KnownCarProblems2004 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Nissan Maxima, most often about the transmission (66% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Maxima model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Nissan Maxima problems
Transmission
934 complaints · 66%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, driveline.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the vehicle would not move. The contact had to shut off the vehicle and wait a few minutes to restart it before it would drive normally again. The failure occurred several times at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the…
I have had problems with my 2004 Nissan Maxima since purchasing it brand new. Within 60 days of purchasing the car, I had to take it back to the dealership due to a malfunction with the brakes. I have spent over $1,500 since keeping the brakes and rotors repaired. I am on my fourth set of tires and have had three…
Wheels and tires
146 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, rim, bead.
No incidents LED up to failure. Went to Nissan dealer and complained of road noise from front of car. Dealer said 2 tires were cracked and posed a danger of coming apart. Said they would be liable if allowed me to leave without new tires. Investigated on the internet: there are multiple reports of goodyear eagle tires…
: the contact stated the inside tread on the tires had excessive wear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer recommended the tires be replaced.
Engine
121 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the vehicle would not move. The contact had to shut off the vehicle and wait a few minutes to restart it before it would drive normally again. The failure occurred several times at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the…
I purchased a 2004 Nissan Maxima in august 2006, and it all seemed fine for a bit but once I reached about 84k miles, the transmission started having problems. First, when I shift from park to any other gear. It seems to either hesitate to shift into gear and once it does it shifts in a horrible knock! It continues to…
Suspension
102 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The front driver side strut continues to fail. The part has been replaced two times, however the cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information. The consumer stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer 9 or 10 times because they could not find the trembing in the steering. The consumer…
1) manufacturer defect in the suspension (2004 Nissan Maxima se) 2) caused car to make a sudden reflex to the right twice on the highway 3) dealer ( Nissan of el monte ) has replace struts and other suspension parts more than 4 times after 10 dealer inspections.
Brakes
68 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
At 65k miles, 2004 Nissan Maxima began to buck, stall out. Dash lights came on - ABS, slip, brake, tcs off. Grinding noise coming from front of car. Abs seemed to be on all the time. Dealer evaluated - said it needs ABS actuator, which was ordered, and should be ok to drive. In the meantime, traction control does not…
Partial brake failure when approaching highway stop light at 45 MPH, dry conditions. Braking distance more than doubled as front brakes made very loud scraping and grinding sounds (not typical ABS sound) while not having any stopping power - I appeared to only have rear brakes. Was able to stop just inside…
Electrical
56 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
My 2004 Nissan door actuator is failing regularly. I understand that this is a common problem with nissans after reading many internet blogs. Is there a recall on that item?
2004 Maxima automatic transmission - bought new; continually jerks when switching between gears with less than 100,000 miles; now the park lamps continually go out on the vehicle.
Body and structure
56 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While having the vehicle serviced, the technician noticed that the front passenger side floorboard was corroded. The floorboard was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Transmission jerks, slips while driving also banging sounds when you change gears this has been happening for awhile I had transmission fluid flushed, had the engine speed sensor replaced, now I was told I need transmission replaced 90,898 miles had to replace under car body because it rotted out
Speed control
38 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles.
The transmission in my car is slipping. When I am trying to take off many times the acceleration is decreased dramatically and puts my family in danger of having a terrible accident. The gears are hard to switch and it makes a loud noise when this happens. Sometimes while driving it starts jerking as if it will cut…
On feb 8, 2012, as I was accelerating to get on the highway, my car started jerking as though it was not getting gas, then it stalled out on me. I restarted the car with no trouble, started to push on the gas pedal, my car started jerking and stalled out again. Very scary, thank goodness, I was just entering the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Nissan Maxima recalls
Seats: power adjust
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: This could create excessive internal stress in the glass and eventually cause the glass to shatter, creating a risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Glass roof shattering
Summary
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, 200
Questions about the 2004 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (934 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); wheels and tires (146 complaints, typically around 30,500 miles); engine (121 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Maxima have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 7, 2005 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is the most complained-about Maxima model year since 2000, with 1,426 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.