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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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72,000 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM WITH 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED (DIFFERENT COMPLAINT), THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES BREAKING AND THAT MY TIMING CHAIN AND CORRESPONDING PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1600. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR IS NO…

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TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM WITH 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED (DIFFERENT COMPLAINT), THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES BREAKING AND THAT MY TIMING CHAIN AND CORRESPONDING PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1600. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOT OLD AND SHOULD NOT NEED THIS REPAIR. I DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF CASES WITH THE SAME DEFECT IN NISSAN MAXIMA'S. I WOULD LIKE MY COMPLAINT HEARD AND A POSSIBLE RECALL DONE IF POSSIBLE. THIS IS CLEARLY A NISSAN DEFECT AND PROBLEM AND NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258134

63,000 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FROM 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. THEN IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND STARTED JERKING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $4000. AFTER REPLACIN…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FROM 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. THEN IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND STARTED JERKING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $4000. AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION THE PROBLEM IS GONE AND CAR IS BACK TO NORMAL. I DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF CASES WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HOW CAN I GET MY COMPLAINT HEARD AND RECONCILED BECAUSE THIS IS TRULY A NISSAN DEFECT AND NOT JUST ORDINARY WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR. I THOUGHT INITIALLY I JUST HAD BAD LUCK. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258132

77,000 miles · Jan 24, 2009
Power Train

2005 MAXIMA HAD LESS THAN 77,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHICH IS ONLY 60,000 MILES. NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE 05 MAXIMA BUT HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256200

72,000 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Power Train

NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. ONE DAY (72K MILES) THE TRANSMISSION JUST STARTED JERKING HORRIBLY BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AS ADVISED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW I AM BEING TOLD BY LOCAL SHOPS AND DEALERS THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE T…

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NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. ONE DAY (72K MILES) THE TRANSMISSION JUST STARTED JERKING HORRIBLY BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AS ADVISED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW I AM BEING TOLD BY LOCAL SHOPS AND DEALERS THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH COSTS UP TO $4000!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254446

58,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Power Train

DECEMBER 2007 - TOOK CAR INTO NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE TRANSMISSION WAS HESITATING AND SLAMMING HARD INTO THE "DRIVE" GEAR. DEALER DISCOVERED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JANUARY 2008, I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK WITH A REMAN TRANSMISSION FROM NISSAN. FEBRUARY THROUGH MAY 2008 - TOOK CAR INTO DEALER A FEW MORE TIMES DUE TO ISSUE…

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DECEMBER 2007 - TOOK CAR INTO NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE TRANSMISSION WAS HESITATING AND SLAMMING HARD INTO THE "DRIVE" GEAR. DEALER DISCOVERED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JANUARY 2008, I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK WITH A REMAN TRANSMISSION FROM NISSAN. FEBRUARY THROUGH MAY 2008 - TOOK CAR INTO DEALER A FEW MORE TIMES DUE TO ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION AGAIN. OCTOBER 2008 - RETURNED CAR AGAIN TO NISSAN BECAUSE ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION WAS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO (2) TORN ENGINE MOUNTS. I REPLACED THEM BY MY OWN LOCAL MECHANIC. A FEW DAYS AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING UP AGAIN. TOOK CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE (2) REAR ENGINE MOUNTS WERE CRACKED/TORN. I ENDED UP REPLACING THOSE AS WELL. ONE WEEK LATER, THE ISSUE CAME BACK. OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008 - TOOK CAR BACK TO THE SAME NISSAN DEALER 3 MORE TIMES AND EVEN AFTER SHOWING THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE HEAD TECHNICIAN THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS "NORMAL" AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL AN ISSUE AND WAS NEVER RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253160

70,000 miles · Oct 27, 2008
Power TrainInjury

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM W/ 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. HAVE DONE ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE AND BEEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS WHO CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING AND STOPPING IN SUCH A MANNER THAT SHAKES ALL PASSENGERS. I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM W/ NO …

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TRANSMISSION PROBLEM W/ 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. HAVE DONE ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE AND BEEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS WHO CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING AND STOPPING IN SUCH A MANNER THAT SHAKES ALL PASSENGERS. I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM W/ NO ANSWERS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246875

125,000 miles · Oct 21, 2008
Power Train

PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HAS BEEN ADVISE THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246224

75,000 miles · Oct 15, 2008
Power Train

2004 & 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I OWN A '05 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AND AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS HUNDREDS (THOUSANDS?) OF OTHER OWNERS ARE. THE CAR HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 1-2 AND 2-3 AND JERKS FORWARD LIKE YOU ARE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE TIMES THAT YOU WORRY THAT YOU CAN EVEN MAKE IT HOME SAFE…

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2004 & 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I OWN A '05 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AND AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS HUNDREDS (THOUSANDS?) OF OTHER OWNERS ARE. THE CAR HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 1-2 AND 2-3 AND JERKS FORWARD LIKE YOU ARE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE ARE TIMES THAT YOU WORRY THAT YOU CAN EVEN MAKE IT HOME SAFELY! WHEN YOU TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER THEY LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT $4,000. THIS IS CLEARLY A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY! IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE PROBLEM I WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE DESCRIPTIONS! HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_61092.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245556

48,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008
Power Train

I HAVE A 2008 MAXIMA SE WHICH I PURCHASED LAST YEAR. THE CAR CONTINUES TO JERK (HARD) WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD, AND IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE DOWNSHIFT FROM 2ND TO 1ST. THE CAR WAS PROBLEM-FREE FOR THE 1ST YEAR BUT FOR THE PAST 3-4 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. THE JERKING GETS SO BAD, IT FEELS LIK…

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I HAVE A 2008 MAXIMA SE WHICH I PURCHASED LAST YEAR. THE CAR CONTINUES TO JERK (HARD) WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD, AND IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE DOWNSHIFT FROM 2ND TO 1ST. THE CAR WAS PROBLEM-FREE FOR THE 1ST YEAR BUT FOR THE PAST 3-4 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. THE JERKING GETS SO BAD, IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING PUNCHED! THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND RARELY OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN GET THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE FIXED...AT NO COST TO THE OWNER SINCE IT'S OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKE WITH OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS AND HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244094

60,000 miles · Sep 26, 2008
Power Train

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HAS BEEN BUCKING AND JERKING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR SINCE 60,000 (NOW HAS 64,000) ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING REGULARLY (EVERY TIME I DRIVE) FOR OVER A MONTH NOW. TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FINE, NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE HEARD THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH 200…

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HAS BEEN BUCKING AND JERKING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR SINCE 60,000 (NOW HAS 64,000) ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING REGULARLY (EVERY TIME I DRIVE) FOR OVER A MONTH NOW. TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FINE, NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE HEARD THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243486

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.