Five problems related to engine shut off without warning 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.
My 2004 Nissan Maxima shuts down while running, causing the transmission to default into 5th gear, (2-4 gears effectively disappear) and the all electricity , radio, a/c, and power steering to shut down. On straight highways one can keep driving by shifting into neutral immediately, and trying to restart the engine with the key. Usually it restarts and runs but in a deficient power mode. The vdc light appears, letting you know that the transmission will be stuck in 5th gear, with the option of manually starting in 1st gear. Either shifting from 1st to automatic or manually to another gear, defaults the car into gear 5. The car is drive-able in this condition, but one has at stoplights, to immediately shift into neutral, and manually with foot pedal, keep the rpms above 1100. Fortunately I was driving straight. If turning a corner, and not very strong, I'd have no control over my car. Without power steering working the wheel is very hard to turn. Finally one day, the car would not start on cold start. It would occasionally almost fire, make some revolutions,but then would only turn on power of the starter. The first mechanic gave an estimate of $3600 to replace the timing chain the problem originally did not exist when engine was cold, but after engine warms up, at the first time the rpm's fall below 1000, the engine shuts off. . . Usually waiting for a cold engine again, causes the car to start up in original form.
I was in the freeway with my baby on 405, car suddenly started feeling weird, 3 warning light came on, my car shut down in middle of freeway , I have to put my car on park and put emergency lights on. Almost caused and accident with my baby. Car will not start. I was told by mechanic this is a fault camshaft. This same problem was on a recall for 2003 Nissan Maxima, Nissan refuses to take responsibility.
My car was having shifting issues with the transmission. The car shut off while I was driving and when I restarted it, it stayed in 5th gear. I took the car to the local dealership where they did something and resolved the problem but didn't inform me what it was. I then had the same issue about 3 months later I took the car to the same dealership they said they test drove my car but the mileage was only 1 mile different from when I dropped it off. So I know that was a lie. I was told they were unable to duplicate the problem. My vehicle was under warranty. I pleaded with the service manager telling him that I drive the car everyday and I have the problems all the time. He game me a Smart ass answer like " when it does it again stop by and pick me up and show me what it is doing". Now 4 months later my warranty is over and my transmission is shot. They are now saying they are going to do nothing to help me out with this issue. I have to pay $3600 to fix the problem.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle shut off and the steering locked without warning. The dealer stated that the cam and crank sensors caused the failure. As of December 18, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 80,000. Updated 01/17/08. Updated.
While the car shuts down/loses power. Consumer is getting ready to make a turn, and during the turn, car loses power.