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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

14 reports
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37,000 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicWheels

THE ABS SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE BASED UPON NISSAN MANUFACTURERS BULLETIN REGARDING MAXIMA'S YEARS 2004, 2005, 2006. THE REQUIREMENT OF NISSAN TO REPLACE 2-REAR WHEEL HUBS $444.10, 2-REAR ABS WHEEL SENSORS $627.20, AND POSSIBLY THE ABS ACTUATOR-ASSY $1306.51 ALL DUE TO THE TECHNICAL FACT THAT WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE WHEEL HUBS AND …

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THE ABS SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE BASED UPON NISSAN MANUFACTURERS BULLETIN REGARDING MAXIMA'S YEARS 2004, 2005, 2006. THE REQUIREMENT OF NISSAN TO REPLACE 2-REAR WHEEL HUBS $444.10, 2-REAR ABS WHEEL SENSORS $627.20, AND POSSIBLY THE ABS ACTUATOR-ASSY $1306.51 ALL DUE TO THE TECHNICAL FACT THAT WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE WHEEL HUBS AND CAUSES FAILURE OF THE SENSORS & ABS ACTUATOR ASSY TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE ABS COMPUTER ( ACTUATOR), CAUSING THE ABS COMPUTER TO CONTINUALLY TURN ON IT'S PUMP MOTOR MAKING THE VEHICLE BE UNSTABLE AND NOT STOP EVENLY. I'M ADVISED BY NISSAN SERVICE THE EFFECT OF THE ACTUATOR CONTINUALLY RUNNING WILL CAUSE IT TO BURN OUT PREMATURELY BUT NISSAN IS REQUIRING THE CUSTOMER TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN APPARENT IN 2004, 2005, 2006. THE INHERENT DANGER TO MYSELF AS THE OWNER, PASSENGERS, PEDESTRIANS, OTHER VEHICLES IS OF PARAMOUNT CONCERN IN CONSIDERATION OF OPERATING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10664929

118,200 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WAS LIKE I WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. CARS WERE BLOWING AT ME AND ALL. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE ABS, BRAKE, SERVICE ENGINE AND TNS/INS? LIGHTS WERE ON AND MY GAS HAND HAD DROPPED FROM 3/4 OF A TANK DOWN TO EMPTY AND…

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I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WAS LIKE I WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. CARS WERE BLOWING AT ME AND ALL. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE ABS, BRAKE, SERVICE ENGINE AND TNS/INS? LIGHTS WERE ON AND MY GAS HAND HAD DROPPED FROM 3/4 OF A TANK DOWN TO EMPTY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT STAYED ON AFTERWARD WAS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. MY GAS HAND NEVER WENT BACK UP TO THE 3/4 OF A TANK. I WAS NERVOUS THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CUT OFF SO I STOPPED AND PUT MORE GAS IN THE CAR. MY CAR NOW DRIVES LIKE THE BOTTOM IS FALLING OUT. IT'S SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND THEN PICKS UP ONCE YOU GET TO ABOUT 35 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470341

120,000 miles · Feb 27, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNDER 55 AND ABOVE MY ABS MOTOR ENGAGES AND PUMPS CAUSING CAR TO HANDLE STRANGE WITH OUT BRAKES BEING PRESSED AT ALL , IT IS SPORADIC WHEN DOING SO WHILE DRIVING. ALL OF THIS IS ON 4 TIRES WITH GOOD EVEN PRESSURE AND ON PERFECTLY DRY LEVEL ASPHALT . THE ABS ALSO ENGAGES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE WITH A…

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WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNDER 55 AND ABOVE MY ABS MOTOR ENGAGES AND PUMPS CAUSING CAR TO HANDLE STRANGE WITH OUT BRAKES BEING PRESSED AT ALL , IT IS SPORADIC WHEN DOING SO WHILE DRIVING. ALL OF THIS IS ON 4 TIRES WITH GOOD EVEN PRESSURE AND ON PERFECTLY DRY LEVEL ASPHALT . THE ABS ALSO ENGAGES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE WITH A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF PEDAL FADE AND FLUTTER ON PERFECTLY DRY ASPHALT WITH UNDESIRED STOPPING DISTANCES, SUCH AS ROLLING THRU STOP SIGNS. NEVER HAS A WARNING LIGHT OR ANY CHECK LIGHT, LIGHT UP DURING THE INCIDENTS. HERE IS A LINK TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF MANY OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS WITH THERE BRAKES .HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/NISSAN/MAXIMA/ANTI-LOCK+BRAKING+SYSTEM+%28ABS%29. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY. I HAVE OWNED GM , FORD, CHRYSLER ,HONDA, TOYOTAS, AND NEVER SEEN BRAKES THIS BAD THE GM I HAD THAT WOULD ACTIVATE ABS GM DID THE RIGHT THING AND RECALLED THEM AND FIXED IT WHICH IS WHAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO DO AS WELL. I CALLED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY SAID IT WAS COMMON AND ACTED LIKE IT WAS NO BIG DEAL AND TOLD ME I COULD BRING IT IN HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AND REPLACE SENSORS , I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE TO EAT ALL COSTS INCURRED BEING AS IT IS A BLATANT DESIGN FLAW HIGHLY COMMON AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS!!! THANK YOU .. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449470

83,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE BRAKE PA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURES ALL RECURRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10410599

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

113,542 miles · Apr 24, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

DASHBOARD CLUSTER AND ABS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, IS THIS A RECALL ISSUE IF NOT SHOLD BE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397274

92,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE ABS ACTIVATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE ABS ACTIVATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10395926

40,000 miles · Mar 21, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THEY MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY AND ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND TWO YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THEY MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY AND ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND TWO YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ABS MOTOR MODULE, THE HUB ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,600. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/11/11

NHTSA ODI #10392331

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT'S NOT JUST ME, IF YOU GOOGLE FOR MAXIMA ABS ISSUE, EVERY ONE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. APPARENTLY, THE HOLE NEAR THE RIGHT ABS SENSOR IS TOO SMALL FOR THE DUST PARTICLES TO ESCAPE WHICH CLOGS THE ABS AND SHORT CIRCUITS THE ABS MODULE. I LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE WHERE IT SNOWS …

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THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT'S NOT JUST ME, IF YOU GOOGLE FOR MAXIMA ABS ISSUE, EVERY ONE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. APPARENTLY, THE HOLE NEAR THE RIGHT ABS SENSOR IS TOO SMALL FOR THE DUST PARTICLES TO ESCAPE WHICH CLOGS THE ABS AND SHORT CIRCUITS THE ABS MODULE. I LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE WHERE IT SNOWS HEAVILY SOMETIMES IN WINTERS. MY ABS MODULE BLEW UP BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE HAD SAME EXACT ISSUE. IT'S AMAZING HOW NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. ABS SYSTEM NOT WORKING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON;'T SEE HOW THEY CAN IGNORE THIS. NOT JUST THAT, THIS SORT OF BECOMES A SCAM SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND STILL NOT RECALLING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342191

72,000 miles · Nov 6, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NISSAN 2005 MAXIMA HAD A DEFECT IN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE DEVICE WHERE WATER FROM THE ROAD ACCUMULATED AND CAUSED CORROSION. NISSAN ADVISED THE DEALER TO DRILL A HOLE TO ALLOW WATER TO EXIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD PRIOR OCCURRENCES EXACTLY LIKE THIS. THE COST TO ME WAS$ 534.34. *TR UPDATED 11/16/09 THE CONSUMER WANTED T…

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NISSAN 2005 MAXIMA HAD A DEFECT IN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE DEVICE WHERE WATER FROM THE ROAD ACCUMULATED AND CAUSED CORROSION. NISSAN ADVISED THE DEALER TO DRILL A HOLE TO ALLOW WATER TO EXIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD PRIOR OCCURRENCES EXACTLY LIKE THIS. THE COST TO ME WAS$ 534.34. *TR UPDATED 11/16/09 THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HER COMPLAINT. UPDATED 03/29/10

NHTSA ODI #10291264

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.