2004 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

I haven't had the problems everyone seems to be having with their 2004, but I have had the engine replaced twice, lucky for extended warranty, something about timing belt tensioner.

I think the same symptoms are starting again, and will have to take it in again, that will be 3 engines in less than a year. That is just one of the problems.

Took it in for 60k service, and soon thereafter the transmission failed. Again, covered by warranty, picked car up not a block away and check engine light goes on: problem catalytic converter.

Other stuff that has been replaced; rack and pinion rack, Goodyear tires.

You would think that there couldn't be anything else to fail, but now I have a thump sound from right side, diagnosis, struts which unfortunately are not covered $700. Seems that every time I take to dealer to fix one thing, something else breaks, so now thinking of going somewhere else for the struts.

This is the first used Nissan car I have bought. 04 Maxima with 32k, and in less than 1 year all these things have had to be replaced.

Have had 5 other new Nissan cars through the years with no problems, I thought this car with only 32k was a good deal. Now I'm not so sure, although it hasn't cost me because of warranty, I'm afraid as to what will go wrong when the warranty ends.

I'm depressed after reading all of these entries on 2004 Nissan Maximas. I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima that I bought used in the summer of 2005. It had 24k miles. When the weather turned really cold in December or January, all sorts of noises suddenly appeared in the right front suspension area. They were very abnormal, certainly something major that needed correcting. The dealership worked several times on the problem until the car ran out of warranty - they installed two new sets of struts and shocks and did some other supposedly related repairs or replacements. But, none of what they did corrected the problems that were always much worse in cold weather than in hot. After the warranty ran out, I just started living with it all - rough, jolting, thumping, bumping, noisy reactions in the right front of the car to very minor bumps in the road.

This was the case until 6-8 months ago when I put a new set of tires on the car. With the new tires, the noise became much, much worse and the ride much rougher. And, it just got worse and worse to the point where I did not trust the car. In fact, I felt it was dangerous to drive the car at highway speeds. At times, it seems that the front tires and wheels could just come off the car.

Last week, I bought a new set of tires hoping that the increased problems of the last few months were directly related to the tires. I traded in a set of tires with around 8K miles in hopes that a high end tire of another brand would make a difference. That turned out not to be the case. I still have shimmying, shaking, and all sorts of noises coming from the front - especially the right front.

If I could be assured to at least some degree of surety that spending the $800 or $900 for new struts and shocks would correct it, I would gladly pay. But, two new sets did not do the trick under warranty, so I feel the same results would be the case now. I cannot, however, "just live with it now." The problem has gotten to the point that something has to be done. I came to this web site hoping that I might find the answer. No answer was found, but I did find a lot of folks who are dealing with some of the same problems as I - and in many cases dealing with more problems than just the front end shaking and thumping and bumping of my experience.

After reading all of these entries, I feel certain that my 2004 Nissan Maxima will never be returned to a level of ride and comfort that I had even a year or so ago - much less to a level that one should be able to expect and receive with an automobile of the cost and purported luxury of a $32,000 Nissan Maxima. It is really a shame that a car of this supposed standard is completely trashed because of all of the problems relating to the transmission and front suspension - problems that cannot be diagnosed and corrected with any expectation or hope that the time and monetary pay-out will be successful. My 2004 Nissan Maxima - a car that I loved and was a fun car except for its one problem - will soon be traded in on another automobile that will definitely not be a Nissan. What a shame that our automobile industry cannot do better!

In the words of Gladys Knight "It's sad to think we're not gonna make it, but it's gotten to the point where we just can't fake it...".

Five years ago to the day (4/9/08) I bought a brand new $32K Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE off the dealer's showroom floor (4 miles on it) and I just knew I would have it for at least 8 to 10 years. Boy was I mistaken. I have replaced all 4 high-end tires twice ($1200 each time) with the false hope that expensive tires were better for the car. A good friend finally told me about tire insurance, which has saved me a bundle over the past 2 yrs with all the faulty Goodyear tires I've purchased. Twice my 'good' tires blew out and shredded on the highway. I thought I was going to die. And yes, I kept the car maintained (scheduled maintenance, regular oil changes, the works).

The rattling and shaking started in year 3; the stalling and jerking last year. Over the past year it has just gotten worst. Now I am afraid to drive the car. I just paid my 60th payment last month and now I have to start over again with another car note. I am livid! For that kind of money I could have gotten a Benz!

I am going to complain to every institution that will listen. The really bad news is I gave my 1999 Toyota Camry to my son the day I bought the Maxima and it is still running and getting him everywhere he wants to go. I will never, ever, ever give Nissan one more dime of my money. And if anyone asks me I will tell them the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. May God have mercy on Nissan's black soul!

I have a 2004 SE Maxima, and I have the same problem as every one.

My question is, can anybody help us to stop this company from selling this car with this kind of problem, those cars must have a recall, all of them.

I have a 2005 SL, same problems with jerking and engine clicking. First time they fooled me into paying the $1200 for all new engine mounts, a few months later the problem was back. I already added my name to the NHTSA complaints.

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY NEED UNTIL THEY CAN DO A RECALL??

What is the status on that.. and how many people have filed a complain already..

I am never going to buy a NISSAN again. I just hope they get what's coming to them...

I too am an owner of a 2004 Nissan Maxma, bought it brand new in December 2003.

The car has had many issues. I am not experiencing the transmission issue as of yet, but I expect I will soon since the car has 64,000 miles.

My problem is the front rotors, to which I have not replaced yet.

Recently have replaced all 4 tires due to the cracking of the side walls. Too late to get anything from Goodyear at this point they tell me.

Took it to the dealership in April 07 and they replaced brake pads and machined rotors, but still had shaking in the steering wheel when braking. Now the problem is back with a vengeance.

I had to replace my battery also, died at the gas station one day. With the battery dying it caused my gas gage to fail and go all the way around to the wrong side of the gage where you read how much gas you have in your car. I have to keep a check on how many miles I go, so I don't run out of gas and be stranded. I re-fill my gas tank at every 300 miles.

I will be filing a complaint on all the sites mentioned and hopefully we can all get a recall to fix the issues with this car. I thought when I bought this car it was the best vehicle for me, apparently not a safe one. Comments can go to www.wkmichal@yahoo.com

My sister bought her 04 Nissan Maxima 3 months ago with 50,000 miles. It was running perfect till it got to 60,000 miles, now it has knocking and tapping noises coming from the front right while going over bumps, and the car jerks shifting gears all the time.

I drive a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE. The problem is the transmission. It shifts VERY hard from gears 1-3, upshifting and downshifting. I just purchased the car in August and now the dealership tells me I need a new tranny, which I CANNOT afford right now. It is an extreme safety hazard on the road. This obvious defect needs to be recognized by Nissan and replaced and fixed at their expense. The dealership wants $4500 for a rebuilt one. This car has been nothing but a headache for me, I can't wait to get it back so I can sell it. The only thing that will put a smile on my face is to see this car go.

I filled out the complaint application. Does anyone know if there has been any movement as far as getting this on the recall list? Please let me know adam.hurd@yahoo.com.

I just bought a used 04 SE, it had 120 k km.

During the first month of ownership its timing chain became so noisy that I had to replace it for $2500, but after that it started giving more noises, dealership claims that these noises were there, but I didn't notice it because of timing chain noise. I know it started afterwards, but dealership wouldn't listen. It's very unfortunate to have a used car of $15000, but always regret the decision of buying it. I think we should buy just Toyota or Honda.

2004 Maxima problems with the 5th gear problem.

Guys, I own AllData automotive software, and this Maxima, with information and "TBS" tips from Nissan and updated up to 2009, this Maxima's transmission is very sensitive because most of its trans powertrain is controlled electronically.

Nissan only recalls safety issues, not mechanical problems. Solenoid sensors, as the turbine-sensor that controls every electronic solenoid for gear shifting, must be well grounded. Ask a local mom n dad corporation shop to re-ground all solenoids, replace the turbine revolution sensor, which is one of the most problematic sensors of this trans, and that will solve most of your shift problems, and will save a lot of money. Thanks.

Same problem this past week with my 04 Maxima. Transmission locking up in 5th gear. Told needed cam shaft sensor replaced. Had replaced and 2 days later still doing same thing. Will be filing a complaint. :(

I have a 2004 Maxima. I have replaced the trans, motor mount, rotors, the headlight lamps three times and the front sups. With a rebuilt trans. I was able to fix the R to Drive, but the 1st is still slamming into 2nd gear.

Hey everyone, I too had the same jerking problems with my 2004 Nissan Maxima. After putting up with Nissan telling me that they don't know what the problem was, I took it to a nearby mechanic and he mentioned that it was the transmission body valve kit. I figured that it couldn't get any worse, and let him fix it, and lo and behold, I haven't had that jerking problem ever since. It's been 4 months, I called Nissan and told him what it was, but of course they didn't seem to care.

If your Maxima has this jerking problem, it is 100% the transmission body valve. It cost about 1200 - 1600 installed depending on where you're at, but if you're lucky enough to still have a warranty, you should bring that to your Nissan dealer's attention...

Hey guys. I have a 04 Maxima with the same exact issues.

It always shifted down around 20 mph with a big bang as if the engine is about to fall apart. Very annoying experience.

While accelerating hard, it gets stuck on 3rd gear with the engine still racing and then BANG! puts itself into gear after 3 seconds with a poping noise. I called in 1-800-NISSAN-1 and asked them to do something about it. Their obvious reply was that the car has to be under warranty for them to do anything.

We must all go to the media and let them know that their reputation is in BIG jeopardy.

The car is now sitting at AAMCO getting the transmission rebuilt. I hope this helps. Lets see what happens... The guys at AAMCO are insisting on the fact that it is not a transmission problem, and there is actually an electrical problem... I am waiting to see what they have to throw at me...

I already had my cam shaft position sensor replaced because the gear was stuck in safe mode. The Nissan dealer said that it was because of my unchanged oil, but I highly doubt their evaluation now. After all of this they all seem to be a bunch of money sucking scum bags that refuse to address the real issue with the car.

I want my money back or I am going to the court and taking Nissan's reputation with me. We can create a Facebook group if everyone agrees and let the world know!

OK, here's my experience: I noticed some "slipping" between 2nd and 3rd gear in my 02 maxima. The car had just turned 102k miles. I thought, maybe I need to have the transmission serviced, so I did. Problem still persisted. Carried the car to a transmission specialist I have known for years. Car required a trans rebuild. Total cost $1709. In the entire transmission, there were TWO worn clutch plates (? I think that's what they are called) that were causing the problem. The rest were like brand new. Seriously.

I stressed over it at first, but then, I really like the car, it's loaded, and this has been the only major repair. My mechanic told me the problem would have gotten worse over time, and it was the right thing to get this handled quickly. I bought it used, so I have no idea how it was treated before I got it. Seems it doesn't really matter after what I have read since. So I have a good running Maxima with a freshly rebuilt transmission (and a repair bill payment!!! OMG!!!)

chami90655@aol.com