NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
948 reports89,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A VERY HARD JERK WHILE SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES COVERIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A VERY HARD JERK WHILE SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES COVERING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465388
92,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTED IN AND OUT OF GEAR, ESPECIALLY THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTED IN AND OUT OF GEAR, ESPECIALLY THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10464453
74,300 miles · Jun 28, 2012
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO OR OUT OF REVERSE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF DRIVE THE ENGINE REVS AND THERE IS A SUDDEN JERK. THE CAR ALSO JERKS WHENEVER SWITCHING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THE CAR HAS 70K+ MILES AND RESEA…
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TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO OR OUT OF REVERSE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF DRIVE THE ENGINE REVS AND THERE IS A SUDDEN JERK. THE CAR ALSO JERKS WHENEVER SWITCHING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THE CAR HAS 70K+ MILES AND RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AT THIS MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463499
119,000 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,200.
NHTSA ODI #10463199
130,000 miles · Jun 23, 2012
Power Train
VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING/JERKING WHEN PRESSING BREAKS FOR A RED LIGHT, CONTINUED SHAKING/JERKING AS I WAS PRESSING ON THE BREAK. SHAKING AND LOUD NOISE WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON, JERKING OF GEARS AS I AM DRIVING ON FREEWAY, SEEMS TO JUMP GEARS AND TAKES A LONG TIME TO CATCH ITSELF ON AUTOMATIC GEAR CHANGES. HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE B…
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VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING/JERKING WHEN PRESSING BREAKS FOR A RED LIGHT, CONTINUED SHAKING/JERKING AS I WAS PRESSING ON THE BREAK. SHAKING AND LOUD NOISE WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON, JERKING OF GEARS AS I AM DRIVING ON FREEWAY, SEEMS TO JUMP GEARS AND TAKES A LONG TIME TO CATCH ITSELF ON AUTOMATIC GEAR CHANGES. HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE BRAND NEW AND HAS GIVEN ALL KIDS OF PROBLEMS. FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS I'VE INVESTED TOO MUCH ON REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS THAT HAD NO REASON TO FAIL. I EXPECTED THIS CAR TO BE A DEPENDABLE AND RELIABLE VEHICLE BASED ON THE REPUTATION OF THE MAKER. LOVE THE INTERNAL FEATURES OF COMFORT AND LUXURY BUT THIS CAR FAILS WHERE IT COUNTS....THE TRANSMISSION AND UNDER THE HOOD WORKINGS. ---I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT A FOUL ODOR IN THE CAR... I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THAT STRANGE/STINKY ODOR IN MY CAR AND THOUGHT IT WAS MILK OR FOOD MY KIDS LEFT IN THE CAR...I TEND TO HAVE MY CAR VERY CLEAN AND AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR...AFTER READING THE OTHER ENTRIES I CAN SAY IT COMES FROM THE CAR ITSELF AS OTHER'S ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462861
98,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Engine
MY 2005 NISSAN IS JERKING DANGEROUSLY WHILE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND CHOSE NOT TO INFORM ME JUST TO MAKE A SELL. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANNY IS DEFECTED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NISSAN SEE…
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MY 2005 NISSAN IS JERKING DANGEROUSLY WHILE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND CHOSE NOT TO INFORM ME JUST TO MAKE A SELL. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANNY IS DEFECTED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NISSAN SEEMS TO REFUSE TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND SPENT 12,000 ON THE CAR NOW THEY ARE ASKING ME TO PAY 4500 FOR THE TRANNY. IF THIS WAS TOLD TO ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS BOUGHT I WOULD HAVE WENT AND BROUGHT A HONDA INSTEAD. RIP OFF AND DANGER ALERT TO ANYONE THAT OWN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462501
79,000 miles · Jun 17, 2012
Power Train
MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO IS NOT SWITCHING TO THE PROPER GEAR WHEN GOING FROM A STOPPED TO AN ACCELERATED MOVEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462024
108,000 miles · Jun 17, 2012
Power Train
WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY FROM SIDE ROAD, TRANSMISSION HALTED AS THOUGH STUCK IN OVERDRIVE. I ACCELERATED, BUT THE ENGINE JUST WOULD NOT GO. A TRUCK HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID COLLISION. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE LIKE A STANDARD TRANSMISSION HAD BEE STARTED IN 4TH OR 5TH GEAR. I HAVE GONE ONLINE TO FORUMS…
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WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY FROM SIDE ROAD, TRANSMISSION HALTED AS THOUGH STUCK IN OVERDRIVE. I ACCELERATED, BUT THE ENGINE JUST WOULD NOT GO. A TRUCK HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID COLLISION. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE LIKE A STANDARD TRANSMISSION HAD BEE STARTED IN 4TH OR 5TH GEAR. I HAVE GONE ONLINE TO FORUMS TO SEE THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR SOMETIME. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED TO CHECK FOR THIS LATENT DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN SOMEONE GETTING KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461983
80,000 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Power Train
MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BOTH IN LOWER GEARS AND AT TIMES, AT ACCELERATION. ADDITIONALLY, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO GO INTO DRIVE, BUT THEN JUMPS HARD INTO GEAR. SO HARD LIKE I'VE BEEN HIT. LUCKILY I DON'T LIVE ON A BUSY STRE…
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MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BOTH IN LOWER GEARS AND AT TIMES, AT ACCELERATION. ADDITIONALLY, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO GO INTO DRIVE, BUT THEN JUMPS HARD INTO GEAR. SO HARD LIKE I'VE BEEN HIT. LUCKILY I DON'T LIVE ON A BUSY STREET. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FROM MY RESEARCH MANY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I JUST STARTED RESEARCH AFTER LEARNING THAT A FRIEND OF MY DAUGHTER'S WHOSE PARENT OWNS A 2005 MAXIMA IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10461921
120,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Power Train
I BOUGHT THIS 2005 MAXIMA USED AND NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LAG IN THE SHIFTING THEN WHEN IT SHIFTED INTO GEAR IT WOULD LURCH. (FEELS LIKE BEING KICKED BY A MULE.) IT HAPPENS ON & OFF BUT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT ESPECIALLY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. THERE'S ALSO A FOUL SMELL NOTED WHEN THIS HAPPENS L…
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I BOUGHT THIS 2005 MAXIMA USED AND NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD LAG IN THE SHIFTING THEN WHEN IT SHIFTED INTO GEAR IT WOULD LURCH. (FEELS LIKE BEING KICKED BY A MULE.) IT HAPPENS ON & OFF BUT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT ESPECIALLY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. THERE'S ALSO A FOUL SMELL NOTED WHEN THIS HAPPENS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. I READ REVIEWS THAT CONFIRMED MY SUSPICIONS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. OF COURSE EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT IT WOULDN'T DO IT, AND NO COMPUTER CHECK SHOWED ANYTHING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSION NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN, AND THAT'S JUST SAD BECAUSE THAT'S ALL I HAVE EVER OWNED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461639