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.

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,530
Average Mileage:
107,350 miles
Total Complaints:
171 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (72 reports)
  2. not sure (63 reports)
  3. replace valve body (21 reports)
  4. replace broken motor mounts (6 reports)
  5. replace about 3/4 of your transmission fluid - NOT FILTER (3 reports)
  6. replace crankshaft position sensor (3 reports)
2004 Nissan Maxima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2004 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #111

Mar 182015

Maxima SL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,005 miles

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

This is my everyday car and I am a single mother with three kids. Every time I drive it shift gears causing my car to jerk very bad. When stuck in traffic my RPM goes up to 5 and then it jerks hard. I can't afford to fix the problem so now I'm back on the bus with my kids.

- shaylbrown79, Alsip, IL, US

problem #110

Mar 152015

Maxima V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,496 miles

Had extended warranty for used purchase that expired at 102000 miles - transmission failed and car just turned 103000 miles .

- njl2, Cheney, WA, US

problem #109

Mar 022015

Maxima SL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 161,968 miles

NISSAN should be ashamed of themselves. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR FROM NISSAN EVER. Not just because of the transmission problems, but because the company will not stand behind the problem at hand. They will not fix this problem. This faulty ass vehicle needs to be on the recall list. My car jerks and shuts off from this transmission problem. I filed a complaint with this law firm that's got a lawsuit going towards NISSAN and she should sign too, maybe if enough of us complain they will actually do something about it.

Law firm info below:

CHIMICLES & TIKELLIS LLP

http://www.chimicles.com/nissan-transmission-failure-altima-maxima-and-quest-vehicles

One Haverford Centre

361 West Lancaster Avenue

Haverford, PA 19041

610-645-4712 (Direct)

- jessvins87, Montgomery, AL, US

problem #108

Mar 022015

Maxima SL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 161,000 miles

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

COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!!!!!!!!!

Here:

http://www.safercar.gov/

- jessvins87, Montgomery, AL, US

problem #107

Oct 062014

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 171,000 miles

Have had my car for three years. I've put thousands of dollars into this car and for them to tell me it's the transmission... RECALL PLEASE

- Jamiyl L., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #106

Nov 102014

Maxima SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 182,500 miles

I bought a used 2004 Nissan Maxima from an individual just 3 months ago. I had read reviews that the transmission in these vehicles had very bad reviews, but I was comforted by the fact that the woman I bought the car from had the transmission completely re-built in 2012.

The first month was fine, then the second month I started having problems starting the car. That was just sporadically, so I thought I had purchased bad fuel, or because the A/C was on. This month (and it's only the 10th of November) has been a nightmare. It began with hard starts, then very low power to the car. I would pull over, turn off the engine, an re-start it. This happened several times, but once I re-started it, it would be fine.

This past weekend, the car would not start. It clicked like the battery was dead. I took it to an auto parts store to have the battery tested. They confirmed it was bad, so I bought a new battery. I thought everything was fine! I started home and while I was driving (approx. 60-65 mph) down a two lane, high traffic highway, I started losing power and the tachometer started going crazy! I was terrified. The person behind me almost rear ended me. I had to squeeze onto the very narrow shoulder while cars whizzed past me less than a foot away. As long as I could coast along, the jerking stopped and the tachometer rested at 2. As soon as I had to accelerate, the same thing happened. Very bad jerking and the tachometer flipping back and forth like a windshield wiper on hyper speed. The lurching and decrease in power was so scary on that highway.

I called the transmission company that did the re-build and was told there was no warranty on the service. I'm a single mom, breast cancer survivor, full time employee and full time student. I don't have $4,000 to fix this car! I can't believe that there are this many complaints from terrified drivers and Nissan isn't doing anything about it. Shameful!

- Tonya W., Rockwall, TX, US

problem #105

Nov 262014

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,380 miles

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

Bought this car recently and found out later about the transmission history.

Car started jerking soon after driving it off the lot. This transmission issue should be a recall by the mfg. ....before someone gets killed!!!! This car should have never been up for resale!!!!

- Frank N., Haines City, FL, US

problem #104

Jan 152014

Maxima SL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,090 miles

I loved my car but now it is my worst nightmare. I can't afford to fix it and I'm scared to drive it. I did everything I needed to do to take care of my car. I planned to retire soon and did not want a car note. I am the only driver of the car and never misused it. I only have 62,000 miles on a 10 year old car, very low mileage and in very good condition, everything works and the interior is like new, but now it is parked because I'm afraid to drive it and can't afford to fix it.

I feel that NISSAN knew the transmission was BAD and won't recall them but we car owners need to file a LAW SUIT. Maybe it can help to replace or refund the cost of the transmissions that they knew was bad. I hate this company and will never own NISSAN again and will tell everyone I see at a NISSAN DEALERSHIP new and used to walk away. They don't take care about the owners of their cars. THEY DON'T GIVE A DAMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONCE YOU BUY THE JUNK THEY ARE SELLING.

- Joey E., Decatur, GA, US

problem #103

Mar 052014

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,200 miles

I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. WHENEVER I SHIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR PAUSES AND THEN JERKS. SAME JERK BEHAVIOR HAPPENS WHENEVER I SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD NEW MOTOR MOUNTS PUT IN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FOR A FEW DAYS YOU COULD BARELY FEEL THE JERKING WHEN SWITCHING TO REVERSE. LITERALLY BY THE NEXT WEEK IT WAS BAD ALL OVER AGAIN AND THE JERKING RETURNED.

ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING I CAN FEEL THE CAR "HESITATING" WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND GOING ONLY AROUND 25MPH AND AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JERKED AND SLOWED DOWN FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE IT RETURNED TO MY NORMAL SPEED. THIS CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING AND SCARY. ALL REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICES (INCLUDING OIL AND FLUID CHANGES) WERE PERFORMED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SHOPS.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY NISSAN AT THEIR EXPENSE.

- Jaroslav B., Fremont, CA, US

problem #102

Aug 012014

Maxima 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

The car from hell traded someone for this car and living to regret it. First the tensioners and guides were broken there goes $1500 and now I find out the valve body needs replacement another 1500+. Nissan still won't acknowledge their faults.

- Joe M., Hemet, CA, US

problem #101

Jun 182013

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

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

The car jerks around 25mph when accelerating or decelerating after twenety minutes of running even if it's just running idle and not moving it will jerk from park to reverse to drive. It runs fine above 25 mph maybe a little more sluggish than the first twenty minutes of driving. The solution that I have found from a lot people with this problem is to replace the valve body on the transmission and make sure it's not the same as the original. Nissan has not recalled this big problem and i have lost faith in their cars. I still like the Maximas but after this I think I'll give Acura a try instead.

- lamos32, Sun Prairie, WI, US

problem #100

May 072013

Maxima 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,099 miles

I went to my Nissan dealer last July (2013) and mentioned that the transmission was slipping in low speed, they oiled the transmission, replace brakes and lots of parts and presented me a bill for $900.00..... Well, the day after that repair, I had the same problem, the car is jerking when accelerating after a stop or reducing speed..... In traffic, it's terrible, the problem is frequent.

Today, December 11th, I had an appointment with the dealer again, told them they never fixed my transmission problem......but hey, I am a woman......what do I know! So they changed a few parts again and presented me with a bill for $295.00 and told me my transmission was not fixed and I NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT!!!!!!!!! Quote for a new transmission: $3500.00 and I have to leave my car with the dealer for 3 days...... The technician added that it's the FIRST TIME they have to change a transmission in a NISSAN MAX..... Well, after reading all the complaints, I now know he LIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am really upset, my car looks brand new, I am spending lots of money for preventive maintenance and I only have 158000 km

Now I am not sure what I will do, buy a new one or see a transmission specialist or go back to Nissan and pay $3500.00 for a new transmission???????

Francine D

- francined, Montreal, QC, canada

problem #99

Jul 012013

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

When I first bought my car I was happy but after a month or so the jerking began and its been doing it regularly everyday now. It gets so bad that I have to baby it when slowing down. Keep in mind that doing so does not eliminate the problem but it does keep it from jerking so hard that my knees hit the steering column. This is a major Problem that needs to be addressed ASAP before someone really gets hurt while driving .

I even tried giving it back but I AM STUCK WITH THIS PIECE OF SH*T CAR FROM NISSAN!!!!!

- sharon67, Fort Wayne, IN, US

problem #98

Jul 012013

Maxima SEL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

THE 5 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN IT SHIFTS UP OR DOWN. THE CAR REVS UP TO AS HIGH AS 4000 RPM BEFORE IT JERKS INTO GEAR. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH CAM POSITION SENSORS FOR CODE P0345. NO HELP, BUT NO MORE P0345. IT JERKED SO HARD ON MAR19TH THAT IT BROKE THE DRIVERS SEAT.

THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MOST TRANSMISSION SHOPS KNOW ABOUT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS GREAT LOOKING CAR NEAR TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PROBLEMS OF ANY CAR ON THE ROAD. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT REMEDY THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM.

Update from Feb 10, 2015: REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH NISSAN REBUILT @ $3,180. WORKS GREAT BUT NISSAN SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE MASSIVE # OF CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM.

- donnevada, Laughlin, NV, US

problem #97

Oct 142013

Maxima SL 3.5L Sl V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Nissan Maxima should be ashamed to manufacture such awful vehicle that can driven customers money out and leave them empty pocket. Nissan CO should be responsible to fix all these cars or refund customers the money they have have been spending in this car. Transmission oil is too expensive and it can only purchase at Nissan for $15 to $17 per quart if not it damage your vehicle. The jerk movement is awful, I feel sometimes my neck shake so much that my neck is separated from my body. Some time this car jerk to the point it might run off and cause an accident. Sometimes it won't move foe 5 minutes and suddenly jump, this is scary. I am trying to sell it but I can't because most people knows about this car and do not want to buy it. I do not have money to buy another car and I am stuck with this car. I need help. I already spent so much money about $5000 in this car and the problem is still there. They told me I have to change the transmission for another $ 5500 to 7000. Help me.

- Artulde J., Union, NJ, US

problem #96

Dec 122011

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Transmission hits hard when shifting into second, and sometimes third gear. So far I have had the cam shaft position sensor replaced, which helped for a minute, but it threw the code again and now we are going to try the shifting solenoid C replacement. I will let you know the end result.

- Charlie W., STOKESDALE, NC, US

problem #95

Nov 112013

Maxima ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I have been a faithful consumer of Nissan vehicles and have always raved about their durability and performance and been an advocate of this vehicle make until now I am extremely disappointed after many years of loyalty I can not believe that my 2004 Maxima needs a new transmission it has a horrible knock This model left a lot to be desired in terms of the transmission performance Nissan has know of this defective problem with 2004 Maxima and has not done a recall before it becomes a bigger problem and lives are lost , do we have to wait to have fatalities due to the negligence of a company that at one point had a good reputation. Would it not be best to do a recall and fix this problem to keep your loyal customers happy than to have a law suit for the loss of lives which is worst and more expensive. I have always bought Nissan for their reputation and quality of cars and this transmission does not meet my expectations.

- Francisco Q., Newark, NJ, US

problem #94

Jan 022014

Maxima V6 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 152,000 miles

The transmission revs hard shifts hard when I go to brake it acts like imma be thrown through the windshelid yesterday it popped up with a po780 code

- Codi H., Chattanooga, TN, US

problem #93

Sep 022011

Maxima SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,659 miles

My car started jerking. Then it started to get worst; and finally I took it to the shop and they told me that Nissan know about this transmission problem, but failed to act on it. It's a manufacture problem and they ( Nissan) should be responsible for it. The shop and the dealer told me I had to replace the body on the transmission but if it is bad I would have to get a new transmission. When they took it apart, it was a burnt out torque converter, which meant I had to replace the transmission...with a price tag of about $4000.

- vonmonty29, Bensalem, PA, US

problem #92

Oct 282013

Maxima ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

At around 80,000 miles, car starts experiencing a jerking motion more prevalent when going from reverse to drive. On at least once occasion the jerk was so profound that it felt like someone had hit me from the rear. Contacted the dealer who gave me a $42 - $45 to replace trans. And that is exactly how he quoted it, forty-two to forty-five. I thought he was kidding or had lost his mind. When I had another shop look at the car, they suggested I pay $1300 to replace valve body "to see if that would work" indicating on these cars the majority of the time that is the problem. However, if that didn't fix the problem, it would cost an additional $1500 OR MORE to repair. It was the or more that stopped me in my tracks.

It is unfortunate that this class action suite is not farther along to remedy this problem that so many are experiencing. I wanted a nice car so I bought this Maxima which is giving me more problems than other cars I have had. I will be writing another complaint regarding the cam sensors which I have had to replace both sensors twice. Could this all be related???

- lataang, Brandon, FL, US

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