IllustrationTHE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN I AM GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, OR FROM PARK TO DRIVE. IT WILL RANDOMLY JERK WHILE I AM DRIVING. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I AM SCARED TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL STALL! *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
What owners actually said
1,425 reportsRUSTING OF UNDERBODY {FLOOR BOARD} DRIVER AND PASSAGER, VISIBLE HOLES, DIAMETER SIZE OF OVER 1 FOOT. *TR
CD PLAYER DOES NOT CONNECT TO SPEAKERS. SOUND MUFFLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED HARD SHIFTING WITH A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED HARD SHIFTING WITH A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE BE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ROTTED OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT INTO GEAR EXCESSIVELY AND IT ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WITH FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
WHENEVER I FIRST CRANK MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE UP AND SHIFT THE GEARSHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE THERE WOULD BE A REALLY HARD KICK AND THEN WHEN I SHIFT IT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT WOULD KICK REALLY HARD AGAIN. AND THEN WHEN I START MOVING FORWARD IT WOULD BE SLOW BY PICKING UP SPEED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE STUCK IN 5TH GEAR INSTEAD …
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WHENEVER I FIRST CRANK MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE UP AND SHIFT THE GEARSHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE THERE WOULD BE A REALLY HARD KICK AND THEN WHEN I SHIFT IT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT WOULD KICK REALLY HARD AGAIN. AND THEN WHEN I START MOVING FORWARD IT WOULD BE SLOW BY PICKING UP SPEED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE STUCK IN 5TH GEAR INSTEAD OF BEING IN 1ST GEAR LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO BE IN. SO OTHER WORDS IT WOULD TAKE THE MAXIMA 45 SECONDS TO A MINUTE TO GET TO 55 TO 60 MPH. AND I ALREADY HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I BROUGHT IT FROM A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY FINALLY TOLD ME ITS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT COULD COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $3500 UP TO $4000 JUST TO GET IT REBUILD. AND I DEFINITELY DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO BE SPENDING ON GETTING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I HAVE HAD THIS MAXIMA EVERY SINCE MARCH 12, 2008 AND ITS BEEN GOOD TO ME UNTIL THIS HAPPEN. SO PLEASE COULD YOU HELP ME? IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED THANKS. *TR
AT 66,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY) THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN WARM,. (WARM DEFINED AS DRIVEN IN EXCESS OF 30-45 MINUTES). AT THAT POINT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR IMMEDIATELY. THEN CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SLAM INTO GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE UNEXPECTEDLY WE TOOK THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND DELIVERED TO NISSAN DEAL…
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AT 66,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY) THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN WARM,. (WARM DEFINED AS DRIVEN IN EXCESS OF 30-45 MINUTES). AT THAT POINT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR IMMEDIATELY. THEN CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SLAM INTO GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE UNEXPECTEDLY WE TOOK THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND DELIVERED TO NISSAN DEALER. AT FIRST THE NISSAN DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. EVENTUALLY, THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD TRANSMISSION. TO GET A SECOND OPINION WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE VALVE THROTTLE (A PART OF THE TRANSMISSION). HIS EXPERIENCES WERE THAT THIS WAS A FAULT HE HAD SEEN ON OTHER NISSAN TRANSMISSION SETS (VALVE BODY) IN THAT ERA COST OF PART WITH LABOR $1,895 - NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY NISSAN HAS NO RECALL OR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AVAILABLE ON THIS ISSUE ASIDE FROM COST, CAR SLAMMING INTO GEAR, LUNGING IS NOT SAFE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STOPPING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE IS PULSING WHILE STOPPING. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHO ALSO STATED IT IS A PROBLEM & THERE IS A BULLETIN REGARDING THE A…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STOPPING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE IS PULSING WHILE STOPPING. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHO ALSO STATED IT IS A PROBLEM & THERE IS A BULLETIN REGARDING THE ABS SYSTEM. YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. ONCE AGAIN NISSAN NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. NISSAN IS TELLING ME THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM CAN BE IN EXCESS OF $1500.00. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL. IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS A PROBLEM. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET RID OF MY NISSAN. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. I WILL ALSO BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH BBB, CONSUMER REPORTS, ALL AUTOMOBILE OUTLETS AND OF COURSE THE INTERNET. *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.