RoadVitals

2004 Nissan Maxima Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
37
Latest Jun 21, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 1,425 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Nissan Maxima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 37 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 37, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Jun 21, 2015

1 COVE COURT

NHTSA ID
10726440
Incident
Jun 20, 2015
Mileage
102,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Apr 18, 2015

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 60MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLS OUT I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE I COME WITHIN SECONDS OF BEING REAR ENDED I'M IN THE MIDDLE LANE SO I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MERGE OVER BUT GUESS WHAT I CAN'T BECAUSE THE CAR IS STALLED OUT SO I PUT CAUTION LIGHTS ON AND IT TAKES ABOUT TWINS BEFORE THE CAR WILL EVEN START BACK UP AND WHEN IT DOES ITS GEARED UP TO WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A FIFTH GEAR AND IT BARLEY TAKES OFF I'M TALKING MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND IT'S TAKING OFF AT 2MPH COME ON NOW, SO CALL FOR HELP GET MY CAR TOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAID IT WAS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD IT REPLACED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF CAME AND PICKED UP MY CAR HAD TO DRIVE THAT DAY 45MINS FROM WHERE I LIVED AND ABOUT E0MINS INTO THE TRIP BAM IT STALLS AGAIN AT 60MPH SAME SCENARY AFTER THE CAR COOLS DOWN IT STARTS BACK UP JUST FINE BUT AFTER 30MINS OF A CONSTANT DRIVE IT STALLS OUT AND I'M STUCK IN 5TH GEAR ....PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10706406
Incident
Apr 11, 2015
Mileage
166,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 15, 2015

THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SUFFERS FROM A COMMON ISSUE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VALVE BODY CAUSES PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHIN THESE CARS. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN HARD JERKING / DELAYED SHIFTING WHEN CHANGING GEARS IN THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS MEANS LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY CATCHES ITSELF SINCE THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO REV HIGHER THAN NORMAL. OVERTIME THE CAR WILL EXPERIENCE SLOW ACCELERATION, DUE TO THE CAR BEING THROWN INTO A SAFETY MODE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH KEEPS THE CAR IN A "5TH" GEAR STATE. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE CODES THIS FAULTY PART WILL THROW, A VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PASS CERTAIN STATE EMISSIONS. REPAIRS ARE UPWARDS TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND UNFORTUNATELY REPLACING IT WITH THE SAME PART WILL ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE RESPONSE TIME, AND PUTS THE DRIVER AT SERIOUS RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10694351
Incident
Sep 15, 2014
Mileage
115,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed May 13, 2014

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER. I DON?T KNOW HOW I DID IT, BEING PETITE AND NOT SO STRONG, BUT I MANAGED TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE TO THE SIDE, THEN IT TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN THE KEY FOR A FEW SECONDS UNTIL THE ENGINE RESTARTED. IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, AND I WAS SAVED THE 5-7 TIMES THIS HAPPENED TO ME. LUCK WAS ON MY SIDE! I DIDN'T DRIVE MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE I WAS TERRIFIED MY CAR WOULD STALL AND MY SON AND I WOULD DIE IN A TERRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT. I FINALLY HAD TO GO TO MY SHOP AND REPLACE THE TWO CAMSHAFT SENSORS WITH THE FOLLOWING CODES P3040 AND P0345. WITH SOME SEARCHING, I FOUND OUT THAT I?M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I STAND BY THE FORMER COMPLAINT: ?I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMA?S WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT COVER AND RECALL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD ONLY RECALL CERTAIN MAKES WHEN IT IS THE SAME EXACT ERROR CODE ON BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS A P3040 AND P0345 CAM SENSOR/CAM SHAFT RECALL THROUGH NISSAN. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. SHOULDN'T THEY RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM?? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588192
Incident
Sep 9, 2013
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2013

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS PROBLEM BEGAN. WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE AND TURNING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER THE CAR WILL DIE, STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND THERE IS NO WAY TO STEER. UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT IN PARK THEN IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. YOU ALSO CANNOT EVEN STEER OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMAS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT COVER AND RECALL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD ONLY RECALL CERTAIN MAKES WHEN IT IS THE SAME EXACT ERROR CODE ON BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS A P3040 CAM SENSOR/CAM SHAFT RECALL THROUGH NISSAN. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. SHOULDN'T THEY RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10497783
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 17, 2012

I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAXIMA 18 MONTHS AGO. FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT,FROM THE ROTORS TO A WEIGHT FALLING OFF THE WHEEL(WHICH THEY SAY I LOST).I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING SO BAD I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT.WHEN I TOOK IT BACK FOR THE FIFTH TIME I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED(I HAD NOT OWNED IT BUT 2 MONTHS). FINALLY I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER (SAME AFFILIATE) WHO FIXED IT SO THE SHAKING WAS NOT AS BAD (AFTER 3 VISITS). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEN,AND NOW WHEN THE JERKING HAS GOTTEN WORSE,SOMETIMES JERKS SO HARD IT HURTS MY NECK. THE GEARS JERK WHEN CHANGING. I THOUGHT I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT A LEMON,BUT AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS (WHICH ARE EITHER THE SAME OR SIMILAR) I KNOW NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR LOOSE THERE LIVES(AS WELL AS OTHERS).AND I DO PLAN TO CONTINUE EMAILING SENDING LETTERS,AND CALLING UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS.NOW I DON'T FEEL ALONE IN THIS ISSUE JUST PISSED OFF. THAT NISSAN HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO ON SO LONG WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10448375
Incident
Aug 16, 2010
Steering
Filed Sep 21, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND JERKED INTO ANOTHER LANE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY AND WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED EVOQ 11/01/11

NHTSA ID
10426619
Incident
Sep 19, 2011
Mileage
78,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats+3 more
Filed Nov 27, 2010

FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES,BODY WORK, DRIVERS DOOR. HAD ISSUES RIGHT AFTER WIFE BOUGHT THE CAR SHE WENT WITHOUT ME BUT UPON LOOKING AT CAR AFTER SHE CAME HOME WITH IT DID THE CAR FAX ON IT ON THING WERE SOME ELECTRICAL CHECKS THAT'S IT NO ACCIDENTS. STEERING TIGHT WHEN I DROVE IT AND NOTICED NOISE FROM SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND DRIVER DOOR SAGGING. BROUGHT TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THE SAID A BAR WAS RUBBING ON ANOTHER THEY FIX THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH SUSPENSION IN HEARING THINGS IS THERE EXACT WORDS AND REPLACED THE DOOR HINGES WHICH ARE PURPLE AND THE CAR IS RED DOOR SAGGING AGAIN BUT I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT END OF 2008 GOT SIDESWIPED BY 2500 DODGE RAM TRUCK AT 45 MPH ON DRIVERSIDE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT BECAUSE BODY SHOP ON REPAIR DAMAGE NOT REPLACED I BROUGHT MY CAR TO ANOTHER BODY SHOP BECAUSE OF ISSUES IM HAVING AND THEY SAID WORK WAS DONE INCORRECTLY. AND TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MILES CONTINUOUSLY WHEN I COME TO STOP AND START AGAIN THE TRANNY ALWAYS SLIPS BAD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND INTO 4TH SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10367952
Incident
Apr 16, 2008
SteeringTransmission
Filed Sep 29, 2010

2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION ISSUES 1ST N 2ND SHIFT HARD, 2ND N 3RD SLIPPING SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10358280
Incident
May 12, 2009
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 25, 2010

MAXIMA 2004 SL 3.5 STEERING WHEEL TILT STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345165
Incident
Jul 16, 2010
Mileage
45,680 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering+1 more
Filed Mar 30, 2010

2004 AND NEWER NISSAN MAXIMAS HAS A SERIOUS STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AFTER 40MPH. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE NO COMPLAINTS, BUT THE INTERNET IF FULL OF CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR IS 6YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES. NEW TIRES, BRAKES,ROTORS,ALIGNMENT MULTIPLY TIRE BALANCES HAS NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM. ON THE INTERNET CUSTOMER HAVE REPLACED STRUTS, BEARING,CV AXLES AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10322768
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Mileage
100 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 18, 2010

I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2003 IN CALIFORNIA. WITHIN MONTHS TO THE FIRST YEAR, I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. I'VE HAD MY WHEELS ALIGNED, TIRES BALANCE NUMEROUS TIMES AND CHECKED DUE TO A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY AND A CLANKING OR THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THESE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD FOR YEARS AND COMPLAINED CONTINUOUSLY. HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES FOR THESE PROBLEMS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. NISSAN FIXED NOISE AFTER 5 TIMES IN THE SHOP IN 2004 AND 2005. NOW OVER THE YEARS THE NOISE HAS COME BACK, BUT THE SHIMMY WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEM. I JUST LEARNED TO IGNORE IT UNTIL NOW. I'M READING NOW ONLINE OF OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M PLANNING ON APPROACHING MY NISSAN DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA ABOUT THE SHIMMY, ABNORMAL TIRE WARE AND CLANKIING NOISE AS WELL. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

NHTSA ID
10300131
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
1,600 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringTires & wheels
Filed Mar 29, 2009

THE CAR RPM DROP DOWN BELOW 500, LAST YEAR IT LED TO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SPEND AROUND A GRAND, BUT NEVER FIX,UNTIL TODAY THE DEALER CLAIM THAT THIS HAPPENED TO NISSAN MAXIM 04, AND LAST YEAR I START HAVING STEERING SHAKING, THE DEALER TOLD IF I CHANGE MY RIMS AND TIRES IT WILL FIX IT, AND IN AUG-2008 I HAVE 4 NEW RIM AND GOOD YEARS TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM EXIT, I WENT IN JAN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD IF THEY TIGHTENED SOME THING IT WILL FIX, BUT NO I STILL HAVE UNTIL TODAY, CAR SHAKES IF YOU EXCEED SPEED OF 55 OR 50 M/H. I AM STILL HAVING THOSE PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263565
Incident
Jul 28, 2003
Mileage
55,000 mi
SteeringTransmission
Filed Jan 12, 2009

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SE SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VERY HARD, ALSO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN I BACK UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A MONTH OR SO AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT NOW HAS 100,600 MILES. I HAVE JUST HAD THE RACK & PINION REPLACED LAST WEEK AS WELL AS THAT WAS BAD ($1100). *TR

NHTSA ID
10254732
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Mileage
98,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2008

VEHICLE FRONT END SHAKES AT 40-70 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240563
Incident
Aug 15, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 28, 2008

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF MY CAR "SHIMMY'S". WHEN APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS "SHIMMY" BECOMES A BIT MORE PRONOUNCED. I HAVE HAD ALL WORK ON MY CAR DONE AT THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, AND THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE (TIRE PRESSURE, WHEEL BALANCE/ALIGNMENT, STRUTS) HAVE ALL BEEN LOOKED AT/REPLACED BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE; THEREFORE, IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE AND SHOULD BE FIXED VIA A RECALL - THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240070
Incident
May 1, 2006
Mileage
15,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES, STRUTS, AND TIRES. THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CURRENTLY THE REAR SENSORS AND THE ACTUATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE THE ENTIRE TIME. HE CONSULTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS RECENTLY SURFACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,668.

NHTSA ID
10232729
Incident
Jun 27, 2008
Mileage
43,668 mi
SteeringSuspensionTransmission
Filed Feb 5, 2008

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA EXP TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS @ 65K REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HAD (4) FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS (1) TRANSMISSION MOUNT.(1)RACK AND PINION REPLACED,(1) RIGHT FRONT AXLE REPLACED. STRUTS ARE NOW BAD! WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, OIL SEALS REPLACED AND THE FRONT END MAKES NOISE LIKE SOMETHING BIG IS LOOSE. OVER $12,000.00 DOLLARS INTO VEHICLE LAST YEAR ALONE? WHEN THE CAR CAME BACK WITH THE NEW TRANS IT STILL WAS NOT RIGHT ? I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING? I CHOSE NOT TO PAY @ LAST MINUTE TO BRING TO THERE ATTENTION AND I WAS SENT TO COLLECTIONS? I AM STILL PAYING THE $3,997.00 PLUS $1,500.00 FINE FOR ISF THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS 2ND TRANSMISSION AND ITS GONE BAD NOW AS WELL? NISSAN DID REPLACE THE RIGHT AXLE @NO/CHARGE THAT WAS ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10217011
Incident
Aug 15, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE WORSENED WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER, THEY ALIGNED AND BALANCED THE TIRES. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,740 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,134.

NHTSA ID
10204366
Incident
Oct 26, 2006
Mileage
16,134 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 16, 2007

VERY BAD STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE FIXED BY BUYING NEW TIRES, CHANGING THE WHEELS, PUTTING ON NEW ROTORS, ROTATING AND BALANCING THE TIRES, AND TIGHTENING THE STEERING RACK. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED ALL THE LUGS SAYING THEY WERE THE WRONG KIND WHEN IN FACT THEY INSTALLED THE WRONG ONES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10182736
Incident
Aug 1, 2006
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2006

PROBLEM 2 OF 5: PURCHASED 2004 MAXIMA BRAND NEW. CAR IS NOW 10 MONTHS OLD. ON OR ABOUT 2/24/05 MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THE MAXIMA'S TILT MOTOR WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES TO DRIVER'S MEMORY POSITION. MY CAR WAS STUCK UPRIGHT. IT WAS STUCK SO HIGH UP IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A BUS AND VERY HARD TO TURN. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE STEERING WHEEL UP LIKE A BUS DRIVER. IT WAS DANGEROUS AND VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND HAD TO MANUALLY ADJUST MY STEERING WHEEL TO A MORE COMFORTABLE POSITION SO I CAN DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. ON 3/11/05 THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY REPLACED THE INOP TILT MOTOR. ALSO, MY TRUNK STILL POPS OPEN SOMETIMES IN REVERSE.

NHTSA ID
10165356
Incident
Feb 25, 2005
Mileage
10,462 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2006

PROBLEM #2 (OUT OF 4/5): PURCHASED 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA BRAND NEW. MY SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM, I THINK THE CAR WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON THE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTS TO YOUR LIKING AUTOMATICALLY. WELL, IT BROKE. SO WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE TO ME, IT WAS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN I TRIED TO MANUALLY MOVE TO DOWN AND CLOSER TO ME SO I CAN DRIVE THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK UPRIGHT LIKE A BUS DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL. I HAD NOT CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP LIKE THAT. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING LIKE THAT, SINCE IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, CONSIDERING HOW HIGH IT WAS AND CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD IT WAS. HUNTINGTON, NY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART TO FIX THE STEERING WHEEL, AGAIN A ELECTRONIC PROBLEM. I DID NOT HAVE MY CAR FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAD TO MAKE ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE, WHICH BY THE WAY, DOES NOTHING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THIS DEALERSHIP TREATS CUSTOMERS LIKE GARBAGE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WOMAN. ALSO, STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM, EVERY NOW AND THEN WHEN I REVERSE, MY TRUNK POPS OPEN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10165351
Incident
Apr 12, 2006
Steering
Filed May 16, 2006

BOUGHT THE MAXIMA NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2004, AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I STARTED NOTICING STEERING VIBRATIONS, WHICH WAS GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. THEY MANIFEST TYPICALLY AROUND 55 MPH. AFTER TAKING IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SHIMMY HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. THE SHIMMY IS DISTRACTING, EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND PROBABLY CAUSE EXTRA WEAR AND TEAR ON FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE TIRES. AT THIS MOMENT NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND FOR MY CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157648
Incident
May 16, 2006
Mileage
10,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING IT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10156313
Incident
Apr 25, 2006
Mileage
40,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON A POSITION AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT SHOVED THE STEERING WHEEL EACH TIME TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A 5 MINUTE INTERVAL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10147228
Incident
Jan 7, 2006
Mileage
52,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .