IllustrationTHE CAR IS JERKING IS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS ALSO REVVING WHILE DRIVING. *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
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
Power Train complaints
934 reportsCAR JERKS WHEN GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. SOMETIMES IT WON'T GO AT ALL. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THE CAR STARTED TO JERK. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND START AGAIN THE CAR WOULD JERK REALLY HARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS JERKING IS VERY SCARY AND IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER JUST WORST AND NOW I'M THIN…
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AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THE CAR STARTED TO JERK. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND START AGAIN THE CAR WOULD JERK REALLY HARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS JERKING IS VERY SCARY AND IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER JUST WORST AND NOW I'M THINKING IT'S TIME TO FIND A NEW CAR. THE BODY OF THE CAR AND EVERYTHING IS FINE BUT JUST JERKING THAT I GET WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR IS REALLY CONCERNING. *TR
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES. IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND OCCASIONALLY DELAYS IN ENGAGING IN DRIVE ESPECIALLY AFTER SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS AND MAY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, IT SLAMS INTO 2ND GEAR AND/OR HESITATES SHIFTING INTO IT. WHEN IDLE AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THERE IS A 2-3 DELAY AND THE CAR JERKS AND SLAMS INTO THAT GEAR. THE JERK IS AGGRESSIVE AND CAN CAUSE IN INJURY. THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND CONSTANTLY JERKS AND SLAMS INT…
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WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, IT SLAMS INTO 2ND GEAR AND/OR HESITATES SHIFTING INTO IT. WHEN IDLE AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THERE IS A 2-3 DELAY AND THE CAR JERKS AND SLAMS INTO THAT GEAR. THE JERK IS AGGRESSIVE AND CAN CAUSE IN INJURY. THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND CONSTANTLY JERKS AND SLAMS INTO GEAR. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED, THEY MECHANICS SAY IT WILL EITHER NEED A NEW VALVE BODY OR NEW TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH 112K MILES ON IT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2004-2006 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE. *TR
WENT TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN CAR STARTED TO POUND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE THE STOP SIGN CAR MOVED BUT VERY HARD. THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS THE STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE NO WARNING ITS EVEN STALLED MY CAR AND LEFT ME STRANDED. THERE HAS BEEN TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS . WHEN I CALLED THE NISSAN COMPANY THEY SAID TAKE TO A NISSA…
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WENT TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN CAR STARTED TO POUND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE THE STOP SIGN CAR MOVED BUT VERY HARD. THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS THE STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE NO WARNING ITS EVEN STALLED MY CAR AND LEFT ME STRANDED. THERE HAS BEEN TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS . WHEN I CALLED THE NISSAN COMPANY THEY SAID TAKE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO LOOK AT IT AND LET THEM KNOW. YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS THEN THEY TELL YOU SORRY THEY CANT HELP THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND ITS A HORRIBLE EXPENSE A USED REBUILT IS 3000 DOLLARS IT HORRIBLE. SO I HAVE THIS CAR IN BEAUTIFUL SHAPE THAT JUST SITS CAUSE I CANT PAY TO FIX IT. *TR
WHENEVER I SHIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR PAUSES AND THEN JERKS, SAME JERK BEHAVIOR HAPPENS WHENEVER I SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I CAN FEEL THE CAR HESITATING WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. *TR
TAKING OFF FROM INTERSECTION CAR SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. SOMETIME IT WILL SLIP IN INTERSECTIONS AND CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES. SLIPS, SHIFTS ERRATICALLY ON HIGHWAY AS WELL. *TR
IN 2012 MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. IT WOULD JERK, IDLE UP, AND TAKE A WHILE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN 2012 FOR $3,725.64. SINCE HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED, I SPOKE TO ABOUT 5 OWNERS OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I MET AT THE GAS STATION OR GROCERY STO…
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IN 2012 MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. IT WOULD JERK, IDLE UP, AND TAKE A WHILE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN 2012 FOR $3,725.64. SINCE HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED, I SPOKE TO ABOUT 5 OWNERS OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I MET AT THE GAS STATION OR GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHO TOLD ME THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE. APPARENTLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN TRANSMISSION BUT NISSAN IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE HELP US IN THIS EFFORT TO INVESTIGATE AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH *TR
MY 2004 MAXIMA IS HESITATING TO SHIFT AN IM DISABLE LIVING ON 700 DOLLARS A MONTH. MY DAUGHTER IS IN COLLEGE DRIVING THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC AN IM AFRAID SHE IS GOING TO GET HURT MAKING LEFT TURNS IN THIS CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE CALLS WITH ME DRIVING IT,BUT I LIVE IN SOUTH GA. WHERE PEOPLE ARE MORE SENSIBLE TOWARD OTHERS. THIS IS…
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MY 2004 MAXIMA IS HESITATING TO SHIFT AN IM DISABLE LIVING ON 700 DOLLARS A MONTH. MY DAUGHTER IS IN COLLEGE DRIVING THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC AN IM AFRAID SHE IS GOING TO GET HURT MAKING LEFT TURNS IN THIS CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE CALLS WITH ME DRIVING IT,BUT I LIVE IN SOUTH GA. WHERE PEOPLE ARE MORE SENSIBLE TOWARD OTHERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AN SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED FROM THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TO GET A USED TRANSMISSION UNDER 1500 DOLLARS THAT I HAD TO BORROW TO KEEP MY CHILD SAFE. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD COUNTABLE FOR THIS. I PAID 19000 DOLLARS FOR THIS CAR AND YOUR SCREW UP IS COSTING ME TO PUT A 2002-2003 TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN ALBANY GA. ARE THANKING NISSAN FOR THEIR 2500-3000 CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE 2004-2005 MAXIMA OWNERS ARE SPENDING WITH THEM AND MY TRANSMISSION OWNER MADE THIS STATEMENT TO ME. AATCO TRANSMISSION OF ALBANY WHO STATES HE HAS REDONE SO MANY VALVE BODIES ON THESE CARS. I GUESS SOME ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN WHEN PEOPLE THAT DOES NOT HAS THE FUNDINGS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THEMSELVES. I HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS UNTIL I FOUND THE MONEY AN IT BROKE ALL MY MOTOR MOUNTS FROM THE JERKING AND HARD SHIFTING. *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.