Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,425 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Nissan Maxima, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 813 | 57% |
| Tires | 116 | 8% |
| Suspension | 49 | 3% |
| Structure | 39 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 32 | 2% |
| Visibility | 24 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 2% |
| Engine | 18 | 1% |
| Steering | 16 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 th
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
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 an
NHTSA complaint: Seats
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN IT RAINS THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR HAS WATER IN THE DOOR AND SOAKS THE BACK FLOOR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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??
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
FRONT SUBFRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT LOWER CONTROL ARM BECOME UNATTACHED, HAD TO REPAIR SUBFRAME AND ALL COMPONENTS, ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY RISK, MANY RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON'T HAVE ON
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
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.
| Reliability raw | 54 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,425 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 813 of them (57%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 54/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.