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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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75,000 miles · Mar 23, 2010
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING IN LOW GEARS OR GOING FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR. ENGINE REVS HIGH AND THEN THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR, THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN IT OCCURS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ARO…

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2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING IN LOW GEARS OR GOING FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR. ENGINE REVS HIGH AND THEN THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR, THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN IT OCCURS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 75K MILES ON THE CAR. REPORTS FROM SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS INDICATE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 04 AND 05 MAXIMAS. I HAVE LOGGED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WITH NO RESOLUTIN AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI #10321601

90,000 miles · Mar 21, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT HAS BEEN JERKING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR SHIFTING. DEALER SUGGESTED MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS DONE. PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. JERKING GOT WORSE AND GOT ENGINE CODE. TOOK TO DEALER AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD. IT SEEMS TONS OF FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321270

85,000 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000. UPDA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000. UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10320993

98,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 97,000 MILES A YEAR AGO. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HARD SHIFTS- SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AS WELL AS A HARD BANGING SOUND WHEN IT FINDS THE RIGHT GEAR. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS, ONLY …

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 97,000 MILES A YEAR AGO. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HARD SHIFTS- SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AS WELL AS A HARD BANGING SOUND WHEN IT FINDS THE RIGHT GEAR. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS, ONLY TO ENCOUNTER THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS. RESEARCH ON-LINE SHOWED THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320281

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2010
Power Train

WE BOUGHT A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA BRAND NEW. LAST YEAR 2009 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIR WOULD BE $1400 SO WHEN THE TRANNY WAS A PROBLEM I KNEW NOT TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WOULD JERK AND SLAM INTO GEAR. I HAD MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND IT COMPLETELY STOP…

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WE BOUGHT A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA BRAND NEW. LAST YEAR 2009 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIR WOULD BE $1400 SO WHEN THE TRANNY WAS A PROBLEM I KNEW NOT TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WOULD JERK AND SLAM INTO GEAR. I HAD MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND IT COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION PLACE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $3000. THE CAR HAS BEEN BABIED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES. IT IS GARAGED KEPT AND ALL MAINTENANCE DONE. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD WHEN ALL THESE PROBLEMS STARTED. AFTER SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD RECALL AND REFUND THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION. MY MECHANIC CANNOT GET ANY HELP FROM NISSAN AND IT STILL HAS ISSUES. MY CHILDREN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED THE WAY THE CAR LOST ALL GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OVER. THERE ARE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION THAN TOYOTA AND LOOK WHAT THEY ARE DOING. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FOR NISSAN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY? I WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN ANY AND ALL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS THAT PERTAIN TO THIS ISSUE. I STILL OWN MONEY ON THIS LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319703

79,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318879

73,234 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Power Train

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM A DEALERSHIP NOT AFFILIATED WITH NISSAN. THE IS NOT 30 DAYS OLD AND IT JERKS FROM 1ST TO 3RD AS IF I HAVE A STIFF SHIFT,THE ENGINE WILL REV UP WHILE GOING 30-40MPH AND JERK FORWARD ALMOST CAUSING ME TO ALMOST REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. AND AFTERWARDS I CAN SMELL THIS METAL/CHEMICAL O…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM A DEALERSHIP NOT AFFILIATED WITH NISSAN. THE IS NOT 30 DAYS OLD AND IT JERKS FROM 1ST TO 3RD AS IF I HAVE A STIFF SHIFT,THE ENGINE WILL REV UP WHILE GOING 30-40MPH AND JERK FORWARD ALMOST CAUSING ME TO ALMOST REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. AND AFTERWARDS I CAN SMELL THIS METAL/CHEMICAL ODOR ACCUMULATING IN THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS SEVERE SHIFTING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318864

63,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Power Train

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 63000 MILES AND HAS STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF WHAT MAY BE SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. RANDOM SYMPTOMS THAT INCLUDE: * VERY HARD JERKY SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318460

7,900 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I NOTICED JERKING AND CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. I THEN THOUGHT TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED SO I DID. THEY ADVISED GETTING A TRANSMISSION MOTOR MOUNT,BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK AND IT SURE WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEN I DECIDED TO HAVE IT CHECK BY TWO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS VERY…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I NOTICED JERKING AND CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. I THEN THOUGHT TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED SO I DID. THEY ADVISED GETTING A TRANSMISSION MOTOR MOUNT,BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK AND IT SURE WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEN I DECIDED TO HAVE IT CHECK BY TWO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS VERY RARE TO HAPPEN TO NISSANS WITH THE AMOUNT OF MILES IT HAS. THE CAR HAS APPROX. 79,000 MILES ON IT. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF BUYING A NEWER CAR IF SUCH A PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR SO SOON. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON SUFFERING BUT I WASN'T. SO I WENT ON HAD IT LOOKED AT THE 2ND TIME AND THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS SLIPPING ON THE 2ND GEAR AND FALLING OUT OF 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. IT WAS SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT HARD PARTS WEREN'T EVEN COVERED UNDER THE ESTIMATE OF A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS. SO, I NEEDED A SECOND OPINION AND I WENT TO ANOTHER SPECIALIST AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SAME EXACT REASON AND THE RINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE GONE BAD. SO WHERE WAS SUPPOSED TO START........I FEEL VERY MUCH SO THAT THIS A MANUFACTURES ERROR AND IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ON THAT END. I'VE HEARD ALOT OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT NISSAN BUT, THERE'S A LOT OF DOUBT ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL TO CONSUMERS THAT COULD ENDANGER SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318400

78,700 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT HESITATION AND IT WOULD ALSO SLIP OUT OF GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 30% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO MALFUN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT HESITATION AND IT WOULD ALSO SLIP OUT OF GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 30% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,700.

NHTSA ODI #10318399

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.