21st Sep 2009, 07:43

I had the same problems as everyone else for the past 6 months with the bucking and jerking 58,000 miles in. I invested $800 in motor mounts,$700 in cam sensors and no luck. A friend of mine recommended me his mechanic, who told me I needed a valve body, not a rebuilt transmission like Nissan, Aamco and a few other mechanics told me. I decided to try my luck again and let him put in the valve body, and all the bucking and jerking problems were fixed!!! :)

21st Sep 2009, 10:01

Yes to my above post, this car, repeat this car, the 2004-late 2008, not the new body style, does not have a fuel filter... I went to a place that said no error code by my private mechanic, and also got the codes and now my check engine light is on too, he didn't want to clear these yet... but it codes engine communication problem... I think its Y1000 and Y1002... most likely we have a problem with the transmission and engine not communicating 100%... he also stated that this repair is not uncommon as all the new electronically controlled transmissions have their valves and electronics inside the trans under the pan.

The problem is if you change fluids to these Nissan specs, you're going to eat up this part... and that IS the problem. The part that fixes this issue is the 31705-8Y002, which is the Valve Assembly, which includes all the electronics: cost retail is $1056.31 and they have to pull the bottom of the trans out to install this part and then add the fluids...

Instead change out your trans fluids every 50k miles and you should be good to go. Moral of the story: Change trans every 50k no matter what brand of car. Used trans fluid kills the valves, and the electronics in these transmissions... new valve body coming Wednesday.

25th Sep 2009, 17:40

New Valve body will be installed tomorrow... Nissan regional rep was just ridiculous... caught him in a lie... no satisfaction, completely done with Nissan forever, will never buy another product from them. This is supposed to be their flagship car... they take your money and you get zero respect. I will notify all of your the result of the new Valve Body part number 31705-8Y002 retails for 1056.31.

If you own a Nissan Maxima and you're reading this: If you car has about 45-50k miles or you are not experiencing these issues with more mileage, immediately get a BG Fluid flush. Every 50k miles on, get the same flush like clockwork, and you will be OK... otherwise do what Nissan says in the booklet and go more miles 100k and get ripped off...

27th Sep 2009, 07:12

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Here is the fix! A new Valve Body Assembly part #31705-8Y002 stated in two other posts here. The problem is that your manual says 100k tranny fluid change... wrong. Every 50k is standard, mine will be every 40k from now on... do not rebuild your transmission no need. Under warranty swap no copay then fine... out of warranty split with Nissan and your about to get hosed. Take your car to a competent private mechanic like myself.

Transmission is driving like new. Smooth as silk. Forget the BS error codes coming up they actually do not identify the culprit, such as communication error, meaning no error code is identifying the Valve Body Assembly... whole job $1,160. Yes they carry the part in stock but claim they must put a new tranny in... pure bs. Note their engineers recommendation on 100k transmission fluid change the owners manual. The dirty tranny fluid is what is killing the electricals in their transmissions... Nissan knew this will make them money over time. God luck and I hope this helps everyone out there. Thank you for this board!

29th Sep 2009, 14:27

Where do you buy transmission servos or what is another name for it. I am told you can only buy the transmission valve body for over a $1000 dollars which have the servos in it. I have a 2006 Nissan Maxima that is jerking in 2nd gear. Once I go over 24 mph the car is fine.

7th Oct 2009, 17:23

To CPerez - my Maxima also locked into 5th gear, it's the camshaft sensor. Erase the code and you'll be OK till you can have it fixed.

21st Oct 2009, 22:17

Don't feel bad - I'm a dealer and bought two (2) 04 Nissan Maximas - I thought my first purchase was just an unlucky purchase, but the second car did the exact same thing: hard-shifting 1, 2 gear:

First car, replaced fuel filter - nothing. Replaced throttle body - nothing. Sold it back at auction for a loss.

Second car, took to a Nissan dealership, and like many of you, I was told it was this and that and finally that I needed a new transmission (3,800 dollars) - yeah, I don't think so.

Here's the real problem: If the solution is a bad valve body assembly (as the culprit) - then replacing the old VBA may not help (it too is probably bad).. I dunno. What I do know is that I will never buy a Maxima again! fooled me twice - shame on me.

24th Oct 2009, 10:27

Well gee whiz, don't I feel special joining all of you! 2004 SE with 100K same tranny symptoms as everybody else. Same estimates, causes, etc. Strongly inclined to sell it privately as is for a $3-4k reduction in price see if get any takers. Anybody looking for a cool black on black leather interior tinted windows '04 that needs a tranny? OMG I crack myself up.

As for valve body assembly replacement and tranny fluid discussion, find that very interesting (obviously since price much lower!). Others going back to July 07 have posted same repair with what seems about 50% success rate. Does success depend upon how long the car was driven with the problem? Seems to me if you drive around in 5th gear you are going to fry a clutch or two? Was this the case for the gentleman that recently posted on VBA approach (nice to hear from a mechanic).

And second question - anybody try the fuel filter suggestion?

Go Nissan!!!

HahahahhhahahHAHAHAHAHAHAH... whew.

27th Oct 2009, 00:47

My wife's 2004 Maxima had the same tranmission symptoms (at 105k miles) and diagnosis from the dealer, replace it with a re-manufactured one for about $3800.

I filed a complaint with Nissan at 1-800-NISSAN1, calmly explaining the situation:

1. How that was very low mileage for that kind of problem

2. That there are over 300 open issue on the NHTSA site for that year transmission and all other comprable cars had 0 to 8

3. That it was a safety issue because of the hard shifting up and down from 1st to 2nd.

They thought it over and agreed to pay 1/2 of the replacement costs!!!

27th Oct 2009, 09:47

I just dropped my 04 Max off for the valve body replacement, will be approx $1700. I'll post the outcome. - iflylow9.