2004 Nissan Maxima steering problems

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1 COVE COURT

NHTSA complaint #10726440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 60MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLS OUT I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE I COME WITHIN SECONDS OF BEING REAR ENDED I'M IN THE MIDDLE LANE SO I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MERGE OVER BUT GUESS WHAT I CAN'T BECAUSE THE CAR IS STALLED OUT SO I PUT CAUTION LIGHTS ON AND IT TAKES ABOUT TWINS BEFORE THE CAR WILL EVEN START BACK UP AND WHEN IT DOES ITS GEARED UP TO WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A FIFTH GEAR AND IT BARLEY TAKES OFF I'M TALKING MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND IT'S TAKING OFF AT 2MPH COME ON NOW, SO CALL FOR HELP GET MY CAR TOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAID IT WAS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD IT REPLACED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF CAME AND PICKED UP MY CAR HAD TO DRIVE THAT DAY 45MINS FROM WHERE I LIVED AND ABOUT E0MINS INTO THE TRIP BAM IT STALLS AGAIN AT 60MPH SAME SCENARY AFTER THE CAR COOLS DOWN IT STARTS BACK UP JUST FINE BUT AFTER 30MINS OF A CONSTANT DRIVE IT STALLS OUT AND I'M STUCK IN 5TH GEAR ....PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #10706406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SUFFERS FROM A COMMON ISSUE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VALVE BODY CAUSES PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHIN THESE CARS. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN HARD JERKING / DELAYED SHIFTING WHEN CHANGING GEARS IN THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS MEANS LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY CATCHES ITSELF SINCE THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO REV HIGHER THAN NORMAL. OVERTIME THE CAR WILL EXPERIENCE SLOW ACCELERATION, DUE TO THE CAR BEING THROWN INTO A SAFETY MODE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH KEEPS THE CAR IN A "5TH" GEAR STATE. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE CODES THIS FAULTY PART WILL THROW, A VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PASS CERTAIN STATE EMISSIONS. REPAIRS ARE UPWARDS TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND UNFORTUNATELY REPLACING IT WITH THE SAME PART WILL ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE RESPONSE TIME, AND PUTS THE DRIVER AT SERIOUS RISK.

NHTSA complaint #10694351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER. I DON?T KNOW HOW I DID IT, BEING PETITE AND NOT SO STRONG, BUT I MANAGED TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE TO THE SIDE, THEN IT TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN THE KEY FOR A FEW SECONDS UNTIL THE ENGINE RESTARTED. IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, AND I WAS SAVED THE 5-7 TIMES THIS HAPPENED TO ME. LUCK WAS ON MY SIDE! I DIDN'T DRIVE MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE I WAS TERRIFIED MY CAR WOULD STALL AND MY SON AND I WOULD DIE IN A TERRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT. I FINALLY HAD TO GO TO MY SHOP AND REPLACE THE TWO CAMSHAFT SENSORS WITH THE FOLLOWING CODES P3040 AND P0345. WITH SOME SEARCHING, I FOUND OUT THAT I?M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I STAND BY THE FORMER COMPLAINT: ?I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMA?S WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT COVER AND RECALL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD ONLY RECALL CERTAIN MAKES WHEN IT IS THE SAME EXACT ERROR CODE ON BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS A P3040 AND P0345 CAM SENSOR/CAM SHAFT RECALL THROUGH NISSAN. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. SHOULDN'T THEY RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM?? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10588192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS PROBLEM BEGAN. WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE AND TURNING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER THE CAR WILL DIE, STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND THERE IS NO WAY TO STEER. UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT IN PARK THEN IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. YOU ALSO CANNOT EVEN STEER OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMAS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT WILL NOT COVER AND RECALL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD ONLY RECALL CERTAIN MAKES WHEN IT IS THE SAME EXACT ERROR CODE ON BOTH VEHICLES. IT IS A P3040 CAM SENSOR/CAM SHAFT RECALL THROUGH NISSAN. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. SHOULDN'T THEY RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10497783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAXIMA 18 MONTHS AGO. FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT,FROM THE ROTORS TO A WEIGHT FALLING OFF THE WHEEL(WHICH THEY SAY I LOST).I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING SO BAD I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT.WHEN I TOOK IT BACK FOR THE FIFTH TIME I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED(I HAD NOT OWNED IT BUT 2 MONTHS). FINALLY I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER (SAME AFFILIATE) WHO FIXED IT SO THE SHAKING WAS NOT AS BAD (AFTER 3 VISITS). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEN,AND NOW WHEN THE JERKING HAS GOTTEN WORSE,SOMETIMES JERKS SO HARD IT HURTS MY NECK. THE GEARS JERK WHEN CHANGING. I THOUGHT I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT A LEMON,BUT AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS (WHICH ARE EITHER THE SAME OR SIMILAR) I KNOW NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR LOOSE THERE LIVES(AS WELL AS OTHERS).AND I DO PLAN TO CONTINUE EMAILING SENDING LETTERS,AND CALLING UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS.NOW I DON'T FEEL ALONE IN THIS ISSUE JUST PISSED OFF. THAT NISSAN HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO ON SO LONG WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10448375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES,BODY WORK, DRIVERS DOOR. HAD ISSUES RIGHT AFTER WIFE BOUGHT THE CAR SHE WENT WITHOUT ME BUT UPON LOOKING AT CAR AFTER SHE CAME HOME WITH IT DID THE CAR FAX ON IT ON THING WERE SOME ELECTRICAL CHECKS THAT'S IT NO ACCIDENTS. STEERING TIGHT WHEN I DROVE IT AND NOTICED NOISE FROM SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND DRIVER DOOR SAGGING. BROUGHT TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THE SAID A BAR WAS RUBBING ON ANOTHER THEY FIX THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH SUSPENSION IN HEARING THINGS IS THERE EXACT WORDS AND REPLACED THE DOOR HINGES WHICH ARE PURPLE AND THE CAR IS RED DOOR SAGGING AGAIN BUT I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT END OF 2008 GOT SIDESWIPED BY 2500 DODGE RAM TRUCK AT 45 MPH ON DRIVERSIDE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT BECAUSE BODY SHOP ON REPAIR DAMAGE NOT REPLACED I BROUGHT MY CAR TO ANOTHER BODY SHOP BECAUSE OF ISSUES IM HAVING AND THEY SAID WORK WAS DONE INCORRECTLY. AND TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MILES CONTINUOUSLY WHEN I COME TO STOP AND START AGAIN THE TRANNY ALWAYS SLIPS BAD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND INTO 4TH SOMETIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10367952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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2004 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION ISSUES 1ST N 2ND SHIFT HARD, 2ND N 3RD SLIPPING SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10358280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MAXIMA 2004 SL 3.5 STEERING WHEEL TILT STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10345165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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.

NHTSA complaint #10322768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2003 IN CALIFORNIA. WITHIN MONTHS TO THE FIRST YEAR, I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. I'VE HAD MY WHEELS ALIGNED, TIRES BALANCE NUMEROUS TIMES AND CHECKED DUE TO A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY AND A CLANKING OR THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THESE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD FOR YEARS AND COMPLAINED CONTINUOUSLY. HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES FOR THESE PROBLEMS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. NISSAN FIXED NOISE AFTER 5 TIMES IN THE SHOP IN 2004 AND 2005. NOW OVER THE YEARS THE NOISE HAS COME BACK, BUT THE SHIMMY WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEM. I JUST LEARNED TO IGNORE IT UNTIL NOW. I'M READING NOW ONLINE OF OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M PLANNING ON APPROACHING MY NISSAN DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA ABOUT THE SHIMMY, ABNORMAL TIRE WARE AND CLANKIING NOISE AS WELL. CAN YOU HELP ME?

NHTSA complaint #10300131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE CAR RPM DROP DOWN BELOW 500, LAST YEAR IT LED TO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SPEND AROUND A GRAND, BUT NEVER FIX,UNTIL TODAY THE DEALER CLAIM THAT THIS HAPPENED TO NISSAN MAXIM 04, AND LAST YEAR I START HAVING STEERING SHAKING, THE DEALER TOLD IF I CHANGE MY RIMS AND TIRES IT WILL FIX IT, AND IN AUG-2008 I HAVE 4 NEW RIM AND GOOD YEARS TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM EXIT, I WENT IN JAN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD IF THEY TIGHTENED SOME THING IT WILL FIX, BUT NO I STILL HAVE UNTIL TODAY, CAR SHAKES IF YOU EXCEED SPEED OF 55 OR 50 M/H. I AM STILL HAVING THOSE PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY.

NHTSA complaint #10263565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5SE SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VERY HARD, ALSO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN I BACK UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A MONTH OR SO AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE WITH THE 2004 MAXIMA. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT NOW HAS 100,600 MILES. I HAVE JUST HAD THE RACK & PINION REPLACED LAST WEEK AS WELL AS THAT WAS BAD ($1100).

NHTSA complaint #10254732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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VEHICLE FRONT END SHAKES AT 40-70 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10240563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF MY CAR "SHIMMY'S". WHEN APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS "SHIMMY" BECOMES A BIT MORE PRONOUNCED. I HAVE HAD ALL WORK ON MY CAR DONE AT THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, AND THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE (TIRE PRESSURE, WHEEL BALANCE/ALIGNMENT, STRUTS) HAVE ALL BEEN LOOKED AT/REPLACED BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE; THEREFORE, IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE AND SHOULD BE FIXED VIA A RECALL - THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10240070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES, STRUTS, AND TIRES. THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CURRENTLY THE REAR SENSORS AND THE ACTUATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE THE ENTIRE TIME. HE CONSULTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS RECENTLY SURFACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,668.

NHTSA complaint #10232729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA EXP TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS @ 65K REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HAD (4) FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS (1) TRANSMISSION MOUNT.(1)RACK AND PINION REPLACED,(1) RIGHT FRONT AXLE REPLACED. STRUTS ARE NOW BAD! WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, OIL SEALS REPLACED AND THE FRONT END MAKES NOISE LIKE SOMETHING BIG IS LOOSE. OVER $12,000.00 DOLLARS INTO VEHICLE LAST YEAR ALONE? WHEN THE CAR CAME BACK WITH THE NEW TRANS IT STILL WAS NOT RIGHT ? I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING? I CHOSE NOT TO PAY @ LAST MINUTE TO BRING TO THERE ATTENTION AND I WAS SENT TO COLLECTIONS? I AM STILL PAYING THE $3,997.00 PLUS $1,500.00 FINE FOR ISF THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS 2ND TRANSMISSION AND ITS GONE BAD NOW AS WELL? NISSAN DID REPLACE THE RIGHT AXLE @NO/CHARGE THAT WAS ALL.

NHTSA complaint #10217011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE WORSENED WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER, THEY ALIGNED AND BALANCED THE TIRES. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,740 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,134.

NHTSA complaint #10204366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

VERY BAD STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY IN 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE FIXED BY BUYING NEW TIRES, CHANGING THE WHEELS, PUTTING ON NEW ROTORS, ROTATING AND BALANCING THE TIRES, AND TIGHTENING THE STEERING RACK. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED ALL THE LUGS SAYING THEY WERE THE WRONG KIND WHEN IN FACT THEY INSTALLED THE WRONG ONES.

NHTSA complaint #10182736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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PROBLEM 2 OF 5: PURCHASED 2004 MAXIMA BRAND NEW. CAR IS NOW 10 MONTHS OLD. ON OR ABOUT 2/24/05 MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THE MAXIMA'S TILT MOTOR WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES TO DRIVER'S MEMORY POSITION. MY CAR WAS STUCK UPRIGHT. IT WAS STUCK SO HIGH UP IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A BUS AND VERY HARD TO TURN. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE STEERING WHEEL UP LIKE A BUS DRIVER. IT WAS DANGEROUS AND VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND HAD TO MANUALLY ADJUST MY STEERING WHEEL TO A MORE COMFORTABLE POSITION SO I CAN DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. ON 3/11/05 THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY REPLACED THE INOP TILT MOTOR. ALSO, MY TRUNK STILL POPS OPEN SOMETIMES IN REVERSE.

NHTSA complaint #10165356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

PROBLEM #2 (OUT OF 4/5): PURCHASED 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA BRAND NEW. MY SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM, I THINK THE CAR WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON THE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTS TO YOUR LIKING AUTOMATICALLY. WELL, IT BROKE. SO WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE TO ME, IT WAS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN I TRIED TO MANUALLY MOVE TO DOWN AND CLOSER TO ME SO I CAN DRIVE THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK UPRIGHT LIKE A BUS DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL. I HAD NOT CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP LIKE THAT. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING LIKE THAT, SINCE IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, CONSIDERING HOW HIGH IT WAS AND CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD IT WAS. HUNTINGTON, NY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART TO FIX THE STEERING WHEEL, AGAIN A ELECTRONIC PROBLEM. I DID NOT HAVE MY CAR FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAD TO MAKE ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE, WHICH BY THE WAY, DOES NOTHING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THIS DEALERSHIP TREATS CUSTOMERS LIKE GARBAGE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WOMAN. ALSO, STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM, EVERY NOW AND THEN WHEN I REVERSE, MY TRUNK POPS OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10165351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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BOUGHT THE MAXIMA NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2004, AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I STARTED NOTICING STEERING VIBRATIONS, WHICH WAS GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. THEY MANIFEST TYPICALLY AROUND 55 MPH. AFTER TAKING IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SHIMMY HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. THE SHIMMY IS DISTRACTING, EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND PROBABLY CAUSE EXTRA WEAR AND TEAR ON FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE TIRES. AT THIS MOMENT NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND FOR MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10157648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING IT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA complaint #10156313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON A POSITION AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT SHOVED THE STEERING WHEEL EACH TIME TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A 5 MINUTE INTERVAL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10147228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

NHTSA complaint #10146609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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.

NHTSA complaint #10131037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH AND UP DEALER TOLD MY TIRES WEREOUT OF BALANCE GOT TIRES BALANCE STILL HAVE PROBLEM,DRIVING DOWN TO FLORIDA FROM NEW YORK WAS A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10104851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

THERE IS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT ANY SPEED. IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOOSE TIE-ROD ENDS OR AXLE. THE NOISE STOPS OR IS MUFFLED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. I ALSO HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE, WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TIE-ROD AND AXLE NEED REPLACING AND IT PRODUCES THE SAME NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS EXCEPT MORE SEVERE. THE PAINT ON MY MAXIMA ALSO HAS A ROUGH FINISH TO IT.

NHTSA complaint #10102352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY SINCE PURCHASED IN JUNE, 2004. SHIMMY OCCURS BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH. HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY EVEN APPLIED THE FOLLOWING SERVICE BULLETIN TO NO AVAIL: SERVICE BULLETIN NUM : 04085 , DATE OF BULLETIN: JUL 16, 2004 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10008836.

NHTSA complaint #10095624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.