Problems with 2004 Nissan Maxima SUSPENSION

I bought this 2004 nissan maxima at difeo nissan dealership of jersey city. since i got it, i had to take it four times to the dealer to change front struts. right now as i am sending you this email, i can hear that sound again. this is causing me a lot of inconvience, so i would be glad if someone can do something about it. i paid a lot of money for this car and i don't think i should be going through all this frustration for a car i spend so much money for. secondly the c.d. don't play when it's cold in the car. please could someone get back to me or do something about these problems for me please. thank you,seepersaud. *nm

Dt: contact complained about strut problems. they kept wearing out. first happened on 8-23-04, and dealer repaired it. the last time the struts were repaired was on 8-8-05. also, had front end vibration . they sanded down the brake pads and that fixed the vibration problem. *ak

I have a 2004 nissan maxima that has been having problems with the struts from day one. also the car has a shimmy at a certain speed

Both front struts make noise when going over all bumps in road. front of car is becoming bouncy when driving over time due to struts failing and excessive noise.. will become dangerous to drive soon. dealer replaced both front struts. *nm

Dt: consumer leased new maxima. about 6 months later had to replace a tire. took vehicle to service dealer and had replacement. over this weekend a different tire came off while driving, but the repaired tire has slits in the tread as all the other ones do as well. the dealer noted this was a problem with the 2004 maxima. also there is shock problems known to nissan but no recalls but dealers are aware of this and must replace those issues including the sunroof which apparently can shatter under extreme heat. car is currently in shop for repair. *ak

Front struts replaced on my brand new 2004 nissan maxima after 9 months. i also had to have my rotors turned after 18k miles. i know of others that had/have the same problems.*jb

I will include all of my problems i have had with my 04 maxima se. the first major probem i had was my front right strut went out and had to be replaced. problem fixed. next, problem was on occasoion my car wouldnt start first dealer trip they told me their was no problem and the next time leave the car dead and have the car towed. so, it happend again had the car towed and then they replaced the battery which i had to pay for the pro-rated battery. so, it happend again had the car towed and now they replaced the electrial module that controls the headlights. problem has been fine for 2 weeks +. now the left front strut went out and wondering when i should bring the car in again. i have 25000 mile and not yet 2yrs old and the car has been in for repair atleast 7 times. i hate my 35k dollar car.*ak

Brand new 2004 nissan maxima, driven normally for months and recently started noticing the struts making a banging noise over normal light road bumps. the ride quality has since deteriorated and is now reaching the point of being dangerous to drive. it has been to two nissan dealers so far who refuse to acknowledge the problem and keep trying to blame it on me, meanwhile hundreds of other people complain about the same problem, and many other dealerships acknowledge it. there must be something done at the coroprate level from nissan to rectify this problem. allowing the dealers to decide what is good and bad, while half of the parts are defective is solving nothing, and only creating more of a hazard and hassle for all maxima owners.*ak

The front passenger strut failed has now been replaced 4 times. after 500 miles of driving the strut appears to be ok. however, the car failed to start today. over the past 3 weeks the weather has been changing between single digits to upper 30's. on colder mornings the relays inside the vehicle near the glove box would make a clicking noise while attempting to start the car. the car would crank hard several times before starting. at the same time the relays would make a clicking noise. the vehicle finally didn't want to start today 1/12/05. there is a tsb for the power distribution module. i believe this is the problem. my car was towed to my dealership.*ak

The windshield rubber on the top was loose when i bought this car. also i noticed there was a scratchy sound when i turned on the wiper right on the first day i took this car home. i checked it and found out that the wiper rubber was came loose and the steel touch the windshield class. it scratch the windshield. the stevens creek dealer was very nice and they did change the windshield and tighten the seal arround the windshield. 2 days ago it was rain preaty hard in where i live. in the morning when i drove the car i was shock that there was water coming out from the lights interior. it was preaty bad and i couldn't believe i paid so much for this piece a junk. many times the engine would stalled, you can't gas and loose the power. i brought it to the same dealer, they couldn't regenerate the problem thus they don't know how to fix it. the tire vibrate between 50-80 mph and they couldn't fix that one either. i've been driving so many cars...and this is the worst one. this is would be my first and last nissan and i'm planning to sale it asap. i have a feeling that this car's resale value would be lot lower the mistsubishi. one more thing; the driver seat cover on the back came loose also and it hanging on the seat and shows the inside of the seat. did i tell you this car is a piece of junk already? now you know.*ak

When snow is under the suspension the steering wheel vibrates uncontrollably. *ak

2004 and newer nissan maximas has a serious steering wheel vibration after 40mph. nissan dealership says they are no complaints, but the internet if full of customers having this same problem. my car is 6years old but only has 34,000 miles. new tires, brakes,rotors,alignment multiply tire balances has not fixed this problem. on the internet customer have replaced struts, bearing,cv axles and problem still exist. this seems like a problem needs to be addressed. *tr

The front driver side strut continues to fail. the part has been replaced two times, however the cause has yet to be determined. please provide additional information. *jb the consumer stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer 9 or 10 times because they could not find the trembing in the steering. the consumer would like to know if failed struts are a safety issue. *tc

Consumer complained about a front strut problem.. when driving over a pot hole the piston inside the strut broke, causing vibration in the front of the vehicle. also, it effected the alignment of the vehicle. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was informed by the dealer that the struts needed to repaired. the parts were on back order, and it could take almost 3 months before the parts needed become available. *ak

10,522k miles,- i broke down due to failure of alternator and battery. dealership replaced both. 15,358k miles,- i complained about a loud rattling noise, like a flat tire rattling grinding noise and car feeling shaky.= dealership found no problem. continuing driving my car thinking everything is ok. i bought it brand new so i shouldn't really worry. i was wrong for thinking that. 27,500 mi. -i broke down again got towed to the dealership,where they replaced another alternator. 27,732-i brought it back to dealership, because i just thought the noise my car still made didn't seem right.= dealership resecured heatshield 3. 26'099 mi.-r/f headlight bulb burnt out. dealer fixed that one. 28'071 mi.-left side front headlight burnt out. dealer replaced . 29,276 mi.- i paid $300.00 for my major service that was due for my car, also thinking maybe my car wouldn't be as noisy as it is. maybe the dealership might find the problem. 31'431 mi.- i still hear the grinding noise,the cover under engine was loose, my air conditioner was not cold enough, and the center console was loose.=this time the dealership said it was the heat shield for the grinding noise, they fixed the loose cover under engine,fixed center console, and replaced low pressure hose in the a/c. 31'813 mi.- car still making the grinding noise, i hear knocking noises from the back of the car when i reverse, and the a/t light stays on longer than normal,then turnes off.= dealer replaced front exaust pipe, said the knocking noise i hear in the back of the car, is from the aftermarket air cleaner.(that is in the front of car).when i picked up my car from the dealership, i felt like this time my car was going to be fixed.i got in my headed for home.i heard the same noise i have been complaining about since 15,358 mi.i turned around brought right back in to service.=they replaced the rear manifold and cat converter.i picked up my car but i still hear the noise my car makes and it is louder when turning. *jb

My 2004 nissan maxima has had 3 sets of front struts replaced starting at 8k miles from new...the dealer has diagnosed the need for a forth set of front struts at 62k miles. *jb

I have had three sets of struts replaced on my 2004 nissan maxima. the latest set of struts are exhibiting early signs of failure. the struts knock when going over larger bumps in the road. they also exhibit more noise when cold. *ak

Steering wheel shimmy at speeds above 50 mph. i took the car to dealer three times. it was not acknowledged in the first trip. front tires were balanced in the second trip. problem still exists and the car is in the dealer for the third time. it has less than 1000 miles on it. *ak

This vehicle has moderate vibration at highway speeds. the dealer has done the following to try and eliminate the problem: 1). balanced all 4 tires - 14oct04. 2). adjusted the steering rack, and balanced 4 tires - 18oct04. 3). replaced front tires, and balanced - 25oct04 (am). 4). replaced rear tires, and balanced - 25oct04 (pm). the dealer's service manager rode with me (during the test drive) following each of these events, and the vibration still exists. also, the exterior finish has a rough feel to it. it appears that this vehicle was in an area where clear coating as being applied (to a different vehicle), and was not properly protected. visually, one cannot tell. touching the vehicle, the exterior surfaces are not smooth to the touch.*ak

1. normal driving; 2. both front struts on the vehicle were blown; and 3. dealer replaced the parts under warranty. *ak

Struts on 2004 maxima have had to be replaced twice so far (13,000 miles presently on car). first time at approx 6,000 miles.*ak

While driving at fairly high speeds vehicle shakes. when taken to dealer for service it was determined tha tshaking was due to balancing and alignment. the front right shock strut had to be replaced due to wear.*ak

Normal driving conditions. 8000 miles on my vehical. purchased car in april. few weeks afterwards i heard a rattling sound on the driver side wheel well very time i drive over small bumps. i took it to the dealer in july after much denial that nothing was wrong. dealer couldn't find the problem and was sent home. nothing was corrected and i still hear the sound to this day.*ak

I purchased the vehicle with only 30 miles, we were the first one's to test drive the car. during the drive we noticed a vibration in the steering wheel between 60-80 miles per hour. the sales person advised us that the car simply needed to be balance since it has been sitting on the lot for for 4months and the tires had a dull spot. we scheduled the service 4 days after the purchase. after the dealer replaced the tires with brand new continental tires, aligned, road force balance the vehicle. the problem still persist. nissan consumer affair said that the car was tuned to spec and that we would have to live with it. can someone explain to me why i am paying for a defective car and cannot do anything about it. [email protected]. *ak

While driving at highway speed steering wheel shook. dealership inspected vehicle twice. first time they tightened the suspension system. the second time dealership replaced the front rotors, but the problem recurred. also, radiator failed. *ak

Bought the nissan maxima on august 10, 2004 from vob nissan in rockville, md. under 100 miles, took back to dealer due to unacceptable level of vibration in the front wheels felt through the steering wheel generally between 40 and 70 mph on smooth surfaced highway driving. initially i was told this is probably due to flat spots on the tires per car sitting in the lot for an extended time. but the vibration continued. when cruising more pronounced. dealer initially performed wheel balancing which didn't work. then they replaced the front two continental tires which still didn't work. they performed ??road force balancing?? check. the tires had readings of close to 40 where the acceptable reading should be below 10. there was also an issue with the brakes. when driven at highway speeds and brakes are applied, the steering was visibly vibrating. vob also noticed the warped rotors in front and re-surfaced them. dealer replaced the continental tires with michelin mxv4. noticeable improvement in handling but not quite. dealer did everything possible per written tsbs, etc. and that there is nothing else he could do, therefore call the manufacturer. 3/22/05 i contacted darcars of rockville. they replaced the brake pads which were unevenly worn and also re-surfaced the rotors in a special machine while they were attached to the car as recommended by nissan. vibration problem was markedly better after that. however, i still feel the problems when pressing the break pedal lightly going at speed. also when driving above 60 mph on straight roads. i am debating whether to take the car back to the dealer now or wait for it to get worse. it has been a constant frustration.

Sun roof assembly was replaced due to leakage because it was installed wrongly. the strut suspension malfunctioned, it made a clunking noise as if it was loose. *ak

Stering and vibration at 50 to 70 mph. *ak

Passenger side strut makes noise when going over bumps. *ak

Bad steering wheel shimmy at 45-60 mph, then severe vibration at 75 mph (highway cruising speed). manufacturer contacted on several occasions, indicated that they do not have a solution and acknowledge that there is a proble.*ak

The maxima had 1600 miles on it and the right front strut failed. the car was driven under normal road conditions; no excessive roads encountered.*ak the dealership replaced both front struts. at 5500 miles the right front strut is begining to fail yet again. nissan is knowingly replacing defective struts with defective struts! the reason is that no other struts are commercially available

2004 nissan maxima--front struts defective immediately after purchase of auto...dealer replaced struts...now with 3000 miles on them , they are bad again, and i'm going to dealer to see what they say. *jb

Front end vibrates when driving on the freeway. car has been to dealer multiple times for tire rotation, tire replacement and lowering of air pressure in tires. issue is still not resolved and i am told this is how nissan cars drive. *ak the consumer has requested that nhtsa disregard this complaint. *sc the consumer was responded to about her request to drop the complaint. front end vibration as described by the consumer may result in a steering or suspension system failure therefore nhtsa requests from the consumer for information to be kept in files. *tc

When driving 5 mph a rattling noise came from the front. vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that front strut needed to be replaced, and that part was on back order. *ak

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no specific speed, the front end shimmies and vibrates. the vehicle was taken to the local dealership numerous times for inspection. the left front struts were replaced twice and the right front struts five times. the vehicle is awaiting the replacement of the right front strut for the sixth time. however, the part is on back order. the contact stated the vehicle is drivable, but very unsafe.

While driving, the steering wheel vibrated heavily. it was hard to turn the wheel. *ak the dealer exchanged the vehicle for another and the new vehicle has experienced the same problems. the vehicle would also pull. *sc *jb

While driving at any speed vehicle veerd to the right. vehicle veered even more to the right when the brakes were depressed. dealer has performed a front end alignment twice within a thirty day period.*ak

The vehicle has a steering wheel vibration at speeds exceeding 40 mph. the vehicle also has a violent vibration when braking. i have taken the vehicle to the dealership on several occasions without a satisfiable resolution.*ak

I bought this car on april 2004. on june 2004 it began to have problems with shock absorbers or struts. this happens 2 or 3 times a year and every time the dealer changes them for new ones they break again. they changed them last time on january 4, 2007 and the banging noise is starting again which is the sign that they will break soon. after the warranty expires this will become a burden. *nm

Shimmied in the steering wheel at speeds between 50- -60 mph to the point of loosing steering control of 2004, nissan maxima. the dealer rotated the tires at my expense at least 3 times, which has not solved the problem. no dealer's response to the dilemma, and, i hate driving the car because of this unsafe condition.*ak

I_x0019_ve been trying to get the problems fixed with my new car. it has been shaking (steering wheel), on my 2004 nissan maxima since the day i bought it, april 8/2004 @ dobbs nissan memphis, tn. i_x0019_ve had the car in 5 different car dealerships--- #1april 12/04 courtesy nissan inc., richardson, tx-- #2 april 14/04 dobbs nissan, memphis, tn---#3 may 7/04 carlock, tupelo, ms ---#4 may 17/04 crump nissan, jasper, al--- #5 columbus, ms numerous times. after 5 (five) sets tires, that_x0019_s 20 (twenty) new tires, 12 being continental all weather and 8 bridgestone potenza s-03 and 10 (ten) balance jobs, i still have the problem. the car has around 10,000 miles now and about half of them were put on going to the dealers. i sent a registered letter may 25-2004 to consumers affairs, and then nissan flew in a technical specialist from ca. he took a few pictures of the tires. guess what? it needed a balance job. now, the dealer has 2 more tires ordered, i_x0019_ve had to get all these tires myself, but the last two. i_x0019_m no technical specialist but i believe it_x0019_s the car not the tires. looks like the lemon law is next!!!*ak

Steering wheel shimmies at speeds from 50-80 mph and also shimmies harshly when braking at lower speeds. *nm

When vehicle is driven at 50+ mph, steering wheel vibrates badly. took the car to dealer and they rebalanced wheels and tires. problem still persists. complained to nissan consumer affairs. *ak

Steering wheel shimmies excessively at any speed. it does it more when driver position is set to 1. have tried redoing the setting starting from position 2 but doesn't work. taken the car to the dealer but unable to find cause. i noticed there are similar complaints. nissan said they were going to test a 2004 maxima they knew didn't have problems to try and find the issue. haven't heard anything. i have the tires rotated every other oil change which is probably before each 7500 mile requirement. tire pressure is maintained adequately as well. seems to be getting worse. tires are in good condition only 22000 miles 99% of that is driven on the freeway daily.*ak

1) manufacturer defect in the suspension (2004 nissan maxima se) 2) caused car to make a sudden reflex to the right twice on the highway 3) dealer ( nissan of el monte ) has replace struts and other suspension parts more than 4 times after 10 dealer inspections.

Around 50 to 60 mph, the steering wheel shimmies. original tires were balanced 3 times, did not correct problem. dealer then replaced tires, problem still persist. also intermittent rattling at various speeds coming from front driver suspension. *ak

When driving vehicle shook uncontrollably at any speed. *ak there was a severe vibration in the steering wheel, seats, a defect in the rubber molding of the windshield, the brakes squealed, the brake rotors were out of round and a grinding sound when the steering wheel was turned. the tires were rotated a few times, the brakes were lubed and sanded, power steering rack was adjusted, brake rotors were replaced and a brand new set of tires were added. *sc

I think you need to look into the issue of shimmy or vibration in the maxima's 2004-2005-2006. my car has the shimmy and i and the dealer have done just about everything nissan says to do to resolve the issue. i even bought new tires another brand and it is still there. $$$ what is happening is that there is a constant shimmy in the steering wheel. the shimmy is mostly very light except for certain speeds the you can see it in the wheel. it is not the tires .. it may be the wheels or the steering components. if you or nissan would poll all of the owners of the maximas you will find that this issue is the norm and not exception. go out onto the web to www.maxima.org and under 6th gen look at the complaints under shimmy. i don't know of anyone who has a maxima that doesn't have the shimmy and i am sure there are many who just live with it. this issue will keep me from buying another maxima. this could be a safety issue at higher speeds as that is when the shimmy really shows up. please take a closer look at this. *jb

Intermittently at 55 mph steering wheel vibrated badly. dealer replaced the wheels and tires twice, but problem still persisted.*ak *mr