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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,422 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, the transmission began to jerk violently. The contact mentioned that the failure would occur when down shifting and coming to a complete stop. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 56,078.
While pulling out into a enter section of a main road in morning traffic my transmission went out causing me to almost be T-boned. This needs to be looked into before someone gets hurt or worst.
[xxx] starting it up takes 2-3X with putting the gas pedal all the way to the floor, then it jerks into gear. While driving it just stalls out which is very scary & dangerous and it goes from drive to 5th gear no 1-4, and it hesitates & when driving up to a red light for example, then it starts to conk out. Also no pick up from an idle position, I just bought it 9/17/14 and called dealer and he told him it wont pass inspection "check engine light on" constant. It feels like transmission isn't in proper gear (5th) just stalls while driving. Everyone behind me leans on the horn and yells at me when it stalls out in drive. Im afraid to drive it. The dealer (North shore auto mall, lynn MA 01905, mgr name [xxx], real jerk !!) said they did a 21 point inspection, but that's bs, they would have caught that seeing that they are in the business and knew they sold me a car w/bad transmission/alternator. Now they don't want to know me. Please give me some resources that you know of to remedy the problem. I could go on & on about the treatment I had to endure but that wont help hopefully you can regards [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated intermittently when the gears were changed. The vehicle also jerked violently while downshifting. The dealer replaced the transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,702.
Purchased this car approx 4 weeks ago. On drive home from dealership, transmission got worse and worse. Transmission had to be replaced - total overhaul. Also passenger floorboard is almost rusted through. Similar complaints found online consumer reviews. Recurring problem with this model and year.
- Harrison, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While driving at an unknown speed, the gears shifted without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
At about 98000 miles I notice that shifting from reverse to drive I was getting a pause for about 8 second then the transmission would jerk and give a clang sound.I went to my local Nissan dealer to see if there was a recall or had Nissan had this problem.I was told to change fluid because I was so close to 100,000mile maintenance, did so and at about 110000 problem came back now even worse. I carried the car to a transmission shop and was told that it would have to be rebuilt.$3000.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the transmission failed and had to be shifted into a lower gear in order for the vehicle to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 121,646.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle switched gears independently and the floor board was rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Car will not shift right-- dealership can't repair the problem and they do work on car and it doesn't fix the problem. We are out repair bills and the car is not fixed by no means.
Transmission extremely hard shifts when up shifting and downshifting. Downshifting is much worse than up shifting but both are extreme. When this occurs the car experiences a hard jolt.
When shifting from park-reverse or reverse-drive, the transmission has a short delay before "jumping" into gear. This problem was intermittent and seemed to only occur during extremely cold temperatures. I had a transmission flush performed ($65) that seemed to remedy the problem but it returned within 5K miles. Several months later, the transmission randomly became unresponsive at speeds of 20-30mph at which time the rpms would increase rapidly with loss of acceleration. Another transmission flush was performed and the problem seemed worse. Finally while driving on the interstate at 70mph the vehicles transmission suddenly "slammed" then the service engine light was activated with a noticeable power loss. Upon slowing down to exit the highway the vehicle stalled and died. It restarted but the throttle was restricted. The vehicles gear was changed to manual mode and it was discovered that the transmission was stuck in 5th gear. At that point the vehicle got stuck in 5th gear after 15-20 min of driving and the low speed power loss became almost constant. The vehicle was no longer driven until it was put on diagnostics by a transmission specialist ($60) and the code indicated the failure of 3 sensors: Cam position sensor, electronic acceleration position sensor and transmission speed sensor. The Nissan dealership was contacted to inquire about the issue and the error codes and they acknowledged this as a common problem with no suggestions other than replacing the sensors. The electronic acceleration position sensor required a new throttle body which was then replaced ($115). The 2 cam sensors ($120) and transmission speed sensor, aka transmission revolution output sensor, were then purchased ($125). I had to take the car to a Nissan dealer and pay another $365 to get the new sensors flashed. The problem still remains. I'm now looking at getting the tranny replaced.
My 2004 Nissan Maxima, a 5-speed automatic, jerks violently when shifting from drive to reverse and reverse to drive. The problem keeps getting progressively worse. It first started in March 2104 and now in June 2014 I have a huge problem. From doing some research I see that other Nissan Maxima owners are having the same problem. This has to be a manufacturer defect and Nissan should own up to this.
Driving on the freeway at about 60 mph I noticed the engine light turned on and the cars power was gone. I continued to step on the gas but still no power at all. The transmission was stuck on 5th gear. Once I came to a complete stop and I press on the gas the engine just revs up with very little power. I take it to the dealership for them to confirm I needed a new transmission. I didn't want to pay $3,000 at a Nissan dealership so I decided to take it to my local mechanic in which he said he's worked on Maximas before with the same problem. He said the issue is in the valve body (part of the transmission) so he replaced it. I got the car back after a $1,500 bill and everything was working just fine. Until today 6-18-14, approximately two years from the first incident. Once again my transmission is stuck on 5th gear. Prior to this there was some jerking from 3-4 gear and a hard jerk from P to R. here I am now facing another bill. This could of easily caused an accident and after numerous reports from other drivers Nissan needs to address this issue!
The 2004 Nissan Maxima, a 5-speed automatic, jerks violently when shifting into the 2nd and/or 3rd gear and during down shift. Also jerks violently when shifting from drive to reverse and reverse to drive.
As I was driving home, traffic began to slow down due to congestion. As I slowed down, the car began to jerk violently. I was nearly hit from behind. The car jerked two more times as I made my way over to the side of the highway. I turned off the car and waited a few minutes. I prayed then started my car again. I was approximately 10 miles from home. As I got off the highway and pulled onto my local street, I came to a red light. As I slowed down, the car began to jerk again. I pulled over and turned the car off. After a while, I continued to drive home. I parked the car, checked my oil (levels were good) and started to call around for help. This is extremely dangerous.
Drove my 2004 Nissan Maxima off the lot on 3/3/14 and noticed a jerk once I got to 30mph, the dealership told me after I purchased it that what ever problems I have I need to fix myself because I bought the car "as is".
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle would shift gears slowly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Las Vegas, NV, USA