29th Dec 2008, 20:48

My 2004 Nissan Maxima's transmission failed at 68,000 miles. No engine lights or prior warnings, just failed suddenly and conveniently after the 60,000 mile warranty expired.

Even a Hyundai has a 100k warranty, so what's up with Nissan ruining its reputation by not voluntarily taking care of an obvious recall issue.

Filed a complaint with the NHSTA and wrote to the manufacturer via their website as well. Hope to see some positive action from the manufacturer to correct this issue instead of it squandering away the goodwill built from the 2-3 decades of reliable cars they produced.

31st Dec 2008, 17:03

I bought a brand-new 2004 Maxima in April 2003! It has been one issue with this vehicle after another, including shoddy workmanship!

You have to remember that '04 was the 1st year Maxima was made in the US!

My CD player is stuck (will play-not eject), the upper door handles came out when someone was holding on them, my key-less opener part failed which is almost $200, the alternator went at 19,000 miles, pile is missing from the carpet. Was hidden on side of the seat (They had to know) Rotors had to be turned. Though they increased size of brakes and wheels, they increased weight. Any fast stops will warp your rotor's, and my clutch (6 speed-$1,700 to fix) just went. I have 36K on the car! It also had a major recall! I have had 5 Maxima's, and the '04 is a real lemon, though my '02 had the same warping issue with the rotors (twice)!

1st Jan 2009, 11:44

I have been having the same transmission problems with my Nissan Maxima 2004. This is terrible. I tried to get help from the Nissan Corp. and nothing was resolved. I had to pay for a rebuilt transmission and I am still having problems. I will definitely file a complaint with NHTSA. Idaisluv@aol.com.

5th Jan 2009, 17:45

As many as you, I have the same transmission problem. Now the car has 133k miles. I bought it used with 52k.

When I first noticed the problem, I took it the dealership. They did a flush, the problem persisted, took it back and they "never replicated the issue".

Timing chain is making a noise; no doubt it will snap.

The tire issue is ridiculous.

I thought I was the only one with the CD player issue; sound goes away on one side.

A REAL LEMON incredibly. Filing a complaint with the NHTSA.

Any updates on fixes or anything?

6th Jan 2009, 11:29

Just went on the NHTSA and found 158 (2004 Maxima) transmission complaints and no recall, however the sunroof with just a few has a recall.

19th Jan 2009, 21:48

I lucked out for the last three months I've experience the hard jerk in the transmission like the others. Today I took my car to the dealer with the complaint, and couldn't get it to duplicate the hard shift. As I rode with the tech, he asked me to apply the brake and give it gas "power brake"; the engine hopped, they said it was the motor mount. They offered to fix it and flush and change my transmission fluid. The motor mount is electronic and was cracked, but when they replaced the transmission fluid and took it for a drive, it hard shifted or jerked. Luckily they were driving when this happened, and they ordered a new transmission right then, and they put it in on Friday.

Also on that test ride they heard the front strut rattling and replaced that also. The tech said if you complain about the strut, it will be replaced.

Now I have 93000 miles on, but I do have the 100k mile warranty.

22nd Jan 2009, 07:08

Wow, this is very interesting; my car just got all messed up when driving out of work. Now it only says 5th gear, and won't go down to 1st or 2nd. Well now I am going to file a complaint as well.

24th Jan 2009, 00:48

"* Timing belt replaced within the last 6 months"

I thought these cars came with timing chain, not timing belt.

29th Jan 2009, 02:31

I bought my 04 Maxima in 05 and just started having problems with the transmission. I flushed the fluid, but that still didn't fix the problem. Now I'm thinking of purchasing a new transmission. But I don't know if that will fix the problem. I can't believe Nissan hasn't done anything about this.

31st Jan 2009, 16:13

I am a used car dealer, and I purchased in the last six months about 8 Nissan Maximas 04/05/06, and 5 of 8 cars had the same problem - transmission jerking. And I will not sell any more Nissans on my lot until a solution comes to end this problem. Please if you have suggestions on the transmission, post it.

31st Jan 2009, 22:57

I can't believe so many people have a similar problem to mine. My problem occurred a little above 50K miles. It started off one cold morning. I shift to drive gear and I heard a loud hard jerk. I thought I had hit something. After checking around, and turning off the car and on to check the shifting, much to my dismay, it's the car that caused the jerk. I asked around but no one seemed to know the problem. But I noticed that when I don't warm up my car, and on very cold days, the jerking is harsher than when the car is heated up.

I finally took it to a friend's family auto shop. They diagnosed it as a transmission problem and parts of it have to be replaced. Being an idiot, I didn't know about the warranty for transmission, so I haven't taken it to the dealership. Now I'm knowledgeable, I feel lucky that I'm able to take my car to the dealership for a checkup within the warranty.

I am filing a complaint to support the recall on this transmission problem. It is irresponsible of the auto maker for neglecting our concern and safety.

3rd Feb 2009, 16:25

Looks like the Nissan bean counters are just doing what they are told. Only fix what we have too. The 2004 Nissan Maxima has more problems than they can fix. Unless an outside independent source forces them to fix the problems, they will not. Cheaper to do nothing. The dealer has no interest in fixing the problem, when they can just charge you for a new transmission.

I called the NHTSA and raised this as a safety issue. The NHTSA will act if they receive a certain amount of complaints. The transmission problem is a safely issue if it fails to provide sufficient acceleration that will allow you to get out of harm’s way or to safely maneuver in traffic. Also, if the transmission fails to downshift to assist in the deceleration of the vehicle, the NHTSA will act. This is the case we must make when we file a complaint. Just to say it is a piece of crap is not enough. We must focus on the unsafe factor of the transmission not properly operating the vehicle.

I have called and registered my complaint. I focused on the safety factor. I urge you to PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE call NHTSA or submit an online form to this agency. Only by doing this will we get some results and make Nissan pay for their mistakes and flaws. Log onto the website, which is https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/#gen_info or call at 1-888-327-4236 and make your complaint heard to get some results. We can complain and pay or do something.

I am interested in hearing from you after you have registered your complaint.

Donald

Donaldharrison1@netscape.net