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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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82,000 miles · May 21, 2011
Power Train

I AM A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNER, AFTER 82000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW BAD. AS A COLLEGE STUDENT I DO NOT HAVE THE $4300 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. NISSAN HAS DECLINED WHEN ASKING FOR ANY FOR A ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. PEOPLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402296

56,000 miles · May 19, 2011
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PUMP AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PUMP AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI LOCK SPEED SENSORS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AND ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,890.

NHTSA ODI #10402043

110,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Power Train

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD IS DANGEROUSLY HARD. THE CAR JERKS ALMOST VIOLENTLY IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS. MIND YOU THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I WAS RECOMMENDED TO GET A TRANSMISSION FLUSH BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401487

120,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING VERY BAD. CAR JERKS HARD WHEN SHIFTING FORM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP CAR JERKS AND SOMETIMES WON'T SHIFT. WHEN PUTTING CAR IN GEAR THERE IS A HARD SHIFT OR JERK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401410

70,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY 05 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60800 MILES FROM A NISSAN DEALER. AT ABOUT 70000, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHOW SIGNS OF COSTLY REPAIRS. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS VERY HARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND THEN WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. JUST SHIFTING FROM P TO D AT TIMES THERE IS ABOUT A 3 - 4 SECOND DELAY THEN…

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I PURCHASED MY 05 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 60800 MILES FROM A NISSAN DEALER. AT ABOUT 70000, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHOW SIGNS OF COSTLY REPAIRS. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS VERY HARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND THEN WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 2ND TO 1ST. JUST SHIFTING FROM P TO D AT TIMES THERE IS ABOUT A 3 - 4 SECOND DELAY THEN ENGAGES TO ONLY HERE AND FEEL A VERY HARD CLUNK AND JERKS REALLY HARD AGAIN. WITH ALL THE HARD SHIFTING THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY TOO. AFTER GOING ONLINE AND READING SO MANY OTHER 04 - 05 MAXIMA TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401260

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THERE WAS A HARD THUMP WHEN HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THE BODY VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THERE WAS A HARD THUMP WHEN HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THE BODY VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400991

67,000 miles · May 13, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-30 MPH. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHEN DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND TRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-30 MPH. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHEN DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400744

91,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS UNEXPECTEDLYACCOMAPNIED WITH AN ABNORMAL JERKING WITH HESITATION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS UNEXPECTEDLYACCOMAPNIED WITH AN ABNORMAL JERKING WITH HESITATION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ABS SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400050

74,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND ABOVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND ABOVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10400008

90,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. FOR THE PAST FEW MTHS I HAVE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OR STALLING ON CHANGE OF GEARS. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED A YR. OLD AND HAD AROUND 40000 MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS RIGHT AT 90000 MILES. I HAVE ALWAYS BRAGGED ON HOW GREAT OF A CAR, THE NISSAN MAXIMA IS. NOW, I' M VERY DISAPPOINTED. AND VERY CONC…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. FOR THE PAST FEW MTHS I HAVE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OR STALLING ON CHANGE OF GEARS. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED A YR. OLD AND HAD AROUND 40000 MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS RIGHT AT 90000 MILES. I HAVE ALWAYS BRAGGED ON HOW GREAT OF A CAR, THE NISSAN MAXIMA IS. NOW, I' M VERY DISAPPOINTED. AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. ON VERY DRIVE I EXPERIENCE SEVERE JERKING AND STALLING. I MORE SO EXPERIENCE THE JERKS AND STALLING WHILE TRAVELING AT A 20/40 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399724

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.