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 reports
100,000 miles · Sep 10, 2011
Power Train
I AM A SMALL INDEPENDENT CAR DEALER. THIS IS JUST ONE MAXIMA I HAVE PURCHASED FROM AN AUCTION. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW RIDICULOUS THE 04-05 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSIONS ARE. I BOUGHT THE ONE INDICATED BY THE VIN NUMBER THINKING I WAS GETTING A GOOD DEAL. HOWEVER, I WAS VERY WRONG! I AS A SMALL INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER CANT BELIEVE…
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I AM A SMALL INDEPENDENT CAR DEALER. THIS IS JUST ONE MAXIMA I HAVE PURCHASED FROM AN AUCTION. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW RIDICULOUS THE 04-05 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSIONS ARE. I BOUGHT THE ONE INDICATED BY THE VIN NUMBER THINKING I WAS GETTING A GOOD DEAL. HOWEVER, I WAS VERY WRONG! I AS A SMALL INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER CANT BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF BAD TRANSMISSIONS I HAVE SEEN ON THESE YEAR MODEL MAXIMA'S. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR ALL 04-05 MAXIMA'S. I HAVE SEEN THE SAME SYMPTOMS WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF MAXIMA'S. FOR THE AMOUNT OF MILES ON THE NISSAN MAXIMAS THAT I COME ACROSS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THIS INCLUDES SLIPPING AND JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION , WHICH IN TURNS WEARS OUT THE MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, WHICH IN TURN COST EVEN MORE MONEY BEYOND THE TRANSMISSION HELP OUR CONSUMERS AND PROTECT SMALL INDEPENDENT DEALERS FROM THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424582
76,800 miles · Sep 7, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,800.
NHTSA ODI #10424062
58,000 miles · Sep 3, 2011
Power Train
YES I BROUGHT MY 2004 MAXIMA INTO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AT 58,000 MILES FOR LOUD NOISE ON COLD START UP'S, COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF MOTOR AND NISSAN TECH TOLD ME THAT I DIDN'T HAVE NISSAN OIL FILTER AND IT NOT PURGING THE OIL TO TOP OF MOTOR ON COLD STARTS. SO I RECENTLY HAD OIL CHANGE A FEW HUNDRED MILES BEFORE SO NOT CHANGING…
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YES I BROUGHT MY 2004 MAXIMA INTO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AT 58,000 MILES FOR LOUD NOISE ON COLD START UP'S, COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF MOTOR AND NISSAN TECH TOLD ME THAT I DIDN'T HAVE NISSAN OIL FILTER AND IT NOT PURGING THE OIL TO TOP OF MOTOR ON COLD STARTS. SO I RECENTLY HAD OIL CHANGE A FEW HUNDRED MILES BEFORE SO NOT CHANGING IT TILL NEXT REQUIRED OIL CHANGE AT 61,000 WHEN IT CAME TIME BROUGHT IT TO NISSAN FOR OIL CHANGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE SPECIAL OIL FILTERS I GUESS. WELL NOW AT 65000 MILES MY NOISE IS THERE ALL THE TIME HOT OR COLD AND COLD START IS THE WORSE AND EVEN WHEN ITS RUNNING, AND ITS NOT THE OIL FILTER THERE'S IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER BRAND AND IT IS THE PLASTIC GUIDES IN THE TIMING CHAIN THAT HAVE FAILED AND NOW IT'S MY PROBLEM TO FIX AROUND 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX AND NISSAN SAYS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY WON'T COVERIT WELL NISSAN WAS WRONG AGAIN NISSAN IS AWARE OF THEIR FAULTY PARTS YOU CAN SEARCH THE ORIGINAL PART NUMBER FOR MY MAXIMA AND YOU WILL FIND A NEW PART NUMBER FOR THE GUIDES BECAUSE NISSAN CHANGED PART NUMBER AND MATERIAL WHEN MAKING THE NEW PART WITHOUT A RECALL OR CONSUMERS KNOWLEDGE OF THEM DOING IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423177
80,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION VIOLATLY JERKS AND GEARS HANG UP IN 5TH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422949
120,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE BODY WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422924
99,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PREMATURELY SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A VIOLENT JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PREMATURELY SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A VIOLENT JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO CENTER FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE THAT WOULD COST $ 3,800. UPDATED 01/03/12
NHTSA ODI #10422558
69,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO DECELERATE TO SPEEDS OF 10 MPH AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND MO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO DECELERATE TO SPEEDS OF 10 MPH AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A SENSOR WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422462
118,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Power TrainSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422444
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10422403
100,750 miles · Aug 27, 2011
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING VERY ERADICLLY. UNEVEN DOWNSHIFTS AND A LOSSS OF POWER DURING ACCELERATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION STICKS IN 5TH GEAR. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO DO THIS. IF YOU TRY TO PERFORM A MANUAL DOWNSHIFT THE CAR SLAMS ITS…
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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING VERY ERADICLLY. UNEVEN DOWNSHIFTS AND A LOSSS OF POWER DURING ACCELERATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION STICKS IN 5TH GEAR. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO DO THIS. IF YOU TRY TO PERFORM A MANUAL DOWNSHIFT THE CAR SLAMS ITSELF AS IF IT HAD BEEN STRUCK FROM BEHIND. BECAUSE THESE ARE PERFORMANCE CARS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CARS ARE ONLY NOW STARTING TO REACH THAT MILE STONE WHERE THE DAMAGE IS SO FALL ALONG THAT THE THREAT OF BODILY HARM IS GREATLY INCREASED FROM PAST INCIDENTS.
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.
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.
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