9th Dec 2009, 11:09

I had the valve body in my 2004 Nissan Maxima changed in November 2009. The jerking started 20 days later. I am so disappointed in this car. I wish I would have stayed with the Pontiac, but friends and family said Nissan is a good car – I could get over 200k miles and still be good. Since I drive a lot visiting family, I listened to them and boy do I regret it.

I took the car to the Nissan dealer a couple of times to pay for replacing fluids that stop the issue for a week or so. Now I am right back in the same boat. I am afraid to drive anywhere in the car, so it mostly sits while I get a ride to and from work. I called Nissan Consumer Relation line and was told there is not a recall on the transmission but did put in a complaint… What a let down.

11th Dec 2009, 09:43

I also have a 2004 Maxima. My car has 144k on it, the tranny started acting up, but a slight difference every once in a while; it acts like it hits neutral, then goes into gear. No slipping. Any one found the fix to this problem yet, besides a new tranny?

11th Dec 2009, 14:10

"it acts like it hits neutral, then goes into gear. No slipping."

If the engine revs at first and then the car finally moves, your transmission IS SLIPPING.

12th Dec 2009, 09:22

I to own an 2004 Maxima, had same transmission problem as everyone else. I had a new transmission installed $4500. New transmission is fine. I have several other problems. I was looking at 2010 Maximas and told salesman about 2004 problems. He said he thought there was a callback on 2004 -2006 Maximas. I haven't found one yet. I have owned a Nissan for the last 25 years, but unless Nissan steps up to plate, I will not buy the 2010 Maxima.

14th Dec 2009, 17:26

I am also having problems with my 2004 Nissan Maxima transmission. It started at about 86,000 miles. It is doing exactly what you all have said. Shifting hard from second to third and also from reverse to first BOOM. Loud noise and hard jerking. I am really upset to see that so many of you have had the same problem and no recall has been issued. I have also had problems with the struts. I had a 1999 Maxima forever and had no problems, so I thought that Maxima was a good car to stick with. Boy was I wrong!

17th Dec 2009, 17:19

Hi 2004 Maxima owners. I also have the same shifting problems on 1 and 2 shifting. Valve body is 1167, mounts 128 side and 168 front. Then it'll cost me 250 on the side to get fixed. So I think we need a class action or something.

18th Dec 2009, 08:40

I bought 2004 Nissan Maxima in August, and bought the extended warranty. I have had problems with the car, so took it to dealership where I bought it. The ABS light was on and there was a noise like a fan running all of the time that keeps killing the battery. Come to find out, the ABS brake pump needs replacing at a cost of $1700 - and of course, it's not under warranty. I cannot afford the repair... anyone have any ideas??? Thanks.

19th Dec 2009, 09:24

I have owned my 2004 Maxima since it was new.

At around 65,000 miles the transmission starting slipping and gives a severe jerk between 1st and 2nd gears, mostly after the car has warmed up sufficiently.

The tachometer will race up almost 2000 rpm when this happens, and it gets real scary. The dealer said I need a new transmission installed for over $4500. I added some lubricant, Lucas transmission fix and the car doesn't jerk as much but is still pretty awful.

After doing some investigative research, I discovered from a "Technical Service Bulletin" issued on March 10, 2004, ref.# NTB04-035 that Nissan knew right from the beginning this problem existed! Contact me at ak478@aol.com if you require a copy.

1st Jan 2010, 21:49

To all of you owners of 04-05 Maximas with trans problems, how often did you change/flush the trans fluid before the problems happened? I am just curious as I am thinking about buying an 04 or 05 Maxima. The maintenance schedule says to change it every 30k miles, so I am wondering if I get one and start changing the fluid right away, if I would avoid the problems.

E-mail me at maxima1602000@yahoo.com with your thought on this. Thanks.

5th Jan 2010, 15:24

I've read all of your posts, and I have the exact same problem when changing between 2nd and 3rd gear. Just so you can know a little bit more about the problem, I know it is not a matter of mileage, because my 2004 has only 33,000 miles. I assume it's a matter of aging on the transmission fluid, that makes all this mess. The bad thing is that over here in Mexico, my 3 year warranty is expired. My 3rd and last Maxima. The newer they get, the worse they make them.

Also problems with the sunroof closing, a fuse from the night dash lights, a piece of rubber coming out of the back right window, serious tire wear (fast), left side speakers go off, and my car still smells like new jaja.

My last Nissan.

28th Jan 2010, 10:12

I'm having the same issue with my 04 Maxima, I just called the local dealership and they stated that some of the cars have had an extended warranty added to the transmission covering them up to 120K. Surprise, my car isn't covered, I'm on the phone with Nissan right now to raise some cain about this. Keep you guys posted.

28th Jan 2010, 17:20

Ho hum... I'm in the same boat. Transmission slipping. I counted I believe over 500 complaints on that link supplied. To sum it up, it looks like some people have seen success when changing the valve body, and some have only seen temporary success... I might try it myself. I refuse to buy a new transmission... :(

1st Feb 2010, 11:10

It looks like there is a light at the end of our tunnels. I belong to a forum at maxima.org, all of you should check out. One of the members has been doing a lot of research on the transmission problems and has come across a possible solution. Visit this website, www.transgo.com, look under new products. They sell a shift kit which eliminates all the tranny problems we have been having. I have included a link to the forum discussing this product. http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generation-maxima-2004-2008/597683-re5f22a-transmission-fix.html

8th Feb 2010, 09:46

I'm the owner of a 04 Maxima, GLE. I've had the car for about a year now and bought at about 76,000k. I must say I really regret buying this car, considering I wanted to opt for a good old reliable Honda or Toyota. My gear transmission slips between gear one and two, and sometimes between two and three (exact problems like those earlier mentioned). What I would like to know is what exactly is the solution?

Because from related posts it's either:

1. Replacing the ignition coil

2. Replacing the entire transmission and motor mounts

3. Rebuilding the transmission

4. Changing the valve body part

5. Or a tranny flush

Which is it??

My gut instinct tells me to ditch the car and fling it as I am not prepared to shell out $4000 - $6000 grand on a problem that is obviously a manufacturer's defect, and they are not prepared to own up to.

Suffice to say, this is the last Nissan I will ever ever buy.