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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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100,500 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH APPROX 102K MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR QUITE REGULARLY. IT ALSO SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND BACK DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. AFTER READING SEVERAL BLOGS ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA BU…

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I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH APPROX 102K MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR QUITE REGULARLY. IT ALSO SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND BACK DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. AFTER READING SEVERAL BLOGS ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA BUT FOR SOME REASON THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. I FEEL AS THOUGH NISSAN SHOULD DEFINITELY BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM CONSIDERING HOW COMMON A PROBLEM IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275347

80,000 miles · Jun 29, 2009
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I HAVE OWNED 4 IN MY LIFE TIME. THIS MODEL HAS BEEN BY THE WORST! I'VE OWNED THE 86, 92, 00, 04. I PURCHASED THE 04 MODEL WITH 28K MILES ON IT. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO WATER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE AC UNIT. I MAY HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 OR 7 TIMES. MOST REC…

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I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I HAVE OWNED 4 IN MY LIFE TIME. THIS MODEL HAS BEEN BY THE WORST! I'VE OWNED THE 86, 92, 00, 04. I PURCHASED THE 04 MODEL WITH 28K MILES ON IT. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO WATER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE AC UNIT. I MAY HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 OR 7 TIMES. MOST RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN THE TRANSMISSION. IT STARTED AROUND 80K (RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED) IT JERKS EXTREMELY HARD WHEN ACCELERATING, AND IT JERKS ABOUT THE SAME WHEN I SLOW DOWN. I THOUGHT THIS HAD BEEN REPAIRED. I SPENT 1661.00 AT WITH ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR FEAR OF BEING OVER CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SAW SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO A RECALL DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSIONS THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE. READING FROM ANOTHER PERSONS POST, I REALIZED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY FOR ALL DAMAGES, NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS! IT IS NOT FAIR TO MAKE THE CONSUMER PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE NISSAN DECIDED TO CUT A FEW CORNERS. I ALSO THINK THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO RE-IMBURSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPENT THEIR MONEY ON HAVING THE TRANSMISSIONS REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275231

82,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Power Train

MYSELF AND OTHER OWNERS OF 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS ENCOUNTER PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARES JERK WHEN GOING INTO EACH GEAR AND DOWNSHIFTING. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE CAR MAY HESITATE. NISSAN DEALERS ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH ONLY SUBSIDES THE PROBL…

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MYSELF AND OTHER OWNERS OF 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS ENCOUNTER PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARES JERK WHEN GOING INTO EACH GEAR AND DOWNSHIFTING. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE CAR MAY HESITATE. NISSAN DEALERS ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH ONLY SUBSIDES THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AT ANYTIME, THE CAR CAN DELAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OF SOME SORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274680

60,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEARS. THE JERKING ALSO OCCURRED DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEARS. THE JERKING ALSO OCCURRED DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 45,000 MILES FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10274674

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2009
Power Train

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND I AM EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WHEN I SHIFT TO DRIVE AND LET OFF THE BRAKE, IT JERKS HARD, THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN CHANGING FROM 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, THIS ACTION IS STARTING TO HAPPEN OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274347

104,000 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Power Train

2004 MAXIMA TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2004 MODEL, YET NO RECALL FROM NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273939

80,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEAR SEEMS AS IF IT IS TOO HIGH AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS DURING DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEAR SEEMS AS IF IT IS TOO HIGH AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS DURING DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME FAILURE AND HE BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,000. UPDATED 7/1/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE GEAR WOULD READ 5TH GEAR ON THE DASH. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. UPDATED 07/07/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10273839

46,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Power Train

THE TRANSSMISSION HAS HAD A CONSTANT JERK BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. ALWAYS AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANS COOLER SEALS REPLACED 3 TIMES THEN THE COOLER ITS SELF. STILL ACTS UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273794

74 miles · Jun 14, 2009
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION STARTED MISSING JERKING WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND PICK UP SPEED IT JERK HARDER THIS PROBLEM WOULD STOP AND START UP AGAIN SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND HAD THE TRANS REBUILD AND IT STILL DO THE SAME THING AFTER PAYING TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS PROBLEM YOU THANK THAT WOULD BE FIX BUT I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN TH…

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MY TRANSMISSION STARTED MISSING JERKING WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND PICK UP SPEED IT JERK HARDER THIS PROBLEM WOULD STOP AND START UP AGAIN SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND HAD THE TRANS REBUILD AND IT STILL DO THE SAME THING AFTER PAYING TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS PROBLEM YOU THANK THAT WOULD BE FIX BUT I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273726

65,000 miles · Jun 12, 2009
Power Train

6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION: PUSHING IN CLUTCH BECAME ROUGH, THOUGHT IT NEEDED A CLUTCH. NOT SO, FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY-WIDE KNOWN DESIGN FLAW IN THE NISSAN SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION; THREE LITTLE BRASS RINGS BETWEEN GEARS #3 & #4. THE DEMAND FOR THE REPAIR KIT FROM JAPAN IS SO GREAT, IT TAKES 2 WEE…

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6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION: PUSHING IN CLUTCH BECAME ROUGH, THOUGHT IT NEEDED A CLUTCH. NOT SO, FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY-WIDE KNOWN DESIGN FLAW IN THE NISSAN SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION; THREE LITTLE BRASS RINGS BETWEEN GEARS #3 & #4. THE DEMAND FOR THE REPAIR KIT FROM JAPAN IS SO GREAT, IT TAKES 2 WEEKS TO GET. 5,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, NISSAN WOULD NOT DISCUSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273642

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.