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#BS-2004-NISMAX-533A

2004 Nissan MaximaProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 1,726 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 8, 2026

Complaints
1,726
Crashes
43
Fires
32
Recalls
2
TSBs
114
🛑

Preliminary Verdict

Red Flag

Based on 1,726 complaints, 43 crashes, 32 fires, and 2 recalls. Complaint rate is 7.0x the class average. This is the worst model year for this vehicle.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Top reported problems

1

jerks when shifting

171 complaints • Severity 8.2/10

$X,XXX
2

transmission failure

37 complaints • Severity 9.2/10

$X,XXX
3

transmission slips

21 complaints • Severity 8.7/10

$X,XXX
4

makes rattling noise when starting

14 complaints • Severity 8.7/10

$X,XXX
5

clear coat peeling

10 complaints • Severity 7.4/10

$X,XXX

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Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Power Train:automatic TransmissionHIGH

601 owners reported power train:automatic transmission issues — failures commonly reported around 79K miles.

!Inspect the DrivetrainMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

Failure Timeline by Mileage

219
0–30K
199
30–60K
487
60–90K
314
90–120K
132
120–150K
70
150K+

Peak failure range: 60–90K miles (487 reports) • Median: 79K miles

Full report: which components fail at each mileageUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Power Train:automatic Transmission (601 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Power Train:automatic Transmission601 (35%)
Drivetrain315 (18%)
Engine99 (6%)
Tires:sidewall74 (4%)
Wheels & Tires66 (4%)
Electrical47 (3%)
Suspension47 (3%)
Speed Control38 (2%)

2004 Nissan Maxima: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Power Train:automatic Transmission Issues

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints account for 35% of all reports filed for the 2004 Nissan Maxima, with 601 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 79,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 79K-mile mark.

Drivetrain Issues

Drivetrain complaints account for 18% of all reports filed for the 2004 Nissan Maxima, with 315 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Engine Issues

Engine complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2004 Nissan Maxima, with 99 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Tires:sidewall Issues

Tires:sidewall complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 2004 Nissan Maxima, with 74 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to tires:sidewall-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Complaint trend by year

4
03
90
04
74
05
96
06
82
07
232
08
274
09
219
10
224
11
103
12
117
13
68
14
65
15
28
16
22
17
7
18
3
19
11
20
4
21
1
23
1
25
1
26

Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. Recent trend: stable.

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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

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Recall History (2 recalls)

04V326000Sep 2004

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

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.

05V512000Jan 2006

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

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.

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

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NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

PE04035ClosedOpened Apr 2004 · closed Jul 2004

GLASS ROOF SHATTERING

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

This is the worst model year for the Nissan Maxima according to owner complaint data. The biggest problem area is transmission.

2004 Nissan Maxima vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)

This vehicle

1,726

Class avg

247

7.0x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.

Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,726 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 13, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 8, 2026.

Other Nissan Maxima Model Years

2022202120202019201820172016201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982
View all Nissan Maxima years →

2004 Nissan Maxima: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Nissan Maxima?
The most commonly reported issue with the 2004 Nissan Maxima is related to the power train:automatic transmission, with 601 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 2004 Nissan Maxima reliable?
The 2004 Nissan Maxima has 1,726 complaints, 43 crash reports, and 32 fire reports filed with NHTSA. This is 7.0x the class average — higher than typical for its segment.
How much does it cost to fix 2004 Nissan Maxima problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 2004 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes, the 2004 Nissan Maxima has 2 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Nissan Maxima problems start?
Based on 1421 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 79,000 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 60–90K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 2004 Nissan Maxima data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 13, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 8, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,726 owner reports. Know before you buy.

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