CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima has widespread transmission problems. It starts with the vehicle jerking when shifting, & progresses to full-blown transmission failure.

Maxima owners report spending $3,000 to replace the transmission, typically around when the odometer hits 100,000 miles.

There's a class action lawsuit filed in late 2011, & it is still in the "discovery" stage. Apparently, these things take time ... far too much time.

4.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,750 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Nissan Maxima accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Nissan Maxima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #4

Nov 192008

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car is jerking and bucking bad. There are thousands of people out there with the same problem and Nissan is not doing anything about this. I have had my transmission fluid flushed and it has not helped. Others have had valve body work done and even replaced the transmission. The cars are still doing the same. The transmissions had to have been poorly built. Something needs to be done. I am still paying on the car and having major car issues. Nissan needs to be responsible. The consumer was also informed the vehicle needed a new engine. The cd player had to repaired and the air conditioner failed. Updated 01/21/10.

- Culpeper, VA, USA

problem #3

Jun 012004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
I have had problems with my 2004 Nissan Maxima since purchasing it brand new. Within 60 days of purchasing the car, I had to take it back to the dealership due to a malfunction with the brakes. I have spent over $1,500 since keeping the brakes and rotors repaired. I am on my fourth set of tires and have had three alignments and my front end inspected. I have had to replace an engine mount. In 2006 my air conditioner went out and I spent over $500 having that repaired. Now I am in need of a new transmission because there is internal damage due to the clutch slipping even though it is an automatic car. I have two friends with the same model/year car and they have experienced similar or the same problems. Once of my friends just replaced his transmission in his 2004 Maxima. This car has cost me at least $5,000 in repairs since I have purchased it and I have never ever received a recall notice on anything. I know that Nissan is well aware of the defects in the 2004 Maxima, but are not owning up to their responsibility in taking care of all of the problems that I have read about and talked about with different 2004 Maxima owners. I have also had the battery replaced twice. The body style of the car is beautiful, but the car itself is a piece of crap due to poor mechanics.

- Laporte, TX, USA

problem #2

Jun 282007

Maxima

  • miles
I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE that I bought 2 years ago with 14000 miles on it. Currently have 24000 miles so I don't drive a lot. In those 2 years, I've had struts, brakes, rotors, A/C problems, tons of anti-lock brake issues(was in shop 4 times) and at 19000 miles, a tire blowout and again another one at 24000 miles. I submitted my paperwork for cracked sidewalls on my Goodyear rsa tires on July 1,2007 and have not heard anything yet. This car has been the car from you know where. It just has problem after problem--I get one thing fixed and something else seems to come up.

- Moon Township, PA, USA

problem #1

Jul 022007

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Biggest problem is the transmission on the 2004 Maxima. It started with jerking, and speed changes while driving. Rotators, air conditioning, tires, struts, and trembling in wheel. Transmission is an ongoing problem. Also, the struts were replaced, trembling is still there, air conditioning low and hose replaced. But now it rumbles when turned on. Tires almost cost me life on expressway due to crack in sidewalls.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Not what you are looking for?