2004 Nissan Maxima

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Transmission & Drivetrain

Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 934 of 1,425 complaints (66%) mention it.

Complaints filed rose from 206 in 2003 to 1,425 in 2004.

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	vs. 2004 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)	2,950–3,100	2,950–3,100	2,950	2,950	2,950
Combined MPG	20–21	20–21	21	21	21
City / Highway MPG	17–19 / 24–26	17–19 / 24–26	18 / 25–27	18 / 26–27	18 / 26–27
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	423–444	423–444	423	423	423
Complaints filed	205	206	1,425	948	576	Not compared
Recalls issued	9	4	2	2	2	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	27	13	33	16	21	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	0	2	16	10	4	Not compared
Injuries reported	23	12	30	29	12	Not compared
Deaths reported	6	1	2	0	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	2	2	3	2	2

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

Transmission & Drivetrain: 934 of 1,425 NHTSA complaints (66%) mention it.

EPA rates it 21 MPG combined across 3 configurations.

EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Automatic 4-spd	6	3.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	18 mpg	25 mpg (low)	21 mpg	$2,950	423 g/mi
Configuration 2	Manual 6-spd	6	3.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	18 mpg	27 mpg (high)	21 mpg	$2,950	423 g/mi
Configuration 3	Automatic (S5)	6	3.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	18 mpg	26 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950	423 g/mi

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries	Deaths
Engine	121	2	7	0	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	934	14	2	9	0
Fuel System	8	0	0	0	0
Electrical	56	0	8	0	0
Brakes	75	2	4	0	2
Steering	37	1	0	1	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	241	5	1	4	0
Airbags & Restraints	18	11	0	13	0
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	38	7	0	2	2
Body, Seats & Latches	75	0	6	2	0
Visibility & Lighting	39	0	1	3	0
Other	44	0	2	0	0

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 05V512000 · Nov 8, 2005
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 04V326000 · Jul 8, 2004
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL STRESS IN THE GLASS AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE GLASS TO SHATTER, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: 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.