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.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL'S TRANSMISSION, TO THE POINT WHERE NISSAN HAS ISSUED A TSB. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN OPERATING IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION PAUSES, THE RPM SHOOTS WAY UP, THE DROPS DOWN AFTER A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES IN A JERKING FASHION. THIS IS A CONSIDERABLE PROBLEM GIVEN MY OPERATION IN AND AROUND A MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREA WITH SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC. SUDDEN UNEXPECTED CHANGES IN VELOCITY, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VELOCITY, IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING VERY ERADICLLY. UNEVEN DOWNSHIFTS AND A LOSSS OF POWER DURING ACCELERATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION STICKS IN 5TH GEAR. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO DO THIS. IF YOU TRY TO PERFORM A MANUAL DOWNSHIFT THE CAR SLAMS ITSELF AS IF IT HAD BEEN STRUCK FROM BEHIND. BECAUSE THESE ARE PERFORMANCE CARS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CARS ARE ONLY NOW STARTING TO REACH THAT MILE STONE WHERE THE DAMAGE IS SO FALL ALONG THAT THE THREAT OF BODILY HARM IS GREATLY INCREASED FROM PAST INCIDENTS.
I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2009 AT 73,000 MILES, IT DID NOT JERK, BUT THE MORE I DROVE IT I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. IT STARTED ONLY WHEN I WAS GOING 20 MILES PER HOUR, BUT NOW IT JERKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR SHIFTING TO GO FASTER THAN 20 MPH. I CONTACTED MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED, AND EVEN TRIED THE LUCAS TRANSMISSION FLUID. NOTHING WORKED. I CONTACTED A NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 30 MINUTES OR LONGER THIS HAPPENS. AFTER SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP, WHEN STARTING UP THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO MISS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. THE ENGINE RIVES UP LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. AFTER SLOWING THE ENGINE DOWN AND STARTING UP AGAIN IT WORKS CORRECTLY. *TT
TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING UP, WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND THEN JERKS THE CAR HARD. IT ALSO JERKS HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING WHEN STOPPING. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES A "HARD JERK" WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO KICKS TO SHIFT IN GEAR WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. I SEE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OCCURRENCES ONLINE BY OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO DECELERATE TO SPEEDS OF 10 MPH AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A SENSOR WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SL -- FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR
I HAD GEARS BANGING AND JERKING FROM P-R, P-D, D-R, 2-3, 3-4, 4-3 AND 3-2. ALSO WHEN DRIVING UNDER 25MPH, IF I LET OFF THE GAS TO SLOW DOWN, THEN ACCELERATE, THE RPMS JUMP ALMOST TO REDLINE, THEN THE GEAR CATCHES AND ROCKETS THE CAR FORWARD! VERY DANGEROUS! ALSO WHILE DRIVING I CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO FIND THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE VERY SLOWLY. I SHIFTED TO MANUAL MODE TO FIND THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. I PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF, RESTARTED MINUTES LATER AND IT WAS FINE. THE NEXT DAY I GET IN MY CAR TO FIND I HAD REVERSE, BUT ITS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR AGAIN WHEN SHIFTED TO D/MANUAL. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 1 YEAR AND 6 MONTHS NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT, BUT WILL NOT ADMIT IT BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING SO MUCH MONEY SELLING $5,000 TRANSMISSIONS AND $1,500 VALVE BODIES. NOT TO MENTION LABOR FEES AND ALL THE SMALL PARTS TO PEOPLE TRYING TO FIX THIS THEMSELVES. NISSAN MADE 8 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THIS VALVEBODY TRYING TO GET IT RIGHT, BUT FINALLY GAVE UP AND JUST PUT A CVT TRANNY IN THE 09' AND NEWER MAXIMAS. LEAVING THE 6TH GEN OWNERS TO FEND FOR OURSELVES. I SPENT $15,000 ON MY MAXIMA, NOW I HAVE TO SPEND $5,000 EVERY 2 YEARS JUST TO KEEP IT? THAT'S NOT RIGHT. NISSAN YOU HAVE LOST MY LOVE AND RESPECT. YOUR ABOUT TO LOSE ME AS A CUSTOMER. YOU SHOULD SHOW YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS SOME REAL LOYALTY AND RECALL THE AW55-50/51SN RE5F22A TRANSMISSIONS. NOT ONLY BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR FAULT, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THERE ARE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THESE CARS AND ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. DO YOU WANT A CHILD'S BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS NISSAN? MAN UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILTY BEFORE THAT HAPPENS AND MAYBE YOU'LL SAVE YOUR COMPANY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WHEN SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY .THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VIOLENTLY JERKING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
I BOUGHT MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SL 3.5 IN JANUARY 2011 WITH 80,000 MILES. THIS IS BY FAR THE NICEST CAR I'VE OWNED AND I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE LOW MILES, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT CAR AND HAVE VERY LITTLE ISSUES. IN AUGUST 2011 AT ABOUT 86,000 MILES IT STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD WHEN I SWITCH IN AND OUT OF PARK, DRIVE & REVERSE. IT ALSO STALLS AND JERKS WHILE I'M DRIVING. I NOTICE IT A LOT WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THEN START TO GO, OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN, OR WHEN IT'S AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHING GEARS, PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THE TIME. IT'S VERY SCARY AND IRRITATING, I FEEL LIKE THE CAR COULD DIE AT ANY MOMENT, WHILE I'M SWITCHING INTO DRIVE OR EVEN WHILE I'M DRIVING. MECHANICS RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, BUT AREN'T SURE HOW TO DO IT ON THE NISSAN BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE CERTAIN HOSES THAT THEIR MACHINE HOOKS UP TO. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM AND NOBODY HAS HAD GOOD RESULTS. NISSAN SHOULD EITHER RECALL THIS, OR FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT & PAY FOR IT. I JUST NEED TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, I DON'T LIKE FEELING LIKE I'M JUST OUT OF LUCK AND HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THIS WAS ALREADY A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY TO TRY EVERYTHING, AND I DON'T WANT TO KEEP DRIVING WHILE IT DOES THIS, I FEEL IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,415.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DOWNSHIFTING OR SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN 2004 MAXIMA.WE ARE EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RIGHT ABOUT IT GOT TO 85000 MILES. WE HAVE STARTED NOTICING THE DELAYED GEAR CONTACT TO MAKE THE CAR GO AND VERY HARD JERKING INTO THE GEAR. IT HAPPENED UNDER SLOW TRAFFIC . THE CARS ARE OK TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAYS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE NISSAN AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT PASSED THE 60000 MILES IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE BOUGHT BOTH CARS AS CERTIFIED PRE OWNED WHICH SUPPOSEDLY COVERS THE TRANSMISSION UP TO THE 100000 MILES. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS A DAY OUT OF WARRANTY. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT . THEY SOLD US A DEFECTED VEHICLES KNOWING THEY HAVE PROBLEM WITH IT . I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSAND OF COMPLAINT WITH THEIR 2004-2007 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION. I AM SURPRISE THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANY RECALL ON THEM. NISSAN SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKE AND PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. LIKE I SAID WE OWE 2 NISSAN MAXIMAS , IT IS GOING TO COST ME $10,000 TO FIX THOSE CARS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR NISSAN TO OWN TO THEIR MISTAKE ? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION AND RECOMMENDED HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHIFTED GEARS AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 94,000.
MAXIMA JERKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP OR WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR VISE VERSA. MAXIMA SEEMS TO STRUGGLE SOMETIMES TO GET TO HIGH GEARS. AT HIGH SPEEDS MAXIMA SEEMS FINE BUT ANNOYING JERKS OCCUR WHEN COMING TO A SLOW STOP. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY JERKED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNCIANS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I HAVE A 2004 MAXIMA AND I AM HAVING VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD WITH HARD SHIFTING RIGHT AROUND THE 20-25 MPH SHIFT GEAR AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS WHEN IT GEARS DOWN TO 1ST AND 2ND. I ALSO GOT A TRANSMISSION REBUILT BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PREMATURELY SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A VIOLENT JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO CENTER FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE THAT WOULD COST $ 3,800. UPDATED 01/03/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE RPM READINGS BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE FRACTURED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
WHEN GIVING GAS TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WILL JERK/JUMP GOING FROM 1 TO 2 RPMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, BANGS INTO AND OUT OF GEAR. SOMETIMES YOU STEP ON THE GAS AND IT REVS UP AND GRABS THE GEAR SO HARD THE TIRES BREAK LOOSE, OTHER TIMES IT JUST DRIVES FINE. *TR
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.
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.
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE BODY WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
FAILURE OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA'S TRANSMISSION AT 70,000 MILES. COMING HOME DURING RUSH HOUR, I SLOWED DOWN WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY CAR SLOWED TO APPOX. 20 MPH (MY FOOT WAS NOT ON ANY PEDAL), IT SUDDENLY REVVED AND JERKED BACK TO 20 MPH. IT HAPPEN AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AT WHICH TIME I TOOK IT TO AN HONEST TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. HE HOOKED IT ONTO A TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, BUT HE BEGAN READING ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE VALVE (WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT WHICH NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT.) IN THE MAXIMA TRANSMISSION. HE REPLACED THE VALVE AT A COST OF $1900!!! HE SUBSEQUENTLY INFORMED ME THAT THIS FIX MAYBE JUST A "BANDAID ON A GUNSHOT WOUND" AND IF I CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $2500 - $3000!! THE VALVE WAS REPLACED 6/29/2011, AS OF YESTERDAY (8/24/2011) THE CAR HAS ONCE AGAIN BEGUN TO ACT DIFFERENTLY ONCE IT IS AT OR AROUND 20 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS TOO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY! WHAT OTHER CARS TRANSMISSION GOES COMPLETELY OUT AT 70, 000 MILES AND HAS AS MANY COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET?? NO ONE BUT THE NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND JERK BEFORE IT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 35,000 MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE, RUN ROUGH AND LOSE POWER. SINCE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE SAME PARTS FAILED THAT FAILED THE LAST THREE TIMES. THESE CONSIST OF IGNITION COILS (PLURAL). CHANGING THESE FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR 5 WEEKS WHERE THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ALTHOUGH MORE CATASTROPHIC. GROUNDING CABLES ($2250, SIX COILS ($1,100), AND THEN WHATEVER ELSE (ECM IS EXPECTED AND MAYBE CYLINDER SENSORS). DOING INTERNET RESEARCH HAS RESULTED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 LINE THAT NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS OVERHEATING, CAUSING THE ENGINE COILS TO MISFIRE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS SUFFERED SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SWITCHED FROM "PARK," TO "DRIVE," IT SOMETIMES TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO ENGAGE. WHEN IT DOES, THE CAR JERKS REALLY BAD. ALSO, THE CAR JERKS HORRIBLY BAD WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS WHILE DRIVING. THE JERKING CAN BE SO SEVERE AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL VEER TO THE LEFT. I FEE THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! THE CAR HAS ALMOST VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION! WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A DEAD STOP (STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT, ETC.), IT WILL ALSO TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO ENGAGE ITSELF TO DRIVE. MY NISSAN MAXIMA HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES! NO CAR SHOULD BE HAVING SUCH SEVERE PROBLEMS AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF NISSAN MAXIMA CAR OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT NISSAN WOULD TURN A BLIND EYE TO AN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE TO BE AWARE OF!! I HAVE BEEN A HUGE ADVOCATE OF NISSAN, IF THIS ISSUE DOES NOT GET RESOLVED BY NISSAN, YOU CAN BET THAT I WILL NOT ONLY NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN, BUT CONVINCE EVERYONE I KNOW TO NEVER BUY A NISSAN. *TR
MY CLUTCH PEDAL KEEPS GETTING STUCK (ON THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RETRACTION) WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN I AM DRIVING. OFTEN TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS TO ACCOMMODATE SPEED BUT CANNOT AND WOULD HAVE TO SIGNAL HAZARDS TO AWARE OTHER DRIVERS OF EMERGENCY AND CANNOT PROCEED WITH DRIVING DUE TO COMPLICATIONS OF MY CLUTCH PEDAL NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY . I HAVE TRIED TROUBLE SHOOTING PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM SEEMS TO KEEP COMING BACK. I HAVE LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM IN THE FORUMS AND VARIOUS NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS WITH SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM... THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME WITH TWO KIDS AND I THE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BUT FRIGHTENING, I SOME TIMES AM STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTS MOVING I CANNOT AND OTHER DRIVERS HARASS AND THREATEN ME.. IT TAKES TIME FOR THE PEDAL TO RETRACT SOMETIMES HOURS. AT TIMES WHEN MOVING STEADILY IN MOTION THE PEDAL GETS STUCK AND CANNOT GET OUT OF GEAR AND HAVE TO FORCE THE SHIFTER OUT ON NEUTRAL TO ROLL WITH FRICTION LEAVING ME WITH LITTLE OR NO TIME TO REACT LEAVING ME VULNERABLE AND IN DANGER OF GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT HAVING ME MOVE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE.. PLEASE CONSIDER MY COMPLAINT NOT FOR MY BENEFIT BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHER CITIZENS AND COMMUTERS.. 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE IN A JERKING MOTION. SUDDENLY THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE SPORADIC FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND PREVIOUSLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIEFLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE AUTHORIZED DEALERS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA FAILED TO ACCELERATE ACROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT I HAD A NEAR MISS WITH SEVERAL TRUCKS THAT NEARLY HIT MY FAMILY. THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN ITS TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. THIS IS PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET AND DISCUSSED IN TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS. MY TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR FORCING THE CAR TO USE ITS TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH TO SLOWLY ACCELERATE. I WAS NEARLY KILLED AS A RESULT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN PREVIOUSLY ABOUT THIS DEFECT BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. PLEASE REGULATE NISSAN TO PROVIDE THE NHTSA DATA ABOUT ITS MAXIMA TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATE AND FORCE THEM TO ISSUE A SAFETY BULLETIN AND RECALL REBATE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN 5TH GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER FOUND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BURNED AND THERE WAS ALSO METAL IN THE FLUID. UPDATED 06/23/11 *TR
THE SKYVIEW ROOF IN MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IS LEAKING WATER. DURING A HARD RAIN WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING STILL FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR, WATER WILL RUN THROUGH THE INTERIOR LAMPS ONTO THE INTERIOR. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO THE POINT THAT I HATES WHEN IT RAINS. I HAVE TO PLACE A LARGE BATH TOWEL OVER THE DASHBOARD AND GEAR LEVER TO HELP PREVENT WATER AND ELECTRICAL DAMAGE! PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON THE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED A SECOND TIME AND INFORMED HIM TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE REPAIRS FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE. THE ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
TRANSMISSION IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS, SO HARD THAT FEELS LIKE YOU JUST GOT REAR ENDED. THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAILING AT AN ASTOUNDING RATE. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT MAKES THE CAR UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. *TR
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
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
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE, I HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS DUE TO THE HARD SHIFTING. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN, THE MALFUNCTION OCCURS. *TR
ON MAY 06, 2011 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. MY DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHERE NO ONE WAS SITTING DEPLOYED. I WAS 8-MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY STOMACH ALMOST CAUSING A EARLY LABOR (PRE-MATURE) I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE DOCTORS WERE ABLE TO STOP MY BABY FROM COMING. IF MY AIRBAG WOULD HAVE GONE OFF PROPERLY IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED MY STOMACH FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR A AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS CORRECT BECAUSE I PAID FOR THIS PRODUCT TO WORK. *TR