Page 9 of 29 · complaints 401–450 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 › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 9, 201192,000 milesTX

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

Power Train
Filed Aug 9, 201175,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING OR CHANGING GEARS FROM SECOND TO FIRST, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATED AND JERK. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 9, 2011145,000 milesPA

AFTER THE CAR GETS HOT, IT WILL REV VERY HIGH GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR UNTIL I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS, LET THE RPM'S GO DOWN, THEN HIT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN. IT WILL ALSO HARD SHIFT GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND REVERSE TO FORWARD GEAR. ALSO WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE CAR WILL SHIFT HARD, MAINLY GOING TO LOWER GEARS, WHICH CAUSES JOLTS AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN THE RPM AS THE SHIFT HAPPENS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS UNEXPECTED AND HAS CAUSED ME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC, WHEN STARTLED BY THIS ACTION OF THE TRANSMISSION.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 9, 2011GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN PLACED IN PARK. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE AND EXHIBIT JERKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT GIVE A REASON FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 9, 201189,415 milesNJ

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 8, 201188,700 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IN ADDITION, WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING OVER 20 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A GEAR SHIFT MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 8, 2011119,000 milesNJ

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 7, 2011100,000 milesNJ

TIMING CHAIN WHINE. ALTIMA, QUEST, MAXIMA, AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES WITH THE VQ35DE ENGINE. *TT

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 5, 201195,000 milesTX

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 4, 2011160,000 milesFL

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 4, 201160,000 milesMA

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 4, 201173,000 milesOH

THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED THROUGH CREATING A HOLE ABOUT 7" BY 14" UNDER THE CARPET. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED THROUGH OUR LOCAL DEALER IN MAY AND NISSAN RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE WITHOUT COST TO US. IN INVESTIGATING IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE PANEL THAT IS RUSTED OUT APPEARS TO BE PAINTED IN A GREEN GLOSS PRIMER WHEN THE REMAINDER OF THE FLOOR IS THE BODY COLOR OF WHITE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT IN OHIO, AND RARELY HAS A PASSENGER ON THAT SIDE. CAR IS IN MY WIFE'S NAME.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 2, 201159,900 milesVA

WE OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP ON US AND WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST 9 MONTHS BETWEEN DEALERSHIPS AND AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS TRYING TO FIX IT. STILL THE CAR IS IN LIMP MODE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE IT. WE HAVE EMAILED BEFORE WITH NO RESPONSE. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT OTHERS WITH THIS MODEL CAR HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT HERE. PLEASE RESPOND WITH A RESOLUTION. *KB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 1, 201170,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED IT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 29, 2011130,000 milesMA

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 28, 201197,000 milesNH

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 27, 201199,500 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 26, 2011108,000 milesNJ

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO AT 108,000 MILES. CAR HALTS AND THEN BUCKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND FROM 2ND DOWN TO 1ST GEAR. AT A RED LIGHT, CAR HALTED AND BUCKED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING. MULTIPLE 2004 AND 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA'S HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DUE TO INSTALLATION OF FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE FOUND 20-30 INTERNET REPORTS OF FAULTY 2004 AND 2005 NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR COULD DO THE SAME THING IN THE FUTURE WITH A WORSE OUTCOME.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 22, 201199,000 milesVA

NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION ISSUES. MAXIMA TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. NISSAN HAS SAID THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS FAR AS OIL CHANGES AND TIRE ROTATIONS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER NISSAN MAXIMAS OF THE SAME YEAR WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. *TT

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 22, 201187,000 milesNH

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 21, 201175,000 milesCA

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS VIOLENTLY AND SKIPS GEARS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN IT GOES BACK INTO GEAR IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE NISSAN HASN'T BEEN FORCED TO DO A RECALL YET. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES AND IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. *KB

Power Train
Filed Jul 19, 2011100,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY 50,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, ONLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2011120,000 milesIL

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 8, 201170,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 1, 2011136,000 milesCA

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.

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 28, 201124,500 milesGA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 27, 201170,000 milesNJ

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 26, 2011125,000 milesSC

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 25, 201167,000 milesTX

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. I NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. IT ALSO WAS JERKING REPEATEDLY WHILE CHANGING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND THEN BACK DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN SERVICE ADVISOR THAT MY CAR NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. I HAD THE FLUSH DONE ON THE CAR, PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. NISSAN NOW SAYS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TRADED THE CAR IN FOR ANOTHER MAXIMA. THINKING IT WAS SOMETHING JUST WITH THE 2004 MODEL. I NOW HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2006 MAXIMA. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED, BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT AND NISSAN STOP STEALING PEOPLE HARD EARNED MONEY. WHEN THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 24, 2011146,000 milesAL

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 22, 2011112,576 milesCA

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

Structure
Filed Jun 14, 2011112,000 milesIL

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.

Power Train
Filed Jun 13, 2011106,000 milesNJ

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 10, 201177,000 milesFL

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1 TO 2ND GEAR AND IT JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND. IT JERKS WHILE DRIVING AND IT GETS STUCK. IT GOT STUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING UP A PARKING GARAGE RAMP AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN I LET GO OF THE GAS IT BACKED UP ON ITS OWN AND I AM GRATEFUL THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD ALREADY MOVED BACK OR IT WOULD OF CAUSED A COLLISION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 78K MILES AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IT COSTS ME $3500!! A CAR WITH ONLY 78KMILES SHOULD NOT NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACED! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 8, 201190,719 milesFL

I BOUGHT A USED 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS THE JERKING, THRUSTING FORWARD AND THE BAD DOWN SHIFTING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ACT LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF A PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED A FLUSH ($200), SO I DID, IT CONTINUED KICKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN THEY DROVE IT AND TOLD ME IT NEED MOTOR MOUNTS ($2,000), I GOT THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AT LOCAL AUTO SHOP. THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM WANTING ME TO SPENDING MONEY ON DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM, WHEN THEY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE TRANSMISSION IS A RECALL ISSUE THEY DON?T WANT TO MAKE PUBLIC. I?M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN. I?VE HAD 2 ALTIMA, I HAVE A 1997 MAX AND NEVER HAD MAJOR ISSUES (I DRIVE THAT MORE THAN THE NEW CAR) AND I HAVE A 2004 ARMADA, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE ANY MORE. THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES IN NOT SELLING LEMONS...WELL I GOT ONE! I DON?T UNDERSTAND HOW I CAN HAVE 1997 MAX AND NOT HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND NEW MODEL CAR 2004 AND HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES. I CANNOT AFFORD A $3,800 TRANSMISSION AND A NEW SET OF $500 MOTOR MOUNTS.....ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR IS THE A/C KEEPS GOING OUT...THERE IS NO LEAKS IN THE LINES BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE A/C PUMP SO I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 8, 201190,719 milesFL

I BOUGHT A USED 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS THE JERKING, THRUSTING FORWARD AND THE BAD DOWN SHIFTING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ACT LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF A PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED A FLUSH ($200), SO I DID, IT CONTINUED KICKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN THEY DROVE IT AND TOLD ME IT NEED MOTOR MOUNTS ($2,000), I GOT THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AT LOCAL AUTO SHOP. THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM WANTING ME TO SPENDING MONEY ON DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM, WHEN THEY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE TRANSMISSION IS A RECALL ISSUE THEY DON?T WANT TO MAKE PUBLIC. I?M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN. I?VE HAD 2 ALTIMA, I HAVE A 1997 MAX AND NEVER HAD MAJOR ISSUES (I DRIVE THAT MORE THAN THE NEW CAR) AND I HAVE A 2004 ARMADA, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE ANY MORE. THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES IN NOT SELLING LEMONS...WELL I GOT ONE! I DON?T UNDERSTAND HOW I CAN HAVE 1997 MAX AND NOT HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND NEW MODEL CAR 2004 AND HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES. I CANNOT AFFORD A $3,800 TRANSMISSION AND A NEW SET OF $500 MOTOR MOUNTS.....ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR IS THE A/C KEEPS GOING OUT...THERE IS NO LEAKS IN THE LINES BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE A/C PUMP SO I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 7, 201180,000 milesAZ

2004 NISSAN - TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, CAR JERKS TERRIBLY BETWEEN ALL GEARS, JERKS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AT TIMES HAS LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. MANY, MANY HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. THIS IS A DANGER AND NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 7, 201182,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIEDOF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 7, 201187,000 milesPA

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 2, 201180,000 milesAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 1, 201180,000 milesCT

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ABOUT THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE CAR JERKS HARD FROM 1 TO 2ND GEAR AND THEN 2 TO 3RD GEAR... THE CAR SHIFTS AS HARD AS IT DOES IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR AND IT IS AUTOMATIC. I HAVE LOOKED ON SOME ONLINE WEBSITES AND THEY HAVE MANY OTHER ANGRY CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DO WITHOUT NO RECALL. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT FROM A COMMON FAULTY PRODUCT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 31, 201185,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND DOWN SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK EXCESSIVELY. WHEN ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING TO A HIGHER GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 31, 2011101,000 milesAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WHEN TRYING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 26, 201190,000 milesNM

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. AS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS THE RPM INCREASE AND WHEN IT FINALLY SHIFTS THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKS. BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS SLIPPING/JERKING THE ENGINE MOUNDS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR +$3000. NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED OR REPORTED ANY PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 25, 2011132,000 milesCA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 22, 201190,000 milesAZ

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 20, 201180,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL HER BACK TO ASSIST WITH THE INTERMITTENT DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 16, 2011101,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED AND THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO SHIFTING GEARS . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSIONS FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 12, 201190,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN HIGH GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 11, 2011100,000 milesAL

I OWN A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA AND LOVED IT UNTIL A YEAR AGO. AT AROUND 100,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED STALLING AND JUMPING. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT IS SLIPPING SO BADLY THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE WARRANTY AND NOW NISSAN SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *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 →