLOR. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SHE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DID ADVISE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS UNUSUALLY DARK IN COLOR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10335339

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.