Three problems related to automatic transmission cooler have been reported for the 2004 Nissan Maxima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Nissan Maxima based on all problems reported for the 2004 Maxima.
Shifting from reverse to drive, 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd - engine revs, transmission jerks after short delay. When going on downhill bends this means that the car wants to jerk off the road, somewhat. Apparently due to improper cooling on the transmission fluid, it gets gummy, and then the solenoids clog up and get stuck. There is also a lot of wear on the gears. For the first repair, a flush and replacing the solenoids will usually give another 20k miles, but the problem doesn't get fixed unless a custom cooling system is put on the transmission lines. It's a crappy design. Instead of running the coooling lines to the engine and putting a thermostat on a switch, there should be a dedicated cooler on the transmission. Also, it's ridiculously hard to get to the transmission fluid filter, which is inside the transmission case. How hard would it have been to put an external filter down in the pan?.
I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima that is having transmission problems. It doesn't properly engage when upshifting, usually allowing the rpm's to rev up and then slams into gear jerking the car forward. I don't know of any events that have contributed to this failure. This occurs every time the car is warmed up. I have had the transmission looked at by a Nissan dealer and a private transmission company. Both say it needs to be replaced. The private dealer attributes the problem to a lack of cooling lines going into the transmission and believed this would be a common problem. After looking online, it is obvious that I am not a unique case. People across the country are complaining about the same issue. I'm concerned that the transmission malfunction will lead to an accident, but cannot afford to replace the car or the transmission. According to several websites, replacing the transmission is only a temporary fix, as this problem seems to be a design flaw, so any replacement will be susceptible to the same failure.
2004 Nissan Maxima se - vehicle service maintenance schedule followed as recommended. Vehicle is well taken care of and driven appropriately. Two major repairs - first 7/2008 noise heard in engine, 74,000 mi. . Diagnosis was fuel damper replacement needed along with many other parts and pieces that needed to be replaced while making those changes (many seals, washers, and gaskets, and other recommended fixes including tensioner chain, front and rear brakes, cooling system upper and lower radiator hoses, clamp, tensioner assy- chain guide - total cost $3,000. New problem Dec 2008, 81,000 mi. - transmission jerks/skips when accelerating and decelerating between 15- 25 mi. Per hour. Currently at Nissan dealer for repairs March 2009 and told need new transmission, front and left motor mounts, and fuel induction work, at a hefty cost of $5,000 parts and labor.