2004 Nissan Maxima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,567miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Nissan Maxima, 3% of the 1,426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,567 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima. Check engine light came on and within a few days problem began. When driving down an incline and turning one way or the other the car will die, steering will lock up and there is no way to steer. Unable to restart engine until you come to a complete stop, put in park then it takes multiple attempts to restart. You also cannot even steer over to the side of the road to get out of traffic. This almost caused me to have an accident on two different occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10497783, filed 2013-02, 105,000 miles“My 2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5se shifts from 1st to 2nd gear very hard, also from reverse to drive when I back up. This has been happening for a month or so and now my mechanic is saying that I need a new transmission. After some internet research, I see that this problem is happening everywhere with the 2004 Maxima. This car has not been in an accident and it now has 100,600 miles. I have just had the rack & pinion replaced last week as well as that was bad ($1100).”
NHTSA complaint #10254732, filed 2009-01, 98,000 miles“I was driving on the interstate and I was going about 60mph then all of a sudden the car stalls out I have no control over the vehicle I come within seconds of being rear ended I'm in the middle lane so I have to figure out how to merge over but guess what I can't because the car is stalled out so I put caution lights on and it takes about twins before the car will even start back up and when it does its geared up to what sounds like a fifth gear and it barley takes off I'm talking my foot to the floor and it's taking off at 2mph come on now, so call for help get my car towed check engine…”
NHTSA complaint #10706406, filed 2015-04, 166,000 miles“Bought the Maxima new in september 2004, and several months later I started noticing steering vibrations, which was getting worse with time. They manifest typically around 55 MPH. After taking it several times to the dealership, the shimmy has never been resolved. The shimmy is distracting, extremely annoying and probably cause extra wear and tear on front steering components including the tires. At this moment no solution to the problem has been found for my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10157648, filed 2006-05, 10,000 miles“I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima that I bought new in 2003 in california. Within months to the first year, I have had continuous problems with the front end. I've had my wheels aligned, tires balance numerous times and checked due to a shimmy in the steering wheel, tires wearing unevenly and a clanking or thumping noise in the front right when going over a bump. These problems I have had for years and complained continuously. Had the car in the shop many times for these problems, but to no avail. Nissan fixed noise after 5 times in the shop in 2004 and 2005. …”
NHTSA complaint #10300131, filed 2010-01, 1,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
- 10043773Mar 22, 2012Nissan: altima, maxima, quest; power steering hose service part change. The hose now comes without the pressure sensor. Do not damage the pressure sensor upon removal or…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 158 | 57% |
| 2009 | 168 | 50% |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 3% |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 7 | 7% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 1% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
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 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsEquipment
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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