CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima has widespread transmission problems. It starts with the vehicle jerking when shifting, & progresses to full-blown transmission failure.
Maxima owners report spending $3,000 to replace the transmission, typically around when the odometer hits 100,000 miles.
There's a class action lawsuit filed in late 2011, & it is still in the "discovery" stage. Apparently, these things take time ... far too much time.
This car has been garage kept at both home and work and yet the subframe rusted out along with the floor on the passenger side and it would not pass inspection. I am so disappointed that this car is not lasting like I hoped it would.Definitely no more Nissans for me.
Update from Feb 27, 2018: I just found out that there was an extension to the warranty for 13 years for subframe repair so this was a known complaint. I never received any notification about it which now pisses me off because we had this problem fixed in 2017.
I am a Disabled Marine Veteran and I cannot fix this problem myself and I cannot afford a body shop to fix it. I need this car to get to my appointments. I have read that people are selling the cars or trading them in. I am not going to sell someone a death trap and I cannot afford to trade it in and pay for a new car or a used automobile. The dealership has been nothing but assholes to me. I have the title so why can't they refinance me for the repairs, or there should be a recall.
I never noticed but went to garage to get oil changed and they said there was a huge hole in floor. Then found out there all the same with huge hole in same place.
Apparent flaw in drain design under drive and passenger seats. Both sides rusted to almost through. Severe enough that car would not pass inspection. Dealer would charge $600 per side to fix. Local car shop said $100 per side for parts plus labor. We have decided to sell car rather than repair.
Noticed an object under the driver's side of my car and realized there was a significant amount of rust directly under the floor where my left foot rests while driving. In fact, the only thing between me in the car and the road is the floor mat and carpet. Thought it was due to salt seeping through the carpet because I'm typically the only one in the car but checked the passenger side and the same thing was happening. It's just a matter of time until that is completely rusted through to the carpet as well.
I called Nissan to see if they would stand by their product and cover some of the repair. Had to take it in to a Nissan body shop for an estimate ($3700) and called consumer affairs. They elevated it to a regional complaint, called me back today and said they would give me nothing. Very disappointing that they have no interest in this problem. I will never buy nor recommend a Nissan to anyone again.
- David O.,
Palatine, IL, US
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i had rust and corrosion underneath my car that was spreading so rapidly. the carpet on the passenger front floor was the only thing holding the floor. i had to repair it within 9 months or the passenger could have put there foot thru to the ground. i spoke with nissan, bbb, and lisa madigans office, no one could help me on the repairs. i will never buy another nissan automobile.
I would like to tell you about my 2004 Nissan Maxima.
I bought the car in July of 2005, pre owned at Sullivan Brothers in Kingston, MA.
When I purchased the car, it about 25,000 miles.
A few weeks ago, I brought my car in for an estimate to have some rust removed from the sun roof, and to have the front of the car repainted. The front of the car is pitted from what I assumed was road work.
While looking at cars on the lot, I noticed 3 cars of that were for sale as pre owned that had the same damage to the front (pits).
When the body shop looked at the car, they pointed out rust on the left hand side fender.
To fix the car, the estimate was 4,500.00.
Because I felt that a four year old car should not have rust, and other cars on the lot had the same pitted damage to the front, Nissan should be responsible to cover part of the cost.
The service manger (Joe) said he would speak to Nissan. About a week later I called and spoke with the service manger (Joe). He was not in so I left a voice mail.
Joe left me a voice mail stating that Nissan would not cover any of the costs. He also left the phone number for Nissan, indicating I should contact them.
I called Nissan and was given a case number (6130841).
Three days latter I was contacted by a customer service rep from Nissan (Katherine). I was told she would be contacting Sullivan Brothers to get the information on the car.
Two days latter Katherine from Nissan called informing me that they would not cover any of the cost in repairing the car. The reason was the car has 65,000 miles. I tried to explain that a 4 year old car should not be rusting. I was told the decision was final.
After Nissans final determination, I took my car to be assessed at a local body shop. I was told they only see rust like this on cars that are between seven and ten years old.
I also feel Nissan should stand behind their products.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This car has been garage kept at both home and work and yet the subframe rusted out along with the floor on the passenger side and it would not pass inspection. I am so disappointed that this car is not lasting like I hoped it would.Definitely no more Nissans for me.
Update from Feb 27, 2018: I just found out that there was an extension to the warranty for 13 years for subframe repair so this was a known complaint. I never received any notification about it which now pisses me off because we had this problem fixed in 2017.
- smweers, Thornton, US