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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
123,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Power Train

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH JUST OVER 120K MILES AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANNY JERKING IS NO JOKE TODAY MY CAR SHIFTED SO HARD THAT IT LITERALLY JUMPED OVER THE PARKING BLOCK AT MY HOME AS SOON AS I FELT THE CAR MOVE I HIT THE BRAKES BUT THE SHIFT WAS SO FAST IT STILL HOPPED OVER THE BLOCK I HAVE TWO KIDS AN…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH JUST OVER 120K MILES AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANNY JERKING IS NO JOKE TODAY MY CAR SHIFTED SO HARD THAT IT LITERALLY JUMPED OVER THE PARKING BLOCK AT MY HOME AS SOON AS I FELT THE CAR MOVE I HIT THE BRAKES BUT THE SHIFT WAS SO FAST IT STILL HOPPED OVER THE BLOCK I HAVE TWO KIDS AND I CAN'T DRIVE MY ONLY CAR BECAUSE EVERY MECHANIC HAS DIFFERENT ANSWERS AND I SPOKE TO A NISSAN TECH AND HE SAID MINE WAS AN ISOLATED ISSUE BUT I'VE BEEN BROWSING WEB AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THE SAME ISSUE WHERE IS THE RECALL IF YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM PLEASE KEEP COMPLAINING CALL YOUR LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL WE HAVE RIGHTS AS CONSUMERS AND ARE BEING HELD BY PUPPET STRINGS I MEAN THE CAR REVS ITSELF ,DIFFERENT RPMS YOU LITERALLY HAVE NO CONTROL ON IT SHIFTING PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355648

85,000 miles · Sep 10, 2010
Power TrainCrash

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION JERKING, SLIPPING. FLARING. ONLY OCCURS WHEN CAR IS WARM. WILL CAUSE VIOLENT JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF TRACTION AND CONTROL OF CAR. I JUST REPLACED VALVE BODY AND PROBLEM STILL THERE!! HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354947

100,000 miles · Sep 9, 2010
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION JERKS MY CAR OUT OF CONTROL DURING 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354594

56,658 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Power Train

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN YOU CHANGE FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT JUMP INTO GEAR HARD. WILE DRIVING IT SHIFT HARD FROM 1 GEAR TO 2 . I TAKE IT TO THE AUTO SHOP THEY SAY IT'S MY TRANSMISSION. IT COST ME $1900.00 TO REPLACE IT.I SEE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354468

143,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Power Train

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE 3.5L V6 TRANSMISSIONS- JERKING, KNOCKING AND STICKING IN GEAR. MANY DEALERS ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE SHOWN THE SAME RESULTS OF CONSUMERS HAVING ISSUES. THE NORMAL COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS ALMOST 50% OF THE CAR VALUE. DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM ONLY SUGGEST FOR THE P…

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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE 3.5L V6 TRANSMISSIONS- JERKING, KNOCKING AND STICKING IN GEAR. MANY DEALERS ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE SHOWN THE SAME RESULTS OF CONSUMERS HAVING ISSUES. THE NORMAL COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS ALMOST 50% OF THE CAR VALUE. DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM ONLY SUGGEST FOR THE PLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION $3800! IF THE CAR IS ENGAGED IN 5TH GEAR (LIKE THIS ONE) COULD CAUSE OTHER VEHICLES TO CRASH INTO IT DUE TO POOR ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354428

40,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Exterior LightingPower TrainSuspension

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT HAS 97.000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT WON'T GO INTO DRIVE FROM PARK WITHOUT A 3-5 SECOND DELAY, IT DOSEN'T DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT'S TO THE POINT NOW THAT WHEN I COME TO A STOP IT DOWN SHIFTS SO ERRATICLY THAT THE TIRES…

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT HAS 97.000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT WON'T GO INTO DRIVE FROM PARK WITHOUT A 3-5 SECOND DELAY, IT DOSEN'T DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT'S TO THE POINT NOW THAT WHEN I COME TO A STOP IT DOWN SHIFTS SO ERRATICLY THAT THE TIRES CHIRP. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE OVER 150,000 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT, WHICH I THINK IS A FALSEHOOD. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THERE CLEARLY IS A DEFECT WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THEM. THE FOG LIGHTS SHORT OUT AND BURN OUT AFTER LIMITED USE. I HAVE SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON FOG LIGHTS, NOW I JUST GAVE UP AND LEAVE THEM BURNED OUT. THE FRONT STRUTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353633

134,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Power TrainTires

CAR MALFUNCTION ON TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353359

165,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Power Train

ABOUT 12 MONTHS AGO WITH $165,000 MILES ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN TO JERK WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM HIGHER GEARS. VEHICLE ALSO HAD TROUBLE ENGAGING 3RD AND 4TH GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING. TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN, WHO SUGGESTED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, HAD THIS DONE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED BUT LESS FREQUENTLY. ONCE THE PROBLEM …

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ABOUT 12 MONTHS AGO WITH $165,000 MILES ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN TO JERK WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM HIGHER GEARS. VEHICLE ALSO HAD TROUBLE ENGAGING 3RD AND 4TH GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING. TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN, WHO SUGGESTED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, HAD THIS DONE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED BUT LESS FREQUENTLY. ONCE THE PROBLEM BECAME FREQUENT AGAIN THE PROCEDURE WAS REPEATED. INQUIRED IF A RECALL WAS OPEN FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NISSAN SAID NO, BUT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND THAT NUMEROUS OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND FELT I NEEDED TO REPORT MY SITUATION. I AM CURRENTLY SAVING MONEY TO PURCHASE THE NEW TRANS BEFORE REPLACING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352877

120,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Power Train

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS/BANGS WHEN CHANGING LOW GEARS. IT MAKES MY ENTIRE CAR BANG LOUDLY AND JERK FORWARD CAUSING ME TO JERK FORWARD AS WELL. I HAVE BANGED MYSELF ON THE STEERING WHEEL NUMEROUS TIMES. I READ ONLINE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIPS TRY TO TELL ME ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS NEED TO …

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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS/BANGS WHEN CHANGING LOW GEARS. IT MAKES MY ENTIRE CAR BANG LOUDLY AND JERK FORWARD CAUSING ME TO JERK FORWARD AS WELL. I HAVE BANGED MYSELF ON THE STEERING WHEEL NUMEROUS TIMES. I READ ONLINE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIPS TRY TO TELL ME ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS NEED TO BE FIXED, BUT I KNOW FROM ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ITS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351750

30,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OUTER PERIMETER OF THE SKY VIEW WINDOW EXHIBITED RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING PREMATURELY FOR A CLIMATE THAT WAS PRIMARILY WARM AND DRY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OUTER PERIMETER OF THE SKY VIEW WINDOW EXHIBITED RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING PREMATURELY FOR A CLIMATE THAT WAS PRIMARILY WARM AND DRY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10351249

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.