2004 Nissan Maxima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Nissan Maxima, 1% of the 1,426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima. It has 97.000 miles on it and the transmission has been giving me problems since I bought it. It won't go into drive from park without a 3-5 second delay, it dosen't down shift properly when coming to a stop. It's to the point now that when I come to a stop it down shifts so erraticly that the tires chirp. I looked online and there are over 150,000 people with the same complaint. I took it to the dealer and they said they can't duplicate it, which I think is a falsehood. …”
NHTSA complaint #10353633, filed 2010-09, 40,000 miles“10,522k miles,- I broke down due to failure of alternator and battery. Dealership replaced both. 15,358k miles,- I complained about a loud rattling noise, like a flat tire rattling grinding noise and car feeling shaky.= dealership found no problem. Continuing driving my car thinking everything is ok. I bought it brand new so I shouldn't really worry. I was wrong for thinking that. 27,500 mi. -I broke down again got towed to the dealership,where they replaced another alternator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10151198, filed 2006-02, 10,522 miles“Dt: there was a problem with the headlights and fog lights not working. When the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired they told him that the bulbs were getting hot, which caused them to blow. Out. The problem first started on november 1, 2004.”
NHTSA complaint #10136570, filed 2005-10, 37,000 miles“The body control module keeps the front and back lights from working. The tail lights also not working. The license plate lights not working cost for replacing with labor and tax is over 1k in california. While I was driving at night I could not see the road. I had to pull over and get towed home.”
NHTSA complaint #11306707, filed 2020-02“The contact stated the turn signal bar was loose, and the turn signal lights were not illuminating, however the headlights were. The vehicle was taken to dealer who determined someone intentionally broke the signal bar. The vehicle was taken to the dealer with a loose signal bar. After the vehicle was inspected, the bar was broken. Updated 07/05/06.”
NHTSA complaint #10160190, filed 2006-06, 42,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10032306Nov 27, 2013Nissan: exterior lamp fogging. Occasionally water is noticed in the exterior lamps. This is generally not due to a defect. All current exterior lamp assemblies are vented to the…
- 10021508Apr 18, 2007Exterior lamp fogging.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2014 | 19 | 20% |
| 2013 | 9 | 15% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 0% |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% |
| 2003 | 26 | 13% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Maxima
934 complaintsTires
141 complaintsSuspension
102 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsEngine cooling
70 complaintsElectrical system
56 complaintsBody and structure
56 complaintsEngine
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology