22nd Apr 2009, 22:14

My sister bought her 04 Nissan Maxima 3 months ago with 50,000 miles. It was running perfect till it got to 60,000 miles, now it has knocking and tapping noises coming from the front right while going over bumps, and the car jerks shifting gears all the time.

29th Apr 2009, 22:34

I just bought a used 04 SE, it had 120 k km.

During the first month of ownership its timing chain became so noisy that I had to replace it for $2500, but after that it started giving more noises, dealership claims that these noises were there, but I didn't notice it because of timing chain noise. I know it started afterwards, but dealership wouldn't listen. It's very unfortunate to have a used car of $15000, but always regret the decision of buying it. I think we should buy just Toyota or Honda.

1st May 2009, 00:00

2004 Maxima problems with the 5th gear problem.

Guys, I own AllData automotive software, and this Maxima, with information and "TBS" tips from Nissan and updated up to 2009, this Maxima's transmission is very sensitive because most of its trans powertrain is controlled electronically.

Nissan only recalls safety issues, not mechanical problems. Solenoid sensors, as the turbine-sensor that controls every electronic solenoid for gear shifting, must be well grounded. Ask a local mom n dad corporation shop to re-ground all solenoids, replace the turbine revolution sensor, which is one of the most problematic sensors of this trans, and that will solve most of your shift problems, and will save a lot of money. Thanks.

3rd May 2009, 12:39

Same problem this past week with my 04 Maxima. Transmission locking up in 5th gear. Told needed cam shaft sensor replaced. Had replaced and 2 days later still doing same thing. Will be filing a complaint. :(

6th May 2009, 09:12

I have a 2004 Maxima. I have replaced the trans, motor mount, rotors, the headlight lamps three times and the front sups. With a rebuilt trans. I was able to fix the R to Drive, but the 1st is still slamming into 2nd gear.

6th May 2009, 11:37

Hey everyone, I too had the same jerking problems with my 2004 Nissan Maxima. After putting up with Nissan telling me that they don't know what the problem was, I took it to a nearby mechanic and he mentioned that it was the transmission body valve kit. I figured that it couldn't get any worse, and let him fix it, and lo and behold, I haven't had that jerking problem ever since. It's been 4 months, I called Nissan and told him what it was, but of course they didn't seem to care.

If your Maxima has this jerking problem, it is 100% the transmission body valve. It cost about 1200 - 1600 installed depending on where you're at, but if you're lucky enough to still have a warranty, you should bring that to your Nissan dealer's attention...

6th May 2009, 12:38

Hey guys. I have a 04 Maxima with the same exact issues.

It always shifted down around 20 mph with a big bang as if the engine is about to fall apart. Very annoying experience.

While accelerating hard, it gets stuck on 3rd gear with the engine still racing and then BANG! puts itself into gear after 3 seconds with a poping noise. I called in 1-800-NISSAN-1 and asked them to do something about it. Their obvious reply was that the car has to be under warranty for them to do anything.

We must all go to the media and let them know that their reputation is in BIG jeopardy.

The car is now sitting at AAMCO getting the transmission rebuilt. I hope this helps. Lets see what happens... The guys at AAMCO are insisting on the fact that it is not a transmission problem, and there is actually an electrical problem... I am waiting to see what they have to throw at me...

I already had my cam shaft position sensor replaced because the gear was stuck in safe mode. The Nissan dealer said that it was because of my unchanged oil, but I highly doubt their evaluation now. After all of this they all seem to be a bunch of money sucking scum bags that refuse to address the real issue with the car.

I want my money back or I am going to the court and taking Nissan's reputation with me. We can create a Facebook group if everyone agrees and let the world know!

7th May 2009, 22:54

OK, here's my experience: I noticed some "slipping" between 2nd and 3rd gear in my 02 maxima. The car had just turned 102k miles. I thought, maybe I need to have the transmission serviced, so I did. Problem still persisted. Carried the car to a transmission specialist I have known for years. Car required a trans rebuild. Total cost $1709. In the entire transmission, there were TWO worn clutch plates (? I think that's what they are called) that were causing the problem. The rest were like brand new. Seriously.

I stressed over it at first, but then, I really like the car, it's loaded, and this has been the only major repair. My mechanic told me the problem would have gotten worse over time, and it was the right thing to get this handled quickly. I bought it used, so I have no idea how it was treated before I got it. Seems it doesn't really matter after what I have read since. So I have a good running Maxima with a freshly rebuilt transmission (and a repair bill payment!!! OMG!!!)

chami90655@aol.com

14th May 2009, 10:53

ATTENTION. So I posted my complaint on carsurvey about 6 - 9 months ago, just like everyone has that same transmission problem. I own a 04 Maxima that I purchsed in Sept of 05, with 25K miles, but now it has 90K. I started to have the problems around the 60K miles mark. I've been looking at this website periodically to see if there's recall, but to my demise there still hasn't. I've also been having either starter or battery problems, because it takes about 5 seconds of cranking the engine to start up.

I use the car just to get to work, and normally I have to use the e shift to take off quickly, since the car only stays in 5th gear in D. And since the e-shift only uses 2 gears which I believe are the 2nd and 5th gears, it can be pretty troublesome for everyday use.

However today, was a pretty unusual morning. My car started without the 5 sec startup problem, it started quickly without any sputtering. But, then I realized when I put the car into D. The car was driving perfectly for the first time in 9 months. The car was shifting into every gear perfectly, I couldn't believe it. But just as I was celebrating my new found day, I approached to a stop sign, and once I stopped the car died on me. I attempted to start up the car, but then the car went back to its usual problems. So I'm starting to guess its something electrical, but I could be wrong. If anyone has any clues of what it may be. Please let me know.