2004 Nissan MAXIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10050460 · 2003-12-12 (December 12, 2003)
THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE ELECTRONIC SECTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE ORDER WAS PUT IN JUNE OF 2003, BUT THE PARTS DID NOT ARRIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051651 · 2003-12-17 (December 17, 2003)
FRONT END VIBRATION. DEALERSHIP DID A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, BUT IT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. ALSO, DEALERSHIP NOTICED CRACKS IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE TIRE CRACKS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051651 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 10055223 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED SEVERELY. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OFF AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056057 · 2004-01-28 (January 28, 2004)
CONSUMER ORDERED A SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT PART ON DECEMBER 30, 2003 FROM HAIL NISSAN, JEFFERSON AVENUE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23185, SERVICE MANAGER JEFF EVANS. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056057 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 10056645 · 2004-02-06 (February 6, 2004)
AROUND 50 TO 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES. ORIGINAL TIRES WERE BALANCED 3 TIMES, DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER THEN REPLACED TIRES, PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. ALSO INTERMITTENT RATTLING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER SUSPENSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056645 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V326000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SKYVIEW ROOFS, THE GLASS FOR THE ROOF MAY NOT HAVE BEEN QUENCHED PROPERLY AFTER THE FORMING PROCESS, RESULTING IN TEMPER IMBALANCE.
Consequence: THIS COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL STRESS IN THE GLASS AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE GLASS TO SHATTER, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE GLASS IN THE SKYVIEW ROOF. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V512000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
Reported: 2005-11-07 (November 7, 2005)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE DRIVER PREFERRED PACKAGE, THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCH MAY BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND COULD BE PINCHED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT.
Consequence: A PINCHED HARNESS, IN COMBINATION WITH DRIVING VIBRATION, MAY RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE HARNESS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE IN THE SEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND ROUTE IT CORRECTLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗