1st Jul 2009, 09:41
I read on a thread that a guys fixed his problem by replacing the crank shaft sensor. He said get this done before replacing the tranny.
3rd Jul 2009, 20:56
I live in Brampton / Toronto Canada and bought an 04 Maxima SE 3 weeks ago and experience this problem yesterday, I have an appointment with the dealer for condensation in the head light and will ask them to replace the transmission body valve kit, I hope they do... I really love the car but what did I get myself into.
12th Jul 2009, 16:51
I have been living with the same problems as previously described.
Specifically: 2004 Maxima runs fine when cold and when driven more than 15 minutes (sooner if in stop and go traff), then it shifts hard from 1st to 2nd and vice versa.
It also does something else that no one has hit on yet, when put into park or neutral, it takes almost 10 seconds to engage when put into drive again. This is most startling when it first happens, and could cause havoc on the engine mounts.
I took the car to AAMCO 1 month ago, and they said I needed to rebuild the entire transmission; that would start at $1800 and go up from there, depending on what they find. I am holding out for now until recall or bonus check arrives. Either one seems some time away.
Nissan is a disgrace because of the way they handle (or don't) this. I like the car, it turns wide, but all else is decent enough to want to rebuild the tranny. I would if I thought it would fix it permanently. Anyone out there that has more than 10,000 miles on rebuild? I would love to hear from you.
Thanks.
14th Jul 2009, 00:47
It unfortunate the 2004-2006 trannys have had so many problems. This was corrected in the 2007-2008 models with the CVT, though not as fun to drive. These are such beautiful cars to have such a major problem.
15th Jul 2009, 14:38
I own a 2004 Nissan Max and I have been having these same problems with the whining, ticking, and jerking problem. I bought the car used and now have 108xxx miles on it. I love my car but I don't have the extra money to get a transmission rebuilt. The whining noises sounds like what I was told like my Lifters was bad whatever that means. Im with all of you about Nissan needed to due a recall. I am going to try and replace the crank shaft first then go from their.
23rd Jul 2009, 18:45
Like the rest of you, I have had the same problem and have had the crank shaft sensor replaced, but I was told there were two; did one, and not the other one yet. Same problem, jerking hard, trying to wait it out. Can anyone suggest someone who can help?
25th Jul 2009, 15:32
Hey, just worked on a 2004 maxima SE. Replaced front brake rotors and pads from NAPA. Anyways after my initial road test the drivers side caliper seized. I think this a problem that is more common in Canada where salted roads contribute to most horrific problems. Corrosion is a mechanics worst nightmare.
One more problem I would like to comment on. while searching for a rattle noise underneath this car I noticed that the negative battery cable has broken away at the point where it attaches to the transmission. the bracket which holds the cable is pretty flimsy & not suitable for Canadian climates. It seems that the art of building cars is more politically than reliability driven.
It has been my experience with Nissans in general that they are temperamental & a real pain to order the correct parts for.
26th Jul 2009, 11:47
I have had the crank shaft sensor replaced. The problem still exists; will try the dealership; at this point I am fed up... No, the crank shaft sensor idea did not work..
27th Jul 2009, 22:21
I am back. Just when I thought a extended warranty from US Fedelis would help, it didn't. They took more effort to worm their way out of paying rather than fix the problem with the transmission. They know about the transmission problem and started to deny approval to fix them. Now I have two complaints for the same car.
Just when you thought it would not get any more interesting, while my car was in for a new tranny, the same 2004 Maxima was on the left next to it with the same tranny problem. Someone is getting rich fixing them. I filed a complaint at the following Federal Trade Commission website.
29th Jul 2009, 12:55
@004 Maxima SE, same transmission problem. I have 79K miles but the problem has been happening since about 62K. Mostly it lurches downshifting from 2nd to 1st. My daughter was driving the car and thought she got rear ended! I have just complained to the NHTSA, would encourage everyone to do that. It's fairly easy, will only take about 10 minutes. Make sure you have your vin. Call 888-327-4236, option 2. I am going to call Nissan next but don't have too much hope. Has anyone had a better experience getting the trans fixed/rebuilt/replaced at an independent dealer? Nissan quoted me $3,600 which seems like an OK price, but I hate giving them any more money after all of this. Thanks for any replies: Johnsyaz@hotmail.com.
30th Jul 2009, 12:31
I too have a transmission problem with my 2004 Nissan Maxima 5sp transmission jerking into 2nd and 3rd. I have had this problem for some time, and the dealer did not tell me this is so widespread. I am about to replace the transmission. Any thoughts on this idea? I am also going to contact Nissan, but from the comments here it does not sound as if there is a snowball's chance contacting Nissan is going to help.
30th Jul 2009, 20:13
So friends of Nissan, where are we at as far getting the issue resolved? My car just started this two weeks ago; 04 MAX with 129,000.
3rd Aug 2009, 12:51
I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima with about 68,000 miles and I am having the same problems. Jerking into gear. mostly from 1st to 2nd. and its mostly when I am slowing down but has now started to not go into gear smoothly even when accelerating. I can't believe so many people have the same problem and no one is willing to help us out!!
4th Aug 2009, 15:13
RE: 2004 Nissan Maxima transmission problems.
I am on my 3rd transmission. Luckily the second one was under warranty... it only went around 2500 miles before the jerking and hard shifting occurred. But I had to replace the motor mounts AGAIN. The service adviser told me that even with normal wear, motor mounts SHOULD last the life of the car.
THE ONLY WAY Nissan will do anything, IF they do anything, is if everyone who posts on this board files a consumer affairs complaint with them. 1-800-NISSAN 1.
Get a file # and they have a supervisor call. If you just post a complaint on this or the NHTSA website, they will not have any records.
Just curious if anyone out there has contacted a lemon law attorney?
30th Jun 2009, 16:23
Hey Guys I have read all of these stories. I have a 04 maxima as well and it started doing the jerking and almost jumping out of gear it feels like. I have flushed the Transmission and it fixed it for 2 weeks I have 116,000 miles on the car and it still looks like new. I have never had any problems until now. However I don't want to get rid of the car, has anyone fixed this problem by having the Valve Body replaced please let me know asap!! Thanks!!