Seats: power adjust
Free remedy
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.
Research · Midsize Cars
2004 Nissan MaximaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 1,426 owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve power train (934) and tires (148). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2005
Owner complaints
1,426
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Visibility: sun
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
1,426 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2003 – Sep 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Maxima model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 102 |
| 1997 | 110 |
| 1998 | 115 |
| 1999 | 174 |
| 2000 | 376 |
| 2001 | 181 |
| 2002 | 220 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 1,426 |
| 2005 | 948 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 79 |
| 2009 | 339 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 106 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 33
- Fires reported
- 16
- Injuries reported
- 30
- Deaths reported
- 2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
934 reports14 crashes2 fires
“CAR WAS FINE INITIALLY THEN STARTED CAR WHICH TOOK LONGER THAN NORMAL TO START AND CAR WOULD NOT HARDLY GO DUE TO IT NOT BEING IN 1ST GEAR. PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO MANUAL MODE AND DOWNSHIFTED IT TO FIRST AND GOT A HARD CLUNK BUT CAR WOULD NOW GO UNDER ITS OWN POWER BUT WHEN YOU PUT IT BACK IN AUTO MODE IT GOES STRAIGHT TO 3RD GEAR. SHUT CAR OFF CAME BACK LATER AND STARTED CAR IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION. DROVE IT FOR A BIT TURNED CAR OFF FOR A BIT AND THEN WENT TO START AGAIN AND HAD THE LONG START AND BAD SHIFTS AGAIN.”
Tires
148 reports3 crashes
“I TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE AROUND THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER AND THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLE BE A FLOOD CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF MILDEW AND THE VISOR ARE WATER DAMAGED. TO THIS DAY THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS THE 26TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2011. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING AND I AM AFRAID TO ENTER TRAFFIC AS THE CAR STALLS AND THEN STICKS UPON ACCELERATING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL AS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON WHEN THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD TURNED THEM OFF. I CAN SMELL FUMES UPON STARTING AND DRIVING THIS CAR. I AM PARENT AND I DON'T LIKE TO GIVE MY CHILD OR ANY OTHER PERSON A RIDE BECAUSE OF THE SMELLS. THE TIRES WERE BALD ON THE CAR AND TWICE WHEN IT RAINED I ALMOST HAS 2 MAJOR COLLISIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE OTHER LANE DRIVING 45 IN A 65 MPH ZONE. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THIS CAR IS A GOOD CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FINANCE COMPANY AND THEY ARE STATING THIS IS OUT OF THERE HANDS. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE DIFFERENT ITEM THAT SEEMS TO BE WATER DAMAGED. I ALSO WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT…”
Suspension
102 reports2 crashes1 fire
“ME AND MY BOYFRIEND WERE SOLD THIS CAR FOR 2500 AND THE CAR NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, A NEW CONVERTER . ONCE I BROUGHT THOSE ITEMS AND PUT THEM IN THE CAR STARTED HAVING COMPRESSION PROBLEMS TO THE POINT IT HAS A SLOW TAKE OFF , CANNOT GO UP HILLS , AND WE HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS JUST FOR IT TO MOVE .. THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO US LIKE THIS AND WE ALMOST FELL OFF A CLIFF BECAUSE OF THE COMPRESSION PROBLEM AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GO UP ANY HILLS .. THE PEOPLE WHO SOLD US THE CAR SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OR REFUND OUR MONEY .”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S5) · Automatic 4-spd · Manual 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Maxima Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Maxima Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Nissan Maxima as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1236
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2004 Maxima questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Maxima have?
2 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2004 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners filed 1,426 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (934), tires (148), suspension (102). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Nissan Maxima get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Maxima at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026