Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the ABS independently activated. In addition, the contact became aware of an abnormal sound. The failure was a persistent failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While the vehicle was parked in the garage at the contact's home, the hood blew up and the front end burst into flames. The contact opened the garage door and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries or property damage. The maintenance indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to five star Nissan of florence (311 n cashua dr, florence, sc 29501, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the speed sensor failed. The contact stated that the insurance company totaled the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,149.
Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the ABS light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, but the cause of the failure was unknown. The dealer did not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact left the dealer and took her vehicle to her residence. The contact then noticed a fire emerging from the engine compartment. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Dyd ... Updated 03/24/14
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. Since the vehicle was purchased, the contact has experienced failures with the radio and headlights, the rotors were replaced three times, the front coil springs were replaced twice, and the battery wiring burned. Currently, the transmission pulls when the vehicle is accelerated. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer to diagnose the transmission failure. The manufacturer stated that no recalls were available for any of the failures. The current mileage was 49,000 and failure mileage was 26,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the ABS sensor warning light would illuminate and the system activated erroneously, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. There were no injuries. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire and a fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance to the contact. The failure and the current mileage was 97,000.
I have had problems with my 2004 Nissan Maxima since purchasing it brand new. Within 60 days of purchasing the car, I had to take it back to the dealership due to a malfunction with the brakes. I have spent over $1,500 since keeping the brakes and rotors repaired. I am on my fourth set of tires and have had three alignments and my front end inspected. I have had to replace an engine mount. In 2006 my air conditioner went out and I spent over $500 having that repaired. Now I am in need of a new transmission because there is internal damage due to the clutch slipping even though it is an automatic car. I have two friends with the same model/year car and they have experienced similar or the same problems. Once of my friends just replaced his transmission in his 2004 Maxima. …
Over the course of several months, the "slip" indicator light on my dashboard would blink as the right front wheel locked up and I would hear a grinding noise. My Nissan dealer could not duplicate this event. When this lock up would happen, the car "pulled" violently to the right and I would lose control of the car. When these events would happen my vehicle speed would be between 25 and 40 MPH and on a dry road and either driving straight or around a minor curve. On sat. 5/30 while driving between 35 and 45 MPH the slip light came on 3 times within 10 minutes. The first time a violent pull to the right with loss of control causing me to go onto the shoulder of the road. The second time, both front brakes engaged and the car almost came to a complete stop and the car behind me missed rear ending me by 5-6 feet. The third time both front wheels locked up pulling me to the right. …
Partial brake failure when approaching highway stop light at 45 MPH, dry conditions. Braking distance more than doubled as front brakes made very loud scraping and grinding sounds (not typical ABS sound) while not having any stopping power - I appeared to only have rear brakes. Was able to stop just inside intersection. Luckily no traffic was in way, avoiding an accident. Dealer identified problem as caused by rust buildup on rear hubs due to lack of a drainage channel/port on rear "knuckles" (said drainage port wasn't there), a known problem. Water backup in knuckle causes rust on hub and on ABS sensors, resulting in premature failure of both ABS sensors, which in my case caused an unexpected stopping problem. Both rear hubs and ABS sensors had to be replaced at cost of over $1300. Car is very low mileage and garaged. …
The failure is with the ABS system on my 2004 Maxima. There is a documented TSB for this problem for 2004-07. A poor design of rear wheel assembly(by nissans own admittance) causes wheel sensor to prematurely fail, causing ABS controller/solenoid to fail. This has been documented to occur with less than 40,000 miles on a vehicle. This in turn completely disables the vehicle's ABS system. Nissan refuses to issue a recall or even assist with repairs, even with all of the reported incidents. In most incidents that I found, it fails right after the factory warranty has expired. In my particular case, I have an extended pre-owned warranty through Nissan. Though, Nissan says that it isn't covered under my warranty. Repairs are estimated to cost in the area of $2100.00. As heavy as the vehicles are, not having functioning ABS can be very dangerous. …
I've had a total failure of the vehicle dynamic control/stability control. The yaw/g force sensor failed. Prior to this being discovered by a code on the car's computer, I complained to the dealer that on dry roads, on straight always and curves at speeds between 25 and 45, the passenger front brake would engage without warning and the car would pull violently to the right. Dealer investigated and could not duplicate the experiences. On sat. 5/30 in under 10 minutes 3 times I experienced a sudden and uncontrollable application of the right front brake which pulled me off the road and onto the shoulder of the road 2 times and the application of both front brakes which caused the car to come to a sudden full stop. I was nearly rear ended by the car behind me. When this failure happens it is un announced, sudden violent and the brake lights do not come on. …
Brake complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Nissan Maxima, 5% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Maxima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Nissan Maxima, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Maxima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries and 2 deaths to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.