Page 3 of 29 · complaints 101–150 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 Mar 27, 201590,000 milesNJ

ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT TO SECOND OR FIRST GEAR, WHICH WOULD REV OUT THE MOTOR. SOMETIMES IT WOULD JERK HARSHLY BACK INTO GEAR. I REPLACED A SENSOR ON THE TRANSMISSION AND SOMEWHAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. NOW ITS WORST THAN IT WAS BEFORE, I BASICALLY DROVE 10 MINUTES AT 20 MPH ON FIRST GEAR. I HOPE IT CAN BE FIXED THIS TIME. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 19, 2015185,000 milesOK

CAR HAVE A HARD JERK WHEN SHIFTING. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY CAR JERK REAL HARD LIKE SOMEONE KICKED ME FROM BEHIND. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 15, 2015115,000 milesAZ

THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SUFFERS FROM A COMMON ISSUE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VALVE BODY CAUSES PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHIN THESE CARS. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN HARD JERKING / DELAYED SHIFTING WHEN CHANGING GEARS IN THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS MEANS LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY CATCHES ITSELF SINCE THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO REV HIGHER THAN NORMAL. OVERTIME THE CAR WILL EXPERIENCE SLOW ACCELERATION, DUE TO THE CAR BEING THROWN INTO A SAFETY MODE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH KEEPS THE CAR IN A "5TH" GEAR STATE. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE CODES THIS FAULTY PART WILL THROW, A VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PASS CERTAIN STATE EMISSIONS. REPAIRS ARE UPWARDS TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND UNFORTUNATELY REPLACING IT WITH THE SAME PART WILL ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE RESPONSE TIME, AND PUTS THE DRIVER AT SERIOUS RISK. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 12, 2015161,000 milesAL

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSES CAR TO JERK VERY BADLY, ACTS AS THO IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO. PULLING OFF YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE NO CARS ARE COMING AT ALL BECAUSE IF YOU JUST GO, YOU'RE LIKELY TO BE HIT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 9, 2015243,000 milesOH

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM I SEE AFTER DOING ONLINE RESEARCH. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2015170,000 milesOK

I WAS INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD AND THE RADIATOR SPLIT AT THE TOP, SPRAYING COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THE CAP WAS FUNCTIONING. NO INJURY BUT VERY DANGEROUS. THE RADIATOR LOOKS LIKE IT IS MADE OF SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC. I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE RADIATOR. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I DIDN'T ASK FOR COMPENSATION. I ASKED THAT THE NISSAN ENGINEERING DEPT REVIEW THE DEFECT FOR SAFETY REASONS AND RECEIVED NO REPLY. I REPLACED THE RADIATOR MYSELF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE THE RADIATOR IN MY GARAGE. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 1, 2015130,000 milesVA

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA W/124,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE AROUND 115,000 MILE. IT SEEMS LIKEN THERE HAS BEEN A PLETHORA OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES? *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 29, 201574,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Jan 22, 2015123,000 milesNJ

THE CAR IS JERKING IS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS ALSO REVVING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2015119,000 milesAL

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

Engine
Filed Jan 8, 2015102,000 milesMD

CAR JERKS WHEN GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. SOMETIMES IT WON'T GO AT ALL. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 11, 2014VA

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THE CAR STARTED TO JERK. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND START AGAIN THE CAR WOULD JERK REALLY HARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS JERKING IS VERY SCARY AND IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER JUST WORST AND NOW I'M THINKING IT'S TIME TO FIND A NEW CAR. THE BODY OF THE CAR AND EVERYTHING IS FINE BUT JUST JERKING THAT I GET WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR IS REALLY CONCERNING. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 9, 201463,000 milesCO

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES. IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND OCCASIONALLY DELAYS IN ENGAGING IN DRIVE ESPECIALLY AFTER SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS AND MAY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 7, 2014109,567 milesCA

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, IT SLAMS INTO 2ND GEAR AND/OR HESITATES SHIFTING INTO IT. WHEN IDLE AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THERE IS A 2-3 DELAY AND THE CAR JERKS AND SLAMS INTO THAT GEAR. THE JERK IS AGGRESSIVE AND CAN CAUSE IN INJURY. THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND CONSTANTLY JERKS AND SLAMS INTO GEAR. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED, THEY MECHANICS SAY IT WILL EITHER NEED A NEW VALVE BODY OR NEW TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH 112K MILES ON IT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2004-2006 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE. *TR

Structure
Filed Nov 26, 2014125,000 milesIN

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 18, 2014100,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 18, 201489,000 milesPA

TL* 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.

Power Train
Filed Nov 8, 2014100,000 milesNY

WENT TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN CAR STARTED TO POUND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE THE STOP SIGN CAR MOVED BUT VERY HARD. THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS THE STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE NO WARNING ITS EVEN STALLED MY CAR AND LEFT ME STRANDED. THERE HAS BEEN TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS . WHEN I CALLED THE NISSAN COMPANY THEY SAID TAKE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO LOOK AT IT AND LET THEM KNOW. YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS THEN THEY TELL YOU SORRY THEY CANT HELP THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND ITS A HORRIBLE EXPENSE A USED REBUILT IS 3000 DOLLARS IT HORRIBLE. SO I HAVE THIS CAR IN BEAUTIFUL SHAPE THAT JUST SITS CAUSE I CANT PAY TO FIX IT. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2014VA

IN 2012 MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. IT WOULD JERK, IDLE UP, AND TAKE A WHILE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN 2012 FOR $3,725.64. SINCE HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED, I SPOKE TO ABOUT 5 OWNERS OF A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I MET AT THE GAS STATION OR GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHO TOLD ME THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE. APPARENTLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN TRANSMISSION BUT NISSAN IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE HELP US IN THIS EFFORT TO INVESTIGATE AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 22, 2014126,600 milesKS

TAKING OFF FROM INTERSECTION CAR SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. SOMETIME IT WILL SLIP IN INTERSECTIONS AND CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES. SLIPS, SHIFTS ERRATICALLY ON HIGHWAY AS WELL. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 22, 201488,000 milesMD

WHENEVER I SHIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR PAUSES AND THEN JERKS, SAME JERK BEHAVIOR HAPPENS WHENEVER I SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I CAN FEEL THE CAR HESITATING WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 17, 2014GA

MY 2004 MAXIMA IS HESITATING TO SHIFT AN IM DISABLE LIVING ON 700 DOLLARS A MONTH. MY DAUGHTER IS IN COLLEGE DRIVING THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC AN IM AFRAID SHE IS GOING TO GET HURT MAKING LEFT TURNS IN THIS CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE CALLS WITH ME DRIVING IT,BUT I LIVE IN SOUTH GA. WHERE PEOPLE ARE MORE SENSIBLE TOWARD OTHERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AN SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED FROM THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TO GET A USED TRANSMISSION UNDER 1500 DOLLARS THAT I HAD TO BORROW TO KEEP MY CHILD SAFE. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD COUNTABLE FOR THIS. I PAID 19000 DOLLARS FOR THIS CAR AND YOUR SCREW UP IS COSTING ME TO PUT A 2002-2003 TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN ALBANY GA. ARE THANKING NISSAN FOR THEIR 2500-3000 CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE 2004-2005 MAXIMA OWNERS ARE SPENDING WITH THEM AND MY TRANSMISSION OWNER MADE THIS STATEMENT TO ME. AATCO TRANSMISSION OF ALBANY WHO STATES HE HAS REDONE SO MANY VALVE BODIES ON THESE CARS. I GUESS SOME ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN WHEN PEOPLE THAT DOES NOT HAS THE FUNDINGS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THEMSELVES. I HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS UNTIL I FOUND THE MONEY AN IT BROKE ALL MY MOTOR MOUNTS FROM THE JERKING AND HARD SHIFTING. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 7, 201456,078 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DOWN SHIFTING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,078.

Air BagsCrash4 injured
Filed Oct 3, 2014SC

MY 3 GIRLS AND 1 OF THEIR FRIENDS WERE IN MY VEHICLE AND THEY WERE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID AND IT BROKE MY DAUGHTER'S NOSE. I CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING AND WAS TOLD IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE MOST OF THE DAMAGE OF THE CAR IS (ALL OF THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE). EVERYONE WAS TAKING TO THE ER AND THE DAUGHTER WITH THE WORST INJURY WAS REFERRED TO A SPECIALIST BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT AND BECAUSE THE AIRBAG SHATTERED THE INSIDE OF HER NOSE INTO PIECES IT WAS NOTHING TO DO TO REPAIR. MY DAUGHTER PLAYS BASKETBALL AND I COULDN'T EVEN GET A NOSE BRACE FOR PROTECTION. THIS WAS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE GIRLS AND I WISH NO PARENT WILL EVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I SAW THE STORY ON THE CBS EVENING NEWS (AIRED 10/2/14) WHERE THE LONG LADY IS SUING HONDA BECAUSE OF THAT WHAT AIRBAG DID TO HER). AIRBAGS APPEARS TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST, I AM THANKFUL THAT THE GIRLS ARE STILL ALIVE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 2, 2014123,000 milesNC

WHILE PULLING OUT INTO A ENTER SECTION OF A MAIN ROAD IN MORNING TRAFFIC MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO ALMOST BE T-BONED. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORST. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 28, 2014100,030 milesMA

I BOUGHT USED 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA CAR AT NORTH SHORE AUTO MALL ON 9/18/14,THE SERVICE TECH. DROVE CAR UP TO FRONT OF DEALERSHIP W/CAR STILL RUNNING HE TEST DROVE CAR W/ME( DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT THE TIME) I GOT IN AND WE WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE, CAR WAS GREAT. GOT BACK TO DEALER, GAVE THE BALANCE. ONCE I LEFT DEALER, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SKIP & FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL, I PULLED OVER TO RIGHT LANE, PUT HAZARDS ON W/TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THE CAR STALLED, I ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION, CARS WERE BEEPING, SWERVING OUT OF THE WAY, I COULDN'T GET ANY ACCELERATION WITH IT IN DRIVE, SO I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL & AFTER 3 TRIES IT STARTED UP W/MUCH HESITATION. I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE & OTHERS ON THE ROAD, I TOOK SIDE STREETS TO MAKE IT HOME & WHEN I STOPPED AT STOP SIGN IT STALLED AGAIN, I REPEATED THE SAME STEPS AS ABOVE W/HAZARDS ON THE WHOLE RIDE HOME.NOW I KNOW WHY THE SERVICE TECH. TOOK TEST RIDE W/ME. I HAD A FRIEND WITH ME AS MY WITNESS.THIS CAR WONT PASS INSPECTION , THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, I CALLED DEALER HE SAID MAKE AN APPT, I SAID I ONLY HAVE 7 DAYS FOR INSPECTION STICKER, HE SAID, HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SERVICE AND TO CALL THEM. I CALLED ON MONDAY THE 22ND &1ST,AVAILABLE APPT.WASN'T TIL 9/25/14, MY 7 DAYS WERE UP ON THAT THURSDAY. HE SAID HE'LL CALL ME AROUND NOON, I WAITED TIL FRIDAY 5PM, HE NOR ANYONE IN SERV. CALLED TO UPDATE ME & LET ME KNOW CAR WILL BE THERE OVER THE WEEKEND. WHAT DO I DO & WHAT'S THE TIME LIMIT ON FI

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 26, 2014100,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO RESPOND BEFORE SUDDENLY SURGING FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2014100,030 milesMA

WHILE PICKING MY NEW, USED MAXIMA 2004 FROM DEALER, PULLING OUT OF THE LOT AND WAITING FOR CLEARANCE TO GET ON HIGHWAY, I PROCEEDED TO TURN ONTO HW & IT STALLED & ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON & "CHECK ENGINE" IT HASN'T SHUT OFF YET, I FELT LIKE I WAS IN A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE.. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT BECAUSE CARS WERE COMING, I QUICKLY PUT HAZARDS ON, AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO START IT, IT WAS TRYING TO TURN OVER AS I WAS PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL LIKE A JACK HAMMER, I FINALLY FLOORED IT & IT STARTED NOT WITHOUT WHIPLASH TO MY NECK, MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE IT JERKED SOOOOO HARD INTO GEAR !!!. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND WAS SO NERVOUS BECAUSE CARS WERE HONKING & SWEARING AT ME...I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED AND GREATLY DISAPPOINTED THAT I ALMOST CAUSED MULTIPLE CAR COLLISION. I CALLED MGR AT DEALERSHIP WHEN I GOT HOME & HE SAID " JUST CALL SERVICE AND MAKE AN APPT. I SAID I JUST LEFT YOUR LOT W/NEW PLATES AND TOLD HIM WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED, HE SAID " I HAVE NOTHING TO DO W/SERVICE, SO CALL THEM IN THE A.M. & MAKE AN APPT." DIDN'T EVEN APOLOGIZE. I GOT ANXIETY BECAUSE I'M 47 YRS OLD AND HAD QUITE A FEW CARS AND I KNOW WHEN A CAR JERKS, GOES FROM DRIVE TO 5TH GEAR WITH POWERFUL JERKING MOTION ALL THE TIME, SKIPPING & STALLING WHILE IN DRIVE, MOST LIKELY A BAD TRANSMISSION, ITS OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, I JUST BOUGHT IT 9/18/14 & I CANT DRIVE IT, IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION IN 7 DAYS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, LOOKS LIKE 7 DAYS IS NOT HAPPENING MY APPT IS 9/25/14

Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2014100,038 milesMA

[XXX] STARTING IT UP TAKES 2-3X WITH PUTTING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. WHILE DRIVING IT JUST STALLS OUT WHICH IS VERY SCARY & DANGEROUS AND IT GOES FROM DRIVE TO 5TH GEAR NO 1-4, AND IT HESITATES & WHEN DRIVING UP TO A RED LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE, THEN IT STARTS TO CONK OUT. ALSO NO PICK UP FROM AN IDLE POSITION, I JUST BOUGHT IT 9/17/14 AND CALLED DEALER AND HE TOLD HIM IT WONT PASS INSPECTION "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON" CONSTANT. IT FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION ISN'T IN PROPER GEAR (5TH) JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING. EVERYONE BEHIND ME LEANS ON THE HORN AND YELLS AT ME WHEN IT STALLS OUT IN DRIVE. IM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THE DEALER (NORTH SHORE AUTO MALL, LYNN MA 01905, MGR NAME [XXX], REAL JERK !!) SAID THEY DID A 21 POINT INSPECTION, BUT THAT'S BS, THEY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT SEEING THAT THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS AND KNEW THEY SOLD ME A CAR W/BAD TRANSMISSION/ALTERNATOR. NOW THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW ME. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME RESOURCES THAT YOU KNOW OF TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I COULD GO ON & ON ABOUT THE TREATMENT I HAD TO ENDURE BUT THAT WONT HELP HOPEFULLY YOU CAN REGARDS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 18, 2014100,702 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GEARS WERE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE DOWNSHIFTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,702.

Power Train
Filed Sep 17, 2014113,400 milesOH

PURCHASED THIS CAR APPROX 4 WEEKS AGO. ON DRIVE HOME FROM DEALERSHIP, TRANSMISSION GOT WORSE AND WORSE. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED - TOTAL OVERHAUL. ALSO PASSENGER FLOORBOARD IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE CONSUMER REVIEWS. RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 10, 2014160,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE BODY OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Sep 8, 2014150,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE GEARS SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 7, 2014150,000 milesCA

I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. WHENEVER I SHIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR PAUSES AND THEN JERKS. SAME JERK BEHAVIOR HAPPENS WHENEVER I SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. *TR I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD NEW MOTOR MOUNTS PUT IN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FOR A FEW DAYS YOU COULD BARELY FEEL THE JERKING WHEN SWITCHING TO REVERSE. LITERALLY BY THE NEXT WEEK IT WAS BAD ALL OVER AGAIN AND THE JERKING RETURNED. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I CAN FEEL THE CAR "HESITATING" WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND GOING ONLY AROUND 25MPH AND AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JERKED AND SLOWED DOWN FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE IT RETURNED TO MY NORMAL SPEED. THIS CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING AND SCARY. ALL REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICES (INCLUDING OIL AND FLUID CHANGES) WERE PERFORMED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SHOPS. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY NISSAN AT THEIR EXPENSE.

Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2014115,000 milesMD

WHEN EVER I SHIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR PAUSES AND THEN JERKS. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD NEW MOTOR MOUNT PUT IN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FOR A FEW DAYS YOU COULD BARELY FEEL THE JERKING WHEN SWITCHING TO REVERSE. LITERALLY BY THE NEXT WEEK IT WAS BAD ALL OVER AGAIN AND THE JERKING RETURNED. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I CAN FEEL THE CAR, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, SWITCHING GEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND GOING ONLY AROUND 25MPH AND AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JERKED AND SLOWED DOWN FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE IT RETURNED TO MY NORMAL SPEED. THIRDLY, THE POWER LOCKS ARE NOT CONSISTENT. WHEN I LOCK MY DOORS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCK ON THE KEYS OR EVEN BY PRESSING THE POWER LOCKS ON THE DOOR HANDLE IT WILL ONLY LOCK THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER AND THE BACK LEFT PASSENGER DOOR. THIS CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING AS I HAVE LEFT MY CAR DOORS UNLOCKED UNKNOWINGLY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 24, 201498,000 milesVA

AT ABOUT 98000 MILES I NOTICE THAT SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE I WAS GETTING A PAUSE FOR ABOUT 8 SECOND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK AND GIVE A CLANG SOUND.I WENT TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR HAD NISSAN HAD THIS PROBLEM.I WAS TOLD TO CHANGE FLUID BECAUSE I WAS SO CLOSE TO 100,000MILE MAINTENANCE,DID SO AND AT ABOUT 110000 PROBLEM CAME BACK NOW EVEN WORSE. I CARRIED THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT.$3000.00. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 21, 201484,000 milesPA

THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IS RUSTING AWAY, A HOLE ABOUT 12 BY 12 INCHES AND INCREASING BENEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT MAY FALL THROUGH ONE DAY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 15, 2014121,646 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,646.

Power Train
Filed Aug 7, 2014110,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWITCHED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY AND THE FLOOR BOARD WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 29, 201498,000 milesTX

CAR WILL NOT SHIFT RIGHT-- DEALERSHIP CAN'T REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND THEY DO WORK ON CAR AND IT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ARE OUT REPAIR BILLS AND THE CAR IS NOT FIXED BY NO MEANS. *JS

Power Train
Filed Jul 26, 2014130,000 milesTX

TRANSMISSION EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTS WHEN UP SHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING. DOWNSHIFTING IS MUCH WORSE THAN UP SHIFTING BUT BOTH ARE EXTREME. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CAR EXPERIENCES A HARD JOLT. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 17, 201467,000 milesOH

ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON> THUMPING SOUND UNDER HOOD WHEN STARTED. TIMING CHAIN ISSUES!!!!!! THIS IS KNOWN ACCORDING TO EXTENSIVE RESEARCH TO NISSAN. WHY IN THE WORLD IS THERE NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT?! WE ARE HARD WORKING PEOPLE AND SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY TO PURCHASE A CAR AND THERE IS NO RECOURSE FOR A MESSED UP PART!!!! *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 14, 2014IL

I AM WONDERING HOW TO FIGURE OUT IF THE RECALLS ON MY CAR HAVE BEEN FIXED. I HAVE HAD IT UNDER A YEAR AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WHAT HAS BEEN RECALLED AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THEM FIXED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 10, 2014115,000 milesIN

WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK-REVERSE OR REVERSE-DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION HAS A SHORT DELAY BEFORE "JUMPING" INTO GEAR. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMED TO ONLY OCCUR DURING EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. I HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUSH PERFORMED ($65) THAT SEEMED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT IT RETURNED WITHIN 5K MILES. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AT SPEEDS OF 20-30MPH AT WHICH TIME THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE RAPIDLY WITH LOSS OF ACCELERATION. ANOTHER TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED WORSE. FINALLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY "SLAMMED" THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED WITH A NOTICEABLE POWER LOSS. UPON SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. IT RESTARTED BUT THE THROTTLE WAS RESTRICTED. THE VEHICLES GEAR WAS CHANGED TO MANUAL MODE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR AFTER 15-20 MIN OF DRIVING AND THE LOW SPEED POWER LOSS BECAME ALMOST CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVEN UNTIL IT WAS PUT ON DIAGNOSTICS BY A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST ($60) AND THE CODE INDICATED THE FAILURE OF 3 SENSORS: CAM POSITION SENSOR, ELECTRONIC ACCELERATION POSITION SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THE ERROR CODES AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO SUGGESTIONS OTHER THAN REPLACING THE SENSORS. THE E

Power Train
Filed Jul 5, 2014105,000 milesNY

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC, JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT FIRST STARTED IN MARCH 2104 AND NOW IN JUNE 2014 I HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM. FROM DOING SOME RESEARCH I SEE THAT OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NISSAN SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 19, 201465,000 milesCA

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE CARS POWER WAS GONE. I CONTINUED TO STEP ON THE GAS BUT STILL NO POWER AT ALL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK ON 5TH GEAR. ONCE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND I PRESS ON THE GAS THE ENGINE JUST REVS UP WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CONFIRM I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY $3,000 AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC IN WHICH HE SAID HE'S WORKED ON MAXIMAS BEFORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID THE ISSUE IS IN THE VALVE BODY (PART OF THE TRANSMISSION) SO HE REPLACED IT. I GOT THE CAR BACK AFTER A $1,500 BILL AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING JUST FINE. UNTIL TODAY 6-18-14, APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT. ONCE AGAIN MY TRANSMISSION IS STUCK ON 5TH GEAR. PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS SOME JERKING FROM 3-4 GEAR AND A HARD JERK FROM P TO R. HERE I AM NOW FACING ANOTHER BILL. THIS COULD OF EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND AFTER NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE! *TR

Power Train
Filed May 21, 201488,000 milesCA

THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC, JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO THE 2ND AND/OR 3RD GEAR AND DURING DOWN SHIFT. ALSO JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND REVERSE TO DRIVE. *TR

Engine
Filed May 15, 201458,326 milesCA

MY 2004 MAXIMA WAS 'MISSING' DURING FREEWAY DRIVING AND 'DIED' AS I TURNED IN MY DRIVEWAY. NISSAN DID SOME MISCELLANEOUS REPAIRS BUT TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS 'SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN NOISE DUE TO WORN GUIDES.' I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT IF THIS ISN'T FIXED THE ENGINE COULD BE DESTROYED. THE ESTIMATED COST IS $1,700. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IF THIS BREAKS ON THE FREEWAY I AND OTHERS COULD BE IN JEOPARDY. THERE ARE CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST NISSAN REGARDING A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 'TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND GUIDE' ASSEMBLY. I FEEL IT INCUMBENT ON NISSAN TO ISSUE A RECALL BUT I AM UNAWARE THAT ONE HAS BEEN ISSUED. I FEEL BETRAYED THAT I WAS SOLD A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AUTOMOBILE WITH NO REMEDY OTHER THAN AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

Steering
Filed May 13, 2014CA

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER. I DON?T KNOW HOW I DID IT, BEING PETITE AND NOT SO STRONG, BUT I MANAGED TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE TO THE SIDE, THEN IT TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN THE KEY FOR A FEW SECONDS UNTIL THE ENGINE RESTARTED. IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, AND I WAS SAVED THE 5-7 TIMES THIS HAPPENED TO ME. LUCK WAS ON MY SIDE! I DIDN'T DRIVE MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE I WAS TERRIFIED MY CAR WOULD STALL AND MY SON AND I WOULD DIE IN A TERRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT. I FINALLY HAD TO GO TO MY SHOP AND REPLACE THE TWO CAMSHAFT SENSORS WITH THE FOLLOWING CODES P3040 AND P0345. WITH SOME SEARCHING, I FOUND OUT THAT I?M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I STAND BY THE FORMER COMPLAINT: ?I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMA?S WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT COVER AND RECALL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD ONLY RECALL CERTAIN MAKES WHEN IT IS THE SAME EXACT ERROR CODE ON BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS A P3040 AND P0345 CAM SENSOR/CAM SHAFT RECALL THROUGH NISSAN. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. SHOULDN'T THEY RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM?? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 9, 2014114,500 milesWI

VEHICLE SPEEDS UP AND SLOWS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING .IT HAS A HARD KICK FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. SLIPS WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. *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 →