Model year record

2004 Nissan Maxima recalls & problems

The 2004 Nissan Maxima has 2 safety recalls and 1,426 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (942 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints1,426filed by owners

Crashes · fires33 · 16reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths30 · 2reported in complaints

2004 Nissan Maxima in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SeatsNov 7, 2005

Front assembly › Power adjust

Recall 05V512000102,551 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE DRIVER PREFERRED PACKAGE, THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCH MAY BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND COULD BE PINCHED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT.
Risk: A PINCHED HARNESS, IN COMBINATION WITH DRIVING VIBRATION, MAY RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE HARNESS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE IN THE SEAT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND ROUTE IT CORRECTLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

VisibilityJul 7, 2004

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 04V32600032,100 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SKYVIEW ROOFS, THE GLASS FOR THE ROOF MAY NOT HAVE BEEN QUENCHED PROPERLY AFTER THE FORMING PROCESS, RESULTING IN TEMPER IMBALANCE.
Risk: THIS COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL STRESS IN THE GLASS AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE GLASS TO SHATTER, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE GLASS IN THE SKYVIEW ROOF. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Nissan Maxima 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2004 Nissan Maxima NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Maxima

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Maxima

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Maxima

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	942	15	2	9	84,000 mi
TiresSidewall; Tread/belt	142	3	0	4	28,869 mi
SuspensionFront › Macpherson strut; Front	104	2	1	0	13,060 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control	73	1	2	0	64,509 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	64	2	3	0	60,500 mi
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Instrument cluster/panel	58	0	9	0	80,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Roof and pillars	56	0	1	2	89,949 mi
Engine	51	1	5	0	102,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	38	7	0	2	83,016 mi
SteeringColumn; Rack and pinion	37	1	0	1	15,567 mi
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Windshield	30	0	0	3	14,828 mi
Unknown or other	23	0	0	0	111,673 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the ABS independently activated. In addition, the contact became aware of an abnormal sound. The failure was a persistent failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Aug 24, 2026 · 200,000 miles
Visibility
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound, and the contact noticed that the sky view roof glass had shattered. The contact stated that pieces of shattered glass had fallen inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact had not sustained any injuries and resumed driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V326000 (Visibility). The failure…
Feb 28, 2025 · 165,000 miles
Seats
UNKNOWN - I recently purchased this vehicle today from a private seller on April 18, 2023. Previous owner had stated the driver seat adjuster motor(to move the seat forward and backwards) has never functioned properly and gets stuck in the far back position or rotates counterclockwise at times(while remaining in the far back position). This is a big safety issue for me as it is very difficult to reach the brake and gas pedals without compromising my field of vision whilst driving. I did a VIN check on vincheck.info and it comfirms a recall report for this specific seating problem for this vehicle's year, make, and model. As for everything else, it is unknown as I did just recently purchase…
Apr 18, 2023
Electrical system
04V326000 ONE OF THE RECALL NUMBER THE OTHER IS 05V512000 NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT I'VE CHANGED MY TIMING CHAIN ALSO ALREADY I ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER STATING IF I HAD TO REPLACE IT TO CONTACT NISSAN I BELIEVE I'M JUST GETTING THE RUN AROUND
Jun 1, 2020
Engine
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. TIMING CHAIN WAS BAD FROM DAY ONE. SPENT NEARLY 4000 DOLLARS FOR REPAIR. THEN TO LOOK UP ONLINE AND FIND OUT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD PROBLEM. NOW A FEW YEARS LATER. SAME PROBLEM
Feb 1, 2021 · 80,000 miles
Electrical system
FOR STARTERS I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR THEN THE BATTERY AND THEN THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR AND THEN DORMAN THAT IS ON THE POSSESSIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY. AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO START STILL. NOW JUST MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME ON THIS.
Oct 5, 2020 · 18,600 miles
Electrical system
WHEN IT RAINS THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR HAS WATER IN THE DOOR AND SOAKS THE BACK FLOOR
Nov 8, 2020 · 167,000 miles
Unknown or other
CAR FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO RUSTING OF FLOORBOARDS ON DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. TURNS OUT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MODEL YEARS 2002-2006. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE??
Nov 9, 2020 · 167,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

GLASS ROOF SHATTERINGClosedLed to recall 04V326000
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON APRIL 12, 2004, BASED ON FIVE REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE SKYVIEW GLASS-PANELED ROOF, WHICH IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES, WOULD SUDDENLY SHATTER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE.FIVE INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING IN CUTS TO THE HEAD, HANDS, ARMS, OR FACE.NISSAN DISCOVERED THAT THEIR SUPPLIER FOR THE SKYVIEW GLASS PANELED ROOF DID NOT PROPERLY QUENCH (COOL) THE GLASS AFTER IT WAS FORMED.THE RESULTING TEMPER IMBALANCE COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL STRESS IN THE GLASS AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE GLASS TO SHATTER.NISSAN REPORTS THAT GLASS PRODUCED BEGINNING OCTOBER 23, 2003 WAS PROPERLY QUENCHED.NISSAN HAS INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL RECALL 32,100 MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMAS BUILT FROM THE BEGINNING OF PRODUCTION THRU DECEMBER 17, 2003.IT REPORTS THAT VEHICLES BUILT…
PE04035 · opened Apr 12, 2004 · closed Jul 13, 2004