2004 Nissan Maxima review from North America

Where do I begin?

I have an 04' Maxima, which seemed to drive very good when purchased in 2004.

Then by 2005, I begin to notice noises that sounded like I was driving around with a portable water fountain inside the glove compartment. With each turn I made, the water sound would shift from side to side. It sound like a gallon of water being shaken up. My Nissan dealer could never explain those weird water sounds.

Then came the struts that needed replacement in 2006. The didn't ride smooth; it was very rough. The dealer told me I had a nail in my rear tire; they gave me a patch up and sent me on my way.

The noises weren't coming from the rear, only the front, so I took it to another Nissan dealer. They said it was my struts and replaced them under the factory warranty. Shortly after that incident, I was experiencing another noisy, rough ride. Back to the second dealer I go. They tell me it was my passenger side rotator. I paid for this one.

In 2007, I'm driving 75mph on the expressway and have a tire blow out, which could have been fatal. Thank god I was safe. My tire was wrapped around the rim. The next day I find that all 4 tires have cracks in their walls. More money to spend.

Now again here in 2007, I been experiencing the jerks every time I drive. Back to the dealer. They tell me it's my front motor mounts; I spend over $900 to have it repaired, and also my air conditioner goes out at the worst time. Low A/C hose needed to be replaced - $200 for the part. All repairs were done at the dealer.

I picked up my car, and before I made it off the lot, my car jerked worst than when I bought it in. Furious at this time! I expressed my frustration to the dealer and took the car back. They tell me now that it's a part in the Transmission called "Vasp"; the part cost $794. They keep my car for two days, put me in a rental car. When I follow up the story changed from "Vasp" to "YOU NEED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION".

What the hell are you talking about? I asked. Now I am really regretting purchasing this car. So I paid for motor mounts, when all along it was my transmission that was defective when manufactured.

The good news is that I was reimbursed, and my transmission was still under factory warranty. The bad news is that every year there's more problems to be addressed.

Definitely not worth my time, or money. Now that everything is running smoothly I am selling it. I think I'll try BMW this time around!

This car was not well thought out before Nissan made it.