5th Mar 2008, 09:29

I also have a 2004 Maxima (130,000 miles) with the same transmission jerking problems. Mine locked in safe mode (3rd gear) so I took it to the dealer. They said my cam sensors were bad and that the fluid needed changing. $600 later, it did the same thing before I got it home. I took it back to the dealer and they said they called Nissan tech support and that they suggest a new Transmission. I waited a couple of weeks and took letters from this site w/me and they did another diagnostic and said the Tranny valve body needs replaced. ($1050). I called Nissan (1-800-Nissan1) to open a claim. They called me back 3 days later and said my car was out of warranty (duh) and that they could not do anything. I might have been born at night, but it wasn't last night. Nissan is fleecing all of us. They know of the problem, but refuse to do anything about. I will be on the class action bandwagon asap.

8th Mar 2008, 10:53

I have a 2004 Max SL with 128,000 miles. I've had the front struts replace due to noise at about 60,000 miles. Now the anti lock brakes have started making a grating sound which the dealer fixed by cleaning for $330. At the time they did this they also performed an inspection and indicated that the timing chain and tensioner needed to be replaced which would cost $1700. I'm considering dumping the car.

10th Mar 2008, 05:39

I am truly disappointed by what I have read on this site. I have an 04 Maxima SE with $113k miles at this point. My transmission started almost a year ago. Yet, I was not told that was the problem until three days ago. The dealer charged me $105 to test my vehicle and it came back as a broken lower motor mount. I had that fixed and of course the problem persisted.

I am alarmed and perturbed that this is a system wide problem and will not purchase a Nissan again. Their warranty is a joke and it seems their cars are as well. You can add Nissan to what has been said abouts Fords over the years. Too bad.

11th Mar 2008, 12:48

Judging by the most of the prior comments, let me ask you this question?

Did you have the mass air intake sensor checked? I believe that is what this sensor is called.

If not, have it checked because that's was the problem I was having with my transmission, except I also smelled burning rubber after every stall out.

The car would be running then all of a sudden, it would feel like the car just lost a major amount of power.

After that sensor was replaced, the car's running fine and pickup could not be better.

That's not to say I don't have any problems still with this car.

I have a 2000 Nissan Naxima GLE and it is a pain with the ignition coil problems.

Anyways, I hope this might be the answer to your transmission problems. If not, you may want to write a very harsh letter to Nissan headquarters in CA, regarding this problem.

13th Mar 2008, 12:19

Well I am saddened to join the group of messages. I had to take my 2004 Maxima in 3 month's ago because I was having jerking issues when it shifted from 2nd to first. I was told that I should flush my transmission and there was a 50/50 chance it would fix the issue. After an expensive flush I still have the issues. Today I had to take it in because it is not shifting at all and the check engine light went on. Looks like I am the winner of a big bill thanks to Nissan and a transmission that does not work. If anyone knows where to turn for help or reimbursement from Nissan let me know jehicks56@yahoo.com.

13th Mar 2008, 16:10

Like the rest of you, I too have a 2004 Nissan Maxima, and have experienced the same problems, with the end result being my transmission is completely gone. It will cost me $4,650.00 to fix it. I only have 79,000+ miles on my car, and still have a car note.

I researched to see if mine was an isolated incident, and found this site as well as others that show there are thousands of us who've had transmission failures. I opened a complaint file with Nissan Consumer Affairs and am awaiting a call back from the regional specialist. Meanwhile, I filed a complaint with National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). I informed the rep that there were hundreds/thousands experiencing this problem and this needs an investigation. The rep informed me that they only have 18 complaints regarding automatic transmissions from Nissan 2004 Maximas. The rep also stated until they get more calls or online complaint forms, there will be no investigation nor a recall.

I urge you to PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE call the NHTSA or submit an online form to this agency. Only by doing this will we get some results and make Nissan pay for their mistakes and flaws. Blogging on this website is only beneficial in venting and knowing that you are not alone. However, it will not make Nissan responsible.

So log onto the website, which is https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/#gen_info or call at 1-888-327-4236 and make your complaint heard to get some results. Please do it! Email me and let me know; my email address is lbowman@ullico.com or blog again to state that you have done it and I will followup with NHTSA.

Also make a complaint to BBB, as I will when I get my unfavorable decision from the Regional Specialist from Nissan.

14th Mar 2008, 12:42

Hey I recently purchased a 2004 Nissan Maxima with 51,000 miles, and a couple weeks into driving have experienced the same problems with my transmission. Per a recent bloggers advice, I submitted a complaint with the NHSTA; the federal government organization that reviews complaints and determines if recalls are necessary. The lady I spoke with says thousands of people blog daily, complaining about their problems, but none report the issue to them. PLEASE EVERYONE FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THEM AND WITH NISSAN. Their website is https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/#gen_info and phone number is 1-888-327-4236. This doesn't make any sense that Nissan would send a product like this out to the public.

20th Mar 2008, 16:00

I am from Monterrey, MEXICO. I have a Maxima 2004 3.5 SL and I have the same exact problem with transmission. I have changed the transmission computer twice and that is not the solution. In fact no one here knows what to do with the car.

We (Maxima owners) have a very expensive car that really does not work.

And it should be one of the best models of NISSAN???

21st Mar 2008, 11:58

Well guys I might as well join the band wagon. I too own a 2004 Nissan Maxima. At about 68,000 miles my transmission starting jerking when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. I took it to Nissan dealership and was told that I needed a new transmission which would cost me about $3,500. I was angry!!! I purchased my car straight off of the truck with only 7 miles on it. I am so embarrassed when someone is in the car with me because it jerks and slips so bad. I think it is high time we do A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT against Nissan. I am still making payments on my car and will be for another year. I cannot afford to replace the transmission. I think Nissan should recall this car and replace the transmissions at their expense. This is ridiculous. If anyone is starting a class action suit, please include me. My email address is sherrywyatt@aol.com. In the meantime I will be placing complaints with Nissan, BBB and the NHSTA. Please everyone log your complaints as well. This is so unfair for Nissan to sell us such a piece of crap.