TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,415.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN PLACED IN PARK. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE AND EXHIBIT JERKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR R…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN PLACED IN PARK. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE AND EXHIBIT JERKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT GIVE A REASON FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING OR CHANGING GEARS FROM SECOND TO FIRST, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATED AND JERK. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD NEE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING OR CHANGING GEARS FROM SECOND TO FIRST, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATED AND JERK. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN 2004 MAXIMA.WE ARE EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RIGHT ABOUT IT GOT TO 85000 MILES. WE HAVE STARTED NOTICING THE DELAYED GEAR CONTACT TO MAKE THE CAR GO AND VERY HARD JERKING INTO THE GEAR. IT HAPPENED UNDER SLOW TRAFFIC . THE CARS ARE OK TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAYS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE NISSAN AND WAS …
Read full complaint
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN 2004 MAXIMA.WE ARE EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RIGHT ABOUT IT GOT TO 85000 MILES. WE HAVE STARTED NOTICING THE DELAYED GEAR CONTACT TO MAKE THE CAR GO AND VERY HARD JERKING INTO THE GEAR. IT HAPPENED UNDER SLOW TRAFFIC . THE CARS ARE OK TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAYS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE NISSAN AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT PASSED THE 60000 MILES IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE BOUGHT BOTH CARS AS CERTIFIED PRE OWNED WHICH SUPPOSEDLY COVERS THE TRANSMISSION UP TO THE 100000 MILES. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS A DAY OUT OF WARRANTY. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT . THEY SOLD US A DEFECTED VEHICLES KNOWING THEY HAVE PROBLEM WITH IT . I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSAND OF COMPLAINT WITH THEIR 2004-2007 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION. I AM SURPRISE THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANY RECALL ON THEM. NISSAN SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKE AND PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. LIKE I SAID WE OWE 2 NISSAN MAXIMAS , IT IS GOING TO COST ME $10,000 TO FIX THOSE CARS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR NISSAN TO OWN TO THEIR MISTAKE ? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS OVERHEATING, CAUSING THE ENGINE COILS TO MISFIRE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS OVERHEATING, CAUSING THE ENGINE COILS TO MISFIRE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IN ADDITION, WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING OVER 20 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A GEAR SHIFT MALFUNCTION. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IN ADDITION, WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING OVER 20 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A GEAR SHIFT MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TIMING CHAIN WHINE. ALTIMA, QUEST, MAXIMA, AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES WITH THE VQ35DE ENGINE. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY JERKED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNCIANS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY JERKED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNCIANS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED THROUGH CREATING A HOLE ABOUT 7" BY 14" UNDER THE CARPET. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED THROUGH OUR LOCAL DEALER IN MAY AND NISSAN RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE WITHOUT COST TO US. IN INVESTIGATING IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE PANEL THAT IS RUSTED OUT APPEARS TO BE PAINTED IN A …
Read full complaint
THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED THROUGH CREATING A HOLE ABOUT 7" BY 14" UNDER THE CARPET. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED THROUGH OUR LOCAL DEALER IN MAY AND NISSAN RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE WITHOUT COST TO US. IN INVESTIGATING IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE PANEL THAT IS RUSTED OUT APPEARS TO BE PAINTED IN A GREEN GLOSS PRIMER WHEN THE REMAINDER OF THE FLOOR IS THE BODY COLOR OF WHITE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT IN OHIO, AND RARELY HAS A PASSENGER ON THAT SIDE. CAR IS IN MY WIFE'S NAME.
FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 35,000 MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE, RUN ROUGH AND LOSE POWER. SINCE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE SAME PARTS FAILED THAT FAILED THE LAST THREE TIMES. THESE CONSIST OF IGNITION COILS (PLURAL). CHANGING THESE FIXED THE P…
Read full complaint
FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 35,000 MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE, RUN ROUGH AND LOSE POWER. SINCE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE SAME PARTS FAILED THAT FAILED THE LAST THREE TIMES. THESE CONSIST OF IGNITION COILS (PLURAL). CHANGING THESE FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR 5 WEEKS WHERE THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ALTHOUGH MORE CATASTROPHIC. GROUNDING CABLES ($2250, SIX COILS ($1,100), AND THEN WHATEVER ELSE (ECM IS EXPECTED AND MAYBE CYLINDER SENSORS). DOING INTERNET RESEARCH HAS RESULTED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 LINE THAT NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR.
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.
Illustration