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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

Suspension complaints

102 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2006
Suspension

LOUD RATTLE HOLLOW SOUNDS FROM FRONT END . REPLACED STRUTS NOW 4 TIMES IN 8 MONTHS I THINK A RECALL IS IN ORDER I WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD COMPLAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153761

22,000 miles · Mar 14, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING SUDDEN ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 50MPH. PREVIOUSLY, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STRUT DUE TO A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEERING PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE STRUT WAS REPLACED. WHEN THE VEH…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING SUDDEN ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 50MPH. PREVIOUSLY, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STRUT DUE TO A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEERING PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE STRUT WAS REPLACED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO VEER DURING SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI #10152695

10,522 miles · Feb 25, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

10,522K MILES,- I BROKE DOWN DUE TO FAILURE OF ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH. 15,358K MILES,- I COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD RATTLING NOISE, LIKE A FLAT TIRE RATTLING GRINDING NOISE AND CAR FEELING SHAKY.= DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEM. CONTINUING DRIVING MY CAR THINKING EVERYTHING IS OK. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW SO …

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10,522K MILES,- I BROKE DOWN DUE TO FAILURE OF ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH. 15,358K MILES,- I COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD RATTLING NOISE, LIKE A FLAT TIRE RATTLING GRINDING NOISE AND CAR FEELING SHAKY.= DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEM. CONTINUING DRIVING MY CAR THINKING EVERYTHING IS OK. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW SO I SHOULDN'T REALLY WORRY. I WAS WRONG FOR THINKING THAT. 27,500 MI. -I BROKE DOWN AGAIN GOT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP,WHERE THEY REPLACED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR. 27,732-I BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE I JUST THOUGHT THE NOISE MY CAR STILL MADE DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT.= DEALERSHIP RESECURED HEATSHIELD 3. 26'099 MI.-R/F HEADLIGHT BULB BURNT OUT. DEALER FIXED THAT ONE. 28'071 MI.-LEFT SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNT OUT. DEALER REPLACED . 29,276 MI.- I PAID $300.00 FOR MY MAJOR SERVICE THAT WAS DUE FOR MY CAR, ALSO THINKING MAYBE MY CAR WOULDN'T BE AS NOISY AS IT IS. MAYBE THE DEALERSHIP MIGHT FIND THE PROBLEM. 31'431 MI.- I STILL HEAR THE GRINDING NOISE,THE COVER UNDER ENGINE WAS LOOSE, MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT COLD ENOUGH, AND THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS LOOSE.=THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE HEAT SHIELD FOR THE GRINDING NOISE, THEY FIXED THE LOOSE COVER UNDER ENGINE,FIXED CENTER CONSOLE, AND REPLACED LOW PRESSURE HOSE IN THE A/C. 31'813 MI.- CAR STILL MAKING THE GRINDING NOISE, I HEAR KNOCKING NOISES FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR WHEN I REVERSE, AND THE A/T LIGHT STAYS ON LONGER THAN NORMAL,THEN TURNES OFF.= DEALER REPLACED FRONT EXAUST PIPE, SAID THE KNOCKING NOISE I HEAR IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, IS FROM THE AFTERMARKET AIR CLEANER.(THAT IS IN THE FRONT OF CAR).WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP, I FELT LIKE THIS TIME MY CAR WAS GOING TO BE FIXED.I GOT IN MY HEADED FOR HOME.I HEARD THE SAME NOISE I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT SINCE 15,358 MI.I TURNED AROUND BROUGHT RIGHT BACK IN TO SERVICE.=THEY REPLACED THE REAR MANIFOLD AND CAT CONVERTER.I PICKED UP MY CAR BUT I STILL HEAR THE NOISE MY CAR MAKES AND IT IS LOUDER WHEN TURNING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151198

200 miles · Feb 8, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO SPECIFIC SPEED, THE FRONT END SHIMMIES AND VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE LEFT FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE RIGHT FRONT STRUTS FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT FOR TH…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO SPECIFIC SPEED, THE FRONT END SHIMMIES AND VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE LEFT FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE RIGHT FRONT STRUTS FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT FOR THE SIXTH TIME. HOWEVER, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, BUT VERY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10149798

7,000 miles · Jan 23, 2006
Suspension

SHIMMIED IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50- -60 MPH TO THE POINT OF LOOSING STEERING CONTROL OF 2004, NISSAN MAXIMA. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES AT MY EXPENSE AT LEAST 3 TIMES, WHICH HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. NO DEALER'S RESPONSE TO THE DILEMMA, AND, I HATE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS UNSAFE CONDITION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10148329

22,000 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Suspension

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE STRUTS WERE BROKEN. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE NOISE ECURRED. THE STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10147292

6,000 miles · Jan 2, 2006
EquipmentSuspension

I BOUGHT THIS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AT DIFEO NISSAN DEALERSHIP OF JERSEY CITY. SINCE I GOT IT, I HAD TO TAKE IT FOUR TIMES TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE FRONT STRUTS. RIGHT NOW AS I AM SENDING YOU THIS EMAIL, I CAN HEAR THAT SOUND AGAIN. THIS IS CAUSING ME A LOT OF INCONVIENCE, SO I WOULD BE GLAD IF SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. …

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I BOUGHT THIS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AT DIFEO NISSAN DEALERSHIP OF JERSEY CITY. SINCE I GOT IT, I HAD TO TAKE IT FOUR TIMES TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE FRONT STRUTS. RIGHT NOW AS I AM SENDING YOU THIS EMAIL, I CAN HEAR THAT SOUND AGAIN. THIS IS CAUSING ME A LOT OF INCONVIENCE, SO I WOULD BE GLAD IF SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE GOING THROUGH ALL THIS FRUSTRATION FOR A CAR I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY FOR. SECONDLY THE C.D. DON'T PLAY WHEN IT'S COLD IN THE CAR. PLEASE COULD SOMEONE GET BACK TO ME OR DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS FOR ME PLEASE. THANK YOU,SEEPERSAUD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146701

100 miles · Dec 30, 2005
SteeringSuspension

I THINK YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF SHIMMY OR VIBRATION IN THE MAXIMA'S 2004-2005-2006. MY CAR HAS THE SHIMMY AND I AND THE DEALER HAVE DONE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING NISSAN SAYS TO DO TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I EVEN BOUGHT NEW TIRES ANOTHER BRAND AND IT IS STILL THERE. $$$ WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT THERE IS A CONSTANT SHIMMY…

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

NHTSA ODI #10146609

62,000 miles · Dec 7, 2005
Suspension

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS HAD 3 SETS OF FRONT STRUTS REPLACED STARTING AT 8K MILES FROM NEW...THE DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THE NEED FOR A FORTH SET OF FRONT STRUTS AT 62K MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144678

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

FRONT STRUTS REPLACED ON MY BRAND NEW 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AFTER 9 MONTHS. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS TURNED AFTER 18K MILES. I KNOW OF OTHERS THAT HAD/HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10133132

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.