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
102,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429584
120,515 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING IN FIRST GEAR ON LIGHT THROTTLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 1ST GEAR INTO 2ND GEAR VIOLENTLY. NEARLY EVERY TIME UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE (UNDER NORMAL ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURE) SINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE TRANSMISSION EITHER UPSHIFTS (1ST TO 2ND GEAR) OR DOWNSHIFTS (3RD TO 2ND GEAR) VIOLENTLY. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429564
90,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BRAKE RELATED REPAIRS AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT BOTH OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BRAKE RELATED REPAIRS AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT BOTH OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10429560
90,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Power Train
MY TRANSMISSION IS BADLY JERKING AND SCARED TO DRIVE. GEAR SHIFTTING IS NOT PROPERLY OPERATING. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429505
90,000 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Power Train
FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING/CATCHING WHEN SPEEDING UP AND COMING TO A STOP. THIS STARTED AFTER ABOUT 90,000 MILES OR SO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428963
35,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WAS JERKING AND PULLING REAL HARD WHEN CHANGING GEARS. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER THREE TIMES AND HAD DIFFERENT THINGS CHECKED AND DONE (FLUSHED, AND RINGS CHANGED), AND IT JUST GOT WORSE TIL I HAD TO STOP DRIVING IT. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $3400 FOR TRANSMISSION. CAR COST TOO MUCH T…
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TRANSMISSION WAS JERKING AND PULLING REAL HARD WHEN CHANGING GEARS. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALER THREE TIMES AND HAD DIFFERENT THINGS CHECKED AND DONE (FLUSHED, AND RINGS CHANGED), AND IT JUST GOT WORSE TIL I HAD TO STOP DRIVING IT. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $3400 FOR TRANSMISSION. CAR COST TOO MUCH TO BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS SO SOON. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428879
114,120 miles · Oct 5, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY STATED THAT THEY W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,120.
NHTSA ODI #10428856
90,000 miles · Oct 4, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10428686
40,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP BETWEEN 1ST GEAR AND 2ND GEAR SOMETIMES IT SLIPS AND WHEN IT GRABS IT HITS HARD. OR WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO ENGAGE. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES. SOMEDAYS ITS OK SOMEDAY ITS NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428362
109,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
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