Page 2 of 29 · complaints 51–100 of 1,426

2004 Nissan Maxima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Power Train
Filed Aug 19, 2016136,000 milesNJ

TRANSMISSION FAILING FOR SECOND TIME. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT/OVERHAULED IN MARCH OF 2014. MILEAGE AT TIME OF REBUILD WAS 111,090 MILES. THE TOTAL COST OF SAID REPAIR WAS $2,996.00. AS OF TODAY AUGUST 19, 2016 THE SAID MENTIONED TRANSMISSION IS FAILING FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 136,XXX MILES. THE CURRENT SYMPTOMS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION ARE, EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTS AND SLIPPING INTO UPPER GEARS.

Power Train
Filed Jul 21, 2016170,000 milesNC

SUDDENLY AFTER PUTTING MY CAR IN DRIVE FROM REVERSE AFTER BEING PARKED IN A PARKING LOT MY CAR JERKED SO BAD I THOUGHT MY NECK WAS BROKE. IT HAS CONTINUED. I LIVE ON A BUDGET AND AM DISABLED SO I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE OR MAKE REPAIRS ON MY TRANSMISSION.

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2016150,000 milesMO

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT IS MADE FROM PLASTIC CAME APART AND HAS CAUSED MY CARS ENGINE TO FAIL.THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGNED PART . IT WILL COST AROUND $2000.00 PARTS AND LABOR FOR THE REPAIR FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP.NISSAN SHOULD STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS DESIGN FLAW FOR ME AND MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM .

Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 2016GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A DELAYED RESPONSE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED VIOLENTLY WHENEVER THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED FROM THE PARK POSITION INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2016115,000 milesFL

MY TIMING CHAIN PRIMARY GUIDE HAS BROKE ! THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ASSEMBLY PART! IT'S MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE PLASTIC BREAKS AND THE CHAIN LOOSES TENSION! IT COST 2000$ TO REPAIR. I'M DRIVING THE CAR. I CAN'T GO ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IF THE CHAIN FAILS THE CAR WILL JUST STOP!'DANGEROUS NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THE DEFECTIVE PART ! THEY NOTIFIED ALL DEALERSHIPS IN 2004 TSB. BUYERS AVOID NISSAN MAXI AS 04-08 MODELS.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 14, 2016138,000 milesNH

THE FLOOR PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ROTTEN THROUGH AND IT FAIL THE SAFETY INSPECTION. I AM DISABLED AND CAN NOT GET UNDER THE CAR TO TAKE PHOTOS.

Power Train
Filed Jun 10, 2016100,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AND WOULD SOMETIMES STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 9, 2016138,000 milesNH

RUST IN THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT FAIL THE STATE OF NH SAFETY INSPECTION. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, MY TEACHERS SHOWED THAT THE NISSAN ALTIMA HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.

Power Train
Filed Jun 9, 2016FL

THE CAR STARTED BUCKING WHEN IS DOWNSHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR AND IT JERKS AND IT'S SLIPS. I HAVE A HUNDRED 100 THOUSAND MILES ON THE SPEEDOMETER.

Power Train
Filed May 25, 2016152,030 milesKY

WHEN AUTO IS IN MOTION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM LOW TO HIGHER GEAR ENGINE REVS TO EXCEEDINGLY HIGH RPM'S AS IF IN NUETRAL. WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AFTER SLOWING THE TRANSMISSION REENGAGES WITH A VIOLENT JERK, VERY DANGEROUS AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS

Power Train
Filed Apr 30, 2016PA

WHAT IS WRONG WITH NISSAN? WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THE MAXIMA TRANSMISSIONS? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT ! NOT EVERYONE HAS THE MONEY TO THROW AWAY ON A PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER CAUSED. SOMEONE SHOULD REALLY HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUE. CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. SO MUCH FOR A RELIABLE CAR FOR MY SON TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE WITH. MY HUSBAND HAS SERVED THIS COUNTRY FOR CLOSE TO 25 YEARS AND IS SHOCKED THAT NISSAN IS NOT BEING MADE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 24, 2016138,000 milesNH

LAST APRIL 25, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR FOR A YEARLY INSPECTION AND IT FAILED DUE TO THE RUST IN THE PASSENGER FLOOR PANEL AND SIDE RAIL. FROM THEN I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY GAVE ME A PRICE OF $800 TO $1,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. BEING DISABLED AND A FORMER MARINE ON A FIXED INCOME. I COULD NOT PAY FOR IT. SO I COVERED IT AND PLACED IT IN STORAGE. FOR HOW MUCH I PAID FOR THIS VEHICLE YOU THINK THEY WOULD GIVE YOU A BREAK, HELL NO. I NEED TO GET TO APPOINTMENTS AND NEED A CAR, SO WE'RE DO I GO TO GET HELP????? WHEN I FIND SOME ONE TO TAKE PICTURES I WILL WRITE AGAIN. I CAN NOT GET UNDER THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE HAD 3/3 MAJOR BACK FUSION SERGURY'S THAT ALL FAILED.

Power Train
Filed Mar 21, 2016150,000 milesNC

TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, WAS WRITTEN UP AT WORK FOR BEING LATE. I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO. NISSAN LOOKED AT IT SAID IT WAS FINE. 150,000 MILES

Power Train
Filed Jan 19, 201660,000 milesHI

SAME PROBLEM AS MANY OTHERS WITH THIS HORRIBLE TRANSMISSION. AT LOW THROTTLE, MAJOR JOLT WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. JUST ABOUT RIPS THE ENGINE OFF IT'S MOUNTS.

Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2016188,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 12, 2016PA

DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PAN RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITH THE RUST RADIATING FROM A DRAIN PLUG. FLOOR PAN DESIGN ALLOWS WATER TO POOL INTERNALLY AND RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 28, 2015FL

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN INSPECTION, FOUND OUT THAT THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THERE WAS A GOOD SIZE HOLE. IT COST ME A COUPLE HUNDRED TO FIX BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T PASS THE INSPECTION. THE NEXT THING WAS THE SLACK TIMING CHAIN, THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WOULD COST UP TO $3000 TO FIX. THEN THE BIGGEST SAFETY ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSION, THIS ONE IS REALLY CONCERNING. THE JERKING, BUCKING, KICKING, CLANGING, THE SECONDS OF HESITATION BETWEEN DRIVE AND REVERSE AND THEN SUDDENLY IT ENGAGES AND THE KICK COULD GIVE YOU WHIPLASH. SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I'M IN A RODEO. WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR AWHILE (OVERNIGHT) THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE INITIAL START BUT ONCE IT WARMS UP THAT'S IT. YOU CAN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY ONCE THE CAR SLOWS DOWN, OR IS MAKING A TURN, GOING AROUND A BEND OR COMES TO A STOP BECAUSE IT DROPS OUT OF GEAR, THEN THERE IS THE HESITATION AND AT THAT POINT IT JUST REVS, THIS HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT ENGAGES AGAIN THEN THERE IS A MASSIVE BANG AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD, BY THEN THE TRAFFIC IS RIGHT UNDER YOUR REAR BUMPER. AFTER THIS HAPPENS A FEW TIMES THERE IS NO MORE ACCELERATION, THE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR FOR THE CAR TO MOVE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A MONTH OR TWO AGO AND HASN'T GONE OFF. THIS IS A REAL DANGEROUS, SAFETY ISSUE. A FEW DAYS AGO ANOTHER ISSUE APPEARED, I CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITH THE REMOTE DOOR OPENER OR THE ELECTRONIC DOOR OPENER ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. AT THIS PO

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 26, 201590,898 milesMA

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

Power Train
Filed Dec 16, 2015180,000 milesTX

THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS TIME IT HAPPENED ON THE STREET. I FEEL I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO NOT GET STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2006, THERE HAS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 15, 2015120,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Power Train
Filed Dec 15, 2015NY

TRANSMISSION KEEPS JERKING AND STALLING OUT KEEPS ON SLIPING DURING SHIFTS

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 15, 2015115,000 milesNH

MY CAR FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS A HOLE IN THE FLOOR PAN AS WELL AS RUST IN THE SIDE RAIL. I AM A DISABLED FORM MARINE VET. MY WIFE LEFT ME AND EVERYTHING I HAD. SO I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS TO BE FIXED. FROM ALL THE COMPLETES ABOUT THIS THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I CAN NOT TAKE ANY PICTURES BECAUSE AFTER 3/3 LEVEL BACK FUSIONS I CAN NOT GET UNDER THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND BY THE STATE INSPECTION FAILED DUE TO THE RUST.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Dec 4, 2015137,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V326000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Power Train
Filed Dec 3, 2015112,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR JERKED, VIBRATED, AND HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS PRIOR TO RECEIVING A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER'S REMEDY DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Oct 15, 2015146,089 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HORN ASSEMBLY AND HORN SWITCH WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,089.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 7, 2015170,000 milesMA

I HAD MY DAUGHTER AND 2 GRANDKIDS IN MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA ,BABY 3 DAYS OLD MY DAUGHTER JUST HAD HER MY CAR RAN OUT OF POWER RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING VEHICLES WE HAD TO LITERALLY STAND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE SO CARS WOULDN'T HIT US ANTIFREEZE ALL OVER GROUND AND SMOKING RADIATOR CRACKED AND GOT ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION

Electrical System
Filed Oct 3, 2015156,587 milesMA

ME RADIO AND GPS AND AIR AND HIT IS THE PROBLEM 1 DAY WORK OTHERS DAY NO

Power Train
Filed Sep 22, 201599,000 milesCT

MY NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. ITS UNCONTROLABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT ISALSO DELAYED WHEN SWITCHING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. I COULD LIVE WITH REPAIRING THESE ISSUES IF THEY WERENT COMMON BUT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT IVE READ ABOUT WITH THE SAME ISSUES SHOWS ME THAT ITS NOTHING I DID. ITS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND ITS A SHAME THAT NISSAN DOESNT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 31, 2015111,000 milesNY

DURING DRIVING ITS JERKING AND BUMPING SHOWS "SERVICE ENGINE" ALERT. MECHANIC VERIFIED AND HE SAID MAY BE TRANSMISSION HAVE ISSUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 28, 201586,000 milesIL

VEHICLE IS SHOWING EARLY SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, DOWN SHIFTING TO THE LOWER GEAR IS HARSH. THE GEAR IS SLAMMED INTO POSITION AND DECELERATES THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS, MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH LED TO A REPAIR COST BETWEEN $3000 AND $6000. I FEAR THAT DURING THE WINTER TIME, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE LOST IN SNOWY CONDITIONS DUE TO A SUDDEN DECELERATION LEADING INTO A SEVERE ACCIDENT.

Power Train
Filed Aug 15, 201579,000 milesMO

CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN COMING OUT OF TURNS, SEEMS LIKE IT IS GETTING CAUGHT DOWNSHIFTING FROM WHAT MUST BE 3RD GEAR DOWN TO SECOND..WHEN IT CATCHES, THE CAR TAKES OFF AND ACCELERATES FORWARD QUICKLY. BOUGHT THE CAR WITHOUT A WARRANTY AT 79,000 AND AM SHOCKED THIS HASN'T BEEN MADE INTO A RECALL YET FOR THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS NATURE OF THE PROBLEM.

Power Train
Filed Aug 10, 2015114,000 milesOH

TRANSMISSION SHIFT ERRATICALLY! SLIPS, CLUNKS, SLAMS INTO OR OUT OF GEAR! THERE ARE TIMES IT IS SO BAD THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE ON PUBLIC ROADS OR HIGHWAYS. SINCE I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM I HAVE READ MANY OTHER OF THE COMPLAINTS WHOM DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEMS. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR/TRANSMISSION. THE KNOW IT IS A DEADLY PROBLEM. IF THERE HAVE BEEN "UNEXPLAINED" INJURY OR DEADLY ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE NISSAN MAXIMA THE NHTSB MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AND CAUSING THE DEADLY ACCIDENT.

Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2015120,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 18, 201576,000 milesIL

FLOORBOARDS ON '04 MAXIMA COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. CAR IS 1 OWNER, GARAGED, LOW MILEAGE. REAR SUB FRAME PART WAS REPLACED ON RECALL SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. REASON- NOT SUITABLE FOR NORTHERN CLIMATE. CAR WAS BOUGHT AND IS STILL IN ST. LOUIS AREA

Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 2015130,000 milesFL

TRANSMISSION JERKS REALLY HARD WHEN DRIVING AND GOING INTO GEAR. ALSO WHILE DRIVING IT DOESNT WANT TO SHIFT AT TIMES.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 3, 2015104,328 milesTN

I NOTICED A SMELL WHEN I WAS DRIVING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SO I TOOK MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA INTO A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT I TRUST ON 6/26/15. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN THE AIR, IT TOOK HIM TWO SECONDS TO NOTE THE PROBLEM: THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE COMPLETELY ROTTING/RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. YOU CAN SEE MY CARPET THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MIND YOU, THERE IS NO HISTORY OF FLOOD DAMAGE TO THIS CAR (I PAID THE $40 FOR A CARFAX TO FIND OUT), AND I LIVE IN TENNESSEE, WHERE WE DO NOT GET ENOUGH SNOW FOR SALT TO CAUSE ANY DAMAGE. I'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB TAKING CARE OF MY CAR AND AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS SITUATION. I'VE ALSO DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, SO I KNOW I'M JUST ONE OF MANY 2004 MAXIMA OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS AN IMMENSE SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS TOLD I MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SAFELY FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO BEFORE I RISK MY SEAT FALLING FORWARD WITH ME IF I BRAKE TOO SUDDENLY. WITH AS MANY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT THE DAMAGE BEGINS LOCALIZED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, RESPECTIVELY, THIS APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE 2004 MAXIMA THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFETY OF THESE CARS' DRIVERS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 27, 2015MA

I JUST BOUGHT A 2004 MAXIMA ON AUGUST 2014.JUST BROUGHT THE CAR FOR A OIL AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT A HAVE A ROTTED FLOOR PANEL AN THE PASSANGER SIDE.WENT ON LINE AND NOTICE THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM.CAN YOU HELP? I DONT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE.I HAVE CHILDREN AND IAM AFRAID THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 23, 2015KY

THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR GETS VERY JERKY AND CAUSES EITHER DELAYED OR UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHICH IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHILE DRIVING IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE.

Power Train
Filed Jun 23, 2015139,000 milesIL

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 76,000 MILES. NISSAN WOULD NOT HELP IN REPAIRS. FAILED AGAIN @ 139,000 MILES. SAFETY ISSUE WOULD BE WHEN CAR STOPS COMPLETELY AND YOUR CAR COULD GET REAR ENDED AND/OR WHEN IT JUST ALL OF THE SUDDEN SLOWS EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING. ALL THIS WITH LITTLE ONES IN THE CAR!

Power Train
Filed Jun 22, 2015146,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 21, 2015102,000 milesNJ

1 COVE COURT

Power Train
Filed Jun 18, 2015105,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR DECREASE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

SeatsFire
Filed Apr 28, 2015240,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE GAUGES STARTED FLICKERING ERRATICALLY AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCHED FAILED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V512000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

Power Train
Filed Apr 26, 201595,000 milesWA

MY 2004 NISSAN JERKS AT SHIFTING SPEED OF 15-23 MILE PER HR. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed Apr 26, 2015VA

SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD - ENGINE REVS, TRANSMISSION JERKS AFTER SHORT DELAY. WHEN GOING ON DOWNHILL BENDS THIS MEANS THAT THE CAR WANTS TO JERK OFF THE ROAD, SOMEWHAT. APPARENTLY DUE TO IMPROPER COOLING ON THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT GETS GUMMY, AND THEN THE SOLENOIDS CLOG UP AND GET STUCK. THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF WEAR ON THE GEARS. FOR THE FIRST REPAIR, A FLUSH AND REPLACING THE SOLENOIDS WILL USUALLY GIVE ANOTHER 20K MILES, BUT THE PROBLEM DOESN'T GET FIXED UNLESS A CUSTOM COOLING SYSTEM IS PUT ON THE TRANSMISSION LINES. IT'S A CRAPPY DESIGN. INSTEAD OF RUNNING THE COOLING LINES TO THE ENGINE AND PUTTING A THERMOSTAT ON A SWITCH, THERE SHOULD BE A DEDICATED COOLER ON THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, IT'S RIDICULOUSLY HARD TO GET TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FILTER, WHICH IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE. HOW HARD WOULD IT HAVE BEEN TO PUT AN EXTERNAL FILTER DOWN IN THE PAN? *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 19, 2015187,616 milesMD

TRANSMISSION FAILURE - I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 1 YEAR OLD CHILD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED. I WENT FROM DOING 50 TO 5 ON THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF AN 18 WHEELER. LUCKILY I AM A GOOD DRIVER AND USED MY SENSES TO PULL OVER AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY AS POSSIBLE. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 18, 2015166,000 milesKY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 60MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLS OUT I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE I COME WITHIN SECONDS OF BEING REAR ENDED I'M IN THE MIDDLE LANE SO I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MERGE OVER BUT GUESS WHAT I CAN'T BECAUSE THE CAR IS STALLED OUT SO I PUT CAUTION LIGHTS ON AND IT TAKES ABOUT TWINS BEFORE THE CAR WILL EVEN START BACK UP AND WHEN IT DOES ITS GEARED UP TO WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A FIFTH GEAR AND IT BARLEY TAKES OFF I'M TALKING MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND IT'S TAKING OFF AT 2MPH COME ON NOW, SO CALL FOR HELP GET MY CAR TOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAID IT WAS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD IT REPLACED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF CAME AND PICKED UP MY CAR HAD TO DRIVE THAT DAY 45MINS FROM WHERE I LIVED AND ABOUT E0MINS INTO THE TRIP BAM IT STALLS AGAIN AT 60MPH SAME SCENARY AFTER THE CAR COOLS DOWN IT STARTS BACK UP JUST FINE BUT AFTER 30MINS OF A CONSTANT DRIVE IT STALLS OUT AND I'M STUCK IN 5TH GEAR ....PLEASE HELP! *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2015MO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THERE WAS A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL UNDER REFERENCE NUMBER: R2022 (CAM SHAFT) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Apr 4, 2015135,000 milesNY

TRANSMISSION SLIPS THEN BANGS HARD INTO GEAR. ALSO TRANSMISSION GET STUCK IN HIGH GEAR. JUST PRIOR TO THE CAR GETTING STUCK IN HIGH GEAR, THE CAR STALLS NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOUR GOING. WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR, YOU ARE STUCK IN HIGH GEAR. NO OTHER GEARS WORK. *TR

Structure
Filed Mar 27, 2015MA

FLOORBOARD IN MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IS ROTTED OUT. PASSENGER SIDE IS ALMOST RIGHT THROUGH. MY MECHANIC SAID NO OTHER CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY, IT IS A NISSAN DEFECT. SAFETY ISSUES ASIDE, NISSAN SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. WE PAY GOOD MONEY AND EXPECT TO GET WHAT WE PAID FOR. HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX OR REIMBURSE THEIR CUSTOMERS! IT IS YOUR JOB AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER. THANK YOU. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Nissan Maxima → · Every Maxima year → · How the figures are calculated →