2004 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

Hi, I also have a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE.

I know this site is a venting tool, but we all need to complain to the right people so we can all get what we're paying for.

If you're from canada where I'm from, or the United States, let's get this resolved. We know we're being professional about this problem we are having with our transmissions; let's put Nissan on the hot seat and see if they can put their money where their mouth is, because I've been calling the dealership asking about if there are recall's about this problem, and they are saying there are no recalls for the 2004 Maximas. That's not right; they are probably saying to themselves that they are going to lose money. How about the customers?

So lets do our research and find out exactly who to contact about this problem, because it's getting ridiculous and embarrassing driving this car.

My email is troopa110@hotmail.com

Thanks.

I am also an owner of a 2004 Nissan Maxima; I purchased used in 2005 with 36,000 miles on it. I love my Nissan Maxima and have owned other Nissan models; but my Maxima has given me the most problems. I have had to replace the coil ignitor, the rotors & brake pads, power steering belt & A/C belt - as of now my A/C does not work, several cracked belts & leaking belts & the battery! As of yesterday my car completely stopped on me... I had my car towed to Nissan and my timing chain broke on the car and I now need a WHOLE new engine. From what I am told - the timing chains should last up to 300,000 miles (I have 125,000 miles now). The diagnostics for this was $1100.00 plus the cost of the new engine estimated at $8,000 - 9,000 dollars! I am devastated - I owe too much money on this car still to even consider any trade in - I am totally at a loss here and I am sickened over this mess. I am very loyal customer to Nissan. 10 of my family members have Nissans but my Maxima which is the most expensive model is the lemon of the bunch. I am very saddened & disappointed. I hope Nissan Consumer Affairs has a way to help me with the repairs. julzda11@yahoo.com.

More of the same of everything mentioned here.

Ekoepp@comcast.net.

95K, I'm in the shop right now for $3800.

I have a 2004 maxx se can someone email me on what the problem is for right front end knock whenever I go over bumps or make a right turn. Nissan dealership changed pretty much everything on the right side to no avail. klogan35@comcast.net that's the only problem I am having. Car has 45000 miles. runs great except for that annoying noise much aprreciated if you can help. thx all.

I also have a 2004 Maxima SE and have had the same problem with the transmission as the rest of you are having. My CD player is also acting up and will not play through the right door speaker from time to time. I just had to have my A/C fixed due to a leak.

I have put in a complaint about the transmission to the website left by one of the other users on here and suggest the rest of you do the same. Hopefully if enough of us complain Nissan will do something about it.

If anybody hears anything good about the transmission problem please let me know at quinnmr@gmail.com.

Same problem here - both counts - 2004 Max SL - and I get the shimmy shimmy rattle your bones on braking and (worse) the trans problem where it sounds like a turbine jet engine running in tandem with the trans. I can't believe this, but I'm at the Nissan dealership now and am KICKING myself for not finding this list earlier - they are changing the trans. fluid as I type :`(

This is absolutely ridiculous that so many owners are having the same problem in the same model/design - if this doesn't constitute a design flaw, I don't know what does - has anyone contacted an attorney? This is almost class-actionable...

Man... Thought I was alone at first... I too have a 2004 Nissan Maxima 6-speed Manual; had a grinding in 2nd gear - dealer said I needed new clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and flywheel... $1300 later - same grind (oh, by the way, another $1300 they say to fix that - now it's a synchronizer issue; not the clutch)... and now 2 months later, my tranny starting to lock up again in certain gears, can't shift, etc. I also have the "shaking" thing where the rotors feel like they're warped, but they aren't... Tightened the lug nuts and it got better for a couple of weeks. This is a nice looking car, but mechanically horrible... "jimmy at chatt.net" If you all hear anything (btw, I did file my ODI complaint with the NHTSA).

I have a 2004 Maxima SE, bought as new at 12,000 miles. At 58,000 miles, developed scraping sound when accelerating. Dealer replaced the catalytic converter, sound stopped. Back in shop today at 70,000 miles for constant whine from engine. Dealer says secondary timing chain is bad, will require 3 day repair job. Had an extended warranty to 72,000 miles, hallelujah. Tires are expensive and wear out at less than 35,000 no matter how often they are rotated. Found Falken tires at Sears for $170 vs $260 for Goodyears. I'm so used to the vibration in the steering wheel that it seems normal. Had a 1995 Maxima, loved it. Don't love this one. Will file complaint with NHTSA.

I too have a 2004 maxima. I maintain the car at the dealer,. While driving, the gears will slips out and at times sticks at the 5th gear The only way it comes out of the 5th gear is by turning off the car and starting again. I was told the problem with the gear shifting is I need to change the valve assembly. It was changed and 2day later the same problem existed. I took it back and I am told I need to change the AT solenoid assembly and or replace the transmission.

The wheel creaks and it cost me $1600 to repair the passenger side. The same is on the left side and I got my friend to do is grease the axle assembly for $100. It is fixed. Nissan should do a recall and replace the 2004 AT transmission.

I have a 2004 Maxima and the car is clunking when moving between reverse and drive. This problem becomes more pronounced when it is warm. I brought it to the shop and have been told that it needs a rebuild and it will cost me $3,600. Nissan needs to shoulder it's responsibility and take care of this problem. I am considering just trading the car in as this problem will just happen again in another 60,000 miles but I am not considering a Nissan.

Chalk another one up to the clunking over bumps/transmission/rattling sound issues for my '04 Maxima with 72k. I've had it for a total of 2 months. The previous owner had the tranny flushed twice in accordance with the recommended maintenance. This should not happen when the transmission has been properly maintained and not abused.

I have a 2005 Maxima SE with 95,000 miles. Major issue with TIMING CHAIN problems. Have been told that there is a service bulletin from Nissan regarding this. Has anyone else heard this? So far, Nissan won't touch the problem without charging big bucks to fix it... this is absurd! A 3-year old car that I paid $30,000+ for should not be having this problem.

I've loved this car up until now...but at this point it's probably best to trade it in (next car won't be a Nissan).

TB.

I have a 2005 Maxima SE with 82k and I found out today I have a timing chain issue. I spoke with the dealership and they said there was a service bulletin posted in July 2007 on this issue. I will be contacting Nissan today to see if I have any recourse, however it sounds like I will be 100% responsible for the $1400 repair. That stinks.I think they should pay for half the labor (total lablr is $960) cost.

We have a 2004 Maxima SL with 45,000 miles. We have had repeated failures with the suspension system - right front end. This is ridiculous. When I called Nissan, they told me there where no reported cases. I'm in the process of contacting Nissan through vocal complaints and letters. Since purchase, we have had over 4 failures with struts, rotors since we have purchased the car. There is still a persistent vibration or shimmy at higher rates of speed. It seems like a costly defect to me. It will probably take a serious incident for Nissan to do something about this.

I have a 2007 Nissan Maxima that I purchased last year new. I have maintained the regular oil changes at the dealership, and at the same time had the tires rotated each time. No one other than the dealership has ever looked at or done anything to this vehicle. Well at approximately 30,000 my tires are "slick" in the center. The Nissan Service Department told me it was from over inflation, which I told them THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES inflating the tires... and what were they going to do about it? At the time of purchase I also bought the tire warranty. They said they aren't going to do anything... I need to know who, where I can contact someone at Nissan to get something done.