IllustrationNISSAN MAXIMA 2004 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SYMPTOMS STARTED AS A HARD JERK INTO GEAR WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND BACK TO DRIVE. I CHANGED THE FLUID AND THAT WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT THE HARD JERKING STARTED AGAIN WHICH LED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE TRANSMISSION BECAME HESITANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
SEEMS LIKE WHEN WEATHER IS WARM, TRANSMISSION JERKS IN 1,2,3 GEARS. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SPEEDING UP. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM MAKE AND MODEL. SHOULDN'T NISSAN BE MADE TO OWN THEIR ISSUE. MOST VEHICLES NEVER HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN REGULARLY SERVICED. NOT THE C…
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SEEMS LIKE WHEN WEATHER IS WARM, TRANSMISSION JERKS IN 1,2,3 GEARS. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SPEEDING UP. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM MAKE AND MODEL. SHOULDN'T NISSAN BE MADE TO OWN THEIR ISSUE. MOST VEHICLES NEVER HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN REGULARLY SERVICED. NOT THE CASE WITH THIS CAR. MY WIFE WON'T DRIVE IT, AND I WON'T LET HER. IM TRYING TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH IT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THERE. I CAN'T AFFORD THE FIX. HELP. *TR
WHEN ACCELERATING THERE IS A HARD JERKY STALL SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. AFRAID I'M GOING TO BE REAR-ENDED. WHEN DECELERATING, THERE IS A HARD SHIFT JERK FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. REMINDS ME OF SEMI TRUCK ROAD SIGNS (NO ENGINE BRAKE ALLOWED). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPACE UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAD BECOME RUSTED AND WAS ROTTING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPACE UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAD BECOME RUSTED AND WAS ROTTING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ... UPDATED 12/26/12 *BF
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO "SLIP" AROUND 100,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO FIVE STAR NISSAN IN WARNER ROBINS GA, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND RECOMMEND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, WHICH THEY DID PERFORM. AT ABOUT 111,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AGAIN, AND IT STARTED TO "SHIFT HARD". I TOOK IT BACK TO FIVE STAR NISSA…
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TRANSMISSION STARTED TO "SLIP" AROUND 100,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO FIVE STAR NISSAN IN WARNER ROBINS GA, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND RECOMMEND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, WHICH THEY DID PERFORM. AT ABOUT 111,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AGAIN, AND IT STARTED TO "SHIFT HARD". I TOOK IT BACK TO FIVE STAR NISSAN WHO ADVISED ME "THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT". LUCKILY IT DID NOT FAIL IN TRAFFIC. *TR
CHANGES SPEED AT ANY TIME UP OR DOWN UNSAFE TO DRIVE NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY STILL I BROUGHT IT SO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. ABOUT A YEAR AGONY CAR STARTED 'BANGING' INTO GEAR AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND NISSAN CONSUM…
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APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY STILL I BROUGHT IT SO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. ABOUT A YEAR AGONY CAR STARTED 'BANGING' INTO GEAR AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL. I WAS TOLD TODAY THE TRANSMISSION VALVE MAYBE THE PROBLEM AND ITS $1200 TO FIX. IF THIS DOESN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE THEN I HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANNY REBUILT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND WOULD ALSO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN ENGAGING IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND WOULD ALSO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN ENGAGING IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,179. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPDATED 1/4/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING UP INTO A PARKING SPACE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK PILLAR. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING UP INTO A PARKING SPACE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK PILLAR. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL A SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 12/18/12 *CN UPDATED 1/2/2013 *JS
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.