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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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Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY MAXIMA, MY TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY, IT JERKS REAL BAD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SINCE I REALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS A RELIABLE CAR FOR MY FAMILY AND NOW IM SCARED EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT. I NEED NISSAN T…

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I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY MAXIMA, MY TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY, IT JERKS REAL BAD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SINCE I REALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS A RELIABLE CAR FOR MY FAMILY AND NOW IM SCARED EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT. I NEED NISSAN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434332

50,000 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT GEARS VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT GEARS VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10434191

85,000 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE BEYOND 10 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10434139

85,000 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Power Train

MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT JUMPS FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DURING THE CHANGE, WHICH CAN LAST UP TO 10 SECONDS, THE ENGINE IS AT A HIGH RPM BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THEN THE WHOLE CAR JUMPS WHEN IT FINALLY MAKES IT INTO GEAR. THIS IS HIGHLY ALARMING AND DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES IT CAUSES A RAPID DE…

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MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT JUMPS FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DURING THE CHANGE, WHICH CAN LAST UP TO 10 SECONDS, THE ENGINE IS AT A HIGH RPM BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THEN THE WHOLE CAR JUMPS WHEN IT FINALLY MAKES IT INTO GEAR. THIS IS HIGHLY ALARMING AND DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES IT CAUSES A RAPID DECELERATION OR ACCELERATION OF THE CARE, EVEN WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE ALREADY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION - BUT THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434038

80,000 miles · Oct 28, 2011
Power Train

VEHICLE JUMPS VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND & 3RD GEARS. IF THE ENGINE IS COOL THEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT JUMP BUT ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, THE CAR IS JUST CONSTANTLY JERKING. IF I CHANGE GEARS FROM D TO R, IT TAKES AROUND 5 SECONDS BEFORE VEHICLE ACTUALLY KICKS INTO GEAR AND IT JERKS SO HARD TO THE POINT WHERE IT…

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VEHICLE JUMPS VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND & 3RD GEARS. IF THE ENGINE IS COOL THEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT JUMP BUT ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, THE CAR IS JUST CONSTANTLY JERKING. IF I CHANGE GEARS FROM D TO R, IT TAKES AROUND 5 SECONDS BEFORE VEHICLE ACTUALLY KICKS INTO GEAR AND IT JERKS SO HARD TO THE POINT WHERE IT JUST MAKE A LOUD NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433460

80,000 miles · Oct 24, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND THE GEARS WOULD SLIP FROM FIRST TO SECOND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT IN SOME INSTANCES THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND THE GEARS WOULD SLIP FROM FIRST TO SECOND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT IN SOME INSTANCES THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10432584

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2011
Power Train

SEVERE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ISSUES, ON MODERATE MILEAGE. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON NISSAN HELP.COM. NISSAN ISN'T TRYING TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP IT'S CUSTOMERS PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THE 04 05 MODELS OF THE MAXIMA. THIS IS A URGENT PLEA FOR HELP. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432474

60,000 miles · Oct 21, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN DRIVING IN CERTAIN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN DRIVING IN CERTAIN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10432399

62,000 miles · Oct 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHIFTS UP AND DOWN CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD WHEN AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20-40, SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING UP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AS WELL AS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AROUND 35-45 MPH REVVING THE ENGINE THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZZ…

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THE TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHIFTS UP AND DOWN CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD WHEN AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20-40, SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING UP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AS WELL AS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AROUND 35-45 MPH REVVING THE ENGINE THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZZARD. NISSAN MAXIMA PROBLEM YET NISSAN WON'T HELP, PLEASE HELP MYSELF AND OTHER NISSAN OWNERS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT FROM A SURGING/SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. I JUST WANT THIS PROBLEM TO GO AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432295

110,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Power Train

A QUICK CHECK OF THE INTERNET WILL SHOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. HARD SHIFTS, SLAMS, TRANSMISSION "SLIPS" IN AND OUT OF GEAR. PRIVATE INDUSTRY HAS DON THE WORK AND FOUND THE TROUBLE IS WITH THE VALVE BODY. NOW MAKE NISSAN PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430611

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.