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.

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,330 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2004 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 192011

Maxima

  • 78,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact was driving 25 mph and applied the ABS when the brakes locked abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and the technician replaced the ABS sensors. The contact stated that after the repair, the brakes were no longer locking but the ABS warning light would illuminate sporadically. The contact has not taken the vehicle back to the local mechanic to inspect the cause for the ABS warning light being illuminated. The contact was concerned that the brakes would lock and potentially cause a crash. The failure mileage was 78,500.

- Boonton, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jan 012007

Maxima

  • miles
I have a 04 Maxima-while at first I did not know what the noise was or where it was coming from. I took my car to several places for a mechanic to identify the noise. At first none of them knew what it was. Then finally one said he thought it had something to do with the ABS system. But there was no light to indicate that. The noise continued and I continued to try to find out what it was. I took my car to the Nissan dealer in marlow heights and the mechanic told that the noise came from after-market pads. Even I knew that was not it. So I was told just wait and see if it gets worse. Well it has gotten worse. Then if came across a master technician who told me exactly what the problem was (the ABS system) although still ABS light was not on. Now the car is in the shop and of course the car warranty has expired and the extended warranty does not cover the cost (right rear ABS sensor and cap) and let's hope that I don't need an actuator which cost $1,500. I'm waiting to hear from Nissan. If they don't cover the cost which I think they should (this being my fourth max) since the car is not really that old. And I also think that Nissan knows about this problem. And if they don't cover the cost this will be my last Nissan.

- Suitland, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 092008

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,750 miles
The ABS system has stopped working at only 42,000. I believe the part is defective. Now the car cannot use ABS to stop which is unsafe in rain or snow. The manufacturer does not want to help pay for the repairs, although the dealer is willing to offer a discount for repair because the car has only 42,000 miles on it when the ABS stopped working.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

problem #2

Sep 262006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,400 miles
: the contact stated the ABS light remained illuminated after the car was turned on or off. The light illuminated on and off by itself. The battery needed to be disconnected to shut the light off. Most of the times, the ABS had to be completely disconnected, and the vehicle was operating without this safety feature. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, who determined that the entire ABS system and the sensors needed to be replaced.

- Camillus, NY, USA

problem #1

Sep 182006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
I have had numerous problems with my 2004 Nissan Maxima. I have had to replace tires, have had the vehicle in the shop for the check engine light coming numerous times; have paid to have the battery replaced because the car suddenly stalled; have had the catalytic converter replaced because of one of the check engine light trips to the dealer. Most recently, I replaced the front and back brakes due to what I thought was normal wear and tear. A month later, the ABS brake system fails, and I am told that is not under warranty, and the charge will be $1,645. The car is only two years old. I am at the dealer at least once, sometimes twice a month. I used to be the biggest cheerleader for Nissan. I had a 1991 Nissan Maxima that I bought used with 173,000 miles on it. That car was on the road until it had more than 300,000. Now I feel like I purchased a lemon. I bought a new car because I didn't want the headaches that come along with a used car. I took my car to the dealer on September 18th because something weird going on with the brakes. I had had the brakes changed about a month before that, I knew that they were in good condition. I received a call later that day telling me that my ABS brake system was bad and needed to be replaced. And that I would need to cover the cost because the part was no longer under warranty. I contact Nissan North America to lodge a complaint on September 19th to see if they would cover the cost for the ABS system failing, because I don't think that I should have to cover a major repair like that on a 2 year old car. I was told that a regional specialist would call me back within 24 hours. 2 days passed without a return call. I called again on the 22, and again on the 25th with no response. L believe that Nissan is aware of all of the manufacturing defects with the Maxima and by not responding hope that consumers will go ahead and pay for the repairs over and over again because they are afraid to drive an unsafe car.

- West Orange, NJ, USA

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