NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
VERY HARD SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 3RD BACK TO 2ND. I TALK TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE TOLD ME THAT ALL 04 MAXIMA AND SOME OF THE 05 MAXIMA HAD BAD TRANSMISSION AND NISSAN CORPORATION NEEDS TO RECALL THEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY AND ALSO, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AFTER DRIVING 55 MPH. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. KMJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF EACH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OR THE VALVE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS TO 3000. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIMING BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
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
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WITHOUT WARNING, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND STAYS THERE CAUSING A SERIOUS TRAFFIC HAZARD. NISSAN SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION JERKS MY CAR OUT OF CONTROL DURING 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR WITH SEVERE HESITATION AND A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DELAYING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, MOSTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, TRANSMISSION JUMPS AND MAKES LOAD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO 1ST AND 1ST TO SECOND SOMETIMES. ALSO, REVS HIGH THEN SEEMS TO SKIP A GEAR. *TR
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.
HAVE A 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT APPROXIMATELY 70K THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY KICK BETWEEN 2-3 GEARS. AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS OF THIS CONDITION THE TRANSMISSION KICKED SO BAD THAT IT BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CAR WOULD PULL RIGHT AND AT TIMES OUT OF MY LANE WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. AS A RESULT I REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION AND NOW SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE EXACT SAME ISSUE REAPPEARED. (~6MONTHS/ 5K MILES) NOT ONLY DOES MY VEHICLE KICK BETWEEN 2ND-3RD GEAR, IT IS NOW GETTING STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MAXIMA SOURCES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2004 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC (RE5F22A) (AW 55-50SN) TRANSMISSION. RESEARCH ON INTERNET HAS CONFIRMED MANY INSTANCES THAT DUPLICATE THIS ISSUE.
I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAXIMA 18 MONTHS AGO. FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT,FROM THE ROTORS TO A WEIGHT FALLING OFF THE WHEEL(WHICH THEY SAY I LOST).I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING SO BAD I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT.WHEN I TOOK IT BACK FOR THE FIFTH TIME I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED(I HAD NOT OWNED IT BUT 2 MONTHS). FINALLY I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER (SAME AFFILIATE) WHO FIXED IT SO THE SHAKING WAS NOT AS BAD (AFTER 3 VISITS). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEN,AND NOW WHEN THE JERKING HAS GOTTEN WORSE,SOMETIMES JERKS SO HARD IT HURTS MY NECK. THE GEARS JERK WHEN CHANGING. I THOUGHT I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT A LEMON,BUT AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS (WHICH ARE EITHER THE SAME OR SIMILAR) I KNOW NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR LOOSE THERE LIVES(AS WELL AS OTHERS).AND I DO PLAN TO CONTINUE EMAILING SENDING LETTERS,AND CALLING UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS.NOW I DON'T FEEL ALONE IN THIS ISSUE JUST PISSED OFF. THAT NISSAN HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO ON SO LONG WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS VEHICLE.
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
I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5 SE WITH 74,000 MILES, AND FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN SLIPPING AND JERKING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO3RD. BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW; WHERE THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED OUT OF 1ST GEAR, AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WOULD NOT REV UP AND I WAS STUCK HOLDING UP TRAFFIC UNTIL I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN RPMS AND THEN PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE. *TR
RUSTING OF UNDERBODY (FLOOR), UNDER DRIVER AND PASSENGER, VISIBLE HOLES, DIAMETER SIZE OF OVER 1 FOOT. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 78,000 MILES PURCHASED FROM ABC NISSAN ON NOV 17, 2009. TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I'VE HAD TWO ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED, THREE TIRES AND PRESSURE HOSE. I AM NOW TOLD I WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION AND I HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO PARK AND FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEARS. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE MOUNTS EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND HAVE FOLLOWED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR MAINTENANCE EXPLICITLY. ALSO THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 2 YEARS AND A SHIMY OCCURS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH. SINCE NO ONE HAS DIED FROM THESE PROBLEMS, I AM SURE NO RECALLS WILL OCCUR BUT AS AN "AVERAGE PERSON" THESE REPAIRS ARE EXTREMELY COSTLY AND DISHEARTENING. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR WITH MY INFANT SON WITH THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOW AS RISKING HIS SAFETY IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. I WISH SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING TO HELP OUT THE UNKNOWING CONSUMER BUT I HAVE LITTLE HOPE SOMEONE WILL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
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.
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION TROUBLES. THE TRANSMISSION ON THE AUTOMATIC 5 SPEED MAXIMA GET STRUCK AND OFTEN TAKES MORE THAN 5 SECONDS TO GET IN TO GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SEEMS WIDESPREAD AMONG THE 6TH GENERATION MAXIMAS. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW AND IT SEEMS NISSAN ONLY WANT TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THIS IS SO WIDESPREAD, AMONG MAXIMAS OF VARYING MILEAGE, IT BEGS THE QUESTION ON WHETHER THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE SYSTEMATICALLY ADDRESSED. NISSAN (CORPORATE) AND DEALERS ARE UNRESPONSIVE TO THESE CONCERNS AND IT'S NOT FAIR THAT CONSUMERS HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY ISSUE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, OUT OF THE BLUE, AT STREET SPEED, 10-25 MPH, A SUDDEN "CLUNK" IS HEARD AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILS CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY AND LEFT WITHOUT ANY POWER. IF CAR RESTARTS, THE TRANSMISSION IS LEFT IN 5TH GEAR WITH NO ABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS AT ALL. ONLY 44000 MILES ON THE CAR, BUT WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING/DOCUMENTING TO THE NISSAN DEALER EVERY SERVICE, SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. ALL THEY DO IS "ADD TRANSMISSION OIL", OR JUST TELL US "THERE IS NO PROBLEM FOR THIS IS NORMAL." *TR
MY CAR DIED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BACK UP, I DISMISSED IT. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT WOULD NOT START AT THE GROCER. IT RESTARTED ONLY AFTER JUMPING. I DROVE IT TO AUTO ZONE FOR A NEW BATTERY WHICH SEEMED TO HELP. YESTERDAY WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARALLEL PARK IT DIED AGAIN MID AISLE. I RESTARTED IT AND SLOWLY PRESSED FORWARD BY FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR. I BACKED OUT AGAIN AND AFTER CHANGING GEAR, IT DRAGGED FORWARD WITHOUT TORQUE. FINALLY, IT LURCHED INTO TORQUE ONLY TO DRAG DOWN AT EACH RED LIGHT. I'M APPALLED AT ALL THE ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO RELIEF. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AFTER SIX YEARS / 58,000 MILES. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY OUT OF THIRD GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE ERROR CODES WERE RESET. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE RESULTING IN THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
MAXIMA 2004 SL 3.5 STEERING WHEEL TILT STOPPED WORKING. *TR
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND. MY NEXT CAR WILL BE AMERICAN IF THIS PROBLEM DON'T GET CORRECTED. *TR
APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY STILL I BROUGHT IT SO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. ABOUT A YEAR AGONY CAR STARTED 'BANGING' INTO GEAR AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL. I WAS TOLD TODAY THE TRANSMISSION VALVE MAYBE THE PROBLEM AND ITS $1200 TO FIX. IF THIS DOESN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE THEN I HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANNY REBUILT.
2004 + NISSAN MAXIMA'S ARE HAVING TIMING CHAIN ISSUES WHICH STARTS TO OCCUR AFTER 50K AS PER THE THOUSAND OF FORUM MEMBERS ACROSS DIFFERENT FORUM. I AM A VICTIM TOO. ITS A KNOWN DEFECT IN MAXIMA'S AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS TO FIX THIS. THIS TIMING CHAIN ISSUE FIX COST APPX $1600 AND DIFFICULT FOR US TO PAY SUCH AN AMOUNT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED BY NISSAN AS A MAINTENANCE FREE ITEM. THIS TIMING CHAIN WOULD GRADUALLY LEAD TO ALL SORT OF PROBLEMS LEADING TO COMPLETE FAILURE IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF. WE AS A CUSTOMER PLEDGE NHTSA TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. ALREADY CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND NISSAN USA WITHOUT ANY RESULTS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60,000 MILES WITH MY WIFE AND I IN THE CAR. I WAS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE USING THE RAMP AND ONCE I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO JUMP OFF OF THE ROAD BECAUSE A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS APPROACHING AND NEARLY RAN OVER ME. I HAD TO DRIVE OFF INTO THE GRASS TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. PROBLEM IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. THIS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. I AM THANKFUL THAT WE WERE NOT KILLED BY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC...... THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AND NISSAN SAYS THEY HAVE NO RECORDS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THIS WITH 2004 MAXIMA'S. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINT JUST LIKE MINE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. IS THAT WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR NISSAN TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM? HOW CAN I GET THIS RESOLVED??? *TR
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. *TR
NISSAN MAXIMA 2004 3.5 SE: AROUND 82000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JUMP INTO AND OUT OFF GEAR. IM AT 95000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS WORSE. IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR EASIER CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN, HAD CLOSE REAR ENDED ACCIDENTS, FORTUNATELY THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION. THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. I SWITCH FROM AUTOMATIC TO STANDARD AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO JUMP INTO AND OUT OF GEAR. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. HAD IT TOWED ONCE ALREADY FOR THE SAME CAUSE. 3 MECHANICS TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VALVES IN THE TRANSMISSION, ESTIMATES OF $2000 TO $3500 TO FIX. ALL HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR. RPM SHOOTS UP PAST 7000 ON SOME GEAR CHANGES ONLY TO SLIP BACK OUT OF GEAR. I CAN NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN MERGING ONTO FREEWAYS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. CHECK THIS WEB PAGE.....HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/MAXIMA/2004/TRANSMISSION/JERKS_WHEN_SHIFTING.SHTML. *TR
WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY OR AVOID TRAFFIC, THE CAR SLIPS GOING INTO GEAR. WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE SAFELY AS ITS HARD TO PREDICT THE VEHICLES BEHAVIOR. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND ACCORDING TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM IS NOT THAT UNCOMMON WITH SAID VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL. *TR
HI MY NAME IS [XXX] I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY MAXIMA 2004 BECAUSE IS JERKING, I JUST TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IS THE TRANSMISSION AND MY CAR HAVE 51,000 MILES WOW I CAN'T BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD THEY CHARGING ME 3,400 TO FIX. AND I STILL PAYING MY CAR AND I HAVE A FAMILY AND BILLS TO PAY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS.. I NEED HELP TO FIX MY CAR... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON MY CAR, STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. LET CAR REST FOR 10 MINUTES, THEN FINALLY RESTARTED ONLY TO FIND MY CAR STUCK IN 5TH GEAR WITH SLOW ACCELERATION AND HIGH RPM IF NOT CAREFUL. CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. I DO NOT KNOW EXTENT OF DAMAGES (FINANCIAL BURDEN) AS CAR IS LEFT IN MECHANIC SHOP, BUT ALREADY DEPENDING ON FRIENDS FOR A RIDE TO WORK. *TR
IT IS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SL. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED HEAVILY JERKING AT 98K MILES. THE JERKING WAS SO MUCH THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY. THE CAR WAS RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAINED. IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL CODY $3000 TO FIX. *TR
LAST NIGHT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO A BUSY STREET, UNKNOWN TO ME MY CAR WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. MY VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THE FAST APPROACHING TRAFFIC. NO MATTER WHAT I DID I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF 5TH GEAR NOR GET MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO TRAVEL VERY SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY TO GET HOME. WHILE HOME, I DECIDED TO RESEARCH MY PROBLEM WITH MY CAR ON THE INTERNET. TO MY SURPRISE, THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE OF CAR LISTED ON NUMEROUS WEB SITES. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE RESEARCHED, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING NOR ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS. FROM A SAFETY POINT OF VIEW, THIS PROBLEM IS JUST AS BAD AS A STUCK ACCELERATOR. I WONDER HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT AS MANY OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED WERE NOT ABLE TO REPORT WHAT HAD OCCURRED. WITH THE NUMBER OF 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA'S ON THE ROAD AND THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE NHTSA AND NISSAN NA SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER POSSIBLE INJURY AND DEATH. MY CAR IS NOW STUCK IN 5TH GEAR AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY LONGER AS THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS TO OCCUR. I WILL BE COPYING THIS COMPLAINT TO THE OFFICE OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, RICHARD BLUMENTHAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LUNGED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, BEFORE REGAINING NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWED DUE TO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITH A LOUD BANG. OCCURRED WHILE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED FROM 2ND GEAR TO 1ST. OCCURS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND GEAR INTO 3RD AND WHEN PARKED AND TRYING TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. TWO MECHANICS HAVE SUGGESTED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND APPOINTMENT MADE FOR SUCH. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A HORRIBLE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDER/SHAKING THAT GETS WORSE THE FASTER YOU GO (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) TOLD IT WAS STRUTS, SO THEY WERE REPLACED, NUMEROUS WHEEL ALIGNMENTS AND BALANCINGS TO CORRECT, WITH NO SATISFACTION. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION FAILING AFTER ONLY 60000 MILES. HAVE HAD HARD SHIFTING SINCE NEW AND NISSAN KNOWS THIS TRANNY IS DEFECTIVE. VIN NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TRANSMISSION IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SLIPS AND LURCHES INTO GEAR. DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT IT THREE TIMES BUT SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT, THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACED. I AM FEARFUL TO PASS A CAR ON TWO LANE ROAD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AND STALL LEAVING ME IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC W/O POWER TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. THE SHIFTING IS NOT RELIABLE LEAVING ME VULNERABLE BY NOT KNOWING THE RESPONSE I CAN EXPECT FROM THE CAR. *TR
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH AUTO 5-SPEED. CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP IN 5TH GEAR AS I WAS PREPARING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY FROM A STANDING START, ON AN ON-RAMP; HAD NO POWER AND MY WIFE AND I ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED BY AN 18-WHEELER. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT EXIT, THE CAR STILL HAD JUST ONE GEAR AVAILABLE (5TH), AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. ONLY AFTER I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES DID THE OTHER GEARS "RETURN." BUT THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE GEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 110,250. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ 11/9/10 *CN UPDATED 11/16/10
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026