Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 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 that pieces of shattered glass had fallen inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact had not sustained any injuries and resumed driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V326000 (Visibility). The failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was a loud explosive noise from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the sunroof had shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 04V326000 (visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
The car started up and was running fine. My wife went back into the house to get our daughter and found the car had stalled. The car has not started since. I am concerned about this situation, because of the fact that the car justed stalled for no apparent reason. I hate to think what could have happened if my wife was driving the car. In addition, according to several post on edmunds.com this is happening to other consumers. I have had other problems with this car since I purchased it 3-12-03. It has been back to the dealership several times for the following reasons: service engine lights coming on, leaking sunroof, cd not working, a fog/condensation behind center console screen, and interior molding coming loose. I have called Nissan USA and spoke to matt at [phone] ext 8454. If you can help with this please contact me at [phone]. Thank you for your time and efforts.
When driving down a major highway heard a loud explosion. Passenger looked around and saw no vehicles near the car. Opened the shade for the sky-view glass roof of a 2004 Nissan maxia and glass flew into the car causing the driver to swirve on the highway. Glass cut both passangers hands, arms and face. The sky-view glass roof had apparently shattered. This has been confirmed by the dealer where the car was purchased. This is a sky view roof that does not open. The glass panel runs the lenght of the vehicle. This is not a conventional sunroof that pops up or slide rearward. Consumer brought the vehicle to dealer to be repaired. Now the glass panel leaks when it rains. Consumer was cut by the glass chardes when opening the shade and the shattered glass fell into the passenger compartment. The shade was closed at the time of the incident.cw
3rd problem with Maxima: purchased 2004 Nissan Maxima brand new. After 2 major problems that I spoke about in two earlier complaints, I am not on #3. In October, 2005, two weeks before my wedding, while my area was getting some rain. I got in my car as usual to begin driving to work, when I noticed a big puddle on my passenger leather seat. My sunroof was leaking. When I called Nissan in huntington, ny, again, I had to wait days before I can get an appointment, even though it was still raining. The dealership verified the sun roof glass seal was leaking and the replaced sunroof glass assembly. They actually gave me a rent a car this time, because I complaint to a manager.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. The vehicle was serviced for NHTSA recall # 04V326000 (visibility:sun roof assembly) at 15,915 miles. The sunroof was rusted out in all four corners and was not designed to open. Water leaks into the vehicle when it rains. The current mileage is 33,582 and failure mileage was 32,000. The consumer stated that water leakage and corrosion are safety hazards. The consumer stated should not have to pay for repairs due to the fact this sun roof is a defect and the consumer feels it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to pay for it. The consumer provided a copy of the estimate for repairs. Updated 08/01/07
While driving on the highway during the night, the glass of the electric sunroof shattered and broke. It was raining, so the roof lining and the sunroof cover got damaged by the water. There is no physical evidence of anything hitting and breaking the glass. The dealer refused to perform the repair under warranty, even though there is a recall of other maximas for similar problems (with the skyview). The parts are ordered and will arrive in 2 to 3 weeks. The old parts are still on the car, which can not be used when raining. The total estimated bill is going to be over $2,800 for parts and labor.
I have had my 2004 Nissan Maxima for 1 month and have the switch controlling the sun roof no longer works. I brought it back tothe dealer to repair and they ordered the parts from Nissan. It has been almost 3 months and the parts have not come in. Nissan says they are on backorder and have no idea when thre will be available. They said it could be 1 more month or maybe 6 more months. They do not know.this is a $900 dollar option that does not work, and Nissan says they have no idea when the parts to fix it will be available.
Tl* the contact owns 2004 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that outer perimeter of the sky view window exhibited rust. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised that the vehicle was rusting prematurely for a climate that was primarily warm and dry. The manufacturer was contacted but would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 34,000.
The sun roof glass shattered while driving on the highway. Consumer pulled over to a rest area before the glass entered the cabin of the vehicle. It was towed to a local dealership, who provided a temporary fix by removing the loose pieces of glass, and covering the sunroof with a plastic material. Investigation #pe04-035 was issued on this problem.
Related recalls
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Glass roof shattering
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation on April 12, 2004, based on five reports indicating that the skyview glass-paneled roof, which is standard equipment in model year (my) 2004 Nissan maxima vehicles, would suddenly shatter while the vehicle is in use.five injuries have been reported to odi, resulting in cuts to the head, hands, arms, or face.Nissan discovered that their supplier for…
Window & Wiper complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2004 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2004 Nissan Maxima, 2% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Maxima window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-326 (sun/moon roof assembly, Jul 7, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Maxima window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.