MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AT SLOWER SPEEDS SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO LOCK UP MOMENTARILY SCARY ALMOST STOPPING THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR A YEAR NOW. *TR
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 reportsTRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH JERKY WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE JERKING WAS SO SEVERE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THIS RESULTED IN A TRANSMISSION THAT THE MECHANIC SAYS IS NOTHING BUT SCRAP METAL. THE CAR WILL NO LONGER MOVE IN DRIVE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHENEVER HE SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND THEN SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS; YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHENEVER HE SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND THEN SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS; YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE TO NO AVAIL. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. NORMAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY DURING THE SHIFTING OF GEARS. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY DURING THE SHIFTING OF GEARS. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE AS THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *UPDATED 3/12/2010 UPDATED 05/13/10
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED OUR CAR IN 2006. IT CAR STARTING MAKING A "JERKING" MOTION TWO YEARS LATER AND HAS SINCE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION; THEY DID SOME MINOR REPAIRS (ABOUT $600 WORTH) AND SAID THE PROBLEM WOULD "GO-AWAY". A…
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MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED OUR CAR IN 2006. IT CAR STARTING MAKING A "JERKING" MOTION TWO YEARS LATER AND HAS SINCE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION; THEY DID SOME MINOR REPAIRS (ABOUT $600 WORTH) AND SAID THE PROBLEM WOULD "GO-AWAY". A LITTLE OVER A YEAR HAS PASSED AND BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS STILL VERY MUCH PRESENT WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT IN QUIET SOME TIME. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WE'RE NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. WE CAN?T AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE WE?RE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. I SEE THERE ARE APPROX. 356 COMPLAINTS FILED HERE, BUT NOT ONE SINGLE INVESTIGATION CAME FROM THOSE 356 COMPLAINTS. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SOME ONE HAS TO DIE OR COME NEAR DEATH FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND GIVES A SEVER BUCKING OR JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING TO GO AROUND CORNERS OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. THE FIRST OWNER MAINTAINED HIS VEHICLE AT SUTHERLAND NISSAN WHERE HE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. THE D…
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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND GIVES A SEVER BUCKING OR JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING TO GO AROUND CORNERS OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. THE FIRST OWNER MAINTAINED HIS VEHICLE AT SUTHERLAND NISSAN WHERE HE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. THE DEALER, WHO SOLD ME THE CAR TOO, INITIALLY SAID THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT STATING IT ONLY NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE -WHICH I DID. TWO MONTHS LATER, AFTER TELLING THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING AND BUCKING, THEY SAID I NEEDED TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS -WHICH I DID. THEY SAID IT WOULD FIX THE JERKING PROBLEM BUT IT DIDN'T. NOW THEY STATE THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO SLAM INTO ME FROM THE BACK BECAUSE AFTER THE CAR JERKS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PICK SPEED BACK UP. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND NISSAN WILL NOT HELP NOR ADMIT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION. THANKS SO MUCH! *TR
I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND IT HAS SOME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT SHIFTS ABRUPTLY/ABNORMALLY FROM LOW GEAR. AFTER RESEARCHING MYSELF, I FOUND IT IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS KIND OF VEHICLE AND MANY OTHERS SUFFER AS WELL (SEE LINK BELOW). I AM WONDERING IF YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN HELP TO BRING THIS TO NISSAN'S ATTENTION AND ASK THEM …
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I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND IT HAS SOME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT SHIFTS ABRUPTLY/ABNORMALLY FROM LOW GEAR. AFTER RESEARCHING MYSELF, I FOUND IT IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS KIND OF VEHICLE AND MANY OTHERS SUFFER AS WELL (SEE LINK BELOW). I AM WONDERING IF YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN HELP TO BRING THIS TO NISSAN'S ATTENTION AND ASK THEM TO FIX IT SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE A PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/NISSAN/MAXIMA/R61092/COMMENTS/PAGE-21/. *TR
DEFAULTIVE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2004 NISSSN MAXIMAS MY CAR HAS BEEN TOO MANY NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS. MY CAR IS ALWAYS JERKING AND SLIPPING INTO DIFFERENT GEARS ONE PERSON TELLS ME IT NEEDS THIS I AM READING SEVERAL COMPLIANTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHERS *CN
FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS MY ABS SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE IN THE MORNING FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO EVERY TIME I TRIED TO STOP. AFTER THAT THEY WERE FINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FEW SHOPS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE WHEN THIS WAS HAPPENING THE ABS LIGHTS WERE NOT SHOWING IN THE DASH THAT IT WAS PROBABLE THAT IT WAS …
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FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS MY ABS SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE IN THE MORNING FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO EVERY TIME I TRIED TO STOP. AFTER THAT THEY WERE FINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FEW SHOPS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE WHEN THIS WAS HAPPENING THE ABS LIGHTS WERE NOT SHOWING IN THE DASH THAT IT WAS PROBABLE THAT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM INSTEAD. I REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WITH NO LUCK. THREE MONTHS LATER THE WHOLE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND BLEW OUT. *TW
PROBLEM IS WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND CAR LUNGES GO UPHILL OR AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE AND BACK INTO DRIVE. AFTER INITIAL PURCHASE OF THE CAR I COMPLAINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT FEEL CORRECT AND CAR LUNGED AND SLIPPED BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A…
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PROBLEM IS WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND CAR LUNGES GO UPHILL OR AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE AND BACK INTO DRIVE. AFTER INITIAL PURCHASE OF THE CAR I COMPLAINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT FEEL CORRECT AND CAR LUNGED AND SLIPPED BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 99,000 MILES AND IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS DEFECT SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER AS NISSAN MUST HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THESE ISSUES FROM ALL THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT ONLINE. THIS IS A FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM OF THE CAR WHICH I ATTEMPTED TO RECTIFY WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NISSAN SHOULD BE PRESSURED TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS MODEL CAR AS IT IS PATENTLY DEFECTIVE IN ITS DESIGN AND I FEEL THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE. DRIVING WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT CAN FAIL AT ANY MINUTE IS NOT SOMETHING I LOOK FORWARD TO . I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INTERNET THAT SIMILAR CLAIMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR OFFICE BY MAXIMA OWNERS BUT I COULD NOT FIND IN THE DATA BASIS. ALTHOUGH THIS ISSUE IS NOT LIFE THREATENING AS THE TOYOTA INCIDENTS THIS IS STILL ANOTHER STORY THAT A DEFECT HAS PROBABLY BEEN KEEP QUIET IN HOPES THAT THE INJURED CONSUMER WILL JUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND GO AWAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR
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.
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