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 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,250 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Mar 282013

Maxima

  • 200,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 51 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several minutes and proceeded to function normally. The contact stated that four years prior to the recent failure, the same symptoms lead to the contact having to replace the engine and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 200,000.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #10

Dec 032012

Maxima

  • 145,000 miles
The transmission slips frequently, often hesitation when switching from park/reverse/drive and when switching from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd. The slip often results in lack of power to the wheels and then a sudden jerk when it does finally kick in. It can be very dangerous when you pull into traffic and expect the vehicle to accelerate normally and instead get stuck between gears. Should be a recall on this transmission since it is apparent from online research that this is a very common occurrence.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #9

Jan 052013

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
On Saturday January 5th 2013, my engine light came on. I called carmax on Monday January 7th 2013 to get my extended warranty information. I scheduled an appointment with passport Nissan located in oxon hill, md. The service department told me. I need to have my timing chain, gears, guides and tensions replace for $2,619 with replacing the oil cooler (it has leakage) $698. Well my extended warranty expired when my car hit 100,000. If I had known this before I purchase the car from carmax, I would have never took it off the lot. By the way I only had the car since April 2011. I need help!!!!! I need to express to you the importance for me to have reliable transportation. I have a young child who I need to take to school each day. Without my transportation, my son would have to walk a full mile to the bus stop by himself alone at 7am. By the way it's dark at that time and it's close to an open street. I myself without transportation, I would have to walk a mile plus to a bus stop to catch a bus to the train station. From the train station I have to take a train to work and walk additional mile plus to work. This is very over whelming because I'm still paying a car note and car insurance for a car I can't drive. I'm being put in a difficult situation because I can't afford to get my car fixed.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #8

Mar 012012

Maxima

  • 82,000 miles

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

The vehicle has a very sever jerking or kicking sensation when shifting up or down around the speed of 20-30mph. It happens very often. Even when applying the brakes to slow, the car still jerks forward violently.

- Manitowoc, WI, USA

problem #7

Jul 152010

Maxima

  • 63,000 miles
Approximately 2 years ago my car wouldn't shift gears. Since it was covered under warranty still I brought it so the Nissan dealership and they replaced a sensor. About a year agony car started 'banging' into gear after being driven for a few minutes. I decided to take it to my mechanic since my warranty was up and Nissan Consumer Affairs was not very helpful. I was told today the transmission valve maybe the problem and its $1200 to fix. If this doesn't solve the issue then I have to have the tranny rebuilt.

- Holbrook , NY, USA

problem #6

Nov 022012

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
After stopping at traffic signal, the car doesn't move and starts jerking when shifting between gears. 2 months back the gear wouldn't shift from 5th, took to dealer they replaced a bad sensor and now it jerks and doesn't move when shifting gears.

- Morris Plains, NJ, USA

problem #5

Sep 152012

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

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

The car started shaking and would not accelerate, the service engine soon light was now displayed. Need to get off the road and have it towed. The ground wire was broken off the transmission and caused the computer to short out as well as all of the six ignition coils as too much voltage was sent to the coils. Nissan knows about the problem but did not issue any recall. This can also cause a fire in the car if the wires heat up and catch the evap system; therefore I would recommend issuing a recall of this problem.

- Johnston, RI, USA

problem #4

Aug 062012

Maxima

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake violently whenever the transmission was shifted from park to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the valve body needed to be replaced. Also, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a second opinion who stated that the transmission motor mounts and the radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 113,065.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #3

Jun 132012

Maxima

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. The contact shifted into neutral and was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 2,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.

- Ocean City , MD, USA

problem #2

May 152012

Maxima

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after starting vehicle, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle remained on fifth gear as the contact was unable to shift gears. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop where the crank shaft sensor was replaced. The failure recurred and the engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of failure. The current mileage was 130,000. The failure mileage was 128,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Checopee, MA, USA

problem #1

Nov 072011

Maxima

  • 82,000 miles
I have my transmission jerking turns out I need a valve body just like so many other Maxima owners this should be a recall.

- Dallas, TX, USA

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