2004 Nissan Maxima: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 16, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 96,149 miles · SC · fire

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, 843‑628‑0032) 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.

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Engine · AR · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 nissan maxima. The contact stated while the vehicle was unoccupied and it caught fire from the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 28, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 55 miles · MN · fire

Engine recall I was driving my car and while I was driving the car caught on fire. I was on highway 62 east in minneapolis mn going the speed limit 60 miles and I look and seen smoke coming from hood and the back of my car from the tail pipes.

Filed Oct 5, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · 175,000 miles · UT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan maxima. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the wiring underneath the driver's seat caught fire. The fire department was not contacted. An auto technician extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The independent mechanic stated that a wire burned through, which likely caused the fire. The contact was unsure of what repairs were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v512000 (seats). The contact spoke with tim dahle nissan (4528 state st, murray, ut 84107) who stated that they could not assist and advised the contact to speak with the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they were not liable since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Electrical · TX · fire

On october 5, 2016 my husband came home from pt and parked the car under our carport. When he got out of the car there was not signs of smoke or any warning lights on in the car. He came in the house and started to get dressed and about 10 minutes later our neighbor was knocking on the door" screaming your car is on fire". The fire department was called out to put out the fire and after it was out they found that the fire started in the engine and ruled it an electrical fire. I called nna and explained what happened, sent photos, the police report, and fire report and they stated that it would take 6 weeks for them to even decide if they would investigate and that they would not help with any fees to have the car preserved. We live on a military base so we had to have the car towed away so that military housing could assess the damage that was done to the carport and we can not afford to pay daily for having the car sit at a tow yard while nissan decides if the will even investigate the cause of the fire. I really feel like there should be a class action against nissan because with all these complaints this can't just be isolated incidents.

Filed Jan 12, 2014 · Body, Electrical · CA · fire

Woke up to a horn steadily beeping, went to my window to see what was going on and I see flames shooting about 15 ft high and knew my neighbor's car was on fire, after the fire the owner told me he had not driven the car that day, and that it melted the dashboard and quickly destroyed interior and engine compartment of the car, there could have been fatalities or injuries as the car had a full gas tank, and luckily did not reach gas tank, but if it had there would have been major property damage to several homes, and many lives put at risk.

Filed Aug 12, 2013 · Electrical, Seats · 172,000 miles · NC · fire

I was driving to work july 3rd, 2013 around 7:00am. I smelled smoke in my car so I pulled over, opened my hood and I didn't see anything. I got back in my car and continued to drive to work. I smelled smoke again, only this time to realize that my bottom was getting hot. I looked down to the right to see if my seat warmer was on and it wasn't. Then my seat began to move forward & backward by itself about 3 times. I turned back around to the front and there was a cloud of smoke in my face & flames at my feet. I quickly grabbed my phone and my ipad, released my seat belt, pulled up my emergency brake, opened the door and jumped out of my car falling onto the ground, jump up, and called 911. While waiting on the fire department & the police I stood there crying hysterically, terrified and watched my car go up in flames.

Filed May 9, 2013 · Transmission · SC

Purchased the 04 maxima se used in 2010, after nearly one year, while driving down the interstate the car jerked severely and began to slow down. Got off the interstate and noticed a burning smell and the transmission locked in 5th gear, notified the dealer and they had the trans repaired. Beginning of this year (2013) same issues, starts revved high, jerks into gear, no power @ take off or no movement at all and a burning smell from under the hood. Still making payments so went back to the dealer and found out then the repair that was completed 2 years earlier was the second repair done to the transmission. The warranty that came with the repair had expired and now I am left with a vehicle I am still making payments on, can't drive and now have to come up with a way to pay $2500-$3000 for a new transmission. I love my car and would like to continue to enjoy it for at least a few more years but this is ridiculous to know there are this many complaints concerning one vehicle and the manufacturer not seem to care enough to correct the obvious issues.

Filed Jan 18, 2012 · Brakes · 97,000 miles · WI · fire

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.

Filed Jul 24, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 60,000 miles · FL · fire

Good morning, I currently own 2004 maxima & have been experiencing major problems with this car for about 2-3 years. My major problem at first was my transmission. Apparently the dealership states I will need a new transmission which is absurd since the car is not even 10 yrs old. I knew there was a problem when the car started jerking on its own. At times it jerks real hard when shifting from 1st to 2nd and it is quite scary & embarrassing. When the problem started, I have two friends who were owners of a nissan maxima as well and they were experiencing the same jerking transmission problems. They eventually traded their cars but I not wanted to go through the whole process of financing a car, I figured I'll fix the problem. The transmission is one problem but why every couple of months there is other problems as well. For example I last year I had to change my catalytic converter, my mounts, and my routers. Now what has made me at my ends with this car is what happened last month (june 2009). While driving, there was a loud sound, I opened the hood of the car and right buy the engine, and there were flames. The fire dept was called along with the police. As I submit my complaint now my car is still at the shop. This has become a frustrated and very expensive issue that I have been facing. Honestly I have spent about 5k's or more on this car, not considering that I'm still financing as well. How is it that, I have done my research and there are many others out there who have the same issue. Nissan needs to take full responsibility and it is not a coincidence also. I have documents and emails from others who are also experiencing the same issue (over 300 complaints since 2006). Pls if anything, there needs to be an investigation, many ppl are suffering and losing $ as well.

Filed Nov 25, 2008 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · CO

No event leading to failure. 1. Transmission jerking into 1st gear when starting to drive. Happens 70% of time, especially when going from reverse to first. No repair has been made at this time. 2. Right front side shaking and rattling, need new struts at 60,000 miles. Repair taking place next week. 3. Continual excessive tire wear, 60k tires get 30-35k miles. Car will not stay in alignment. 4. Huge bang from back of car then smoke coming out of the radio - bose radio and amp system is blown. Digital radio system appears to turn on but no sound. Not repaired yet, nissan dealer says I'd need to pay for replacement and diagnostics. 5. Replaced half axles and u-joint at 58k miles.

Filed Jun 20, 2008 · Seats · VA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 nissan maxima. While driving 45 MPH, the front driver's seat began smoking and then caught fire. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The fire department stated that the cause of the fire was electrical. The vehicle has been inspected by an adjuster, but not by the dealer or a mechanic at this time. The failure mileage was unknown.