7th Aug 2009, 21:17

2004 Nissan Maxima:

1) Tranny problems

2) Tapping noise from timing chain area

3) Banging noise when going over bumps

4) Shimmy in steering wheel

5) Had to replace rotors due to they keep warping

6) CD player stopped working

7) Had to replace A/C condensor line

8) Had to replace tires 3 times

9) Had to replace oil sending unit

This Nissan is a piece of crap and Nissan knows. Why do you think they totally redesigned the Maxima? Now they are trying to brush these issues under the rug and hope 2004-2006 Maxima owners go away. I refuse to put any more money in the hands of a company that won't stand behind its products and refuses to help in any way with a resolution. I will trade this mess of a car and refuse to ever buy any Nissan product ever again.

25th Aug 2009, 11:02

My 04 Maxima SE stalled on me and the engine light came on. It currently has 104k miles and it's been repair after repair since hitting the 60k mark. I mean struts, shift assembly, rotars, you name it. Well anyways since reading the comments about the jerking from 1st to 2nd and it being transmission related, I'm already expecting the worse cause it's exactly what happened to my car.

30th Aug 2009, 20:22

I have a 04 Maxima SE... bought it in Aug of 08 with 43k, now has 54,000 miles..

I am starting to notice the rough gear change when going into 2nd gear.. also the front left speaker goes in and out when playing CDs... and had to resurface the rotors..

I like the car though.. I got an intake and cat back exhaust.. and was thinking about getting headers.. but these comments have got me thinking I should sell before trans goes and it's too late..

7th Sep 2009, 21:31

06 Nissan Maxima. 90,000 highway miles. It still smells new inside. Tranny shifts hard from 1st to 2nd, and to 3rd, and when it downshifts... and have noticed the hard slamming when slowing down and giving gas like the car slams into gear. Luckily where I bought it has a very good warranty, and it is covered till 190k with a 200 deductible. Looks like I will be taking it in to have the valvebody changed or the trans changed.

8th Sep 2009, 13:23

My transmission was slipping for about 6 month, this morning I poured a bottle of Lucas transmission slip.

http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045/0380609P/lucas-oil-lucas-transmission-fix-reviews/reviews.htm

I think it made a difference right away; I will keep you posted on what happened next.

10th Sep 2009, 13:52

My 2004 Maxima does the hard shifting from 1st to 2nd and hesitates to go into gear. It also shifts hard when having to slow down and then re-accelerate. I always wanted this car and now that I've got it, I wish I never saw it. My husband did a transmission fluid change on it, however still no difference. Called Nissan and they said to do a transmission flush and fill, and it should stop, took it in for a service and no difference, just out 200+. They said it would need a new transmission if that didn't work, and after reading all about all the problems everyone else is having, I seriously doubt I'm going to invest anymore time or money into this car. I've made a complaint to the NHTSA, but who knows what will happen there. Will update if I find out anymore info.

12th Sep 2009, 17:00

I also have a 2004 Nissan Maxima SL:

1) Tranny problems - shifting g hard 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 1st - seems worst when the car heats up. - I'm going to try AAMCO.

2) Tapping noise from timing chain area - had timing chain replaced at 60k miles - cost me $1500.

3) Shimmy in steering wheel.

4) Had to replace rotors due to they keep warping - this fixed the shimmy.

5) Also had to replace A/C condenser line.

6) Also have had to replace tires 3 times - although I'm at 115k miles.

7) Sporadic issues with sun/moon roof and navigation system not working.

8) On my third battery.

I agree that the 04 Nissan MAXIMA is a piece of crap and Nissan knows. I refuse to put any more money in the hands of a company that won't stand behind its products and refuses to help in any way with a resolution. I will also trade this mess of a car in for a Toyota or Honda and refuse to ever buy any Nissan product ever again. I will also send as much email to people on the internet warning them...

13th Sep 2009, 13:57

Wow! I never knew there were so many problems with the maxima! I have an '04 Maxima that I bought brand new and now less than 80,000 kms on it and already there are problems with timing chain!! I've an '06 frontier with 45,000 kms and all my side impact air bags popped without an accident! and Nissan Canada sucks, no help whatsoever but rather a hassle. I have to get it fixed on my own!! I'm done with Nissan, never buying one again.

17th Sep 2009, 02:15

I having the same problem, and thinking about trading it in for something else. Right now I don't have the money to add after trade in, so I have to wait. I don't know how long I have til this problem starts getting worse, if it gets too bad I won't get anything for it as far trade in value.

You couldn't tell me anything bad about Nissan, but now I'm so confused. Before all I wanted was a Nissan, now looking for something else is so hard because all I ever knew was Nissan.

Later I tried looking at the Acura TL; they're kind of similar, and I seems the TL has problems of its own, transmission locks, excessive tire wear (every 12000 mile) it's hard.

What bothers me the most is that Nissan is not acknowledging the problem.

19th Sep 2009, 07:38

I have the same problems with the transmission 1st to 2nd and visa versa. Had a complete and proper BG flush on Thursday... it is horrible... called NTSHA and filed complaint and called dealer, clueless, called Nissan "Don't know of any problems!" Hey go onto the Internet fools!

Car has now 106k and problem noticed at 96k when under warranty... but not that noticeable... it is now. I have had three car radios replaced; they are Clarians badged as Bose!

Dealership and Nissan support is horrible...

The problem with the trans is not rebuilding that is pure BS in most cases... there are transmission servos, a separate transmission brain, and then the trans valve body that includes the servos that change the gears... smoothly. The transmission is electronically controlled... the problem is that one or all of the units has gone bad... most likely the servo units, that are the least expensive. Since this problem will not usually give a computer warning or issue a service warning ID in the cars storage unit, they cannot identify what the problem is... I suggest you replace the servo pack for all gears, it's the least expensive option... valve body is the most expensive of the three... and a rebuilt unit/replacement trans is wasting money... otherwise if you trade in, they will find the problem anyhow... and give you less... Just fix it... drive it (for another 20k?) and trade the vehicle in for something else...

This is why Nissan translated means "Made in Japan" true... first Japanese car and my last... Going to put US workers to work; I'm going GM or Ford, my money is staying here... Nissan fights you on every warranty claim, the dealers don't stock the parts, the technicians are clueless... I have a Trailblazer, not one problem and works like a charm... Sianora Japan. This is why this exactly why this company was almost history from the American marketplace in 2003!... the result is this piece of garbage is their flagship vehicle! What a waste of 32k...