2004 Nissan Maxima SE 3.5 from North America

Summary:

Lemon

Faults:

I put 4500 miles on the car, and now it needs a new transmission. It has no 3rd gear so I have to run it up to 35mph in 2nd gear, and hit the autostick twice so it jumps to 4th gear.

I took it to Nissan (keep in mind that it was 1700 miles out of warranty) and they did nothing but stick me with the bill for looking at it, and it was like pulling teeth just to get someone to talk to me. They did offer to put a new transmission in for 3800 bucks though.

This was the first AND LAST foreign car I will ever buy. What a pile of junk.

General Comments:

Great looking car that does nothing but let you down.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th April, 2008

2004 Nissan Maxima SL V6 from North America

Summary:

Okay

Faults:

ABS actuator needs to be replaced.

Paint on hood and grille chipping.

Tire shake in front end from rims that cannot be balanced.

I bought the car at 44k, and all this happened around 50-52k. Talked to dealer about the problem; they told me, just like it looks, like they have told everyone else, yeah, it's gonna cost $3k to fix it. GIMME A FREAKIN BREAK!!!

I got lucky and have a 100k power train warranty, but it doesn't cover any of those problems. This seems to be a common problem with this vehicle around the 50-60k mileage mark, and Nissan still refuses to issue a recall, WTF?

General Comments:

Great styling, better than average performance, excellent comfort, fun to drive.

Unfortunately all the awesome things I love about this car are overshadowed by Nissan not taking responsibility in an apparent manufacturing defect in a first year body style.

The tire shake, and paint peeling off the hood and the chrome off the grille, is unacceptable also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th April, 2008

2004 Nissan Maxima SE 5.2 from North America

Summary:

Faulty car

Faults:

The A/C compressor, and the transmission. This happen a few months after purchase.

I was told the parts for the A/C were on national backorder.

The transmission jerks, stalls, bumps, and jumps into gear; very uncomfortable and very shameful.

If you are having similar problems, please file a complaint with NHSTA, for our safety is at risk each time we drive this vehicle. Phone 1-888-327-4236.

General Comments:

First and last Nissan I'll ever purchase.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th April, 2008

2004 Nissan Maxima SE 3.5 from North America

Summary:

Great if the transmission was reliable!

Faults:

The first problem was in December of 07 where I could hear a clunk in the upper right corner; this was when $4,000.00 of work was done on my vehicle. The Nissan dealer told me as they handed me my bill "good thing you bought the extended warranty, you are only responsible for your deductible of $100.00". As they handed me my bill for $4,000.00, they told me my mounts needed to be replaced and my front rods, tie rods and my entire front end, which totaled $4,000.00. I left the dealer after 1 week of them holding my car. At this time I reported that my car was hesitating and that my car was jerking as if someone was hitting me from the back "like in a car accident". At this time my whole front end is fixed and my car is returned "hesitating still in place".

I return again... with the same complaint proving that on my previous visit I stated that I had let them know my car was hesitating...

They then let me know, I need a new transmission and timing chain amongst a bunch of other stuff. All of a sudden I need a new steering column, my battery needs the plugs adjusted and a bunch of other stuff I can't explain... Total cost... $5,000.00 and some change to bring my bill up to $10,000.00, which includes the cost of the rental.

I have read on Consumeraffairs.com that many people are having problems with their transmission and mounts and front end in general. I hear that Nissan refuses to do a recall on this, and instead remodeled their 2005 Nissan Maxima's transmission, and added a CVT to the transmission to prevent further issues. Why haven't they done a recall on the mounts and the transmission on the 04? Why are so many people getting caught up with their 04 models?

I guess Nissan knows a lot of people are going thru this, and replaced my transmission and everything, and charged me my deductible for both visits; my cost was $200.00. Should I have even paid that, knowing how many people are going thru this?

What happens when my extended warranty of 80,000 miles runs out?

General Comments:

I love this model car, the performance is the best!

I wish Nissan would recall these things and fix them!

I love my car, and want no other car but my Maxima.

My car is nicknamed "The Beast" for a reason. He is a beast on the road. This would be a great car if it didn't have so many expensive problems!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th February, 2008