2004 Nissan Maxima: whining or grinding noise

Filed Aug 7, 2011 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NJ

Timing chain whine. Altima, quest, maxima, and other nissan vehicles with the vq35de engine.

Filed Mar 30, 2009 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · LA

My vehicle first started jerking into gear around 9/2008. This was a very seldom thing at first and I assumed that I may have taken my foot off the brake too fast not allowing it time to get to the gear. I had about 90k miles then. It started to do it more than just going into reverse or drive but also when I would accelerate and slow down or stop. I took it to a local dealership and they could not detect anything at first. I brought it again at the time when it was jerking and the service engine was now coming on. They had a list of codes. I was instructed to bring it to a transmission specialist. I took it to 2 out of town and one local. It was stated that the transmission needed to be replaced @ a cost of 4,100$ approx. I was not financially able to handle this cost and pay a $570 car as well. I continued to drive the vehicle because it is my only transportation to and from work. The jerking came and went until now it does it everytime all the time when I am driving. It has progressively gotten worse. It w it now has about 112,000k. Last week 3/26 it left me at the drive up window of the bank. I had to have someone push me out of the way. Due to the large amount of other nissan owners that are having the same problems as I am I feel that this is a problem with our vehicles that is the responsibility of nissan. I am complaining because I have taken great care of my vehicle and it has failed me not because of normal wear and tear but because of an obvious manufacturer defect. I consider this vehicle an endangerment because with the jerking which feels like whiplash you are afraid to get into the flow of traffic because if you have to slow down it may jerk causing a halt or if you need to speed up or pass someone you never know if it will smoothly or just jerk and whine causing an accident. My vehicle has stopped and I will not be paying on it anymore causing my credit rating to decline. This is my 3rd nissan vehicle and the last on.

Filed Jan 7, 2009 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · MA

The engine started to whine during normal routine driving with only 55k miles. This repair will cost thousands of dollars and based on the frequency of this repair with the transmission and timing chain in 2004 maximas, the logical recourse from a manufacturer's point of view should be a product recall.

Filed Dec 28, 2008 · Engine · 57,525 miles · MA

Car started making a whining sound similar to a turbo whine under acceleration, this got progressively worse with time and mileage. Turned out to be upper cam chain tensioners resulting in the engine having to be removed from the car to repair. Replacement parts are redesigned and dealer said most vq35 and vq40 engines are effected. Problem is the symptom's don't show up until 50-75k miles and will not be covered by nissan.

Filed Oct 17, 2008 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · MN

2004 nissan maxima se with 5-speed automatic transmission. 48,000 miles. Normal driving/commute car. Small amount of miles/short commute. Initial observation of problem was slipping of the transmission and finally complete failure. Transmission engages into gears (reverse and drive) with a violent jolt, equivalent to a minor collision. Transmission doesn't shift gears while attempting to drive, only stays in what seems to be second or third gear. Doesn't shift in auto or manual shift modes. There is often a distinct whining sound coming from the transmission as well. Vehicle is no longer drivable. Nothing has been done to transmission as the problem occurred immediately once the vehicle came out of warranty.

Filed Sep 22, 2008 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · NJ

My 2004 nissan maxima (38,500 miles) bucks when moving from a stopped position. It feels as if the transmission and engine are moving forward in a jerking motion. There is also a noticeable whine coming from the engine.