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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
60,000 miles · Mar 8, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON SUBSEQUENT VISITS T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON SUBSEQUENT VISITS TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED SEVERAL DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS, INCLUDING CHANGING THE OIL FOR A SECOND TIME AND TO CHANGE THE MOTOR MOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. ..UPDATED 06/24/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10502136

82,000 miles · Mar 7, 2013
Power Train

VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING TO 2ND 3RD GEAR JERKS LIKE A MULE KICK, AND OCCASIONALLY OVER REVS ( GEAR SLIP) RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502032

88,000 miles · Mar 5, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ABNORMALLY HARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHIFT ABNORMALLY HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. THE IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP INTO SECOND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ABNORMALLY HARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHIFT ABNORMALLY HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. THE IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP INTO SECOND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY HALTED TO A STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10501340

142,864 miles · Mar 3, 2013
Power Train

IT ALL STARTED ON OUR WAY TO THE SUPERMARKET. WE WARM UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING WHEN WE WERE READY TO LEAVE AND PUT IN REVERSE IT TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO GO INTO GEAR BUT WHEN IT DID THE CAR SHIFTED REALLY HARD. WHEN WE PUT IT INTO DRIVE IT DID THE SAME THING. ON OUR WAY TO THE STORE THE CAR TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO EVE…

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IT ALL STARTED ON OUR WAY TO THE SUPERMARKET. WE WARM UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING WHEN WE WERE READY TO LEAVE AND PUT IN REVERSE IT TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO GO INTO GEAR BUT WHEN IT DID THE CAR SHIFTED REALLY HARD. WHEN WE PUT IT INTO DRIVE IT DID THE SAME THING. ON OUR WAY TO THE STORE THE CAR TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO EVERY GEAR AND WOULD SHIFT REALLY HARD WHEN IT DID SO. FROM THAT POINT WE TOOK THE CAR FOR ITS CHECK UP WITH THE MECHANIC WERE HE DID AN OIL CHANGE, TUNE UP AND SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION UPON TELLING HIM WHAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING HE SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MESSING UP AND THAT NISSAN HAD A BAD REPUTATION WITH TRANSMISSIONS GOING BAD PREMATURELY AND THAT HE HAD REPAIRED MANY NISSAN OF THE SAME YEAR IF NOT NEWER BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. HE ADVISE US THAT AFTER SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION THE PROBLEM MAY OR MAY NOT GO AWAY (OUR TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED EVERY 15,000-20,000 PRIOR TO PROBLEM). WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY GAVE OUT AT 142,864 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY A REPUTABLE SHOP ON 7/09/2010 USING NISSAN FACTORY PARTS WAS GIVEN A WARRANTY OF ONE YEAR. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE UNTIL DEC. 24, 2012 WHEN WE WENT TO PICK UP MY BROTHER FROM THE AIRPORT AND THE SAME THING STARTED TO HAPPEN AS WE STATED ABOVE. WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR BUT VERY MINIMAL AND NOT VERY FAR OR NOT AT ALL UNTIL FEBRUARY 19, 2013 AT 219,862 MILES AND 76,998 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME AND SINCE WE ONLY HAVE ONE CAR WE WERE FORCED TO GET A LOAN AND REPAIR IT AGAIN. AND $6000.00 LATER WE ARE SCARED FOR A THIRD INCIDENT. I HOPE THIS MATTER GETS RESOLVED AND NISSAN AGREES TO COMPENSATE THE COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501104

105,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO GEARS AFTER TO TAKING A WILE TO START. WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE THE CARS SHOWS IT IS IN 5TH GEAR AND AFTER RESEARCHING FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS . LOOKING FOR RECALLS AFTER SO MANY PEOPLE OR EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I SEE THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT WITH …

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TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO GEARS AFTER TO TAKING A WILE TO START. WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE THE CARS SHOWS IT IS IN 5TH GEAR AND AFTER RESEARCHING FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS . LOOKING FOR RECALLS AFTER SO MANY PEOPLE OR EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I SEE THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT WITH SO MANY MANY PROBLEMS STILL NO RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500985

70,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR ONCE IT WAS WARM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED FOR IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR ONCE IT WAS WARM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED FOR IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,500.

NHTSA ODI #10500762

85,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Power Train

I AM EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN MY 2005 MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 84000 MILES TO DATE AND IS STARTING TO SLIP GEARS IN BETWEEN 1-2 AND 2-3 WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED; THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN SWITCHING IN REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED SINCE IT CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO FELLOW DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING…

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I AM EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN MY 2005 MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 84000 MILES TO DATE AND IS STARTING TO SLIP GEARS IN BETWEEN 1-2 AND 2-3 WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED; THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN SWITCHING IN REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED SINCE IT CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO FELLOW DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FACT OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN IN THE ACT OF SWITCHING GEARS. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WELL DOCUMENTED AT THIS POINT TO NISSAN CORPORATE AS WELL AS THE NHTSA DATABASE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. I BELIEVE A RECALL AT THIS POINT SHOULD BE IN ORDER DUE TO THE MASS DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS OF THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500068

100,000 miles · Feb 24, 2013
Power Train

EXPERIENCING SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS A 5 SECOND OR MORE DELAY IN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND ONCE IT DOES SHIFT THERE IS A VIOLENT JERK AND CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN DRIVING THE RPM GAUGE GOES UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY. GEARS SLIP FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. I KNOW MY CAR HAS 100K MILES BUT IT HAS BEEN SUPERBLY KEPT…

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EXPERIENCING SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS A 5 SECOND OR MORE DELAY IN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND ONCE IT DOES SHIFT THERE IS A VIOLENT JERK AND CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN DRIVING THE RPM GAUGE GOES UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY. GEARS SLIP FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. I KNOW MY CAR HAS 100K MILES BUT IT HAS BEEN SUPERBLY KEPT SINCE MANUFACTURED SO THIS IS BAFFLING TO ME. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON TRANSMISSION FLUSHES AND TUNE UPS HOPING TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. I DON'T SEE MYSELF SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION THAT OBVIOUSLY WAS PREDESTINED FOR FAILURE! I LOVE FOREIGN CARS NISSAN ESPECIALLY THIS IS MY SECOND BUT AT THIS POINT I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TOYOTA AND NEVER BUYING OR RECOMMENDING A NISSAN EVER AGAIN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499875

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2013
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO DRAIN AND RE-FILL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO KEEP THE GEARS FROM SLIPPING.

NHTSA ODI #10500241

130 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Power Train

IT HESITATES WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND THAN JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING, JARRING ALL PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499569

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.