2004 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

I'm reading the complaints in reference to the transmission jerking in the 2004 Maxima and I must say we need to file a complaint with the NHTSA and with NISSAN. Please file instead of just venting your frustration. I've filed my complaint with both offices, please do the same. The NHTSA only have about 18 complaints thus far. We need a whole lot more so file immediately.

I been have the same problem as everyone else with my 2004 nissan maxima took it to nissan they told me it's the motor mount and it's gonna cost like 500 dollars. I've also had my heat sheild taken off because of rattling. and they told me my a/c compressor line is bad and my power steering need to be flused and all that is extra!!!

I have the same problem with my 2004 nissan maxima. I tried flushing the transmission and it is still shifting too hard and jerking. We need to stick together and get this problem fixed I sent a complaint in today. Everybody else has too. Here's the websitehttp://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/#gen_info

I will never buy another nissan product again, and I am spreading the word.

Wow!!! I am shocked and outraged at how many of us there are. I too am now part of the failed transmission of the 2004 Nissan Maxima club. I bought mine brand new in 2004. This was my first new car and has been nothing but trouble for me. At 60,000 miles 2 of the catalytic converters went out and shot parts into my engine and ruined it. Because the Catalytic converters were still under warranty Nissan gave me a new engine. Now for the past month off and on my car has been jerking between 1st and 2nd gear. I would think it was better then it would start up again. Today on my way home from school the check engine light came on and I lost almost all power when coming up my driveway. I know it's something bad! I am so mad that Nissan has not recalled this problem. Isn't this their flagship car?!!! I will complain to Nissan tomorrow and file a complaint with the other agency mentioned. If anyone has any pointers let me know.

Finishingtouchint@att.net.

I posted earlier that I too had the same transmission problem. I then found an article at nissanhelp.com that said if a certain transmission fluid was not used it could ruin the transmission. It appears to be a bulletin to it's mechanics. I am not quite sure if it means anything, but I know I have had Nissan change my fluids before, and what if they didn't use the recommended transmission fluid. Please take a look at the article.

I am so shocked to read all the comments! I am an avid Nissan lover and I am so shocked with all the problems that I am having with my 04 Maxima SE.

I too bought my car brand new and I am having major problems with my transmission! I have had the transmission fluid flushed twice (once out of my pocket and second on the dealer's cost) and it still is doing the same thing of shifting hard from 1st to 2nd and sometimes into 3rd gear...and it is the worst when breaking down gears especially, from 3rd into 2nd.

To top things off, I am now having problems with a tick in the engine. Lord only knows what that could be. I am just so frustrated because I keep my car well maintained. I don't know about any of you, but this car was not cheap, and I still have payments to be made, and Nissan is acting as though this problem isn't anything on them, but just regular maintenance that needs to be performed by the owners on their vehicles.

I am definitely filing another complaint about these persistent problems we are having on the site listed by a previous user. I recommend that everyone else do the same.

If anyone hears of anything that we could do, please keep me posted at kdt315@aol.com.

Thanks!

I purchased a 2004 Nissan maxima, on February 27 2007 with only 24,000 miles. Three months later, the vehicle started to fail. I notice some jerking when I slowed down and then hit the gas, as well as a metal rattling noise (when I give it gas). I took it to the dealer which they stated that they didn’t feel it jerk and they didn’t hear the rattling noise. The noise has become worse. Now a year later the engine light came on and my car wouldn’t start. I took the car to the shop where they diagnose that my ignition coil went bad. (Had to replace all six) cost $1000. To this point the car still remains in the shop due to ignition coil. Finally, the rotor went bad which had to be replaced for the amt $380. I have done some research on this vehicle where there have been numerous complaints. I highly believe that an investigation should be place to get this on the recall list. Complaint filed march 31 2008 something needs to be done.

Please email me at dominicana_33@hotmail.com if you have any results or have recved any info on this vehicle.

I came to this site looking for information on what brand tires to buy; I have an 04 3.5SE Maxima and with 56K on it am about to buy my 3rd set of tires. I bought the car with 21K on it and the original Goodyears were all cracked on the inside tire wall. I purchased top-of-the-line Michelins only to get 35K out of them.

I have experienced the rattles and the steering shimmy, etc. I did have the rotors turned by the dealer and tires re-balanced by the dealer which seemed to help for about 10K miles. The dealer told me that many of the discount tire places over-weight the tires and this car is very sensitive to that.?? Now I am at the point that if I let go of the steering wheel for a fraction of a second... this car is headed for on-coming traffic; last month they installed new struts, rotated tires, fixed some more rattles, replace motor mount, etc. This is my second Nissan product; the first was a Quest van and I have to say it will be my last.

After reading all of the comments, I think the best tire to buy is one that is under a different vehicle!

I purchased my 2004 SE Maxima in December 2003. The problems with this Flagship car are echoed all over this comment sheet.

At 17000 miles struts are replaced, the rear view mirror has never stopped 'buzzing', 39000 miles car violently shaking - warped rotors due to brakes getting too hot. This is a defect clearly. I brake gently, always have.

CD player had to be replaced - defective.

ABS replaced - covered extended warranty - problem persisted, took back to dealer - took new ABS off and said there was grass in the wheel that caused the sensor to light up.

Out of nowhere the left rear tire blew out. The tire/crack problem was not known to me at the time. I paid for 2 new tires, then last year heard about tire problem.

I also purchased an 04 Max SE new. Replaced struts (under warranty), all 4 goodyears (cracked sidewalls) under warranty,

Bose radio trouble, left side channel would go in and out, replaced under warranty, rear frame replaced due to corrosion (under warranty). I have no transmission problems (58K miles) but the front brakes are horrible. Rotors warped and steering shimmy is scary at times. I beat the crap out of this car though and the engine and tranny seem OK so far. My recommendation is NOT to do any transmission flushes if you never done them before. It will usually make the transmission worse. If you don't change the transmission fluid regularly, then it is better to not change it at all. Nissan needs to step up with this issue.

I have purchased a 2004 Nissan Maxima on Dec 07, 6 speed, 40km.

I have noticed slight jerking.

My sky view leaks water, had that replaced, but did not fix the problem. THEY SAID THEY ARE PREPARED TO DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR ME.

I've had to replace the bearings on the rear passenger wheel, bleed lines, replace u-joint, and now there's a scraping nose coming from the engine.

Screw NISSAN. I've got 4.5 years left of payments.

I'm so glad I came across this site. I never knew that a lot of us have the same problem. I am so frustrated right about now and I'm planning on calling the Nissan Corp tomorrow.

I bought my 2004 Nissan Maximum SE in 2003 and two years later I started to hear rattling noise from the engine when I first turn on the car. I then took it back and have them fix it but it is back again. I now have the problem with my transmission jerking and it is so frustrated because the only thing to solve this is by buying a whole new transmission which it'll cost me about 3k. I ask the dealer how can this problem occur when the car is not even that old? Their respond to me was we have changed a lot of the transmissions on the Maximum. So I told them that there should be a recall on it and all they did was ignore me.

This is so upsetting. I really believe this should be a recall.

WOW.. This is crazy to see so many of us with the same problems with a so called reputable automobile. I too own a 2004 Maxima SE with the same transmission problem, and paid $3900 to replace it. The replacement does not feel as smooth as the original, and from time to time I get slight jerkage letting me know this may only be a bandaid...

I also have this loud clacking sound coming from the timing area, which I figure would have been fixed when the transmission was changed. The sound is so annoying that I have to turn up my radio at times as to ignore it... I was told it would cost me $1500 to fix that problem and I don't have it. Nissan needs to get on the ball and admit to these issues before the situation goes public. I have about 2 years left to pay for car, and already less oil changes and tune ups would be responsible for roughly $4500 in repairs; not wear and tear related, but Nissan defective.

Well, here's another one--I bought my 2004 Maxima SE new in December of 2004. I've noticed a little jerking from time to time when the transmission shifts but only occasionally, no major problem here. (yet) I have 64,000 miles on it now. My problem has been with the steering wheel shimmy and tires. We've changed out tires, turned the rotors, aligned the front end and still have a shake. The dealership assures me my wheels are good. It's just so darn frustrating because I'm one of those people whom take very special care of their car and keep it serviced. This is not a cheap car--we shouldn't be having these problems! I've been trying to decide what to trade this one in for and it probably won't be another Nissan--too bad---the car I had before this was a 1993 Maxima and it was still a great car with 218,000 miles on it when I traded it for this one.

I too have the same problem. I purchased my 04 Maxima on Jan 8, 2008 (65,000) and so far I have had a couple of problems.

First my front right shock or strut was making a loud banging noise when I would go over bumps etc.

Second my front left top speaker (tweeter near the window) goes in and out, feeling like its blown. Took it back to the dealer for both problems.

Same problems when I turn the wheel; it makes a clicking noise. I don't know what it is.

The speaker does the complete same thing as if they didn't even touch the car.

Now I think my rotors are messed up, or I need brakes.

I had an 04 Lincoln LS and I traded it in for this Maxima. If I knew I was going to have this problem, I would have kept the Lincoln.

Please let me know if you have these similar problems, or contact me on aol

sheeklouch84 or email alkatraz84@gmail.com