13th Apr 2010, 07:35
I have a 2003 Maxima SE - In the last few days I am noticing a metallic grinding coming from the transmission when driving at 40 mph. Does anyone have the same issue or had this issue and fixed it? Please let me know. I do not want to waste money on a mechanic thinking he knows the issue.
14th Apr 2010, 20:29
"If anyone has luck getting through to Nissan, email me please lildeezy89@gmail.com."
Good luck with that. I had a 2002 Maxima and had transmission issues with it too. The dealer was happy to "fix" it under warranty the first two times, and then said I was out of luck when it did the same exact thing for a third time... Nissan said I was out of luck as well, so I traded the car for something better. These issues have been around within the Nissan line for awhile, and nothing will change I am sure.
19th Apr 2010, 00:23
I recently purchased an '04 Maxima from a private seller, and only noticed the transmission problems after I had made the purchase. I experience jerks in the transmission as it tries to shift from 2nd to 3rd and back down. It is very inconsistent, and ranges from slight to severe. I am disgusted to see the amount of similar posts with no real answers. I came online to "google" my problem, and upon entering "'04 Maxima", "'04 Maxima transmission problems" is the first suggested topic. I don't understand how the cost to repair the problem is the owner's expense, when the problem clearly lies in the manufacturing of the product. I do not feel safe with this car, and truly hope that Nissan has the integrity to address this situation.
22nd Apr 2010, 22:06
My 2004 Maxima SE with 52,000 also is getting the jerk from 1st to 2ND. After two months of buying the car, I'm going to trade it before it gets any worse.
Last time I am buying a Nissan.
28th Apr 2010, 18:15
WE also have a 04 Maxima with 113,000, and it's been shifting very hard up and down. Gonna have to have it rebuilt!
6th May 2010, 20:15
Thank YOU!! I was looking to buy one, but first googled it, and this site came up! Now I know why it was so cheap!! Not buying it now!
11th May 2010, 08:53
I too own a 2004 Nissan Maxima. I am experiencing problems also. When it's time for me to slow down, my RPM needle flops up and down while pressing on the brake. It seems as if it won't let down easy. Something is truly wrong and my mechanic too also said replace the motor mounts. So I'm not sure what to do here?
12th May 2010, 16:51
I bought a 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Automatic with 70k miles. The car makes a huge jerk when the automatic gear shifts from 1 to 2 & 2 to 3. It's been a month with this car and yet to go to the dealer to solve this issue, but I can see lot of complaints and it seems Nissan never cared to address this issue. We should unite to file a class action lawsuit case if Nissan won't check it out. Hope Nissan learns a lesson from Toyota's mistakes before I die somewhere with this jolting accident prone jerking Altima. I hate myself for buying a Nissan :(
20th May 2010, 12:18
OK I see after reading all the transmission problems people are having, it's a shame like people said online. We all need to call NHTSA so we can have a recall done on these simple hacked 04 Maximas. Please call this number to complain 1-888 327-4236. We need everyone online to do this. Please, it's hard times right now for every one, and none of us needs a transmission thing going on. Now people, let's stand together for once.
21st May 2010, 20:53
I have an '04 Maxima SE. What's funny is I've had the same brakes and tires since '06, which are still good and I've put 40k miles on it. NOW.. to the problems:
1. The front power door locks don't work when the weather's warm... don't know what that's all about. Only works using your hand to lock/unlock or with the actual key, and there's only one key hole on the whole car.
2. The clutch arbitrarily goes out, usually triggered by the air conditioner being switched on, but not directly linked to that. Only happens when the weather's warm.
3. Mysterious ticking noise coming from engine. Primarily later in the oil change cycle. When the oil change is fresh, it doesn't happen, which leads us to #4.
4. Oil just vanishes.? I know what you're thinking, but it's true. I park in a garage and it's not leaking, it doesn't smoke as if it were burning; it just disappears. When I get an oil change, it's only 2 quarts left in there every time... and I have to add oil between changes... it's weird but true.
5. Head/fog lights burn out quick and they are a P.I.T.A. to change yourself. BELIEVE ME! Don't ask how I know.
6. One of the levers to fold down the rear seats just stopped working for no reason.
I've owned several Maximas, but this is the last. I love the look and the power, but it ain't worth the problems. I'm about to sell it as-is with a full disclosure for prospective buyers.
22nd May 2010, 15:18
I have a 2004 Max, and hardly drive it because we have other vehicles we drive, so we only have about 11000 miles in a year and a half. When we bought it, it had 51171 miles and it has started to jerk and go slow going into gear. I will be calling that # to complain.
3rd Jun 2010, 15:17
I am an 04 Maxima 3.5L 5 speed AT owner with the transmission problem... 1-2 buck, 2-1 buck or bang, 2-3 slip when running warm. My car has approx 92K miles and this problem started at about 80K.
...No, Nissan didn't do anything about it. I had to do my homework! The problem in this transmission is in the valve body, not the actual transmission itself. Supposedly there are teflon-coated parts in there that cause the valves to stick when heated up. To fix it, the transmission doesn't even get opened up-the valve body does. You need to install a Transgo shift kit, which costs about $100. The labor for this job runs about $350-$450, but be aware that you also have to replace the valve body gasket, filter and 12 quarts of fluid, so expect additional costs.
Most techs don't even realize that this is the issue - don't get conned into rebuilding your tranny or buying a re-manufactured unit! I paid just under $1000 to have mine fixed and it's running great, shifting very smooth, and I even feel improved acceleration.
2nd Apr 2010, 19:36
Guys. I have the same issues with the RE5F22A tranny, 2004 Maxima SL. Go to Maxima.org and check out what we are doing to cure the problem. A valve body kit might be the saving grace for all of us in this mess.