2004 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

Faux titanium panels on console scratch too easily.

Front struts prematurely wore at 20K miles.

Dash rattles excessively, particularly when cold. Uncharacteristic for a Japanese.

Need to consult with Honda and Toyota to avoid the dash rattle problem.

The Nissan Maxima SE provides an excellent combination of power, performance comfort and value.

I would certainly place this vehicle on the same level as the Audi A4, however, certain quality issues in this vehicle have precluded me from doing so.

More specifically, cheap materials and excessive rattle noise from the dashboard detract from what seems to be an excellent automobile.

The Nissan Maxima surveys in this website are replete with comments about the steering wheel shaking at higher speeds and the clunking noise from the front end (presumably from the struts, which was the problem in my example), however, I have had much more expensive automobiles (BMW 3 Series for example) and their problems were far worse.

Despite the quality materials issue, I must remind the readers that the Maxima engine is bulletproof and will guarantee thousands of trouble-free miles.

My summary: great looks, price, power, power and a quality level that is not characteristically Japanese.

"Dash rattles excessively, particularly when cold. Uncharacteristic for a Japanese. Need to consult with Honda and Toyota to avoid the dash rattle problem"

I beg your pardon???...Toyotas and Hondas have horrible rattling dashes!

You are very perceptive. I have recently purchased the Nissan Maxima and the interior rattle noise began manifesting itself fairly quickly. I also observed that the interior panels would scuff or scratch too easily, something that never happens in a North American edition Honda or Toyota. Nissan Maxima is great on performance and the engine is durable (this is my second Maxima, ticked just over 300,000 miles on it!), but the plastics are more suitable for toys than automobiles.

I have to agree with comments about cheap materials and rattles in Maxima. The most aggravating aspect is there are so many rattles at different times and temperatures, that it would be impossible for the dealer to correct them all. Overall, great performance ruined by shoddy interior materials. I have owned seven Toyotas and two Nissans. I will not own three Nissans.

I had a 2000 Max manual SE which I drove for a year and a half. I drove over Santa Cruz mountain on a treacherous winding road every day for 70 miles round trip, rain or sun. Never had any problem. I didn't do the slow break in, didn't do any dealer specified service, just oil change. The car never had any problem. Not rattle, not anything. Now I got a 05 Camry. No problem for a year. I miss the stick shift Max. One thing I didn't like about the Max is the road noise. Hope Nissan has improved in that department over the past 5 years... Guess I was just luck.

I have my Toyota Camry in body shop, so rented Maxima 2006 SL that has only 5k on it.

I really like it's interior and the overall look. One thing that really warned me is that at high speeds car is hardly controllable, when it gets in to dipms and bumps steering wheel starts turning, you really need to hold it with your both hands and be constatnly focused on the road.

I think Nissan did pretty good job in suspension, they give you good reems, very strong, responsive engine and transmission, but car has very week control over the road, it is unprdictable, where unlikely Toyota and Honda are much more better and adjustable to any roads and wheel doesn't move even on really bad road.

Infiniti doesn't have this problem, so I think Nissan needs to revise this and make some changes to its Handling and overall car control.