2004 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

I really love Maximas but am unsure about buying 2004+ models, although the 2009 series is both gorgeous and tempting. My 1987 Max-SE gave 20+ years of reliable service, little work beyond routine brakes, oil changes, etc., and it still looked great in and out until the day it was totalled. Had it not been for an accident, I would've driven it 125K miles more. Older Max's up to 2004 were manufactured in Oppama, Japan, the new ones are made in Tennessee which is why they are crap.

I purchased a 2005 Nissan Maxima brand new over 3 years ago, and I also went through the same transmission problems with slipping, jerking and hard shifting to reverse at ONLY 36,000 miles. The greedy criminals at the dealership charged me $200 to flush the tranny, but the problem still continued. I got angry, asked for the manager and screamed at him. I got a new transmission in 2 days for free, and the car drives like new... so far. It also helps that you have an extended warranty. This is my last Maxima. Those cars are like blondes, beautiful on the outside, but full of problems.

Well I have a 2004 Maxima SE as well. I never was a fan of Nissan but seeing how well my father and my sister were satisfied the car was a reliable pick for me. I have had these jerks too, mostly when getting off the highway and letting the car decel then adding more power to get to the light. Its not often but after coming here...Its definately something i want to look into. Yeah I have the motor mount problem too and I have to fix 2. The dealer told me the problem is caused by driving too fast? Well I asked... isn't the maxima built to be driven? why is it a high performance vehicle if the engine can't handle the heat?... I love my maxima and after ready some of these coments I will be contacting NHTSA (someone here mentioned). WE ALL NEED TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION we should all do that so we can fix the car we love. Dealers give you a hard time about these recalls because they don't make money fixing recalls, non the less if you want to market nissan you should take full blame for mulfunctions.

I purchase 04 maxima in DEC 06 from the dealership, with 41 K. So far they had to replace the transmission, after several times of complaining about it, and few months ago I had a problem with the AC, and they gave me hard time, every time I came in. Spend all that money on a warranty, and then they charge more money just to look at it. what a rip off.

Does anyone have a rattling from their Maxima that makes the engine sound similar to a diesel engine? I don't mean the exhaust heat shield rattle (I have that as well) but this is a different kind of rattle, its hard to hear from outside, but sitting in the car I can hear it. I am not sure what it is, but if its like anything else I have had go wrong on this car I am sure it will be expensive to fix.

I am in the same boat as most here, bought the car and for the first couple of months it was great, but since then its been non stop repairs (A/C, shimmy, crankcase sensors, ABS etc). It's all the more frustrating as when the car is running fine it's a great car. The problem is now if I go to trade it in I am going to take a big hit because I have only owned the car for a year, but at the same time I can't afford constantly spending hundreds on repairs monthly.

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS! I also own a 2004 Maxima, just over 70K miles - and guess what... I also get to spend $4200 (inc tax) to replace my transmission. If we could get out of this car, believe me we would! Also, read the article on www.huliq.com. It tells everyone exactly what's going on. Beauty is only skin deep with this car...don't purchase or sell it if you haven't had tranny problems yet!

I too have a 2004 Nissan Maxima, but an SL instead of SE. It has 66k miles on it, has been having problems for the last 10k. Prior to that I love it!

First issue - u-joint and half axels replaced. Funny that a month later and 100 miles past warranty, the right front strut needs to be replaced. Dealership quoted me $1390 to replace the struts as well changing out the belts and battery.

Next issue - about a week ago, my husband turned on the car, there was a big bang and then smoke came out of the radio. The whole bose system blew up. Waiting to hear back from the dealership, but they say I have to pay for it. Anyone else have radio problems?

Next one - its starting to jerk between 1st and 2nd, started about 63,000 miles. Probably 60% of the time. Also has a pretty significant decrease in available power.

Final one - tires only last about 30-35k miles. My originals were rotated every 5000 miles, only lasted 32,000. Bought some pricey yokohama's - same thing. They need to be replaced soon, about half way thru their 60k mile life.

I really really loved this car - get all kinds of compliments on it and just thought it was great. Now at 60k with one more year to pay on it, it turns into a lemon. I submitted my complaint today, will call the NHTSA tomorrow.

Hi Folks.

Another unhappy 2004 Maxima owner in Jax. Fl, I just passed 100K in miles on it and thought this car was going to last, boy was I wrong.

My Transmission died on me while I got off the expressway last week. The Dealer wants $4K to fix it, and get this, "Never Heard of this car having TRANSMISSION PROBLEM~!!!" LMAO yeah right. I have it at AAMCO now for a rebuilt Tran, they told me $3,500K. and get this, they're getting the same old defective parts to put it back together. Wow, I think they want to see me again for the same problem. I can't afford to keep fixing this car. Just last month I had to replace my second, yes I said second wheel baring this year. I loved the way this car drives but at what cost? If any one knows where or who I need to speak with for this class action suit please email me at Bakerfj@yahoo.com.

Another Maxima owner bites the dust---

I am from the Bahamas, bought a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE less than a year ago, already have replaced both front rotors and tires.

Now the cars stalls in the middle of driving, and takes forever to start back, when it finally starts back it stays in high (5) gear and only returns to low gear when transmission is cool. Even when I manually shift, it jumps straight back into high gear and the 5 never moves from the gear indicator. I have changed oil countless times and recently changed the ultra expensive valve body and the problem still persist and has even gotten worse. The told me to change the cam sensors, which I am presently waiting on, and once installed they said to put on a diagnostic computer to clear the code, and to also check the negative cable from the battery that is grounded to the transmission.

The car only has 57,000 miles. If there is any one who can offer me some advice, please reach me at margeboy@hotmail.com.

I will never buy another Nissan again; this was my second, the first was a 98 model which I recently sold to my nephew and he crashed it a month later, right after that I started having these problems, one can only imagine how angry I am.

Now have to buy the wife a new Chevy Cobalt, which she is so much in love with now. Was thinking on getting a Nissan truck for myself, but after this now I can say am through with Nissan. Help please margeboy@hotmail.com.

I have a 04 Maxima SL, it has 90k on it. It drives great, the only thing I had to change was the timing chain guides due to the fact the previous owner never did the oil change on time.

My trans seems fine, hopefully it stays this way.

My check engine light came on, but it was because the 02 sensor on the front exhaust manifold was dirty.

I see that the SE model is suffering from the trans. The SE model brings a 5 speed AT, and the SL model brings a 4 speed AT. I think the problem is small because I work at a junkyard and the past month we sold 4 SE Maxima transmissions, and they came back cus that wasn't the problem. I hope I'm right.

My friends I am so mad to the top of my head that Nissan is taking our money and giving low performing vehicle like the Maxima SE 2004.

I just purchased this car (2004 Maxima 04) because of my prior Nissan that worked excellent for over 10 years. But my new Maxima at 80,000 has been jerking on me every time I accelerate from 1st to 2nd gear, and I frankly don't want to dish out more cash because Nissan failed to recall this product.

All of you are having the precise dilemma that I am current facing; certainly this will be my last Nissan and I will make sure the word get spread out to all my friend and (business) and churches, hospital, my local newspapers etc... any one will any ideas how to handle this defective vehicle please email LeslyC826@aol.com.

I have a 2004 Maxima SE, 6spd manual. This is my 5th Nissan. I have had more problems with this car than the 1st 4:

1) Tire wall cracking 2x. First time the dealer told me to take it up with Goodyear, now trying to recoup the cost of 4 new tires; after the recall Goodyear picked up the 2nd set

2) Bose radio wiring harness short; CD changer drops sound on left side of car all the time

3) Brake judder - if I brake hard, the car shakes

4) The clutch is TERRIBLE. Have had it replaced at 76000 for $2700.

I have had terrible service experience with Nissan. I am at 99800 miles and need the 100K service. Any recommendations? Do I sell now and get something new? I am afraid something else is going to go wrong with this car and cost me more money. Contact me at ptquimby@comcast.net.

Thanks

Pete.

Hi. I am a miserable owner of a 2004 Maxima SE, 6 spd.

I first had tire problems six months after I purchased it. The dealer told me no dice, go see Goodyear. $500 later I had 4 new tires. Two years later, same thing.

Once I got the recall notice, I got 5 new tires. I am trying to get Nissan to reimburse me for the initial $500.

2nd problem, my BOSE stereo drops the left channel half the time while playing CDs. It is terrible.

3rd problem, the clutch absolutely sucks. It totally burnt out one day on me at 20 miles an hour... I got cutoff and tried to downshift to accelerate to avoid an accident from 4-3 and it just smoked out. $2700 later I got a new clutch. Both clutches were a nightmare to shift when the car is not warm, and once it is I can push it out of gear with little to no effort.

The gear ratio is terrible. Unless I am at a dead stop, it is a complete guess as to what gear to be in, and you can forget shifting in the cold.

I just registered a complaint this evening with the NHSTA. I am interested in others experiences. Please feel free to contact me at ptquimby@comcast.net.

I am very interested in what I should do next. I have 98K miles and I owe $7k on the note. Do I sell while I can make a bit of money and upgrade to another car? Thoughts appreciated.

Oh I forgot the brake judder...

I have a 2004 Maxima SE 89k miles on it, and I have the same problem that just started this week, when I start the car it has a hard time starting and when it does it is stuck in high drive/5th gear, and if I stop turn it off and start it again it starts right up and I can drive normally, but once while driving it jumped into high gear and I drove it to work that way, I read somewhere here where they had the transmission valve body replaced, does anyone know what the price of that is?

I have a 2004 Maxima with 47000 miles on it, and I've been having the same shifting problems for 2 months now. I took it to the dealer twice and they couldn't duplicate the problem, even after the tech took it overnight. I finally had the tech drive with me on my normal route and he was able to see the shifting problems. The dealer said they'll have to replace the valve body and hopefully that helps. I'll post here when its finished. This is definitely my last nissan.