TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP BETWEEN 1ST GEAR AND 2ND GEAR SOMETIMES IT SLIPS AND WHEN IT GRABS IT HITS HARD. OR WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO ENGAGE. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES. SOMEDAYS ITS OK SOMEDAY ITS NOT. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Power Train complaints
777 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING FROM STOPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO RECOMMENDED HAVING TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING FROM STOPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO RECOMMENDED HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,030.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA XL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT FORCEFULLY WHILE ACCELERATING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA XL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT FORCEFULLY WHILE ACCELERATING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 99,150. UPDATED 11/01/11*LJ UPDATED 02/06/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND ONCE PLACE IN GEAR IT JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME STUCK IN FIFTH GEAR AND IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT, SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND ONCE PLACE IN GEAR IT JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME STUCK IN FIFTH GEAR AND IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT, SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING OR HUB WAS DEFECTIVE AND RECOMMENDED HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT AND TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAD 53,000 MILES WHEN IT STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN I START THE CAR EVERYTHING IS FINE, BUT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A BIT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS: TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO CLICK INTO GEAR AFTER THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN "D" AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE CAR JERKS REALLY HARD. SAM…
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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAD 53,000 MILES WHEN IT STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN I START THE CAR EVERYTHING IS FINE, BUT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A BIT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS: TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO CLICK INTO GEAR AFTER THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN "D" AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE CAR JERKS REALLY HARD. SAME AS THE ABOVE HAPPENS WHEN GOING FROM THE REVERSE TO DRIVE AND IT TAKES AGAIN 4 TO 5 SECONDS FOR THE GEAR TO ENGAGE AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY. TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR DURING REGULAR DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV FREELY THEN JERKING BACK INTO GEAR WITH A LOUD CLUNK. THAT USUALLY HAPPENS IN LOWER RPMS AND GOT ME AND MY FAMILY ALMOST KILLED A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. SOMETIMES I GO FOR DAYS WITH NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL AND OTHER TIMES IT MAY HAPPEN A DOZEN TIMES IN A DAY. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WORKING ON THE CAR CONFIRMED ALL OF THE ABOVE. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN BUT THAT WOULD NOT CAUSE THESE SYMPTOMS. THEY SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS FOR $4,700 AND REFUSED TO HELP OUT WITH THE REPAIRS SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NISSAN KNOWS THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO THE FACT THAT THE THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT INSTEAD THE JEOPARDIZE OUR LIVES IN ORDER TO SAVE SOME MONEY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD MOVE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD MOVE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. UPDATED 10/26/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND ABOVE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT AND PERFORM ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND ABOVE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT AND PERFORM ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BEFORE DETERMINING THE FAILURE AND ATTEMPTING ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,848. KMJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWNSHIFT OR PREMATURELY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWNSHIFT OR PREMATURELY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
I BOUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO, MY CAR STARTED JERKING. IT STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSIS AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT THAT MY…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO, MY CAR STARTED JERKING. IT STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSIS AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TOLD MANY TIMES THAT MY CAR ISN'T OLD ENOUGH, NOR DOES IT HAVE ENOUGH MILES ON IT TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I DECIDED TO CALL NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP COVER THE REPAIR; AFTER 2 WEEKS OF HAVING NO VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR, BUT DURING THIS TIME I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF WEBSITES (CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, NISSANHELP.COM), FORUMS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER CONSUMERS WHO ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. FROM THE LOOKS OF IT, THE TRANSMISSION IN THE NISSAN MAXIMA FROM 2004-2008 HAS SOME SORT OF DEFECT BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I DON'T SEE HOW A COMPANY CAN GET AWAY WITH DOING THIS WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE VOICED THEIR CONCERNS. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT HYUNDAI HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY RECALLED ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. I JUST PAID FOR THIS CAR AND AM A QUITE DEVASTATED THAT ITS NOW FALLING APART, SO WHAT ARE CONSUMERS TO DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE? *TR
Official recalls
205V512000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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