2004 Nissan Maxima: common problems and reliability

The 2004 Nissan Maxima has 1425 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and tires. Owners most often flag catastrophic cvt failure — premature failure often before 100,000 miles, characterized by slipping, jerking, loss of power, and high operating temperatures. considered a severe safety risk. frequency: very frequent (2013+ models).

Safety record for the 2004 model year

1,425
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
33
Crash reports
16
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Nissan Maxima vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

power train
934
tires
148
suspension
102
service brakes
71
engine and engine cooling
70

Recalls affecting the 2004 Maxima

seats:front assembly:power adjust

Campaign 05V512000

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.

visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

Campaign 04V326000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation, with a clear consensus that reliability and owner satisfaction declined significantly after the early 2000s. Owners of late 1990s and early 2000s models (e.g., 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003) report extremely high satisfacti

  • Catastrophic CVT failure — Premature failure often before 100,000 miles, characterized by slipping, jerking, loss of power, and high operating temperatures. Considered a severe safety risk. Frequency: very frequent (2013+ models).
  • CVT reliability concerns — General anxiety about long-term durability, transmission "whine," and expensive repair costs ($6,000+ for a rebuild). Frequency: very frequent.
  • Jerky acceleration and shifting — Especially noted in 2016 and 2022 models, with stuttering during gear simulation and unresponsive throttle. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Electrical/starting issues — Intermittent no-start conditions where accessories power on but the starter does not engage, potentially related to faulty sensors or corroded battery terminals. Frequency: recurrent (mentioned for 2016 model).
  • Headlight defect (dimming) — Likely related to a reflector off-gassing issue similar to a known Altima class action, affecting low-beam output. Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Maxima.

Typical used price

Used Maxima listings typically run $13,498–$23,885 across 2014 to 2023 model years.

Other Maxima model years

2019 Maxima2002 Maxima
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