Is the 2004 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
1,425 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 933, 93× a quiet Maxima year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Nissan Maxima were filed between 68k and 101k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Maxima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 84,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 933 (65%) | 68k–101k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 116 (8%) | 62k–114k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 72 (5%) | 44k–86k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 56 (4%) | 71k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 56 (4%) | 34k–118k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 38 (3%) | 64k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 15 (1%) | 47k–122k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 13 (1%) | 48k–148k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (1%) | 56k–188k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| TiresSTANDS OUT | 148 (10%) | 20k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 102 (7%) | 5k–53k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 37 (3%) | 6k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 33 (2%) | 26k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 30 (2%) | 5k–47k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 84,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,425 complaints: 33 mention a crash · 16 mention a fire · 22 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I own a 2004 Nissan maxima. I faithful kept up with the maintenance schedule on the vehicle, since purchasing the vehicle in 2003 ( I have receipts).
Transmission failure - 68,000 miles, car engine guns but does not move (Can get a couple of meters before behavior is exhibited) when in drive.
2004 Nissan maxima with 101k miles. I am noticing a severe jerking motion when braking or while trying to accelerate.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 84,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Nissan Maxima: 2
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with the driver preferred package, the wire harness from the driver's seat power lumbar support switch may be routed incorrectly and could be pinched under the driver seat. A pinched harness, in combination with driving vibration, may result in a short circuit in the harness that could lead to a fire in the seat.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with skyview roofs, the glass for the roof may not have been quenched properly after the forming process, resulting in temper imbalance. This could create excessive internal stress in the glass and eventually cause the glass to shatter, creating a risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 37
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Nissan Maxima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Nissan; fuel tank is extremely difficult to fill
The Service Procedure provided in this bulletin is for the installation of Repair Plates on vehicles that have rust in the floor pan area
Two methods are used to update/upgrade Navigation Map Data: 1
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Glass roof shattering
Neighbouring years
2003 Maxima: 206 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2005 Maxima: 947 complaints, consider selling.
Every Nissan Maxima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Maxima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
1,425 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 933, 93× a quiet Maxima year. At 84,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Nissan Maxima were filed between 68k and 101k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Maxima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (933), engine (116), brakes (72), body structure (56), electrical system (56). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 68k–101k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Maxima have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 05V-512), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 04V-326). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.