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.

6.1

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,607 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.

2004 Nissan Maxima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #3

Aug 092006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Prob #4 on August 9, 2006, I went to leave for work and my car would not start at all. When I turned the key it sounded as if it would start, but it would not turn over. It is an alternator problem. I had enough with this car. After reading and printing all the complaints on this website, I ended up with 42 pages of complaints, 3 to a page. A number of the complaints had alternator problems and the Maxima dying on them while driving around the same mileage that my car is at right now, 27,300. My car is only 3 years old and it would not start!!! when my husband came home from work it started right up for him. I refuse to drive this car now. I am pregnant and cannot risk being stuck on the side of the road somewhere. My husband called the Nissan dealership and spoke the man who sold us the car, we are going to try to get out of the lease. I have a complete lemon. On top of all this, I received two recall notices on this car. The first one is for corrosion in the back bumper for "salty" states. Since NY is considered a salty state, I am suppose to get this taken car of by their "caring" dealerships. I called Nissan in smithtown, NY and made an appointment for 7/20/06 who lost my appt. I made this appointment a month and half before this. She put the service manager on the phone who told me he cant make an appointment for me until Nov! I told him I would call Corp and he said go ahead. Another complaint to Corp, nothing done. Received another recall notice that the coils in the head rest can go on fire! not only is the car terrible, but the dealerships are no better. All this money customers spend on this car and the service workers and managers at both habberstad and smithtown are rude & obnoxious. Corp told me to try another dealership! I told her I will not drive all over long island to find a dealership who will actually help their customers, and that the amount of money I paid for this car, no one should be treated this way. Nissan should be investigated.

- Nesconset, NY, USA

problem #2

Dec 142004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,522 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. 27,732-I brought it back to dealership, because I just thought the noise my car still made didn't seem right.= dealership resecured heatshield 3. 26'099 mi.-R/F headlight bulb burnt out. Dealer fixed that one. 28'071 mi.-left side front headlight burnt out. Dealer replaced. 29,276 mi.- I paid $300 for my major service that was due for my car, also thinking maybe my car wouldn't be as noisy as it is. Maybe the dealership might find the problem. 31'431 mi.- I still hear the grinding noise, the cover under engine was loose, my air conditioner was not cold enough, and the center console was loose.=this time the dealership said it was the heat shield for the grinding noise, they fixed the loose cover under engine, fixed center console, and replaced low pressure hose in the A/C. 31'813 mi.- car still making the grinding noise, I hear knocking noises from the back of the car when I reverse, and the A/T light stays on longer than normal, then turnes off.= dealer replaced front exaust pipe, said the knocking noise I hear in the back of the car, is from the aftermarket air cleaner.(that is in the front of car).when I picked up my car from the dealership, I felt like this time my car was going to be fixed.I got in my headed for home.I heard the same noise I have been complaining about since 15,358 mi.I turned around brought right back in to service.=they replaced the rear manifold and cat converter.I picked up my car but I still hear the noise my car makes and it is louder when turning.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #1

Nov 242004

Maxima

  • miles
Engine was repaired 1 1/2 months ago. Went out of town for thanksgiving weekend when the alternator failed in birmingham, ala.,which left me stranded!I'm back in kenner but my Maxima remains in Alabama still waiting for another alternator? plus I'm still waiting for the skyview roof to be replaced!!

- Kenner, LA, USA

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