NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
777 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Dec 19, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW 9/2005. CAR WAS SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES AND EVEN A NISSAN ENGINEER TESTED STEERING AND SUSPENSION. WHEN SPEED IS AT 60 MPR, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON BY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO. ENGINEER STATED THAT CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. WELL NOW MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP. PLEA…
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BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW 9/2005. CAR WAS SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES AND EVEN A NISSAN ENGINEER TESTED STEERING AND SUSPENSION. WHEN SPEED IS AT 60 MPR, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON BY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO. ENGINEER STATED THAT CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. WELL NOW MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP. PLEASE NOTE THAT STEERING WHEEL STILL SHAKES, TOO. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SEE THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS CAR HAS TO BE A LEMON. I WILL BE CONTACTING NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO FILE A COMPLAINT ALSO AND REQUEST THAT THEY REPAIR MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440436
100,000 miles · Dec 19, 2011
Power Train
ENGINE WOULD REV HIGH THEN BANG INTO GEAR. TOOK TO AAMCO/ DEALER NEITHER COULD DUPLICATE. DEALER CHANGED TRANS FLUID. THIS HELPED FOR 5 DAYS. @104,000 MILES TRANS IS SLIPPING AGGRESSIVELY AND BANGING INTO GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440386
110,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10440104
48,000 miles · Dec 11, 2011
Power Train
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) ABRUPTLY CHANGED GEARS INTO NEUTRAL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN ABRUPTLY WENT BACK INTO GEAR. THIS RAPID TRANSITION BETWEEN POWERED AND UNPOWERED CONDITION CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR TO SWERVE ABRUPTLY FROM TORQUE STEER.SUBSEQUENT TO THIS INITIAL EVENT THE TR…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) ABRUPTLY CHANGED GEARS INTO NEUTRAL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN ABRUPTLY WENT BACK INTO GEAR. THIS RAPID TRANSITION BETWEEN POWERED AND UNPOWERED CONDITION CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR TO SWERVE ABRUPTLY FROM TORQUE STEER.SUBSEQUENT TO THIS INITIAL EVENT THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO CHANGE GEARS INTO AND OUT OF DRIVE OR FAIL TO ENGAGE GEARS AS IT CHANGES BETWEEN GEARS. ON TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THE CONTROLLER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND PERFORMED THIS SERVICE. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER THIS SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN STARTED RANDOMLY CHANGING FROM A POWERED CONDITION TO NEUTRAL AT HIGHWAY AND OTHER SPEEDS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE TORQUE STEER CAUSED BY THE ABRUPT CHANGES IN THE TRANSMISSION MAKING IT UNSAFE TO TRAVEL AT OTHER THEN SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10439323
105,000 miles · Dec 10, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 105000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND. ALSO FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE. DOWN SHIFTS FROM 3RD TO 2ND ARE EXTREMELY HARD. YOU HAVE TO DRIVE SLOW TO KEEP FROM BREAKING SOMETHING. THIS ALL A CURES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS HOT. I HAVE DRAINED AND REPLACED THE FLUI…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 105000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND. ALSO FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE. DOWN SHIFTS FROM 3RD TO 2ND ARE EXTREMELY HARD. YOU HAVE TO DRIVE SLOW TO KEEP FROM BREAKING SOMETHING. THIS ALL A CURES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS HOT. I HAVE DRAINED AND REPLACED THE FLUID SIX TIMES. YOU CAN ONLY REPLACE 4.5 QUARTS EACH TIME. I ALSO HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM PROFESSIONALLY FLUSHED. I STILL HAVE THE SAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10439273
38,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10439075
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2011
Power Train
AT 72K MY AUTO TRANSMISSION IS FAILING, JERKING, BUCKING AND SLIPPING. I'VE FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SEE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF MAXIMA OWNERS IN THE SAME BOAT, RIGHT AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. MY CAR ISN'T IN WARRANTY AND I WILL BE GOING THIS WEEKEND TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CONFIRMED. IT APPEARS THERE IS A DEFE…
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AT 72K MY AUTO TRANSMISSION IS FAILING, JERKING, BUCKING AND SLIPPING. I'VE FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SEE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF MAXIMA OWNERS IN THE SAME BOAT, RIGHT AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. MY CAR ISN'T IN WARRANTY AND I WILL BE GOING THIS WEEKEND TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CONFIRMED. IT APPEARS THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS YEAR CAR TRANSMISSION, BUT NISSAN WILL NOT "MAN UP". I HAVE READ SOME COMPLAINTS WHERE CUSTOMERS HAVE GOTTEN NISSAN TO PAY FOR THEIR TRANSMISSION REPAIR..DOESN'T THAT INDICATE SOME "GUILT"? I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I WILL REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION, IM A SINGLE PARENT, FIGHTING TO KEEP MY HOUSE AND HELP MY DAUGHTER THRU COLLEGE. THIS NEEDS AN INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE RECALL. I READ ONE ACCOUNT WHERE A WOMAN'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON A BUSY ROAD AND HER 2 SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10437975
68,000 miles · Dec 1, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #10437929
12,500 miles · Nov 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I LIKE MANY OTHERS AM HAVING THE EXACT TRANSMISSION "SLIPPING, JERKING" PROBLEMS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE RPM'S JUST JUMP RIGHT UP UNDER ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS THEN CATCHES CAUSING A JERKING, LURCHING FORWARD ACTION. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY COMING ON TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL NOT LET M…
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I LIKE MANY OTHERS AM HAVING THE EXACT TRANSMISSION "SLIPPING, JERKING" PROBLEMS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE RPM'S JUST JUMP RIGHT UP UNDER ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS THEN CATCHES CAUSING A JERKING, LURCHING FORWARD ACTION. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY COMING ON TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE AND CHILDREN DRIVE IN THE CAR. WE CANNOT AFFORD THE QUOTED $3500 TO $4000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. NOR DO WE FEEL AS IF WE SHOULD HAVE TO. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW. IT HAS BEEN VERY RELIABLE BUT THIS IS ABSURD. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS MODEL YEAR AND REPLACE WITH CORRECTED TRANSMISSION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. OR IS THAT WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO GET THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10437806
58,000 miles · Nov 25, 2011
Power Train
AT 57,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD (JERKS) AND ERRATICALLY (CANNOT PREDICT) WHEN UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 3RD GEARS. VERY NERVE-RACKING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WHENEVER IN SLOW MOVING OR STOP-N-GO TRAFFIC. HAD TO MAINTAIN VERY LARGE GAP (WIDER THAN NORMAL) WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT TO AV…
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AT 57,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD (JERKS) AND ERRATICALLY (CANNOT PREDICT) WHEN UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 3RD GEARS. VERY NERVE-RACKING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WHENEVER IN SLOW MOVING OR STOP-N-GO TRAFFIC. HAD TO MAINTAIN VERY LARGE GAP (WIDER THAN NORMAL) WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT TO AVOID COLLISIONS. PAID NISSAN DEALERSHIP $3,300 FOR REPAIR. NISSAN DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION, IT IS SIMPLY REPLACED WITH A "''NISSAN FACTORY CERTIFIED RECONDITIONED" TRANSMISSION, THAT ONLY COMES WITH A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. NOT MUCH OF A WARRANTY FOR A "''CERTIFIED RECONDITIONED" TRANSMISSION COSTING $3,300! POWERTRAIN HAD A 5 YEAR/60,000 MILE WARRANTY, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 57,000 MILES, BUT VEHICLE WAS OVER 5 YEARS OLD. THE FACT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE TO ORDER THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION(HAD IT IN STOCK), TELLS ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND REPAIR! THE COMPONENT THAT FAILS ON THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES IS THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. COUNTLESS BLOGS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. SINCE 2006, THE NISSAN MAXIMA HAVE CVT (NO SHIFT) TRANSMISSION. THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO OUT OF THE THREE MOTOR MOUNTS, WHICH WILL COST ANOTHER $800-$1,000 WHEN REPAIRED. CONTACTED THE NORTH AMERICAN NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION, CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION IN FRANKLIN TENNESSEE HOPING THEY WOULD MEET ME "''SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE" TO COVER PART OF THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING OR HELP ME OUT. EVERYONE FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE KNOWS THE NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE INFERIOR TRANSMISSIONS, BUT YET, FAILED TO DO ANYTHING FOR THE CONSUMER BY WAY OF A "''FACTORY RECALL." I HAVE BEEN A LONG-TIME NISSAN CAR OWNER, GOING BACK TO THE DATSUN YEARS, AND I CAN TELL YOU THIS, THIS WILL BE THE LAST NISSAN I WILL EVER OWN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10437227