NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,425 reports100,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY 50,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, ONLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10413579
120,000 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Power Train
2004 MAXIMA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING, AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TRANSMISSION STOPS SHIFTING AND CAR IS INOPERABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10411587
70,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10411515
136,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410257
24,500 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Power Train
WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, WHEN THE CLUTCH HAS HEAVY USAGE, FOR EXAMPLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND STAYS THERE - I HAVE NO PRESSURE AND I CANNOT GET THE CLUTCH IN. AFTER I PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CLUTCH OPERATION RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER 10-15 MINUTES. THIS HAS OCCURRED 6-7 TIME…
Read full complaint
WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, WHEN THE CLUTCH HAS HEAVY USAGE, FOR EXAMPLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND STAYS THERE - I HAVE NO PRESSURE AND I CANNOT GET THE CLUTCH IN. AFTER I PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CLUTCH OPERATION RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER 10-15 MINUTES. THIS HAS OCCURRED 6-7 TIMES (MY CAR HAS 24,000+ MILES ON IT) AND FROM AN INTERNET SEARCH IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY MANY FRUSTRATED NISSAN DRIVERS. THOUGH IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY IT IS OFTEN ENOUGH TO HAVE CREATED SEVERAL FRIGHTENING SITUATIONS FOR ME IN TRAFFIC, PARTICULARLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND LATE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT AREN'T SURE OF THE CAUSE WHILE THE MOST REASONABLE EXPLANATIONS ONLINE POINT TO ENGINE HEAT AFFECTING THE MASTER CYLINDER WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING SLOWLY. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS BEEN OF LIMITED HELP IN HELPING US RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409211
70,000 miles · Jun 27, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO HESISTATE BEFORE JERKING UP TO SPEED, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AT LEAST TWICE A DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO H…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO HESISTATE BEFORE JERKING UP TO SPEED, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AT LEAST TWICE A DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10409013
125,000 miles · Jun 26, 2011
Power Train
WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD WHEN I STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS . IT NOW HAS BECOME A DAILY PROBLEM WHENEVER I DRIVE. THE MAIN ISSUES IS WHEN PUT MY CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR PARK TO DRI…
Read full complaint
WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD WHEN I STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS . IT NOW HAS BECOME A DAILY PROBLEM WHENEVER I DRIVE. THE MAIN ISSUES IS WHEN PUT MY CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR PARK TO DRIVE IT HESITATES FOR AT LEAST 7 TO 10 SECS. AND THEN JUMPS REAL BAD AND THEN GOES INTO DRIVE.IT USUALLY DOES ALL THIS WHEN THE CAR IS HOT. THE GEARS ALSO SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING OR JUMPING WHEN I SLOW DOWN FROM 3RD TO 2ND. YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF IT JUMPING WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. I CANT BELIEVE WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408970
67,000 miles · Jun 25, 2011
Power Train
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. IT ALSO WAS JERKING REPEATEDLY WHILE CHANGING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND THEN BACK DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN SERVICE ADVISOR THAT MY CAR NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. I HAD THE FLUSH DONE ON THE CAR, PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. NISSAN NOW …
Read full complaint
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. IT ALSO WAS JERKING REPEATEDLY WHILE CHANGING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND THEN BACK DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN SERVICE ADVISOR THAT MY CAR NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. I HAD THE FLUSH DONE ON THE CAR, PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. NISSAN NOW SAYS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TRADED THE CAR IN FOR ANOTHER MAXIMA. THINKING IT WAS SOMETHING JUST WITH THE 2004 MODEL. I NOW HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2006 MAXIMA. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED, BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT AND NISSAN STOP STEALING PEOPLE HARD EARNED MONEY. WHEN THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408895
146,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
IAC VALVE WENT BAD AND CAR SOMETIMES DON'T START AND WHEN IT DOES IT IDEALS ROUGH CANT ORDER THE PART FROM ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE I CAN'T EVEN PULL ANYTHING UP ON IT NOWHERE OTHER THAN OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE THIS IDEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408827
112,576 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Power Train
I MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BREAK AND THEN PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE ENGINE RACED BUT THERE WAS A PAUSE FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED WITH A LOUD BANG. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD AS THE TIRES BRIEFLY PEELED OUT. IN RESPONSE TO THAT OUR 5 YEAR OLD GRAND…
Read full complaint
I MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BREAK AND THEN PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE ENGINE RACED BUT THERE WAS A PAUSE FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED WITH A LOUD BANG. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD AS THE TIRES BRIEFLY PEELED OUT. IN RESPONSE TO THAT OUR 5 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER SAID "IT'S OK, IT WAS JUST A BUMP". IT IS NOT OK. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN AUTO DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND THEY WROTE "TRANSMISSION IS ON ITS WAY OUT TECHNICIAN ADVISED REPLACEMENT, ...". THIS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 112576 MILES ON IT, AND WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF IT. WE HAVE HAD MANY COSTLY EQUIPMENT FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD COST US ABOUT $4000. THIS IS UNFAIR, AND I NOW QUESTION THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA REGARDING THIS ISSUE. SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT THE PAUSE BEFORE SHIFTING CAN BE MANY SECONDS. WHAT IF A PERSON CAN'T GET THE CAR TO MOVE, THEN STEPS OUT OF THE CAR TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD. THEIR CAR COULD JUMP INTO GEAR AND TAKE OFF WITHOUT THEM IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE FAILURE HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR. THE FAILURE HAPPENS WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE, FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE CAR HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408435
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.