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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

What owners actually said

948 reports
83,000 miles · Jul 7, 2013
Power Train

WHENEVER MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IS PLACED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, IT HESITATES AND THEN JERKS INTO DRIVE. IT IS ALMOST LIKE A KICKING MOTION. THIS IS A VERY POWERFUL MOTION THAT HAS AGITATED OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR, RESULTING IN LOOSE HOSES AND CLIPS. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I E…

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WHENEVER MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IS PLACED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, IT HESITATES AND THEN JERKS INTO DRIVE. IT IS ALMOST LIKE A KICKING MOTION. THIS IS A VERY POWERFUL MOTION THAT HAS AGITATED OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR, RESULTING IN LOOSE HOSES AND CLIPS. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I EXPECT MORE FROM NISSAN AS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL PERFORMED FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM AND INDIVIDUAL WHO FOLLOWS THE OWNER MANUAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE PERFECTLY. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THIS EARLY ON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND IT IS CAUSING EXPENSIVE DAMAGES TO MY MAXIMA. FIX IT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523584

85,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Power Train

FOR ABOUT THE LAST 5-6 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A NEW PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM R TO D WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND THEN JERK INTO DRIVE. SOMETIMES THE JERK IS VERY HARD AND LOUD, AND SOMETIMES NOT SO MUCH. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN, BUT AT LEAST 1 TIME A DAY OR IF I AM DRIVING …

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FOR ABOUT THE LAST 5-6 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A NEW PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM R TO D WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND THEN JERK INTO DRIVE. SOMETIMES THE JERK IS VERY HARD AND LOUD, AND SOMETIMES NOT SO MUCH. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN, BUT AT LEAST 1 TIME A DAY OR IF I AM DRIVING MORE, THEN PERHAPS UP TO 5-10 TIMES A DAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED IT WHEN DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. SOMETIMES AROUND 25-30 MPH, THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN, THEN JERK BACK INTO THE CORRECT SPEED/GEAR. I HAD SOME WORK DONE PROBABLY LATE LAST YEAR WHICH WAS $800+ AND OTHER TIMES BEFORE THAT AS WELL WHICH WERE QUITE PRICEY. AS OF YESTERDAY, NOW MY AC WILL NOT TURN OFF, IT IS STUCK ON FULL BLAST. HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS NOT LOCKING/UNLOCKING WITH THE REMOTE WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRED. NOW I NOTICE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AT TIMES DOES NOT LOCK WITH THE REMOTE. I AM MOSTLY CONCERNED WITH THE SHIFTING PROBLEM FROM R TO D AS THAT SEEMS LIKE THE MOST COSTLY REPAIR THAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM HOPING TO HAVE THIS PAID FOR BY NISSAN AS I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS AFTER THE OTHER REPAIRS THAT HAVE HAD TO BE DONE WITH THE CAR AND THIS SEEMS TO BE FAULTY WITH THE CAR IN GENERAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521945

80,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BEGAN TO SLIP IN EVERY GEAR, BUT MORE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR WITH A BIG BANG AFTER EVERY ATTEMPT TO SHIFT GEARS WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BEGAN TO SLIP IN EVERY GEAR, BUT MORE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR WITH A BIG BANG AFTER EVERY ATTEMPT TO SHIFT GEARS WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE SPECIFICS ON WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521822

134,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Power Train

I BOUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SL FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. IT HAD SOME VIBRATING AND SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEY GAVE ME A TEMPORARY FIX IN ORDER TO SEND ME ON MY WAY. TWO DAYS AFTER HAVING THE CAR IT STARTED SHIFTING REALLY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND THEN WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. IT HAS SHIFTED SO HARD THAT A COUPLE OF TI…

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I BOUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SL FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. IT HAD SOME VIBRATING AND SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEY GAVE ME A TEMPORARY FIX IN ORDER TO SEND ME ON MY WAY. TWO DAYS AFTER HAVING THE CAR IT STARTED SHIFTING REALLY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND THEN WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. IT HAS SHIFTED SO HARD THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAS JERKED ME FORWARD IN MY SEAT. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST SHIFT DOWN FOR NO REASON. IF I TAP ON THE BREAK IT WILL SHIFT WHEN ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO. WHEN I PUT THE SHIFTER FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT WILL FEEL LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO DROP OUT OF THE BOTTOM. THIS CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 3 MONTHS AND IM SCARED IM GOING TO GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521795

128,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Power Train

I BOUGHT MY CAR USED AND I LOVE IT BUT AFTER A MONTH IT STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT FROM 2RD TO 3RD. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW THEY SAID TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. I GOOGLED MY CAR AND NOW SEEN THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!! THIS IS A NISSAN …

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I BOUGHT MY CAR USED AND I LOVE IT BUT AFTER A MONTH IT STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT FROM 2RD TO 3RD. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW THEY SAID TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. I GOOGLED MY CAR AND NOW SEEN THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!! THIS IS A NISSAN MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND WITH ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I EXPECT TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED, KNOWING THAT IT ISN'T JUST ME. PLEASE REVIEW MY COMPLAINT ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE THAT OWNS THE NISSAN MAXIMA' S. WE ALL NEED FOR NISSAN TO STOP IGNORING THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THESE MODELS. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521574

80,000 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. DELAYED ENGAGEMENT FROM 2ND TO 3RD THE WILL DROP A GEAR ALMOST COME TO A STOP WITH HIGH RPM. HARD SHIFTS ARE VIOLENT AND START AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. HAVE BEEN MAKING DUE WITH MANUAL SHIFT BUT NOW IS NOT ENGAGING IN OVERDRIVE. CAR WILL DROP OUT OF OVERDRIVE N…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. DELAYED ENGAGEMENT FROM 2ND TO 3RD THE WILL DROP A GEAR ALMOST COME TO A STOP WITH HIGH RPM. HARD SHIFTS ARE VIOLENT AND START AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. HAVE BEEN MAKING DUE WITH MANUAL SHIFT BUT NOW IS NOT ENGAGING IN OVERDRIVE. CAR WILL DROP OUT OF OVERDRIVE NOT ALLOWING HIGHWAY SPEED. VEHICLE WILL STAY IN 5TH GEAR EVEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN MOVING AGAIN. WILL NOT DROP DOWN A GEAR. HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SET THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT OUT OF 5TH GEAR. CAR HAS ACTUALLY STALLED SLOWING TO A STOP LIGHT OR TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN TEXAS BECAUSE CODE SAYS TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND TO PASS I MUST NOW SPEND $2500 FOR REBUILT OR $4500+ FOR NEW. THIS IS A TOTAL MECHANICAL ERROR WHICH NISSAN IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY AND IS AN ACTUAL SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CAR DIES AT SPEED AND DOWNSHIFT CAN BE SO VIOLENT THAT YOU DROP 10 MPH IMMEDIATELY AND CAUSES STEERING ISSUES TO CONTROL THE JOLT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520921

78,000 miles · Jun 8, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2005 MAXIMA AND I AM HAVING VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD WHEN IT GEARS DOWN TO 1ST AND 2ND. AND SOMETIMES IT JUST WONT GO AT ALL..AND THEN WHEN I SIT THERE A MIN AND PUT M…

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I HAVE A 2005 MAXIMA AND I AM HAVING VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD WHEN IT GEARS DOWN TO 1ST AND 2ND. AND SOMETIMES IT JUST WONT GO AT ALL..AND THEN WHEN I SIT THERE A MIN AND PUT MY CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT HESITATES FOR AT LEAST 7 TO 10 SECS. AND THEN JUMPS REAL BAD AND THEN GOES INTO DRIVE.IT USUALLY DOES ALL THIS WHEN THE CAR IS HOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515828

89,000 miles · Jun 3, 2013
EnginePower Train

THE CAR SHIFTS AND CHANGES GEAR EXTREMELY HARD !!. THE FORCE WITH WHICH THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY ON ACCELERATION, WHILE GOING UPHILL, DOWNHILL AND SLOWING DOWN. I'VE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THIS AND ON THE DAY IN QUESTION, THE TURNPIKE WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER SO IT W…

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THE CAR SHIFTS AND CHANGES GEAR EXTREMELY HARD !!. THE FORCE WITH WHICH THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY ON ACCELERATION, WHILE GOING UPHILL, DOWNHILL AND SLOWING DOWN. I'VE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THIS AND ON THE DAY IN QUESTION, THE TURNPIKE WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER SO IT WAS MORE STOP AND GO THAN NORMAL. I HAD TO TAKE THE SHOULDER TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE I WAS INCHING ALONG IN TRAFFIC AND ON ONE OCCASION WHEN THE TRAFFIC MOVED THE CAR BUCKED AND LUNGED FORWARD. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT BUCKING AND ROCKING. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ALL TOGETHER. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS A TREND, IT'S DANGEROUS AND I BELIEVE IS DEFINITELY A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN CORP HAS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514936

135,000 miles · Jun 2, 2013
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO GEAR AND SHIFTS LIKE IT COULD BLOW UP OR DESTRUCT AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514689

128,000 miles · Jun 1, 2013
EnginePower Train

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA V6 3.5L A5 SPEED HAS SOME VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHEN DRIVING IT AFTER A WHILE, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS OR KICKS WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE OR DRIVE AND THE RPMS RISES SUDDENLY OR DROPS WHEN DRIVING IT AT A NORMAL SPEED. THE CATALYST CONVERTER OBD LIGHT ALSO KEEPS COMING ON. WE HAVE SEEN C…

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA V6 3.5L A5 SPEED HAS SOME VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHEN DRIVING IT AFTER A WHILE, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS OR KICKS WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE OR DRIVE AND THE RPMS RISES SUDDENLY OR DROPS WHEN DRIVING IT AT A NORMAL SPEED. THE CATALYST CONVERTER OBD LIGHT ALSO KEEPS COMING ON. WE HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS OF SIMILAR CONCERNS POSTED ON SOCIAL NETWORKS AND ONLINE WEBSITES REGARDING ALL 2005 NISSAN MAXIMAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AS WE NOW KNOW. WE AS CONSUMERS BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN HAS A MAJOR FLAW AND THAT NISSAN USA HAS BEEN KNOWINGLY SELLING CARS WITH SUCH FLAWS. WE NEED TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT MANDATE TO DO A NATIONWIDE RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSIONS. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514591

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.