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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
100,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Power Train

MY FATHER HAS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP. WHEN WE PULL OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND SHIFT INTO "D" THE TRANSMISSION TAKES A FEW SECONDS (ABOUT 5 OR SO) TO ACTUALLY SHIFT GEARS INTO DRIVE, AND WHEN IT DOES IT HAS A VERY ROUGH JERK. WE …

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MY FATHER HAS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP. WHEN WE PULL OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND SHIFT INTO "D" THE TRANSMISSION TAKES A FEW SECONDS (ABOUT 5 OR SO) TO ACTUALLY SHIFT GEARS INTO DRIVE, AND WHEN IT DOES IT HAS A VERY ROUGH JERK. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE WE LEFT IT 24 HOURS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BUT APPARENTLY THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHOWING THE SYMPTOMS WE DESCRIBED, AND I BELIEVE THEM BECAUSE IT DOESN'T ALWAYS DO IT. THEY DID HOWEVER TELL ME THAT IT NEEDED NEW TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WHICH WOULD RUN ME ABOUT $1200 DOLLARS WITH THE INSTALLATION, AND THEY ALSO SAID OUR TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BAD SO RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH (WHICH WE DID FOR ABOUT $200). WE WERE TOLD TO COME BACK IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED, AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO JERK. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TOLD US THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN ISSUE SO INSTEAD OF GOING BACK I DECIDED TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH. I TOOK 2.5 YEARS OF AUTO TECH BUT I AM NO MECHANIC AND IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES I FOUND COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSIONS IN 2004-2006 MAXIMAS (OTHER NISSANS AS WELL). MANY PEOPLE STATE THAT "STEALERSHIPS" WILL RECOMMEND A TRANNY FLUID FLUSH, NEXT TIME YOU COME BACK THEY SAY IT'S YOUR MOTOR MOUNTS, NEXT TIME YOU WILL NEED SENSORS, AND FINALLY (BY THIS POINT PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY UPSET) THEY TELL YOU THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT WITH QUOTES RANGING FROM $3,000-$4,600. I AM GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE NEXT WEEK AND IF I SEE THE SAME TRENDS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED I WILL HAVE A NICE CHAT WITH THE MANAGER, HOPEFULLY DEFAME THEM IN FRONT OF POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS, AND ULTIMATELY LOSE MY LIFETIME VALUE OF A CUSTOMER. IF NISSAN DOESN'T FIX THIS ISSUE THEY WILL LOSE CUSTOMERS, PROFITS AND THEIR REPUTATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514418

65,000 miles · May 30, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND WENT TO GO AND APPLY MY BRAKES. AT THIS TIME MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT UP WITH AN ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TALKED TO FIRESTONE AND TOLD THEM THE ISSUE AS I WAS OUT OF TOWN. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD RUN A QUICK DIAGNOSTIC. I DID AND THEY FOUND IT TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND WENT TO GO AND APPLY MY BRAKES. AT THIS TIME MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT UP WITH AN ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TALKED TO FIRESTONE AND TOLD THEM THE ISSUE AS I WAS OUT OF TOWN. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD RUN A QUICK DIAGNOSTIC. I DID AND THEY FOUND IT TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE AT NISSAN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AS THERE IS A TSB ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE THE ABS SENSOR AND POSSIBLY THE WHEELHUB, IF ALL WAS DONE I WOULD BE OUT ABOUT $3000. I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT ISSUES COULD ARISE AND THEY TOLD ME MY BRAKES COULD LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING. I FIND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 WITH A BIG TRUCK FOLLOWING. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY DID SOME RESEARCH, BUT CAME BACK WITH THE WOULD NOT HELP WITH ANY REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2004-2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. FOR SOME PEOPLE THIS HAS GONE ON TOO LONG WITH NISSAN NOT WANTING TO HELP OUT. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514194

74,000 miles · May 28, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A USED CAR WITH ABOUT 72,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE CAR STARTED TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD START TO JERK WHEN ACCELERATING. THE CAR JERKS REALLY BAD WHEN THE RPM GOES BETWEEN THE NUMBER 2 & 3. THER…

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A USED CAR WITH ABOUT 72,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE CAR STARTED TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD START TO JERK WHEN ACCELERATING. THE CAR JERKS REALLY BAD WHEN THE RPM GOES BETWEEN THE NUMBER 2 & 3. THERE ARE TIMES WHERE I CAN BE PUSHING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON MY GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR TAKES FOREVER TO ACCELERATE. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I READ REVIEWS ONLINE THAT SHOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THESE ISSUES. I TOOK MY CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION SHOPS THAT SPECIALIZE IN TRANSMISSION AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THERE WORK. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF ANYONE WAS TO PULL OUT AND THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OR YOU PULL OUT TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND YOUR CAR STARTS TO GO THEN STOPS AND JERKS BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HEAR ABOUT RECALLS FOR ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW NISSAN HASN'T GOTTEN IN TROUBLE FOR MAKING THESE HORRIBLE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513979

160,000 miles · May 23, 2013
Power Train

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD TO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR DOWN SHIFTING VERY HARD AFTER GETTING WARM UP JERKING HARD WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND STALLING WHEN TAKING OFF.. HAD SENSOR REPLACED IN TRANSMISSION TO START WITH NOW AFTER 6 MONTHS THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY STOPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513361

105,000 miles · May 21, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND JERKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND JERKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513012

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2013
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANMISSION DOWN SHIFTED HARD.

NHTSA ODI #10512163

120,000 miles · May 13, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511722

74,000 miles · May 9, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511304

96,000 miles · May 6, 2013
Power TrainSuspension

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 96000 MILES AND DOES THIS JERK SHIFT BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. IT STARTED A ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IN TO SERVICE THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. I JUST TOOK IT AGAIN FOR TRANSMISSION CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY. I WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK AS TO THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO CORR…

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 96000 MILES AND DOES THIS JERK SHIFT BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. IT STARTED A ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IN TO SERVICE THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. I JUST TOOK IT AGAIN FOR TRANSMISSION CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY. I WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK AS TO THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO CORRECT THESE INTERMITTENT AND RANDOM SYMPTOMS THAT INCLUDE: 1. TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO CLICK INTO GEAR AFTER THE SHIFT LEVER IS PUT IN "D" 2. VERY HARD JERKY SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. 3. TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR DURING REGULAR DRIVING ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO REV FREELY THEN JERKING BACK INTO GEAR WITH A LOUD CLUNK. THE IS FOLLOWED BY A BURNT OIL / ELECTRICAL TYPE SMELL THAT GETS INSIDE THE CAR AND EVIDENT OUTSIDE AFTER STOPPING. SOMETIMES I GO FOR DAYS WITH NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL AND OTHER TIMES IT MAY HAPPEN A DOZEN TIMES IN A DAY. I DRIVE MAINLY ON THE FREEWAYS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND HAVE MAINTAINED AND BABIED THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. THIS IS MY FIRST NISSAN AND I HAVE LOVED THIS CARD UNTIL THESE SYMPTOMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510860

68,000 miles · May 2, 2013
Power Train

BOUGHT OUR NISSAN MAXIMA NEW OF THE DEALERSHIP LOT IN JUNE 2005. I HAVE HAD MINOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. BUT STARTED HAVING MAJOR ISSUES AROUND 68,00.00 MILES. TRANSMISSION WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULD SLIP OUT THEN ENGINE REVS UP AND JERKS FORWARD. WOULD HAPPEN EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE. NOW IT LUNGES FORW…

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BOUGHT OUR NISSAN MAXIMA NEW OF THE DEALERSHIP LOT IN JUNE 2005. I HAVE HAD MINOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. BUT STARTED HAVING MAJOR ISSUES AROUND 68,00.00 MILES. TRANSMISSION WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULD SLIP OUT THEN ENGINE REVS UP AND JERKS FORWARD. WOULD HAPPEN EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE. NOW IT LUNGES FORWARD WHEN I AM STOPPING GEARS ARE RESPONDING. I HAVE TWO YOUNG KIDS. I DON'T WANT THEM OR ANYBODY ELSE GETTING INJURED OVER THIS. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL. THESE CARS COST SO MUCH THESE DAYS THEY NEED TO LAST A LOT LONGER THEN 70,00.00 MILES. I HAVE A TOYOTA 95 THAT HAS NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES AND IS STILL GOING STRONG. STEP IT UP NISSAN AND TAKE CARE OF THESE ISSUE. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS EVERYWHERE ON THE 2004- AND 2005 MODELS. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. PLEASE RECALL ...THERE IS A LOT OF US OUT THERE THESE DAYS TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AND SPEND SO SO MUCH ON THESE VEHICLES AND NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT. SHAME ON YOU NISSAN FOR NOT CARING.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510425

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.