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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
160,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DOWNSHIFTING OR SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DOWNSHIFTING OR SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10417041

59,900 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Power Train

WE OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP ON US AND WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST 9 MONTHS BETWEEN DEALERSHIPS AND AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS TRYING TO FIX IT. STILL THE CAR IS IN LIMP MODE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE IT. WE HAVE EMAILED BEFORE WITH NO RESPONSE. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE…

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WE OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP ON US AND WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST 9 MONTHS BETWEEN DEALERSHIPS AND AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS TRYING TO FIX IT. STILL THE CAR IS IN LIMP MODE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE IT. WE HAVE EMAILED BEFORE WITH NO RESPONSE. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT OTHERS WITH THIS MODEL CAR HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT HERE. PLEASE RESPOND WITH A RESOLUTION. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416809

70,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED IT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED IT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10416506

130,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE IN A JERKING MOTION. SUDDENLY THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE SPORADIC FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE IN A JERKING MOTION. SUDDENLY THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE SPORADIC FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND PREVIOUSLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIEFLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416261

97,000 miles · Jul 28, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE A HARD SHIFT AND JERK WHEN CHANGING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE A FAILURE IN WHICH THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO MANUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE A HARD SHIFT AND JERK WHEN CHANGING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE A FAILURE IN WHICH THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO MANUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE VALVE BODY OR TIMING CHAIN; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE EXACT FAILURE UNLESS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415567

99,500 miles · Jul 27, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415360

108,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO AT 108,000 MILES. CAR HALTS AND THEN BUCKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND FROM 2ND DOWN TO 1ST GEAR. AT A RED LIGHT, CAR HALTED AND BUCKED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST AND THE TRANSMISSION NEED…

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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO AT 108,000 MILES. CAR HALTS AND THEN BUCKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND FROM 2ND DOWN TO 1ST GEAR. AT A RED LIGHT, CAR HALTED AND BUCKED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING. MULTIPLE 2004 AND 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA'S HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DUE TO INSTALLATION OF FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE FOUND 20-30 INTERNET REPORTS OF FAULTY 2004 AND 2005 NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR COULD DO THE SAME THING IN THE FUTURE WITH A WORSE OUTCOME.

NHTSA ODI #10415916

87,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other

CAR JERKS WHEN GOING INTO 1ST, 2ND OR 3RD AND HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN 3RD GEAR WHEN DRIVING, HAD TO PUT IN MANUAL GEARS IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE CAR JERKS AND THEN WHEN YOU GO INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE JERKS AGAIN. A/C ALSO WENT OUT ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE CAR, WHICH WAS BOUGHT IN 2009. VEHICLE…

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CAR JERKS WHEN GOING INTO 1ST, 2ND OR 3RD AND HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN 3RD GEAR WHEN DRIVING, HAD TO PUT IN MANUAL GEARS IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE CAR JERKS AND THEN WHEN YOU GO INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE JERKS AGAIN. A/C ALSO WENT OUT ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE CAR, WHICH WAS BOUGHT IN 2009. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT BY DEALERSHIP AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS WITH THE CAR, AND SAID THEY WOULD FIX 2 THINGS TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE PROBLEM, ONLY IF I PAY THEM ABOUT $3000.00 TO $3500.00. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY WANT TO CHARGE FOR "WHAT IF'S". CAR ALSO JERKS WHEN YOU BREAK OR SLOW DOWN WITHOUT USING BREAK SYSTEM. I AM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10415688

99,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Power Train

NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION ISSUES. MAXIMA TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. NISSAN HAS SAID THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS FAR AS OIL CHANGES AND TIRE ROTATIONS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER NISSAN MAXIMAS OF THE SAME YEAR WITH THE EX…

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NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION ISSUES. MAXIMA TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. NISSAN HAS SAID THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS FAR AS OIL CHANGES AND TIRE ROTATIONS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER NISSAN MAXIMAS OF THE SAME YEAR WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10414740

75,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS VIOLENTLY AND SKIPS GEARS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN IT GOES BACK INTO GEAR IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE NISSAN HASN'T BEEN FORCED TO DO A RECALL YET. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES AND I…

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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS VIOLENTLY AND SKIPS GEARS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN IT GOES BACK INTO GEAR IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE NISSAN HASN'T BEEN FORCED TO DO A RECALL YET. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES AND IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10414018

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.