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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
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING GEARS RIGHT AROUND 58,000 MILES. I WOULD DRIVE IT AND IT WOULD GET STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. I WOULD HAVE TO SWITCH OVER TO MANUAL TO TRY AND SWITCH GEARS AND WHEN I WOULD DO THAT I WOULD EXPERIENCE VERY HARD SHIFTING AND JERKING. IF I'M SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHILE STATIONARY, EXTREMELY HARD JERKING…

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TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING GEARS RIGHT AROUND 58,000 MILES. I WOULD DRIVE IT AND IT WOULD GET STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. I WOULD HAVE TO SWITCH OVER TO MANUAL TO TRY AND SWITCH GEARS AND WHEN I WOULD DO THAT I WOULD EXPERIENCE VERY HARD SHIFTING AND JERKING. IF I'M SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHILE STATIONARY, EXTREMELY HARD JERKING AND IT WOULD STALL FOR 5 SECONDS BEFORE GOING INTO DRIVE. NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. I GUESS THEY WANT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE ISSUING A RECALL! THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN THE CAR DOES THIS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CRAPPY NISSAN EVER AGAIN! NOT TO MENTION THE SENSORS THAT HAS CONSTANTLY BEEN REPLACED OVER AND OVER THINKING IT WILL FIX THE JERKING ISSUES, BUT IT DOESN'T. IMAGINE HAVING A CAR FULL OF KIDS WHILE IT DOES THIS. THANKS NISSAN FOR BEING SO CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10918957

186,000 miles · Oct 23, 2016
Power Train

HARD SHIFTING FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN COMING TO A STOP. SLIPPAGE OF GEARS WHEN IN A STATIONARY POSITION IN PARK GOING INTO DRIVE (TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS)

NHTSA ODI #10918136

101,000 miles · Oct 12, 2016
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA THE GEARS SLIP AND JUMP INTO GEAR WITH A VIOLENT JERK THAT IS AFFECTING MY DRIVING AND MAY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLE INJURY MYSELF OR OTHERS. THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE VALVE BODY THAT IS CAUSING THIS VIOLENT SHIFTING AND IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE T…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA THE GEARS SLIP AND JUMP INTO GEAR WITH A VIOLENT JERK THAT IS AFFECTING MY DRIVING AND MAY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLE INJURY MYSELF OR OTHERS. THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE VALVE BODY THAT IS CAUSING THIS VIOLENT SHIFTING AND IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS ISSUE. IT IS DISGRACE THAT THE NHTSA HAD DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS WIDE SPREAD ISSUE, MUST PEOPLE DIE FIRST SO IT DOES GET ADDRESSED. I WILL ALSO CONTACT MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO REPORT THE ISSUE. I OPENED UP A CASE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WITH NO LUCK OR ADMITTANCE OF THEIR FAILED COMPONENT. NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION WITH A P0726 CODE AND HAD AN OPEN TECHNICAL BULLETIN NTB11'035 WHICH IS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NISSANS FAILED DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. NISSAN HAS QUOTED ME OVER $2500 TO REPAIR THEIR FAILED DESIGN COMPONENT.

NHTSA ODI #10915454

115,000 miles · Oct 6, 2016
Structure

PIECES STARTED FALLING OFF OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FLOORBOARD WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE ONLY THING BETWEEN MY FEET AND THE GROUND WAS THE CARPETING.

NHTSA ODI #10914171

206,000 miles · Oct 1, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

MY CAR HAS GIVEN ME TROUBLE SINCE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I BOUGHT IT USED, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD NISSANS ARE VERY RELIABLE VEHICLES EVEN WITH HIGH MILEAGE. IT WILL NOT EXCEL FORWARD AT ANY SPEED UNTIL IT GETS UP TO 40MPH AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT IS A DISASTER IN WAITING. I DRIVE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND …

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MY CAR HAS GIVEN ME TROUBLE SINCE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I BOUGHT IT USED, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD NISSANS ARE VERY RELIABLE VEHICLES EVEN WITH HIGH MILEAGE. IT WILL NOT EXCEL FORWARD AT ANY SPEED UNTIL IT GETS UP TO 40MPH AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT IS A DISASTER IN WAITING. I DRIVE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT FOR WORK. I AM AFRAID SOMEONE IS GOING TO PLOW INTO ME BECAUSE I AM NOT MOVING FAST ENOUGH. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS BAD ENOUGH TO JERK MY HEAD BACK WHENEVER I PUT IT IN REVERSE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE! THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. I QUIT DRIVING IT A FEW WEEKS AGO DUE TO THE JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I PUT IT INTO REVERSE. THE DATE BELOW IS THE LAST DAY I DROVE IT.

NHTSA ODI #10910949

124,000 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED, AND MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED, AND MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #10910193

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #10905094

98,000 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING AT AROUND 98K MILES. JERKS AND SLIPS WHILE DRIVING. DOESN'T PERFORM PROPERLY WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON ANY TYPE ROAD, ANY CONDITIONS, ANY TIME AND AT ANY SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #10904914

225,000 miles · Sep 3, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

AT A RED LIGHT, CAR STALLED, TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO RESTART. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, IT REVS LIKE IT HAS A STRAIN; NOT GOING ANYWHERE FAST, UNTIL IT GETS TO 40 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY. EACH TIME WE CHANGED A PART, THE CAR WOULD BE FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS. I AM …

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AT A RED LIGHT, CAR STALLED, TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO RESTART. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, IT REVS LIKE IT HAS A STRAIN; NOT GOING ANYWHERE FAST, UNTIL IT GETS TO 40 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY. EACH TIME WE CHANGED A PART, THE CAR WOULD BE FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS. I AM AFRAID WHEN THIS HAPPENS THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO PLOW INTO ME BECAUSE THEY CAN'T STOP IN TIME AS MY CAR IS GOING TOO SLOW. MY HUSBAND SEEMS TO THINK IT'S NOT AS MUCH THE TRANSMISSION AS MAYBE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SEEING AS THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED OR PROBABLY ALREADY HAS, BUT NO ONE CAN TELL WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER IS DEAD! I LOVE THE CAR AND WOULD BUY ANOTHER NISSAN, BUT I WILL RESEARCH THEM FIRST! I AM GLAD TO SEE IT IS NOT MY IMAGINATION ABOUT THE CAR JUMPING WHILE ACCELERATING. IT SEEMS TO ONLY DO IT WHEN I AM DRIVING, BUT IT STOPS JUMPING WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10903427

90,000 miles · Aug 13, 2016
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5 SE IS JERKING AND SLIPPING/SPINNING SEVERELY. IT STARTED AROUND 90,000 MILES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING OR SLOWING DOWN AND WHEN TAKING OFF. IT'S SO BAD WHEN TAKING OFF, YOU CAN SEE THE CAR JERK. WHEN TAKING OFF, THE CAR HESITATES UNTIL JERKING INTO LOW GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10895509

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.