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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,795 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2004 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Aug 152008

Maxima

  • 60,000 miles

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

Vehicle front end shakes at 40-70 mph.

- Mt Vernon, MO, USA

problem #26

Aug 152006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
My 2004 Nissan Maxima exp transmission problems @ 65K replaced out of warranty since then the car has had (4) front motor mounts (1) transmission mount.(1)rack and pinion replaced, (1) right front axle replaced. Struts are now bad! wheel bearings replaced, oil seals replaced and the front end makes noise like something big is loose. Over $12,000 dollars into vehicle last year alone" when the car came back with the new trans it still was not right ? I notified the dealer and they said they could not find anything? I chose not to pay @ last minute to bring to there attention and I was sent to collections? I am still paying the $3,997 plus $1,500 fine for isf the vehicle is on its 2nd transmission and its gone bad now as well" Nissan did replace the right axle @no/charge that was all.

- La Quinta , CA, USA

problem #25

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 #24

Oct 032006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,500 miles

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

Multiple strut failures on a car with only 28K miles. Also brake rotors continue to warp. This is unacceptable for such a new car.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #23

Oct 282005

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
2004 Maxima steering wheel shimmies between 40-60 mph very distracting and dangerous.

- Carpentersville, IL, USA

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problem #22

Dec 142004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,522 miles
10,522K miles, - I broke down due to failure of alternator and battery. Dealership replaced both. 15,358K miles, - I complained about a loud rattling noise, like a flat tire rattling grinding noise and car feeling shaky.= dealership found no problem. Continuing driving my car thinking everything is ok. I bought it brand new so I shouldn't really worry. I was wrong for thinking that. 27,500 mi. -I broke down again got towed to the dealership, where they replaced another alternator. 27,732-I brought it back to dealership, because I just thought the noise my car still made didn't seem right.= dealership resecured heatshield 3. 26'099 mi.-R/F headlight bulb burnt out. Dealer fixed that one. 28'071 mi.-left side front headlight burnt out. Dealer replaced. 29,276 mi.- I paid $300 for my major service that was due for my car, also thinking maybe my car wouldn't be as noisy as it is. Maybe the dealership might find the problem. 31'431 mi.- I still hear the grinding noise, the cover under engine was loose, my air conditioner was not cold enough, and the center console was loose.=this time the dealership said it was the heat shield for the grinding noise, they fixed the loose cover under engine, fixed center console, and replaced low pressure hose in the A/C. 31'813 mi.- car still making the grinding noise, I hear knocking noises from the back of the car when I reverse, and the A/T light stays on longer than normal, then turnes off.= dealer replaced front exaust pipe, said the knocking noise I hear in the back of the car, is from the aftermarket air cleaner.(that is in the front of car).when I picked up my car from the dealership, I felt like this time my car was going to be fixed.I got in my headed for home.I heard the same noise I have been complaining about since 15,358 mi.I turned around brought right back in to service.=they replaced the rear manifold and cat converter.I picked up my car but I still hear the noise my car makes and it is louder when turning.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #21

May 012004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 7,000 miles

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

Shimmied in the steering wheel at speeds between 50- -60 mph to the point of loosing steering control of 2004, Nissan Maxima. The dealer rotated the tires at my expense at least 3 times, which has not solved the problem. No dealer's response to the dilemma, and, I hate driving the car because of this unsafe condition.

- Gloversville, NY, USA

problem #20

Aug 162004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
Bought the Nissan Maxima on August 10, 2004 from vob Nissan in rockville, md. Under 100 miles, took back to dealer due to unacceptable level of vibration in the front wheels felt through the steering wheel generally between 40 and 70 mph on smooth surfaced highway driving. Initially I was told this is probably due to flat spots on the tires per car sitting in the lot for an extended time. But the vibration continued. When cruising more pronounced. Dealer initially performed wheel balancing which didn't work. Then they replaced the front two Continental tires which still didn't work. They performed "?road force balancing?" check. The tires had readings of close to 40 where the acceptable reading should be below 10. There was also an issue with the brakes. When driven at highway speeds and brakes are applied, the steering was visibly vibrating. Vob also noticed the warped rotors in front and re-surfaced them. Dealer replaced the Continental tires with Michelin mxv4. Noticeable improvement in handling but not quite. Dealer did everything possible per written tsbs, etc. And that there is nothing else he could do, therefore call the manufacturer. 3/22/05 I contacted darcars of rockville. They replaced the brake pads which were unevenly worn and also re-surfaced the rotors in a special machine while they were attached to the car as recommended by Nissan. Vibration problem was markedly better after that. However, I still feel the problems when pressing the break pedal lightly going at speed. Also when driving above 60 mph on straight roads. I am debating whether to take the car back to the dealer now or wait for it to get worse. It has been a constant frustration.

- Potomac, MD, USA

problem #19

May 152004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 5,000 miles
The vehicle has a steering wheel vibration at speeds exceeding 40 mph. The vehicle also has a violent vibration when braking. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership on several occasions without a satisfiable resolution.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #18

Jan 052005

Maxima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When snow is under the suspension the steering wheel vibrates uncontrollably.

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #17

Jan 072005

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The windshield rubber on the top was loose when I bought this car. Also I noticed there was a scratchy sound when I turned on the wiper right on the first day I took this car home. I checked it and found out that the wiper rubber was came loose and the steel touch the windshield class. It scratch the windshield. The stevens creek dealer was very nice and they did change the windshield and tighten the seal arround the windshield. 2 days ago it was rain preaty hard in where I live. In the morning when I drove the car I was shock that there was water coming out from the lights interior. It was preaty bad and I couldn't believe I paid so much for this piece a junk. Many times the engine would stalled, you can't gas and loose the power. I brought it to the same dealer, they couldn't regenerate the problem thus they don't know how to fix it. The tire vibrate between 50-80 mph and they couldn't fix that one either. I've been driving so many cars...and this is the worst one. This is would be my first and last Nissan and I'm planning to sale it asap. I have a feeling that this car's resale value would be lot lower the mistsubishi. One more thing; the driver seat cover on the back came loose also and it hanging on the seat and shows the inside of the seat. Did I tell you this car is a piece of junk already? now you know.

- Milpitas, CA, USA

problem #16

Oct 222004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles
Steering wheel shimmy at speeds above 50 mph. I took the car to dealer three times. It was not acknowledged in the first trip. Front tires were balanced in the second trip. Problem still exists and the car is in the dealer for the third time. It has less than 1000 miles on it.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #15

Apr 082004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14 miles
Ive been trying to get the problems fixed with my new car. It has been shaking (steering wheel), on my 2004 Nissan Maxima since the day I bought it, April 8/2004 @ dobbs Nissan memphis, tn. Ive had the car in 5 different car dealerships--- #1april 12/04 courtesy Nissan Inc., richardson, tx-- #2 April 14/04 dobbs Nissan, memphis, tn---#3 May 7/04 carlock, tupelo, ms ---#4 May 17/04 crump Nissan, jasper, al--- #5 columbus, ms numerous times. After 5 (five) sets tires, thatS 20 (twenty) new tires, 12 being Continental all weather and 8 Bridgestone potenza S-03 and 10 (ten) balance jobs, I still have the problem. The car has around 10,000 miles now and about half of them were put on going to the dealers. I sent a registered letter May 25-2004 to consumers affairs, and then Nissan flew in a technical specialist from ca. He took a few pictures of the tires. Guess what? it needed a balance job. Now, the dealer has 2 more tires ordered, Ive had to get all these tires myself, but the last two. IM no technical specialist but I believe itS the car not the tires. Looks like the lemon law is next!!!

- Guin, , AL, USA

problem #14

Sep 052004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36 miles
I purchased the vehicle with only 30 miles, we were the first one's to test drive the car. During the drive we noticed a vibration in the steering wheel between 60-80 miles per hour. The sales person advised us that the car simply needed to be balance since it has been sitting on the lot for for 4months and the tires had a dull spot. We scheduled the service 4 days after the purchase. After the dealer replaced the tires with brand new Continental tires, aligned, road force balance the vehicle. The problem still persist. Nissan consumer affair said that the car was tuned to spec and that we would have to live with it. Can someone explain to me why I am paying for a defective car and cannot do anything about it. Maxva7@comcast.net.

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #13

Sep 212004

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
Normal driving conditions. 8000 miles on my vehical. Purchased car in April. Few weeks afterwards I heard a rattling sound on the driver side wheel well very time I drive over small bumps. I took it to the dealer in July after much denial that nothing was wrong. Dealer couldn't find the problem and was sent home. Nothing was corrected and I still hear the sound to this day.

- North Potomac, MD, USA

problem #12

Oct 042003

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85 miles
When driving vehicle shook uncontrollably at any speed. There was a severe vibration in the steering wheel, seats, a defect in the rubber molding of the windshield, the brakes squealed, the brake rotors were out of round and a grinding sound when the steering wheel was turned. The tires were rotated a few times, the brakes were lubed and sanded, power steering rack was adjusted, brake rotors were replaced and a brand new set of tires were added.

- Crofton, MD, USA

problem #11

Aug 252004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at highway speed steering wheel shook. Dealership inspected vehicle twice. First time they tightened the suspension system. The second time dealership replaced the front rotors, but the problem recurred. Also, radiator failed.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 112004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40 miles
Front end vibrates when driving on the freeway. Car has been to dealer multiple times for tire rotation, tire replacement and lowering of air pressure in tires. Issue is still not resolved and I am told this is how Nissan cars drive. The consumer has requested that NHTSA disregard this complaint. The consumer was responded to about her request to drop the complaint. Front end vibration as described by the consumer may result in a steering or suspension system failure therefore NHTSA requests from the consumer for information to be kept in files.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #9

Jul 312004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Stering and vibration at 50 to 70 mph.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #8

Jun 142004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
While driving, the steering wheel vibrated heavily. It was hard to turn the wheel. The dealer exchanged the vehicle for another and the new vehicle has experienced the same problems. The vehicle would also pull.

- Miami, FL, USA

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