2004 Nissan Maxima: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2004 Nissan Maxima? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 1,425 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2004 Nissan Maxima Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2004 Nissan Maxima trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2004 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Nissan Maxima has 1,425 owner complaints, 33 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Maxima
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 1,425
- Crash-related complaints
- 33
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Most Common 2004 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Tire Issues
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Tire Issues, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2004 Nissan Maxima?
The 2004 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2004 Nissan Maxima
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for signs of failure or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, tires, engine, and suspension.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for signs of failure or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, tires, engine, and suspension.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Nissan Maxima, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2004 Nissan Maxima are heavily concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain, accounting for the majority of reports. Tire issues, engine problems, and suspension failures also appear frequently. Crash-related complaints are relatively low compared to total complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints dominate with 934 reports.
- Tire issues are the second most reported component with 148 complaints.
- Engine problems and suspension failures each exceed 100 complaints.
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Tire Issues
- Engine Problems
All 2004 Nissan Maxima Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 934 | 14 | 2 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 148 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 121 | 2 | 7 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 102 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 71 | 2 | 4 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 61 | 2 | 3 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 56 | — | 8 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 56 | — | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 38 | 7 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 37 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 33 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 30 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 15 | — | 5 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 13 | 11 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound, and the contact noticed that the sky view roof glass had shattered. The contact stated that pieces of shattered glass had fallen inside the vehicle. …
UNKNOWN - I recently purchased this vehicle today from a private seller on April 18, 2023. Previous owner had stated the driver seat adjuster motor(to move the seat forward and backwards) has never functioned properly and gets stuck in the far back position or rotates countercloc…
04V326000 ONE OF THE RECALL NUMBER THE OTHER IS 05V512000 NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT I'VE CHANGED MY TIMING CHAIN ALSO ALREADY I ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER STATING IF I HAD TO REPLACE IT TO CONTACT NISSAN I BELIEVE I'M JUST GETTING THE RUN AROUND
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. TIMING CHAIN WAS BAD FROM DAY ONE. SPENT NEARLY 4000 DOLLARS FOR REPAIR. THEN TO LOOK UP ONLINE AND FIND OUT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD PROBLEM. NOW A FEW YEARS LATER. SAME PROBLEM
FOR STARTERS I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR THEN THE BATTERY AND THEN THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR AND THEN DORMAN THAT IS ON THE POSSESSIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY. AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO START STILL. NOW JUST MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME ON THIS.
WHEN IT RAINS THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR HAS WATER IN THE DOOR AND SOAKS THE BACK FLOOR
CAR FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO RUSTING OF FLOORBOARDS ON DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. TURNS OUT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MODEL YEARS 2002-2006. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE??
FRONT SUBFRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT LOWER CONTROL ARM BECOME UNATTACHED, HAD TO REPAIR SUBFRAME AND ALL COMPONENTS, ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY RISK, MANY RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON'T HAVE ONE FOR THIS VEHICLE
ME AND MY BOYFRIEND WERE SOLD THIS CAR FOR 2500 AND THE CAR NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, A NEW CONVERTER . ONCE I BROUGHT THOSE ITEMS AND PUT THEM IN THE CAR STARTED HAVING COMPRESSION PROBLEMS TO THE POINT IT HAS A SLOW TAKE OFF , CANNOT GO UP HILLS , AND WE HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS JUST FO…
THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT HAVE RUSTED OUT. MOST OF THE OTHER METAL/ FLOORING HAS NOT RUSTED OUT LIKE IT HAS IN THESE TWO SPOTS. THE RUST DOES SEEM TO LEAD UP CLOSE TO THE SUB FRAME WHICH WORRIES ME OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME. THE FLOORING HA…
THE BODY CONTROL MODULE KEEPS THE FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS FROM WORKING. THE TAIL LIGHTS ALSO NOT WORKING. THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS NOT WORKING COST FOR REPLACING WITH LABOR AND TAX IS OVER 1K IN CALIFORNIA. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. I HAD TO PULL OVER …
WHEN IN MOTION THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP IN 1 AND 2 GEAR THEN 4 AND 5 GEAR JUMPS OUT OF GEAR THEN GOES IN TO LIMP MODE
CAR WAS FINE INITIALLY THEN STARTED CAR WHICH TOOK LONGER THAN NORMAL TO START AND CAR WOULD NOT HARDLY GO DUE TO IT NOT BEING IN 1ST GEAR. PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO MANUAL MODE AND DOWNSHIFTED IT TO FIRST AND GOT A HARD CLUNK BUT CAR WOULD NOW GO UNDER ITS OWN POWER BUT WHEN YOU…
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WIL LOSE POWER AND START JERKING BADLY, CUTTING BACK LIKE LOSING POWER. IT FEELS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO A WELL KNOW TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL NISSAN CARS INCLUDING MINE.…
WHENEVER I ACCELERATE AND THE SPEEDOMETER HITS 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION JERKS OR IF I'M GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND START TO BRAKE AND AS MY SPEED IS DECREASING WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER HITS 20 MPH IT JERKS. THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE SLIPPING OR HAVE AN ISSUE.
THE FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED OUT ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES AND WE WERE NOT AWARE BECAUSE THE CARPET COVERED BUT YOU CAN FIT A FIST THROUGH EACH ONE! SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!
THESE TRANSMISSION SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO I ALWAYS TEND TO FEEL A GEAR JUMP IN THE FIRST GEARS WHEN ABOUT TO START MOVING THE CAR OR BRAKING. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN YOU SUDDENLY NEED TO MAKE A HARD STOP AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL MAKE A HUGE JUMP THEN STOP A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT THE CONTACT'S HOME, THE HOOD BLEW UP AND THE FRONT END BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE MAINTEN…
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING
ON SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018, IN THE MORNING AROUND A 11 AM, I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MAXIMA AND IT STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AND TURNED OFF. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START IT, BUT IT WOULDN'T HOLD THE IDLE AND TURNED OFF AGAIN. NO NISSAN DEALERSHIP OR REPAIR SHOP WAS OPEN SO I CALLED THE …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Nissan Maxima.
2004 Nissan Maxima Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2004 Nissan Maxima Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 1,425 owner complaints, 33 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (934 complaints). #2: Tire Issues (148 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (121 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Nissan Maxima?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Nissan Maxima, NHTSA complaints include 33 crash-related reports and 16 fire reports out of 1,425 total complaints. 30 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Nissan Maxima. A major recall area is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2004 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Nissan Maxima based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.