5th Feb 2009, 01:00

I recently purchased a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE, and experienced the same jerking as everyone else. Mine was really bad, and many times at lights the car felt like it was in neutral, very bad jerk when it finally engaged into gear.

At first my dealer couldn't duplicate the problem, but after the car warmed up for 20 minutes they saw I wasn't lying. They fixed the car under the 60k warranty in one day. It seems to be perfect so far, driven it 300 miles. The whole transmission didn't need to be replaced it was the TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY.

I didn't ask them how much it would cost if I didn't have the warranty, but I m glad I didn't have to pay. I was also told that this problem happens in SE models not SLs because the SE has one more gear in the transmission. I hope this helps everyone.

6th Feb 2009, 05:15

I have an 05' Maxima SE and it has about 74k miles. I started having the same problem when it turned just about 70k miles so I took it to the dealership, they said it was the computer on the mission. They replaced it for about $1500, but problem didn't solve. Then took it to dealership again. I was told that clutch was wrong. They replaced it new for another $3000. Nothing has changed. What a rip off. I called in dealership, took 1 hour just to get connected but they kept changing their words. Then I went to the dealership but what they said was "we have never seen this kind of problem before. so we don't really know lot much what to do."... I had no words, now I see everyone is having the same problem. so people please file the complaint to NHTSA.

I can't believe I spent almost $5k for nothing. People who have this problem please file it to NHTSA.

8th Feb 2009, 12:54

Hi.

I have a 2004 Maxima, and 1 day I couldnt get it started. I took it to a Nissan dealership they told me that my fuel line was frozen. After sitting in the shop over the weekend, they still couldnt get it started. They suggested a new 02 sensor. After replacing the sensor they told me they got the car running for about 45 seconds, and then it shuts off automatically. Now the car won't even start. Corporate Nissan claims they never heard of this problem, and they suggessted that they rip out my motor just to see what the problem is. I took it to another mechanic, and they are still trying to figure out why my car won't start. Does anybody have any ideas??...Thank you.

9th Feb 2009, 20:05

I have a 2005SE Maxima and had my transmission replaced after all this 1st and 2nd gear jerking and slipping got too bad to take. It cost me $4000. Got the car back and it runs great, but they dealer then told me that I have to have my timing chain replaced and that it is a known problem with the buzzing sound coming from the chain guides, but since my car has gone over 60,000 miles (72,000) it is not covered and it will cost me another $1600. I have filed my complaint with Nissan and NHTSA. I too had a 1996 Maxima that I still have and love (one of the last built in Japan I imagine). 200,000 miles and the only thing I have had to do to it was brakes, struts, oil changes. That was the main reason I bought another Nissan. I think this will be my last for me and my family and friends.

Please contact me at cortezd@ca.rr.com if recall or class action happens.

12th Feb 2009, 20:12

I called Nissan and they have no records of any transmission problems with the 2004/2005 Nissan Maxima. If everyone would call Ashly at Nissan USA 866-799-1690 extension 1460 I am sure they will have a record of it very soon. She couldn't find anything in the Nissan problem database.

Cortezd@ca.rr.com.

17th Feb 2009, 14:44

Well whoever you talked to an Nissan (Ashley?) is full of you know what. If you go through and read all the posts you clearly see how many of us have called and complained. I'm one of those.

We traded our 04 Max in back in October and I am glad to be rid of it. We will never buy another Nissan again. They were of zero help to us when we had transmission problems. I'm happy to not have that headache any longer.

18th Feb 2009, 11:27

I thought I was the only one, but I am joining the long list of complaints.

My 2004 Nissan Maxima started jerking about 8 months ago. I could never get it to act up with the four service technicians I brought it to.

Finally, I took it to Nissan and was told that it was a CAN issue showing on the diagnostic, and that my ECU/ECM would have to be replaced. Well 6 hours later and $1300 short, the new ECU didn't help. Took it back to Nissan and they now say it's the transmission, yet no recalls. I am not paying the $3600 for a new transmission.

Another mechanic did inform me that Nissan had some electrical issues that contributed to the slip of the tranny. So I will see what they say tomorrow. I am highly upset and disappointed. I am considering selling the vehicle and letting it be someone else's problem...

18th Feb 2009, 11:55

I too am having transmission issues with my 2004 Maxima SE and I have read through this entire site. I have called, visited suggested sites, and written emails to almost every recommended place. I hope everyone will do the same, I’m sure our attempts will be futile, but with this failing market I can only assume that Nissan couldn’t possibly want any more reasons for Americans not to buy their cars.

18th Feb 2009, 13:39

2004 Nissan Maxima transmission issue.

Transmission slipped one day and wouldn't go into higher gears. I checked the fluid immediately, and it was not even touching the dipstick, and the car has never leaked fluid before (where did it go).

3 months later at 104K the transmission is hard jerking in stop and go traffic, as if it were a standard transmission and you dumped the clutch at 2,000 rpms. The effect of this sheared the motor mounts eventually at a cost of 1K. I'm hoping this was the problem with the jumping noise it was making.

Of course after the motor mounts were, fixed the hard shifting and slipping still existed. Now I'm in the hole for 4K on a rebuilt transmission due to burned clutches, etc.

Now of course I had a 100K warranty, but what are the odds of the trans failure just a few thousand miles out of warranty. Only reason I bought the Nissan was thinking of the luck I had with my Camry at 240K, still going with nothing more than batteries and brakes. Guess a lesson learned.

Even the repair shop told me the outsourced trans people they use to rebuild their transmissions, said those models had a weak valve body.