2004 Nissan Maxima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (568) · Power Train (280) · Tires:sidewall (73)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Maxima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,186 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (114)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB13-028I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
removing foreign material from the window glass this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB09-081K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
windshield cracking this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 114 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-24 · Service Brakes · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 nissan maxima. the contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the abs independently activated. in addition, the contact became aware of an abnormal sound. the failure was a persistent failure. the failure mileage was approximately 200,000.…”
2025-03-28 · Visibility · 165,000 mi“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. the contact pulled over to the side of the road. the contact had not s…”
2023-04-19 · Seats“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 counterclockwise at times(while remaining in the far back position). this is a bi…”
2021-03-21 · Unknown Or Other“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…”
2021-03-15 · Engine · 80,000 mi“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…”
2020-12-07 · Electrical System · 18,600 mi“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.…”
2020-11-17 · Electrical System · 167,000 mi“when it rains the back passenger door has water in the door and soaks the back floor…”
2020-11-10 · Unknown Or Other · 167,000 mi“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??…”
2020-11-01 · Structure:body · 120,000 mi“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…”
2020-07-20 · Vehicle Speed Control · 10 mi · 💥 crash“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 for it to move .. this car was sold to us like this and we almost fell o…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.