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 6 of 9)

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problem #71

Feb 012012

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,550 miles

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

Hi everyone

I purchased a used 2004 Maxima and the transmission jerks from 3rd to 2nd to 1st.

It doenst slip at all but this problem is created by the Valve Body. Some other owners have stated that is a mayor problem on all Maximas 2004-2005. All the Motor Mounts are new and the problem still bothers,

There is a Shop i n Long Island NY that has fixed this issue as found in a Maxima forum. My plan is to take myCar to them to replace the VALVE BODY since they have resolve the problem for around $650.00.

- Augie C., Mount Laurel, NJ, US

problem #70

Mar 052012

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Apparently this is a problem for most 2004 Nissan Maxima cars. I wish they would really decide what needs to be done to fix this, and possibly recall the transmission.

- Christy B., St. Louis, MO, US

problem #69

Aug 012012

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE MAXIMAS. I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP HERE IN BEVERLY, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS $110.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE JUST TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNOW. THIS IS FRIGIN AWFUL!!

Update from Sep 17, 2012: THIS IS WHAT I RECIEVED FROM NISSAN................................. 9/17/2012

Case # 9454983 VIN # 1N4BA41E84C905376

2004 Nissan Maxima

Dear MS McGlone,

Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to assist you.

A review of our records indicates that the above-referenced vehicle is not currently involved in any recalls or service campaigns.

Please be advised that all recall and service campaign information is vehicle identification number specific, depending on the manufacturing date and the plant where the vehicle was assembled. Therefore not all models are subject to the same recalls.

Furthermore, Nissan North America receives, closely monitors, and assesses vehicle data from a variety of sources.

When deciding on a safety recall, Nissan considers a variety of factors and how they relate to the applicable Fedral Law.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) oversees all recalls, including any Voluntary Recall conducted by Nissan.

If you are still experiencing an issue with your vehicle, please contact your local Nissan dealer and schedule an appointment, as the dealer is in the best position to diagnose and repair your vehicle. Your Nissan dealer will be more than willing to assist.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please call Nissan Consumer Affairs at 1-800-647-7261 and reference your case number.

Sincerely,

Nissan North America, Inc.

Jaime Bello Consumer Affairs Representative Nissan Consumer Affairs

HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN???

- Toni M., Beverly, MA, US

problem #68

May 142012

Maxima 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

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

I was told that changing the mounts would fix the problem but it didn't :( I have maintain my vehicle up with its needs so and don't have a lot of miles on it for it to not work or suddenly need a transmission changed

- Carmen J., Sylmar, CA, US

problem #67

Jul 012012

Maxima SL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

Having same problems as the others and something needs to be done to fix this issue. When the transmission shifts after it has warmed up it shifts hard into drive,with a "thud" then it drives fine from then on, but i know this is only going to get worse if i don't have it taken care of now. That, would probably explain why cars are having problems with the broken motor mounts. Because of the transmission shifting so hard it's causing the motor mounts to break. And this is just an excuse for not addressing the real problem because they know you will have to bring it back to them or go some where to get it fixed and they make money off of you either way cause you have to buy the parts. I took mine to the shop and they gave me a price of $1500 to $3500 depending on what they found once inside the transmission. I've dealt with Nissan before on an 05 Murano I owned, the AWD, engaged on dry surface for no reason while my wife was driving busting the transfer case on the vehicle take it to dealership, mine you now it's still under warrenty they wouldn't cover it they said it was impact damage to the transfer case from the roadway. Based on the shop, Manager looking at a piece of plastic that it's sole purpose is to protect the carriage underneath. But, anywho It cost me $4000.00 and they had it over a month. So, I'm with everyone else on this something needs to be done to hold them accountable for this problem.(s Before, people get hurt or loose there lives behind these issues. If it hadn't already happened!!!

- Reginald J., Shawnee, OK, US

problem #66

Nov 012011

Maxima SE 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

same as all the other 2004 Maxima owners, the transmission should be recalled on this vehicle

- Yvonne S., Mt. Juliet, TN, US

problem #65

Mar 212012

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

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

Why hasn't anything been done to hold Nissan accountable for this transmission problem? It's my understanding that the model transmission #RE5F22A that is in my Maxima is also in certain Volvo models and Saturn models, different numbers of course. I've done research on this transmission and there is a faulty sensor that either fails or works but not as designed. Bottom line is the fluid does not get to where it needs to be fast enough which creates the trans to overheat. My symptoms were the same as the ones I'm reading from others, hard shifting to finally failing completely. I need to get it fixed but to replace/rebuilt with the same transmission is not acceptable. Nissan needs to replace this transmission all together. Fixing the sensor is an idea but I've lost all trust with this transmission. Do i assume a recall is in the works? Can i go to small claims court?

- pzano, Ontario, CA, US

problem #64

May 232012

Maxima ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Nissan really needs to fix their problem,it's not ours it's theirs because they have been selling these cars knowing that they have a gang of them with valve body/transmission problems. People think the world of nissan cars.it's so unfair for a person to have to try and repair the problem 'that cost anywhere between $ 3000 to $3500 and you still have a car note like myself. Get it together Nissan do the right thing have a recall and solve the problem that you created!!

- Mary T., Byram, MS, US

problem #63

Apr 092012

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles

rebuild or replace transmission REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS also had crankshaft code. still jerks a lot less than before. it sucks because i still owe 5,000 on this car. would love to trade or sell just to rid myself of the problem. it would be worth me taking the loss now.

- Gary S., Levittown, PA, US

problem #62

Aug 092011

Maxima SL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I notice my car start to jerk when decelerating at low end (2nd to 1st) gear and some hesitation when in park and changing gears. I took it to the dealership. It was diagnosed as 2 broken motor mounts. i checked on line to see how prevalent broken motor mounts were on this model car. what i found i was an overwhelming number of reported issues with this model's transmissions. i was of my extended warranty. i wrote a letter to nissan. they ended up paying for the re-manned transmissions on a 7 yr old car which says to me, Nissan knows how bad this problem is (although I was ecstatic that they replaced mine for free)...next problem is now the timing gear

- Lois S., Greensboro, NC, US

problem #61

Oct 142010

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

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

I purchase my 04 maxima brand new and was very proud of it. My first foreign car,i thought my worries was over as far as major mechanical work goes,until my transmission start acting an ass, jerking, not movin at all,and now shaking and stalling when driving for a long period of time.Got the crankshaft sensor replace and some other sensor replace. The car ran so so afterwards,now this is around 100,000 miles "Not a Nissan i thought to myself" . To make a long story short something really needs to be done about this issue from the manufacturer,$35,000 was money i thought was well spent and worth the investment damn was i wrong ,make it right Nissan!"Recall this problem.

- Joseph T., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #60

May 172012

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,000 miles

I am financing this car. I have had it for two days, unfortunately I was forced to purchase from a buy here pay here facility that offers no warranty. 10 minutes (2 city blocks) after pulling off the lot the car started jerking every time I stop and go. The bearings have been changed as well as the transmission mount, to no avail the car is still jerking. I have read other complaints on this site and it appears this is a manufacture problem but Nissan is not honoring it! That sucks! I am the mother of eight I can't afford to purchase a new transmission or pay 3-4000 dollars. I am really surprised that NIssan is not standing behind their product!

- Kenyatta J., McDonough, GA, US

problem #59

Sep 072011

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

My Maxima would jolt when passing through (up or down)accelerating or slowing through the 15-20mi per hr. I thought someone had rear ended me

NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. ALL 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU REPORT IT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WE CAN HAVE NISSAN RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. IF BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU RECEIVES THREE COMPLAINTS ALL OF THESE MAXIMAS WILL BE RECALLED AND NISSAN WILL FIX IT. SO GO ONLINE TO BBB (BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU) MAKE A COMPLAINT AND LETS MAKE SURE NO ONE ELSE GETS A CRAPPY MAXIMA AND GET OUR CARS FIXED TOO

If anyone feel like joining me call this number to report your problem to the vehicle consumers agency 1-888-327-4236.

We need to get this vehicle recalled, there are tons of complaints about the transmission going out.

There is a law firm that has filed a class action lawsuit again Nissan regarding the transmissions. The name of the firm is: CHIMICLES & TIKELLIS LLP

One Haverford Centre

361 West Lancaster Avenue

Haverford, PA 19041

610-645-4712 (Direct)

- johnil - illinois, PARK RIDGE, IL - Illinois, US

problem #58

Mar 282012

Maxima 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

a known problem for this car,there should be a recall. no one should have to replace a transmission after this amout of miles. motors mounts are also broken

- reginaldsc, Fountain Inn, SC, US

problem #57

May 012011

Maxima SE 3.5L Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Car jerks between 1st and second and hangs about 5-15 seconds between park. neutral, reverse, and drive.

- sahall91, Goldsboro, NC, US

problem #56

Jan 022012

Maxima ES 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

Hi Nissan Maxima drivers. We too though we had a reliable car, until the jerking started. You know how it starts off small with just a small pop jerk when you drive and you think " oh, I must have forgot to put it in gear" and you realize, the car IS in gear, the gear is slipping.We kept our car maintained as the warranty suggested and to find out that we can't even get to the 200,000 mile mark and you have paid the car off in full.. you can't get your money"s worth is disappointing. We have taken the car to the dealer and other reliable Nissan mechanics who say the same thing..the transmission is failing! I worry my husband daily about the car, (now I drive my American -made car) because he is driving it fearing for my safety but I don't want him driving it either! What can you do when that is all that you have, you can't sell it to anyone, the dealer don't want it, and you can't get it truly fixed!!! That's a suck egg deal and the company needs to recall it and make good on this car!

- Ruthia G., Marion Junction, AL, US

problem #55

Apr 012011

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

This is a major problem. Other customers having this same issue state repair shops have tried so many different ways to resolve this problem with out success. If I don't wait about 10-15 seconds after pressing the brake before I excel the car lunges forward so hard that I think it might eventually break a motor mount or something. Then as I'm breaking the car lunges down pretty rough. Both these issues seem to occur only between first and second gear. I fell this is a high safety issue and demands Nissan's immediate attention! RECALL RECALL RECALL ASAP.

- johnsonmo, Saint Joseph, MO, US

problem #54

Feb 062012

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,768 miles

my car hard starts, jerks while changing gear and moves sluggish in D but not R and manual aspect

- nwagod, Enugu, Enugu, Nigeria

problem #53

Aug 172010

Maxima ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Hello, my 2004 Nissan Maxima drags to accelerate from 0 to 20 warm. It jerks gears when I put it on cruise control and drops speed. When it drops speed it knocks. It scared me this morning on the highway. I thought for sure the car was going to cut off. Also, it shuts off when I place the car in reverse. I'm very concerned. These issues can cause me to have an accident. I don’t drive this car often and I think 126,000 miles for a 2004 car is pretty good. I should have done my research better and bought a different reliable vehicle without all the added unnecessary check up charges, at the dealership,that resulted in me paying $600.00 for a check routine check up and all they did was change the oil. I take care of my vehicle because it cost too much to let it just run down to the ground on my hard earned pennies to every dollar that I make. I was told Nissan was a built to last vehicle.

- vannaj, Gulfport, MS, US

problem #52

Jul 012011

Maxima SL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,360 miles

Is very sad that many of us are loyal customers of Nissan but after this event i will never purchased ANOTHER NISSAN, since they wont stand behind their product. Something should it been done long ago if so many people have the same problem. My car just went to 70000 miles and as all other went bad after the extended warranty expired. Very disappointing in Nissan thumbs down.

- Morgan S., Brandon, FL, US

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