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.
7.0
fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,628 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.
Since the car was new (purchased Feb. 2004), I have had a knocking sound from the front right. The dealership originally diagnosed this as a strut problem, and replaced the strut mount under warranty, but the sound came back within a few months. Nissan refuses to acknowledge that this is a known defect in the car (as evidenced by the abundant complaints online and on file with the NHTSA), and has continually refused to cover the cost of repair once the warranty expired.
Front struts have been replaced and were in need of a third set. With 37000 miles the dealer said this set was my responsibility and they won't warranty them. They plaid down the problem. Anyone that did any research on this problem knew it was a design defect. Nissan also knew and failed to do the right thing.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While driving the contact heard a buzzing sound which alerted him that the motor mounts were failing. The dealer stated that the engine motor mounts were torn, and the front and rear mounts on the cross member were replaced. Approximately one month later the contact heard the buzzing sound and felt the engine shifted. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. Approximately three months later the vehicle was taken to the dealer again. The dealer replaced the front and rear motor mounts. The contact continued to hear the buzzing sound. The dealer advised the contact to replace the transmission fluid, and the right front strut. However, the repair did not solve the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the ECM computer should be replaced. The buzzing sound continued and the manufacturer stated that they would have their technician inspect the vehicle. Presently, the technician has not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 33,000. Update 5/3/07
Seven months ago I started to hear a rattling noise coming from the front of car whenever I go over a bunch of bumps in the road. In the last month the rattling turned into a clunking noise. Took my 2004 Nissan Maxima SE to the dealership (this car was purchased new in the spring of 2003. And now has only has 23,971 miles on it) and they said they couldn't hear the noise or find the noise. Just last week the noise got worse. Husband drove it and said it was the driver's side strut. Husband looked at left strut and said he found fluid on top of the strut. Took it back to the dealer and they said the same thing, they couldn't hear the noise and said the strut was fine. I have had three other passengers in the car and they hear the noise plain as day every time you go over a bunch of bumps. My dealer service was nice enough to call Nissan usa and see if they would fix it under good faith. Nissan would not do it. This car is nearly four years old with 23, 971 miles and is babied (even the service manager knows this). Struts are suppose to last close to 60,000 miles. The steering also shimmies. The brake rotors were warped and had to be machined at only 14, 491 miles. After reading more than 23 complaints on NHTSA I wonder why these Maxima's have not been recalled!
Front struts bad from the first 3 months I owned the car. All rear and front driver side were replaced under warranty, but when the passenger front failed at 50K, the dealer would not fix it under warranty. I had complained of noise while it was under warranty but the dealer said they could not reproduce the noise. Since replaced, I do not hear the noise. Nissan offered a $200 service credit but the strut was $400 and should have been changed with the driver front at 3 months old.
: the contact stated while driving at no specific speed, the front end shimmies and vibrates. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership numerous times for inspection. The left front struts were replaced twice and the right front struts five times. The vehicle is awaiting the replacement of the right front strut for the sixth time. However, the part is on back order. The contact stated the vehicle is drivable, but very unsafe.
The contact stated there was a loud banging noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealership determined the struts were broken. The struts were replaced, but the noise ecurred. The struts have been replaced three times.
I bought this 2004 Nissan Maxima at difeo Nissan dealership of jersey city. Since I got it, I had to take it four times to the dealer to change front struts. Right now as I am sending you this email, I can hear that sound again. This is causing me a lot of inconvience, so I would be glad if someone can do something about it. I paid a lot of money for this car and I don't think I should be going through all this frustration for a car I spend so much money for. Secondly the C.D. don't play when it's cold in the car. Please could someone get back to me or do something about these problems for me please. Thank you, seepersaud.
Front struts replaced on my brand new 2004 Nissan Maxima after 9 months. I also had to have my rotors turned after 18K miles. I know of others that had/have the same problems.
Both front struts make noise when going over all bumps in road. Front of car is becoming bouncy when driving over time due to struts failing and excessive noise.. will become dangerous to drive soon. Dealer replaced both front struts.
Contact complained about strut problems. They kept wearing out. First happened on 8-23-04, and dealer repaired it. The last time the struts were repaired was on 8-8-05. Also, had front end vibration. They sanded down the brake pads and that fixed the vibration problem.
1) manufacturer defect in the suspension (2004 Nissan Maxima SE) 2) caused car to make a sudden reflex to the right twice on the highway 3) dealer ( Nissan of el monte ) has replace struts and other suspension parts more than 4 times after 10 dealer inspections.
While driving at fairly high speeds vehicle shakes. When taken to dealer for service it was determined tha tshaking was due to balancing and alignment. The front right shock strut had to be replaced due to wear.
I will include all of my problems I have had with my 04 Maxima SE. The first major probem I had was my front right strut went out and had to be replaced. Problem fixed. Next, problem was on occasoion my car wouldnt start first dealer trip they told me their was no problem and the next time leave the car dead and have the car towed. So, it happend again had the car towed and then they replaced the battery which I had to pay for the pro-rated battery. So, it happend again had the car towed and now they replaced the electrial module that controls the headlights. Problem has been fine for 2 weeks +. now the left front strut went out and wondering when I should bring the car in again. I have 25000 mile and not yet 2yrs old and the car has been in for repair atleast 7 times. I hate my 35K dollar car.
2004 Nissan Maxima--front struts defective immediately after purchase of auto...dealer replaced struts...now with 3000 miles on them, they are bad again, and I'm going to dealer to see what they say.
The front driver side strut continues to fail. The part has been replaced two times, however the cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information. The consumer stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer 9 or 10 times because they could not find the trembing in the steering. The consumer would like to know if failed struts are a safety issue.
Consumer complained about a front strut problem.. when driving over a pot hole the piston inside the strut broke, causing vibration in the front of the vehicle. Also, it effected the alignment of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was informed by the dealer that the struts needed to repaired. The parts were on back order, and it could take almost 3 months before the parts needed become available.
I have had three sets of struts replaced on my 2004 Nissan Maxima. The latest set of struts are exhibiting early signs of failure. The struts knock when going over larger bumps in the road. They also exhibit more noise when cold.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tenafly, NJ, USA