2004 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,425 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,189 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 601 of 1,425 complaints (42.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 873 | 61.3% |
| Braking behavior | 148 | 10.4% |
| Steering behavior | 82 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 74 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 30 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 601 |
| Power Train | 315 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 74 |
| Tires | 61 |
| Engine | 51 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 48 |
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Suspension | 47 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 601; Power Train: 315; Tires:Sidewall: 74; Tires: 61; Engine: 51; Engine And Engine Cooling: 48; Electrical System: 47; Suspension: 47
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 138 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 106 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 281 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 349 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 260 |
| 150,000 and above | 55 |
Under 25,000: 138; 25,000 to 49,999: 106; 50,000 to 74,999: 281; 75,000 to 99,999: 349; 100,000 to 149,999: 260; 150,000 and above: 55
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (349). 236 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 69 |
| 2005 | 61 |
| 2006 | 73 |
| 2007 | 75 |
| 2008 | 191 |
| 2009 | 242 |
| 2010 | 188 |
| 2011 | 195 |
| 2012 | 82 |
| 2013 | 90 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 45 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 69; 2005: 61; 2006: 73; 2007: 75; 2008: 191; 2009: 242; 2010: 188; 2011: 195; 2012: 82; 2013: 90; 2014: 46; 2015: 45; 2016: 26; 2017: 18; 2018: 6; 2019: 3; 2020: 8; 2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 873 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 148 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 82 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10060699 · 2004-03-08 (March 8, 2004)
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SL- DESIGN DEFECT IN SHIFT KNOB ATTACHING MECHANISM MAKES KNOB VERY LOOSE AND LIKELY TO COME OFF IN HAND. THIS ALSO EXPOSES A SOMEWHAT POINTED METAL SHIFTING SHAFT TO DIRVER AND OCCUPANTS. MY SHIFT KNOB CAME OFF IN MY HAND WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083802 · 2004-07-29 (July 29, 2004)
CONCERNS INVOLVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON THE LATEST CARS.*MR THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE DRIVER STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HILL AND REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL SINCE TODAY'S CAR HAVE A VERY LOW REV. ENGINE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN. HE THINKS THE NEW VEHICLE'S SHOULD BE PRODUCED LIKE THE FORMER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064481 · 2004-04-03 (April 3, 2004)
STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES AT SPEEDS FROM 50-80 MPH AND ALSO SHIMMIES HARSHLY WHEN BRAKING AT LOWER SPEEDS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,727 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040544 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING AT 50 TO 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES. DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND WHEELS, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK *TS THE DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053639 · 2004-01-07 (January 7, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY AT 55 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED BADLY. DEALER REPLACED THE WHEELS AND TIRES TWICE, BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED.*AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056291 · 2004-02-01 (February 1, 2004)
THE CAR STARTED UP AND WAS RUNNING FINE. MY WIFE WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE TO GET OUR DAUGHTER AND FOUND THE CAR HAD STALLED. THE CAR HAS NOT STARTED SINCE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SITUATION, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE CAR JUSTED STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. IN ADDITION, ACCORDING TO SEVERAL POST ON EDMUNDS.COM THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER CONSUMERS. I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT 3-12-03. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059947 · 2004-02-27 (February 27, 2004)
THE ENGINE STALLED AFTER SPUTTERING BRIEFLY WHILE IN PARK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111960 · 2005-02-22 (February 22, 2005)
I WILL INCLUDE ALL OF MY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY 04 MAXIMA SE. THE FIRST MAJOR PROBEM I HAD WAS MY FRONT RIGHT STRUT WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM FIXED. NEXT, PROBLEM WAS ON OCCASOION MY CAR WOULDNT START FIRST DEALER TRIP THEY TOLD ME THEIR WAS NO PROBLEM AND THE NEXT TIME LEAVE THE CAR DEAD AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED. SO, IT HAPPEND AGAIN HAD THE CAR TOWED AND THEN THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PRO-RATED BATTERY. SO, IT HAPPEND AGAIN HAD THE CAR TOWED AND NOW THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRIAL MODULE THAT CON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129221 · 2005-07-18 (July 18, 2005)
ON TWO (2) SEPERATE OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE (2004 NISSAN MAXIMA) WHEN MY BRAKES HAVE WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ON THE FLOOR WHEN I WENT TO USE, LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKING POWER WHATSOEVER. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, THE BRAKES RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. CLEARLY, THIS MALFUNCTION IS THE RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10129221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559536 · 2014-01-12 (January 12, 2014)
WOKE UP TO A HORN STEADILY BEEPING, WENT TO MY WINDOW TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I SEE FLAMES SHOOTING ABOUT 15 FT HIGH AND KNEW MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER THE FIRE THE OWNER TOLD ME HE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR THAT DAY, AND THAT IT MELTED THE DASHBOARD AND QUICKLY DESTROYED INTERIOR AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN FATALITIES OR INJURIES AS THE CAR HAD A FULL GAS TANK, AND LUCKILY DID NOT REACH GAS TANK, BUT IF IT HAD THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOMES, AND MANY LIVES PUT AT RISK. *TR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10559536 at NHTSA ↗