Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
4225–50K
19850–75K
31075–100K
201100–150K
34150K+
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
150,000 miles · Apr 30, 2013
EnginePower Train
I,TOO, HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID THEY SAW NO PROBLEMS. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE JERKING UNTIL FINALLY, THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS ALL TOGETHER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOU…
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I,TOO, HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID THEY SAW NO PROBLEMS. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE JERKING UNTIL FINALLY, THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS ALL TOGETHER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REPLACED. AFTER EASING OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ALMOST EVERY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. TIME FOR A RECALL YET NISSAN!?! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510128
64,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013
Power Train
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WHICH HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I BEGAN EXPERIENCING JERKING. I TOOK CAR THE DEALER NO CODES CAME UP AT TIME AND WHEN THEY DROVE IT AT THAT TIME IT DROVE FINE. CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES AND WENT BACK NOW TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW VALVE BODY. UNFORTUNATELY THE VALVE BODY HAS CAUSE EXTEN…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WHICH HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I BEGAN EXPERIENCING JERKING. I TOOK CAR THE DEALER NO CODES CAME UP AT TIME AND WHEN THEY DROVE IT AT THAT TIME IT DROVE FINE. CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES AND WENT BACK NOW TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW VALVE BODY. UNFORTUNATELY THE VALVE BODY HAS CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION SO I NOW NEED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. PER PARTS SPECIALIST AND SERVICE ADVISOR AT NISSAN THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE VALVE BODY WITH THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HOWEVER NISSAN CORPORATE HAS NOT YET RECALLED IT YET. SHAME ON YOU NISSAN 3,800 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, I DON'T THINK SO. NO MORE NISSAN FOR ME. NISSAN REALLY NEED TO OWN UP TO THIS ISSUE. ITS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. PLEASE RECALL ISSUE. SIGNED DISSATISFIED NISSAN OWNER *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509739
98,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
Power Train
WHILE DECELERATING CAR UNDER 20MILES,THE CAR WILL JERK WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED FOR ACCELERATION(I.E.,SLOWING DOWN FOR RED LIGHT OR CHANGES IN TRAFFIC SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509203
85,000 miles · Apr 21, 2013
Power Train
WE BOUGHT A 2005 MAXIMA IN JUNE 2008 WITH APPROXIMATELY 30K[+/-] MILES. ON OR ABOUT SPRING 2012 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS[65K MILES], WITH HARD & JERKING SHIFTS WHEN TRAVELING AT 25MPH AND THEN SUDDEN HIGH REV'S WITH SUDDEN DOWN SHIFTS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. HAVE GONE ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL…
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WE BOUGHT A 2005 MAXIMA IN JUNE 2008 WITH APPROXIMATELY 30K[+/-] MILES. ON OR ABOUT SPRING 2012 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS[65K MILES], WITH HARD & JERKING SHIFTS WHEN TRAVELING AT 25MPH AND THEN SUDDEN HIGH REV'S WITH SUDDEN DOWN SHIFTS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. HAVE GONE ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF LIKE COMPLAINTS FOR 2005 MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EXACTLY LIKE OURS. HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT A NISSAN DEALER, YET THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES LIGHT WENT OUT. HOWEVER, THE SHIFTING PROBLEMS RETURNED AFTER FURTHER DRIVING A FEW MONTHS LATER.. HAD THE CODE STATE "SHIFT MALFUNCTION". AS THERE ARE OTHERS, HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, IT IS TIME FOR A MAJOR RECALL ON THE 2004 -2006 MAXIMA FOR DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS: "TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS" CONTINUED AND WE CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A FEW MILES LOCALLY AND ONCE IT IS WARMED UP THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO SHIFT ROUGH & HARD, JERKY IN TO AND OUT OF GEARS. IF DRIVEN MORE THAN 15 MINUTES WILL FREEZE IN 5TH GEAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO OTHERS WHILE ON THE ROADS OF AMERICA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508986
97,980 miles · Apr 19, 2013
EnginePower Train
WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE FROM PARK.. IT TOOK ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS TO CATCH AND GO. THEN WHEN I PUT IT DRIVE IT DID THE SAME. IT WILL DO THIS SOME DAYS AND NOT DO IT SOME DAYS. MAJOR FLAW IN 05 MAXIMS TRANSMISSIONS FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ. NEED TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM . THIS IS MY 3RD NISSAN MAXIMAAND MY FI…
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WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE FROM PARK.. IT TOOK ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS TO CATCH AND GO. THEN WHEN I PUT IT DRIVE IT DID THE SAME. IT WILL DO THIS SOME DAYS AND NOT DO IT SOME DAYS. MAJOR FLAW IN 05 MAXIMS TRANSMISSIONS FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ. NEED TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM . THIS IS MY 3RD NISSAN MAXIMAAND MY FIRST ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. BIG DISSAPOINTMENT NISSAN. RECALL 05 MAXIMS AND FIXTRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508819
89,379 miles · Apr 17, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED BY A DEALER AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,379. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508584
116,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE VALVE BODY HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE VALVE BODY HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10507080
70,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SOLENOIDS IN THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SOLENOIDS IN THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10505208
165,000 miles · Mar 30, 2013
Power TrainStructure
DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOWNHILL GOING ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR, CAR HARD SHIFTED ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO DECELERATE VERY FAST. CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND. AT THE SLOW SPEED IT SCRATCHED THE BUMPER OF THE CAR AND CAUSED MY NECK TO WHIP. TRANSMISSION DESIGN FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505099
60,000 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE NISSAN SERVICE REP ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE NISSAN SERVICE REP ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT BECAUSE IT HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FOWARD A LOUD THUD COULD BE HEARD. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER SOME RESEARCHING THE FAILURE WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE SHIFT SOLENOID. THE VEHICLES GOES INTO LIMP MODE. UPDATED 06/24/2013 *JS
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.
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.
2005 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year