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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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108,000 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Power Train

THE VEHICLE WILL SLAM INTO GEAR AT LOW SPEEDS. WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WHEN GOING FROM 35 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR, AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS IT WILL REV UP TO 5000 RPMS AND SLAM BACK INTO GEAR NEARLY CAUSING ME TO HAVE 2 ACCIDENTS IN TRAFFIC. WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IT TAKES FROM 10 TO 20 SECONDS FOR IT TO ENGAGE IN DRIVE WHI…

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THE VEHICLE WILL SLAM INTO GEAR AT LOW SPEEDS. WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WHEN GOING FROM 35 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR, AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS IT WILL REV UP TO 5000 RPMS AND SLAM BACK INTO GEAR NEARLY CAUSING ME TO HAVE 2 ACCIDENTS IN TRAFFIC. WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IT TAKES FROM 10 TO 20 SECONDS FOR IT TO ENGAGE IN DRIVE WHICH COULD LEAVE ME OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD FOR SOMEONE TO SLAM INTO ME. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO BROKEN MY MOTOR MOUNTS WITH ALL THE TWISTING BUCKING SLAMMING AND JERKING IT HAS DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478242

94,000 miles · Sep 28, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND OR FIFTH GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND OR FIFTH GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10477392

90,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
EnginePower Train

I BOUGHT A 2005 MAXIMA 3.5 SL IN 2006 BRAND NEW IN SOUTH CAROLINA. I FIRST STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN I HAD MY 60,000 MILE SERVICE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SERVICE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CODES, AND CLEARED THE LIGHT. I THEN TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE 90,000 SERVI…

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I BOUGHT A 2005 MAXIMA 3.5 SL IN 2006 BRAND NEW IN SOUTH CAROLINA. I FIRST STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN I HAD MY 60,000 MILE SERVICE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SERVICE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CODES, AND CLEARED THE LIGHT. I THEN TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE 90,000 SERVICE AND ONCE AGAIN AROUND A WEEK OR TWO LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND NOW THEIR WAS CODES SAYING MY EGR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I DID MY 60,000 MILE SERVICE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEIR WAS A RECALL THAT THEY WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT FOR FREE BUT I WAS JUST OVER THE MILEAGE WHERE IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT NO COST TO ME. ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER MY CAR JERKED REALLY HARD, AND MY CAR LOST COMPLETE POWER THEN JERKED ONCE MORE AND STARTED TO MOVE. THE GAUGES IN THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND EVERY LIGHT POSSIBLE ON THE DASH CAME ON. FIRST I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE FOUR SENSORS, AND SO I DID SO ALONG WITH THE EGR VALVE. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. WHEN I WENT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR VICE VERSA IT WOULD JERK REAL HARD BEFORE ENGAGING. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION SENSOR WAS BAD. I JUST HAD IT REPLACED TWO WEEKS AGO, AND NOW MY CAR IS BACK IS THE SHOP DOING THE SAME THING. THE TCS SLIP, AND EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH IS ON, AND NONE OF MY GAUGES ARE WORKING. NOW THEY SAY IT MIGHT BE THE COMPUTER THAT IS BAD. THIS LAST TIME I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM MISSOURI AND IT DISENGAGED AND WOULD NOT PUT UP SPEED WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED, AND HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AND GOT SCARED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477325

100,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WITH HESITATION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE OR PARK POSITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNIT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WITH HESITATION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE OR PARK POSITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED EARLY SIGNS OF FAILURE AND THE SHIFT LOCK UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10477281

120,000 miles · Sep 21, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS WOULD ABNORMALLY INCREASE TO 8000 RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR WOULD SLIP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD REFUSE ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS WOULD ABNORMALLY INCREASE TO 8000 RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR WOULD SLIP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD REFUSE ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10476629

105,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Power Train

JUST AFTER THE VEHICLE PASSED 100,000 MILES, IT BEGAN TO SHIFT ROUGHLY BETWEEN ALL GEARS. THE CAR "BUCKS" WHEN SHIFTING, AND SOMETIMES SEEMS TO "MISS" A SHIFT, REVVING THE ENGINE BEFORE SETTLING INTO GEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND MANY OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS WITH CARS OF ABOUT THE SAME AGE AND MILEAGE AS MINE, INDICATI…

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JUST AFTER THE VEHICLE PASSED 100,000 MILES, IT BEGAN TO SHIFT ROUGHLY BETWEEN ALL GEARS. THE CAR "BUCKS" WHEN SHIFTING, AND SOMETIMES SEEMS TO "MISS" A SHIFT, REVVING THE ENGINE BEFORE SETTLING INTO GEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND MANY OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS WITH CARS OF ABOUT THE SAME AGE AND MILEAGE AS MINE, INDICATING THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT SPECIFIC TO MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476501

58,000 miles · Sep 18, 2012
EnginePower Train

AT APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MY VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING AND JERKING. IT GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T MOVE OR WILL MOVE AT VERY HIGH SPEED. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS I WAS TOLD IT IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM. CONTACTED MANUFACTURE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475895

60,000 miles · Sep 18, 2012
Power Train

AFTER THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 60,000, AND TOLD ME IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, I WENT FOR A SECOND OPINION. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME IT WASN'T MAY TRANSMISSION BUT RATHER MY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET AND THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY! I WENT TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPLACE…

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AFTER THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 60,000, AND TOLD ME IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, I WENT FOR A SECOND OPINION. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME IT WASN'T MAY TRANSMISSION BUT RATHER MY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET AND THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY! I WENT TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT 20-30,000 MILES WHEN IT STARTED TO FEEL AS THOUGH I WAS MOVING A BOULDER WHILE DEPRESSING MY CLUTCH. THIS PAST SUMMER, WHEN I WAS MANUALLY PULLING THE PETAL BACK FROM THE FLOOR, I HAD TO REPLACE MY FLY WHEEL AND CLUTCH BECAUSE OF THE WEAR. MY CLUTCH BRACKET STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN! WHY IS THIS SUCH A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MT MAXIMA AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475884

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2012
Power Train

THE CAR WILL JERK REALLY HARD SWITCHING FROM 1ST AND SECOND GEAR. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL JUST REV WHEN INCREASING SPEED AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE! WHEN U PARK THE CAR AND THEN GO TO SHIFT IT TO DRIVE IT ACTUALLY WON'T KICK IN FOR 7-10 SECONDS. THE ONLY REASON I'M MAKING A COMPLAINT ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE I WAS SEARCHING ONLINE TO SEE …

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THE CAR WILL JERK REALLY HARD SWITCHING FROM 1ST AND SECOND GEAR. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL JUST REV WHEN INCREASING SPEED AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE! WHEN U PARK THE CAR AND THEN GO TO SHIFT IT TO DRIVE IT ACTUALLY WON'T KICK IN FOR 7-10 SECONDS. THE ONLY REASON I'M MAKING A COMPLAINT ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE I WAS SEARCHING ONLINE TO SEE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE WERE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND I DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT FOR ME AND ALL THE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAVE TO PUT 3000-3500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN CLEARLY THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475457

60,000 miles · Sep 14, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10475427

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.