WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED BETWEEN 10-30MPH THE CAR RPM WILL SHIFT UP TO 4-5 WHILE STILL STUCK IN FIRST GEAR THEN IT WILL GIVE A VERY HARD JERK FORWARD!!!! THAT'S NOT SAFE. *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
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.
What owners actually said
1,425 reportsSECOND TIME THE REAR ABS SENSORS AND ACTUATOR HAVE TO BE REPLACED. COME ON NISSAN. YOU KNEW THERE WERE PROBLEMS HERE. I WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS FREQUENTLY, OFTEN HESITATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK/REVERSE/DRIVE AND WHEN SWITCHING FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD. THE SLIP OFTEN RESULTS IN LACK OF POWER TO THE WHEELS AND THEN A SUDDEN JERK WHEN IT DOES FINALLY KICK IN. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU PULL INTO TRAFFIC AND EXPECT THE VEHICLE TO AC…
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THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS FREQUENTLY, OFTEN HESITATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK/REVERSE/DRIVE AND WHEN SWITCHING FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD. THE SLIP OFTEN RESULTS IN LACK OF POWER TO THE WHEELS AND THEN A SUDDEN JERK WHEN IT DOES FINALLY KICK IN. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU PULL INTO TRAFFIC AND EXPECT THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND INSTEAD GET STUCK BETWEEN GEARS. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION SINCE IT IS APPARENT FROM ONLINE RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO ANY GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO ANY GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE CURRENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING TO 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED HARSHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 174,200. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE (EQUIPPED WITH SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) COMPONENT FAIURE: CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER 1ST OCCURENCE - APRIL 2008 ~31,000 MILES SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO PUT CAR INTO ANY GEAR WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS, EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF CLUTCH PE…
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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE (EQUIPPED WITH SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) COMPONENT FAIURE: CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER 1ST OCCURENCE - APRIL 2008 ~31,000 MILES SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO PUT CAR INTO ANY GEAR WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS, EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A BRIDGE, RESULTING IN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS TRYING TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY. JAMMED CAR INTO GEAR WITHOUT PRESSURE CLUTCH RESULTED IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES TO THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. NISSAN REPLACED THE FAILED CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400.00. TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED BY NISSAN UNDER WARRANTY. 2ND OCCURENCE - MARCH 2013 ~58,000 MILES SUDDEN PARTIAL LOSS (1/2) OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING HOME IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. NO LONGER CAN DRIVE CAR DUE TO SAFETY/RELIABILITY CONCERNS. IN BOTH OF THE OCCURENCES ABOVE, FULL CLUTCH PRESSURE RETURNED AFTER LETTING CAR SIT AND COLL DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR. A SEARCH OF THE WE REVEALED THAT MANY DRIVES OF NISSAN'S OF THIS VINTAGE HAVE EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE FAILURE. DEALER WILL NOT ADMIT IT IS A PROBLEM. *TR
NOTICED A PIECE OF METAL HANGING DOWN FROM UNDER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR. WHEN I BENT DOWN, NOTICED THAT IT WAS A PIECE OF SHEET METAL FROM THE FLOORBOARD. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR ONTO A LIFT, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ON THIS …
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NOTICED A PIECE OF METAL HANGING DOWN FROM UNDER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR. WHEN I BENT DOWN, NOTICED THAT IT WAS A PIECE OF SHEET METAL FROM THE FLOORBOARD. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR ONTO A LIFT, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ON THIS WEBSITE AND MANY OTHER PAGES ON THE INTERNET, PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT NISSAN HASN'T MADE ANY ATTEMPTS TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS POSES MANY SAFETY CONCERNS BESIDE THE OBVIOUS FOOT GOING THRU THE FLOOR OR WATER COMING UP THRU THE FLOOR, BUT ALSO POSES A SAFETY CONCERN OF FUMES MAKING THEIR WAY INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH NISSAN AND ITS RELIABILITY, BUT THIS ISN'T HELPING NISSAN'S CAUSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BODY VALVE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BODY VALVE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
ORIGINAL OWNER 2004 MAXIMA SE 3.5 TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN JERKING MOTION PROBLEM AFFECTING 3RD GEAR. HARD JERKS AS TRANS.DOWNSHIFTS ENGINE REVS-UP WHILE TRYING TO UPSHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. *TR
IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION WAS KNOCKING AND SLIPPING, HAD EXCESSIVE HIGH RPM'S CAUSING THE CAR TO "BURN RUBBER", AND JERKED HEAVILY WHEN SHIFTING. A RATING SEVERITY OF 10 IS GIVEN DUE TO HAVING HAD 4 NEAR MISS (POSSIBLE) ACCIDENTS IN A PERIOD OF 20 MINUTES. THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT…
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IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION WAS KNOCKING AND SLIPPING, HAD EXCESSIVE HIGH RPM'S CAUSING THE CAR TO "BURN RUBBER", AND JERKED HEAVILY WHEN SHIFTING. A RATING SEVERITY OF 10 IS GIVEN DUE TO HAVING HAD 4 NEAR MISS (POSSIBLE) ACCIDENTS IN A PERIOD OF 20 MINUTES. THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND ITEMS WERE REPLACED THAT THE MECHANIC SAID WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM (ENGINE MOUNTS). THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AGAIN AND DISPLAYED THE SAME DEFECTS. THE CAR MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THESE DEFECTS ON 3/7/2013. THESE CONDITIONS POSE A SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO MYSELF BUT ALSO TO MY PASSENGERS (WHICH ARE FAMILY AND FRIENDS), OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL AS INNOCENT PEDESTRIANS THAT MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH MY CAR WHEN I FINALLY DO HAVE THAT SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT DUE TO MY TRANSMISSION DEFECT. *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.
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