2004 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 934about this part
- Share
- 66%of 1,426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 934 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Nissan Maxima, 66% of the 1,426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“About 2 years ago while driving the transmission would down shift to second or first gear, which would rev out the motor. Sometimes it would jerk harshly back into gear. I replaced a sensor on the transmission and somewhat solved the problem. Now its worst than it was before, I basically drove 10 minutes at 20 MPH on first gear. I hope it can be fixed this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10702241, filed 2015-03, 90,000 miles“Whenever I accelerate and the speedometer hits 20 MPH the transmission jerks or if I'm going 60 MPH on the freeway and start to brake and as my speed is decreasing when the speedometer hits 20 MPH it jerks. The transmission must be slipping or have an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11171117, filed 2019-01, 107,000 miles“When driving the car wil lose power and start jerking badly, cutting back like losing power. It feels as if it is going to stop in the middle of the road. I took it to a well know transmission specialist and was told that this is a problem with several Nissan cars including mine. There are several recalls including the 2003 but not my year,I'm confused and it's getting worse. But it's a known issue. I don't understand. My safety is warranted???”
NHTSA complaint #11207984, filed 2019-05, 155,000 miles“Transmission failure - I was driving my vehicle on the highway with my 1 year old child when all of a sudden the transmission slipped and failed. I went from doing 50 to 5 on the highway in front of an 18 wheeler. Luckily I am a good driver and used my senses to pull over as quickly and safely as possible.”
NHTSA complaint #10706568, filed 2015-04, 187,616 miles“My Nissan Maxima jerks from 1st to 2nd gear. Its uncontrolable and extremely dangerous. It isalso delayed when switching from drive to reverse. I could live with repairing these issues if they werent common but the amount of people that ive read about with the same issues shows me that its nothing I did. Its clearly a manufacturing issue and its a shame that Nissan doesnt stand by their products”
NHTSA complaint #10767521, filed 2015-09, 99,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10038184Nov 5, 2013Nissan: the vehicle has a slower than normal acceleration from a stop. Updated on 06/08/2011. *kb updated on 06/13/2011. *rm updated 12/16/2013
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10039864Apr 7, 2011Nissan: 2004-2006 maxima. Harsh upshifts or downshifts during moderate acceleration or when slowing.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
- 10015845Jun 29, 20055 speed fwd a/t left side oil leak diagnostic. Update
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% |
| 2004 | 934 | 66% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 5 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Maxima
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 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 30, 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