2004 Nissan Maxima: sudden loss of power

Filed May 16, 2019 · Transmission · 155,000 miles · TX

When driving the car wil lose power and start jerking badly, cutting back like losing power. It feels as if it is going to stop in the middle of the road. I took it to a well know transmission specialist and was told that this is a problem with several nissan cars including mine. There are several recalls including the 2003 but not my year,I'm confused and it's getting worse. But it's a known issue. I don't understand. My safety is warranted???

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power as the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the valve body of the transmission failed and that the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · IN

When shifting from park-reverse or reverse-drive, the transmission has a short delay before "jumping" into gear. This problem was intermittent and seemed to only occur during extremely cold temperatures. I had a transmission flush performed ($65) that seemed to remedy the problem but it returned within 5k miles. Several months later, the transmission randomly became unresponsive at speeds of 20-30mph at which time the rpms would increase rapidly with loss of acceleration. Another transmission flush was performed and the problem seemed worse. Finally while driving on the interstate at 70mph the vehicles transmission suddenly "slammed" then the service engine light was activated with a noticeable power loss. Upon slowing down to exit the highway the vehicle stalled and died. It restarted but the throttle was restricted. The vehicles gear was changed to manual mode and it was discovered that the transmission was stuck in 5th gear. At that point the vehicle got stuck in 5th gear after 15-20 min of driving and the low speed power loss became almost constant. The vehicle was no longer driven until it was put on diagnostics by a transmission specialist ($60) and the code indicated the failure of 3 sensors: cam position sensor, electronic acceleration position sensor and transmission speed sensor. The nissan dealership was contacted to inquire about the issue and the error codes and they acknowledged this as a common problem with no suggestions other than replacing the sensors. The electronic acceleration position sensor required a new throttle body which was then replaced ($115). The 2 cam sensors ($120) and transmission speed sensor, aka transmission revolution output sensor, were then purchased ($125). I had to take the car to a nissan dealer and pay another $365 to get the new sensors flashed. The problem still remains. I'm now looking at getting the tranny replaced.

Filed Mar 24, 2012 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · FL

Vehicle suddenly lost power while traveling at 45mph. Transmission acting very strangely now.

Filed Sep 15, 2011 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle would violently jerk when attempting to shift between gears and she would lose power. The dealer advised the contact that she needed to replace the transmission valve body. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. The current mileage was 77,614. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2011 · Transmission · 100,750 miles · KS

The automatic transmission is shifting very eradiclly. Uneven downshifts and a losss of power during acceleration due to the fact that the transmission sticks in 5th gear. This loss of power is very dangerous as there is no warning as to when the car is going to do this. If you try to perform a manual downshift the car slams itself as if it had been struck from behind. Because these are performance cars this is a very dangerous situation. The cars are only now starting to reach that mile stone where the damage is so fall along that the threat of bodily harm is greatly increased from past incidents.

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · MA

For the 4th time in 35,000 miles the car began to misfire, run rough and lose power. Since we have experienced this before we quickly pulled over and had it towed to a mechanic. The mechanic told us that the same parts failed that failed the last three times. These consist of ignition coils (plural). Changing these fixed the problem for 5 weeks where the problem happened again although more catastrophic. Grounding cables ($2250, six coils ($1,100), and then whatever else (ECM is expected and maybe cylinder sensors). Doing internet research has resulted that this is a known problem for the 2004 line that nissan has refused to compensate owners for.

Filed Jun 7, 2011 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · AZ

2004 nissan - transmission problems, car jerks terribly between all gears, jerks when put in reverse at times has lost all power while driving. Many, many have the same complaint. This is a danger and nissan needs to recall and fix this problem.

Filed Sep 16, 2010 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 nissan maxima. When the gears shifted from second to third, the transmission lost power, shook, and accelerated rapidly. In 2009 the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure. The dealer replaced the transmission fluid, the cam-shaft sensor, but the failure wasn't corrected. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who advised that the transmission had to be replaced. The vehicle wasn't repaired. The manufacturer will be contacted. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 102,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2010 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan maxima. She stated that while driving at speeds of 30 MPH, the vehicle abnormally lunged forward, causing the vehicle to lose power for approximately 3 seconds, before regaining normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been contacted. The failure and current mileages were 87,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2009 · Engine, Tires · MD

2004 maxima has had timing chain noise for years has been blowing oil for 2 years now transmission is banging and shifting very hard losing power etc. For 3 months now had trans flushed did not help at all tires were defective in the first year A/C has not worked for 2 years this car is very much a lemon.

Filed Sep 22, 2008 · Transmission · 108,035 miles · OH

When driving, the vehicle will shift into 5th gear by itself and stay locked in that gear. When this initially occurs the engine will stall, making it very difficult to steer due to loss of power steering. After restarting the vehicle, transmission remains in 5th gear making it hazardous to drive in any conditions.