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2005 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Maxima years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Maxima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

822 reports with mileage · 126 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 777 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports10 fire reports19 injury reports

Power Train complaints

777 reports
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120,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Power Train

I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED/SERVICED AT A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND JERKING BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH. SOMETIME IT ALSO SLIPS AND JERKS WHEN I ENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR. I ALSO STARTED SMELLING A FAINT BURNING SMELL SINCE THEN. AT A 130000 I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DRAINED AND FILL…

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I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED/SERVICED AT A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND JERKING BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH. SOMETIME IT ALSO SLIPS AND JERKS WHEN I ENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR. I ALSO STARTED SMELLING A FAINT BURNING SMELL SINCE THEN. AT A 130000 I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DRAINED AND FILLED AGAIN AS THE COLOR OF THE FLUID HAD CHANGED TO DARK RED. I HAD HOPED THAT THE SLIPPING AND JERKING WOULD GO AWAY, BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. IN FACT IT HAS GROWN WORSE. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM 2004-06 MAXIMA OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT NISSAN OWNS UP TO THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THESE 2004-06 MAXIMAS AND ISSUES A RECALL, REPLACEMENT AND A FIX OF THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THERE ARE POSTS ON NUMEROUS NISSAN FORUMS ABOUT OWNERS WHO HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE SOLENOID AND VALVE RELATED, WITHIN THE BAD TRANSMISSIONS. I DID APPROACH A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, EXPLAINED THIS PROBLEM IN DETAIL, BUT GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SUCH A PROBLEM EXISTS. I HOWEVER GOT ESTIMATE OF $4500 FROM ONE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BY SOME NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS SINCE 2011. I AM CURRENTLY RESEARCHING JOINING THEM IN THIS LAWSUIT. I AM ON MY THIRD MAXIMA SINCE 1999. IF NISSAN DOES NOT COME THROUGH WITH A RECALL/REPLACEMENT/FIX OF THIS PROBLEM, THIS IS SURELY MY LAST ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587869

89,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Power Train

THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH I PURCHASED IT FROM BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SPORADICALLY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 102K MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN GOING…

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THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH I PURCHASED IT FROM BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SPORADICALLY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 102K MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN GOING INTO SAFE MODE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MORE THAT 10 TO 12 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584403

75,000 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10583874

115,000 miles · Apr 15, 2014
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I HAVE AN 2005 MAXIMA 3.5L SL. IT HAS BEEN JERKING GOING INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING AND ALSO DURING DECELERATION. ONLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN UNDER 20MPH, THEN PRESS THE GAS @ ABOUT 17MPH APPX. THEN IT SHIFTS HARD. THE TRANSMISSIONS IS NOT WANTING TO GO INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THEN WHEN IT DOES IT JERKS REALLY HARD WHICH IS NOW…

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I HAVE AN 2005 MAXIMA 3.5L SL. IT HAS BEEN JERKING GOING INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING AND ALSO DURING DECELERATION. ONLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN UNDER 20MPH, THEN PRESS THE GAS @ ABOUT 17MPH APPX. THEN IT SHIFTS HARD. THE TRANSMISSIONS IS NOT WANTING TO GO INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THEN WHEN IT DOES IT JERKS REALLY HARD WHICH IS NOW MESSING UP THE MOTOR MOUNTS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10582928

50,000 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Power Train

NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. WHEN IT DID ENGAGE THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FORWARD SURGE. THIS BECAME VERY SERIOUS WHEN STOPPED AT BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD PROCEED TO CROSS INTERSECTION THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD. WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO PASS SLOWER CARS THE SAME ST…

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NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. WHEN IT DID ENGAGE THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FORWARD SURGE. THIS BECAME VERY SERIOUS WHEN STOPPED AT BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD PROCEED TO CROSS INTERSECTION THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD. WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO PASS SLOWER CARS THE SAME STRONG FORWARD SURGE WOULD OCCUR. I RETURNED THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $800.00. THEY FELT THAT WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT! I SIGNED ON TO THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED COUNTLESS OF THE OTHER 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS WITH THE VERY SAME COMPLAINT. I CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THE SURGE AND THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. MY WIFE DRIVES THE MAXIMA MOST OF THE TIME AND IS AFRAID THAT WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED OR KILLED AS FAR AS I KNOW. NOT YET!! I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT NHTSA SHOULD BE CONCERNED AND HAVE THIS CAR RECALLED FOR REPAIRS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION AND CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578623

125,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION IS FAILING PREMATURELY. THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE ONLINE. HARD KNOCK WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THEN DELAY IN TRANSMISSION "CATCHING" 4TH GEAR (LOSS OF POWER). IF ACCELERATION IS NEEDED AT THAT POINT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. ALSO, IMMEDIATE LOSS OF …

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2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION IS FAILING PREMATURELY. THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE ONLINE. HARD KNOCK WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THEN DELAY IN TRANSMISSION "CATCHING" 4TH GEAR (LOSS OF POWER). IF ACCELERATION IS NEEDED AT THAT POINT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. ALSO, IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION IS A SAFETY CONCERN IN ALL CASES. ACCORDING TO ONLINE REPORTS, THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS AND THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576321

170,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Power Train

TRANS SLIPPING AND JERKING IN TO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575516

109,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Power TrainSteering

I AM HAVING A TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT CANT SEEM TO BE FIGURED OUT. I AM EXPERIENCING A HARD JERK WHEN I SHIFT GEARS FROM 1ST-2ND GEAR. IT WONT HAPPEN FOR DAYS BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL COMEBACK. FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE LOTS OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON 2004-EARLY …

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I AM HAVING A TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT CANT SEEM TO BE FIGURED OUT. I AM EXPERIENCING A HARD JERK WHEN I SHIFT GEARS FROM 1ST-2ND GEAR. IT WONT HAPPEN FOR DAYS BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL COMEBACK. FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE LOTS OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON 2004-EARLY 2005 MODEL NISSAN MAXIMAS. I LOVE THE CAR BUT NISSAN NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575458

89,000 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IN DECEMBER 2012 - AND DROVE IT SMOOTHLY AND PEACEFULLY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. ONCE THE MILEAGE HIT ABOUT 89,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE VIOLENTLY HARD SHIFTING BEGAN, STALLING BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE AND REVERSE INTO DRIVE. ONE TIME IT SHIFTED SO HARD, TH…

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I PURCHASED MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IN DECEMBER 2012 - AND DROVE IT SMOOTHLY AND PEACEFULLY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. ONCE THE MILEAGE HIT ABOUT 89,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE VIOLENTLY HARD SHIFTING BEGAN, STALLING BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE AND REVERSE INTO DRIVE. ONE TIME IT SHIFTED SO HARD, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SEEMED AS THOUGH I HAD NO FIRST GEAR. I WANTED THIS PARTICULAR CAR SO BAD - AND AM NOW SO DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN -A COMPANY AND CAR THAT AT ONE TIME I VALUED SO MUCH. WHAT A LET DOWN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR THAT I STILL OWE 10K ON - WOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574048

88,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Power Train

THE CAR JERKS INTO GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A LIGHT. AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 3000 RPM, THE CAR BUCKS AND JERKS INTO GEAR. THE ENGINE REVS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES GEARS. WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, WHEN CHANGING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR PARK, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND JERKS VERY HARD…

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THE CAR JERKS INTO GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A LIGHT. AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 3000 RPM, THE CAR BUCKS AND JERKS INTO GEAR. THE ENGINE REVS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES GEARS. WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, WHEN CHANGING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR PARK, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND JERKS VERY HARD INTO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572993

Official recalls

2

05V512000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Nov 7, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE DRIVER PREFERRED PACKAGE, THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCH MAY BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND COULD BE PINCHED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A PINCHED HARNESS, IN COMBINATION WITH DRIVING VIBRATION, MAY RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE HARNESS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE IN THE SEAT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND ROUTE IT CORRECTLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

05V338000 · Child Seat:latch Strap

Jul 26, 2005

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE LOWER ANCHORAGE BRACKETS IN THE REAR SEATS DO NOT MEET THE LOCATION REQUIREMENT IN THIS STANDARD. THIS MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN ATTACHING SOME CHILD SEATS TO THESE BRACKETS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORAGE BRACKETS WITH MODIFIED BRACKETS TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARD IS MET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2006. THE INFINITI Q45 MODEL VEHICLES ARE BEING CAMPAIGNED UNDER A SEPARATE RECALL (PLEASE SEE 05V374000). OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.