← New search

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

What owners actually said

1,425 reports
50,000 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS VERY HARD WHEN GOING BETWEEN GEARS, BUT MOSTLY BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED ALTOGETHER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS VERY HARD WHEN GOING BETWEEN GEARS, BUT MOSTLY BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED ALTOGETHER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING, BUT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DID SPECIFY WHY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10421478

70,000 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Power Train

FAILURE OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA'S TRANSMISSION AT 70,000 MILES. COMING HOME DURING RUSH HOUR, I SLOWED DOWN WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY CAR SLOWED TO APPOX. 20 MPH (MY FOOT WAS NOT ON ANY PEDAL), IT SUDDENLY REVVED AND JERKED BACK TO 20 MPH. IT HAPPEN AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AT WHICH TIME I …

Read full complaint

FAILURE OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA'S TRANSMISSION AT 70,000 MILES. COMING HOME DURING RUSH HOUR, I SLOWED DOWN WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY CAR SLOWED TO APPOX. 20 MPH (MY FOOT WAS NOT ON ANY PEDAL), IT SUDDENLY REVVED AND JERKED BACK TO 20 MPH. IT HAPPEN AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AT WHICH TIME I TOOK IT TO AN HONEST TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. HE HOOKED IT ONTO A TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, BUT HE BEGAN READING ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE VALVE (WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT WHICH NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT.) IN THE MAXIMA TRANSMISSION. HE REPLACED THE VALVE AT A COST OF $1900!!! HE SUBSEQUENTLY INFORMED ME THAT THIS FIX MAYBE JUST A "BANDAID ON A GUNSHOT WOUND" AND IF I CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $2500 - $3000!! THE VALVE WAS REPLACED 6/29/2011, AS OF YESTERDAY (8/24/2011) THE CAR HAS ONCE AGAIN BEGUN TO ACT DIFFERENTLY ONCE IT IS AT OR AROUND 20 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS TOO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY! WHAT OTHER CARS TRANSMISSION GOES COMPLETELY OUT AT 70, 000 MILES AND HAS AS MANY COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET?? NO ONE BUT THE NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421422

140,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Power TrainCrash

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SL -- FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421404

85,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AYEAR AGO I NOTICED A JERK GOING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY STATED I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AT A COST OF $ 4000 . I HAVE CHECKED WITH NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE EXPENSE, THE JERK IS SO BAD THAT IT FEELS LIKE SOME ONE IS REAR ENDING YOU WHEN …

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AYEAR AGO I NOTICED A JERK GOING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY STATED I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AT A COST OF $ 4000 . I HAVE CHECKED WITH NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE EXPENSE, THE JERK IS SO BAD THAT IT FEELS LIKE SOME ONE IS REAR ENDING YOU WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE SINCE HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD AND HAVE TO TRANSPORT HIM BACK AND FORTH TO DAY CARE AND DRIVE TO WORK. THERE IS MANY OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421391

89,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON MAY 06, 2011 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. MY DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHERE NO ONE WAS SITTING DEPLOYED. I WAS 8-MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY STOMACH ALMOST CAUSING A EARLY LABOR (PRE-MATURE) I WAS FORTUNATE…

Read full complaint

ON MAY 06, 2011 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. MY DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHERE NO ONE WAS SITTING DEPLOYED. I WAS 8-MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY STOMACH ALMOST CAUSING A EARLY LABOR (PRE-MATURE) I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE DOCTORS WERE ABLE TO STOP MY BABY FROM COMING. IF MY AIRBAG WOULD HAVE GONE OFF PROPERLY IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED MY STOMACH FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR A AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS CORRECT BECAUSE I PAID FOR THIS PRODUCT TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421388

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE & IT HAS SEVERE ISSUES WITH VEHICLE JERKING INTO GEARS, JERKING WHILE RIDING AT SLOW SPEEDS, JERKING WITH ENGINE REVVING WHEN TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT LEAD UP TO THIS ISSUE, BUT IT IS NOT SAFE POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT LEADING TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. THE FAILURE WHICH …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE & IT HAS SEVERE ISSUES WITH VEHICLE JERKING INTO GEARS, JERKING WHILE RIDING AT SLOW SPEEDS, JERKING WITH ENGINE REVVING WHEN TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT LEAD UP TO THIS ISSUE, BUT IT IS NOT SAFE POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT LEADING TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. THE FAILURE WHICH SEEMS TO BE SOME TYPE OF DEFAULT WITH THE TRANSMISSION OCCURS EVERYDAY WHEN,DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $3500 FOR A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION, BUT I DID HAVE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT A NISSAN DEALER, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421134

82,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Power Train

NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 3.5 SE: AROUND 82000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JUMP INTO AND OUT OFF GEAR. IM AT 95000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS WORSE. IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR EASIER CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN, HAD CLOSE REAR ENDED ACCIDENTS, FORTUNATELY THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION. THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS AT O…

Read full complaint

NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 3.5 SE: AROUND 82000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JUMP INTO AND OUT OFF GEAR. IM AT 95000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS WORSE. IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR EASIER CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN, HAD CLOSE REAR ENDED ACCIDENTS, FORTUNATELY THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION. THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. I SWITCH FROM AUTOMATIC TO STANDARD AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO JUMP INTO AND OUT OF GEAR. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. HAD IT TOWED ONCE ALREADY FOR THE SAME CAUSE. 3 MECHANICS TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VALVES IN THE TRANSMISSION, ESTIMATES OF $2000 TO $3500 TO FIX. ALL HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR. RPM SHOOTS UP PAST 7000 ON SOME GEAR CHANGES ONLY TO SLIP BACK OUT OF GEAR. I CAN NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN MERGING ONTO FREEWAYS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. CHECK THIS WEB PAGE.....HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/MAXIMA/2004/TRANSMISSION/JERKS_WHEN_SHIFTING.SHTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420828

120,000 miles · Aug 13, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, BANGS INTO AND OUT OF GEAR. SOMETIMES YOU STEP ON THE GAS AND IT REVS UP AND GRABS THE GEAR SO HARD THE TIRES BREAK LOOSE, OTHER TIMES IT JUST DRIVES FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419329

65,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER DISENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY BUT BECAME FREQUENT OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10419205

145,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Power Train

AFTER THE CAR GETS HOT, IT WILL REV VERY HIGH GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR UNTIL I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS, LET THE RPM'S GO DOWN, THEN HIT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN. IT WILL ALSO HARD SHIFT GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND REVERSE TO FORWARD GEAR. ALSO WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE CAR WILL SHIFT HARD, MAINL…

Read full complaint

AFTER THE CAR GETS HOT, IT WILL REV VERY HIGH GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR UNTIL I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS, LET THE RPM'S GO DOWN, THEN HIT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN. IT WILL ALSO HARD SHIFT GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND REVERSE TO FORWARD GEAR. ALSO WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE CAR WILL SHIFT HARD, MAINLY GOING TO LOWER GEARS, WHICH CAUSES JOLTS AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN THE RPM AS THE SHIFT HAPPENS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS UNEXPECTED AND HAS CAUSED ME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC, WHEN STARTLED BY THIS ACTION OF THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10418887

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.