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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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99,300 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. AFTER REVIEWING CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEB SITE SO DOES OVER 122,000 PEOPLE SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE WHICH IS A JERKING TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $98 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR KNOWINGLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS ALREADY. THIS IS JUST A RIP OFF. I FOUND OUT FROM CA…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. AFTER REVIEWING CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEB SITE SO DOES OVER 122,000 PEOPLE SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE WHICH IS A JERKING TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $98 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR KNOWINGLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS ALREADY. THIS IS JUST A RIP OFF. I FOUND OUT FROM CAR REPAIR SHOP IN MY TOWN ONLY NISSAN HAS ACCESS TO WORK ON MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO RELEASED RIGHTS FOR ANYONE ELSE TO REPAIR THEIR CARS. THE CAR IS COMPUTERIZED SO THEREFORE, MOM & POP REPAIR SHOPS CAN'T ACCESS THEIR SYSTEM. THIS A MONOPOLY BY NISSAN. MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTER-SECTION BEFORE CHANGING GEARS AND I WAS ALMOST REARED ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357750

76,000 miles · Sep 25, 2010
Power Train

NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHIFTS FROM ONE GEAR RANGE TO ANOTHER AND IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORST. THE EXPERIENCE IS LIKE THAT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE HITTING MY VEHICLE IN THE REAR. IT'S AS IF IT MIGHT TEAR OUT FROM THE VEHICLE AT ANY TIME. THUS FAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WHICH IS HARD TO DO BECAUSE THIS BU…

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NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHIFTS FROM ONE GEAR RANGE TO ANOTHER AND IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORST. THE EXPERIENCE IS LIKE THAT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE HITTING MY VEHICLE IN THE REAR. IT'S AS IF IT MIGHT TEAR OUT FROM THE VEHICLE AT ANY TIME. THUS FAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WHICH IS HARD TO DO BECAUSE THIS BURST OF TURBULENCE IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING SO MUCH SO THAT I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING IT. SOME WEEKS PAST I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULDN'T TOUCH IT BECAUSE NISSAN KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. HE TALKED ABOUT CAM SENSOR AND BODY VALVE ?????. THE INTERNET HAS PAGE AFTER PAGE OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CONDITIONS AND HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERS AND PAID FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RETURN. IT CAN CERTAINLY CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND LOSS OF LIFE, CAUSING TRAUMA TIME AND TIME AGAIN AS IT HAPPENS. THIS IS EVERY TIME THAT THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN NOT ONLY THE DATE THAT IS GIVEN FOLLOWING THE DESCRIPTION THE DATE IS THE DATE THAT I AM FILING THE COMPLAINT. JERKING SHIFTING GEARS JERKING ACCELERATING AND SLOWING / BREAKING JERKING SLOWING TO TURN JERKING WHEN REVERSING JERKING GOING FORWARD JERKING WHEN SLOWING DOWN WHEN IT JERKS IT ACTUALLY LURCHES THIS IS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357629

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE YET THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR AND ACCELERATING FURTHER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE FAILURE RECU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE YET THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR AND ACCELERATING FURTHER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356652

85,000 miles · Sep 18, 2010
Power TrainSteering

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN SLOWING. I WOULD BE COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T JUMP OUT OF GEAR AND THE CAR WOULD FREE ROLL. ONCE STOPPED THE CAR WOULD JERK AND TRY TO TAKE OFF WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD TO THE POINT TO FEELS LIKE IM IN AN AC…

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN SLOWING. I WOULD BE COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T JUMP OUT OF GEAR AND THE CAR WOULD FREE ROLL. ONCE STOPPED THE CAR WOULD JERK AND TRY TO TAKE OFF WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD TO THE POINT TO FEELS LIKE IM IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE ENGINE IS COMING THROUGH THE HOOD. WHEN I ACCELERATE ONTO FREEWAY FROM RAMP IM SCARED THAT I MAY GET REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE CAR JUST WONT ACCELERATE PROPERLY TO GET INTO LANE SAFE. THIS OCCURS EVERYDAY PARTICULARLY WHEN CAR WARMS UP AND I THEN BEGIN TO SMELL ELECTRIC BURN OR OIL BURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356291

100,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOES A HARD JERK WHEN I AM ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. WHETHER DRIVING TO 40MPH OR DRIVING THROUGH A LIGHT, MY 2005 MAXIMA, DOES A HARD JERK LIKE ITS SHIFTING GEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE CAR BUT I WAS EVEN MORE UPSET ABOUT THE JERKING MY SON IS RECEIVING IN THE BACK SEAT, WAKING HIM UP WHEN HE IS S…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOES A HARD JERK WHEN I AM ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. WHETHER DRIVING TO 40MPH OR DRIVING THROUGH A LIGHT, MY 2005 MAXIMA, DOES A HARD JERK LIKE ITS SHIFTING GEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE CAR BUT I WAS EVEN MORE UPSET ABOUT THE JERKING MY SON IS RECEIVING IN THE BACK SEAT, WAKING HIM UP WHEN HE IS SLEEP. I HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR LOOKED AT BY MANY MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS, THEY ARE SAYING THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. I BELIEVE THE CAR IS TOO NEW FOR MAJOR WORK TO BE HAPPENING LIKE THIS. $2,000- $4,000 OF WORK ON A CAR THAT LOOKS LIKE NEW AND IS STILL ONLY 5 YEARS OLD IS CRAZY. I LOOKED ONLINE AND AM SEEING MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. HARD JERKING, SLOW TO ACCELERATE IN SLOW AREAS, PROBLEM HAPPENING ONE DAY AND MAY NOT BE A PROBLEM THE NEXT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, I FELT LIKE AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED WITH MY CAR DOING THE JERKS ON THE STREET. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR THE FAMILIES SAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356157

83,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE AND UNUSUALLY LOUD KNOCKING WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN PARK OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE AND UNUSUALLY LOUD KNOCKING WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN PARK OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10355235

65,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO GEAR. WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN JERKS INTO GEAR WITH ALOT OF FORCE. THIS PROBLEM CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED AND MAY A LEAD TO REAR-END COLLISION. ADDITIONALLY IT CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN MERGING INTO FASTER MOVING TRAFFI…

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VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO GEAR. WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN JERKS INTO GEAR WITH ALOT OF FORCE. THIS PROBLEM CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED AND MAY A LEAD TO REAR-END COLLISION. ADDITIONALLY IT CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN MERGING INTO FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC (I.E. MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY). THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A FAULTY VALVE BODY THAT ULTIMATELY LEADS TO THE DETERIORATION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY NISSAN CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355204

52,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION RACES AND BANGS. STARTED RIGHT AFTER CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONTACTED NISSAN. CAR IS A NISSAN MAXIMA 2005 WITH UNDER 60,000 MILES. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION STARTS TO RACE AND BANG IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AFTER CAR BANGS A FEW TIMES , ITS HARD TO GET THE CAR MOVING FROM A STOP. WE HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH NISSAN …

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TRANSMISSION RACES AND BANGS. STARTED RIGHT AFTER CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONTACTED NISSAN. CAR IS A NISSAN MAXIMA 2005 WITH UNDER 60,000 MILES. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION STARTS TO RACE AND BANG IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AFTER CAR BANGS A FEW TIMES , ITS HARD TO GET THE CAR MOVING FROM A STOP. WE HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH NISSAN AND BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL CHARGE US FOR THIS FIX. WE FEEL AS THOUGH THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED. WE ARE GETTING PRICES FOR OUR CAR OUTSIDE OF NISSAN BECAUSE OF THE FRUSTRATION WE HAVE GONE THROUGH WITH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355177

75,000 miles · Sep 11, 2010
Power Train

I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION ALREADY? WELL CARED FOR 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT APPROX 75,000 MILES. NISSAN HAS NOT DONE A RECALL AND MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE. MY CAR HAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC 3 TIMES ALREADY ! SOMETIMES WON'T ACCELERATE AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ME HAVING …

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I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION ALREADY? WELL CARED FOR 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT APPROX 75,000 MILES. NISSAN HAS NOT DONE A RECALL AND MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE. MY CAR HAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC 3 TIMES ALREADY ! SOMETIMES WON'T ACCELERATE AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ME HAVING TO RESTART THE ENGINE. JERKS WHEN GOING TO FROM 1ST TO SECOND AND VICE VERSA. I'M STILL MAKING $500.00 PAYMENTS ON THE CAR! VERY DISCOURAGING, NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355022

112,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND 2ND TO 1ST GEAR, SOMETIMES WON'T CHANGE AND THAN SLAMS INTO 2ND GEAR OR WILL DOWNSHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR TO EARLY . THIS CAUSES NO ACCELERATION OR STOPPING SHORT. HAVE NOW READ MANY COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354452

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.