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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
93,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Power TrainCrash

I HAVE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION I WENT TO THE DEALER SHIP THEY SAID THIS MODEL COMING WITH A MINOR DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU TO GET THE RECALL START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394240

130,000 miles · Apr 3, 2011
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND ALSO DOWNSHIFTING VERY HARD AS WELL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ALSO SLIP OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING SLOW THROUGH FOR AN EXAMPLE A ROW OF STOP SIGNS. 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION $3800.00 FROM A DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM OFFERE…

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2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND ALSO DOWNSHIFTING VERY HARD AS WELL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ALSO SLIP OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING SLOW THROUGH FOR AN EXAMPLE A ROW OF STOP SIGNS. 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION $3800.00 FROM A DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM OFFERED NO HELP BECAUSE I PAID CASH FOR THE CAR. NOW I HAVE MY NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT SHIFTS BETTER BUT I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME SLIPPAGE PROBLEM AS BEFORE AND ONLY HAD THE NEW TRANSMISSION 3 MONTHS. THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THESE CARS AND NISSAN SHOULD FIX THAT. I HAVE OWNED 3 NISSANS BUT AFTER I GET RID OF THIS CAR I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE IF NISSAN DOESN'T TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THEIR MISTAKES. NO MATTER HOW COSTLY, THEY WILL END UP LOOSING ALOT OF LONG TIME CUSTOMERS IF THEY DON'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394100

105,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA-HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION-JERKING AND JUMPING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR WHEN STARTING,SLOWING DOWN, AND SHIFTING GEARS. ALSO JERKING WHEN ON CRUISE CONTROL. HESITATION WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND FORWARD TO REVERSE. THIS IS MY 3RD MAXIMA SO I'M LOYAL BUT VERY UPSET!!! I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A FORME…

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2005 NISSAN MAXIMA-HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION-JERKING AND JUMPING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR WHEN STARTING,SLOWING DOWN, AND SHIFTING GEARS. ALSO JERKING WHEN ON CRUISE CONTROL. HESITATION WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND FORWARD TO REVERSE. THIS IS MY 3RD MAXIMA SO I'M LOYAL BUT VERY UPSET!!! I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A FORMER NISSAN MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 AND 2005'S MAXIMA TRANSMISSION AND NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393927

36,000 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, THE GEAR ENGAGED WITH VIOLENT FORCE, AND SOMETIMES THE GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL TRANSMISSION MECHANIC TO BE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, THE GEAR ENGAGED WITH VIOLENT FORCE, AND SOMETIMES THE GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL TRANSMISSION MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10393858

92,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Power Train

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT IT NEW. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK AND HAVE ABOUT 93,000 MILES NOW ON THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE LONG DISTANCES EVERY DAY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION HAS BECOME MORE NOTICEABLE WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS …

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT IT NEW. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK AND HAVE ABOUT 93,000 MILES NOW ON THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE LONG DISTANCES EVERY DAY. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION HAS BECOME MORE NOTICEABLE WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND SOMETIMES 3RD AND BACK DOWN AND FEELS LIKE A BUCKING BRONCO. TODAY THE TRANS SLIPPED COMPLETELY WHILE ACCELERATING AT LEAST THREE TIMES ON MY DRIVE IN TO WORK AND THE RPM'S WENT FLYING. IT'S NEVER SLIPPED COMPLETELY UNTIL TODAY. THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND IT SHOULD BE LASTING A LOT LONGER THAN 5 YEARS. OVER THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES THE BUCKING BRONCO THING EVERY DAY, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR IN ONCE (TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP) AND THEY TRIED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH THAT COST NEARLY $400. IT SEEMED TO HELP FOR A COUPLE WEEKS BUT THE PROBLEM IS BACK AND IS MUCH WORSE NOW. I AM PLANNING TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN BUT I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT MAY COST ME $1,500 TO $2,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS CAN'T BE A COINCIDENCE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY NISSAN CORPORATE RIGHT AWAY!

NHTSA ODI #10393664

70,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION KNOCKED ROUGHLY. WHEN DRIVING, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP AND THE RPMS WOULD REV. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,557. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION KNOCKED ROUGHLY. WHEN DRIVING, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP AND THE RPMS WOULD REV. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,557. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10393602

92,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Power Train

HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS JERKING REAL HARD BETWEEN 1-2 GEAR AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN IT ALSO JERKS. IT JERKS SO HARD IT FEEL LIKE IM BEING REARENDED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE! THEY KNOW THEY PUT A MESSED UP TARANSMISSION IN THESE CARS! IT …

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HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS JERKING REAL HARD BETWEEN 1-2 GEAR AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN IT ALSO JERKS. IT JERKS SO HARD IT FEEL LIKE IM BEING REARENDED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE! THEY KNOW THEY PUT A MESSED UP TARANSMISSION IN THESE CARS! IT IS NOT FAIR! I AM NOT GOIN TO GET KILLED BECAUSE MY CAR WILL NOT GO WHEN I PULL OUT ON FREEWAY. I COULD OF GOT KILLED! IT JERKS WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE TO PARK. I PULLED OUT ON FREEWAY THIS MORNING AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO, ALMOST GOT HIT BY A VEHICLE. THIS IS A DEFECTED TRANSMISIION AND THERE ARE 1,000'S OF COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE WEB ABOUT THESE CARS. NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME AT ALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED BECAUSE OF POOR WORKMANSHIP DONE ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! THIS NEEDS A RECALL AND NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX THIS! NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX THIS! THEY NEED TO FIX THIS!!! MY FAMILY WILL SUE THEM IF WE GET HIT BY A CAR AND ME AND MY KIDS DIE BECAUSE OF MY TRANSMISSION NOT GOING INTO GEAR AND GETTING STUCK!

NHTSA ODI #10393543

97,000 miles · Mar 25, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 5-15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 5-15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10392867

80,000 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. A VERY HARD JERK OFTEN. A HARD JERK WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 AND 2005 MAXIMAS AND LOOKING ONLINE IT IS A DEFECT IN THE CARS TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. I AM BEING TO…

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THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. A VERY HARD JERK OFTEN. A HARD JERK WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 AND 2005 MAXIMAS AND LOOKING ONLINE IT IS A DEFECT IN THE CARS TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. I AM BEING TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS VERY COSTLY. THEN TO MOST LIKELY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION GETS ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT. HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEM FOR MONTHS, SO BEING THAT WE DO NOT HAVE FINANCES TO REPAIR, THE CAR IS SITTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392742

85,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS 4 TIMES. NOW AT 88,000, I AM TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I AM 47 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFETIME. I RESEARCHED THIS TOPIC AND FOUND MANY AMERICANS WITH SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHO OWN 2004-2005 NISSAN MAXIMAS. THE CAR JERKS…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS 4 TIMES. NOW AT 88,000, I AM TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I AM 47 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFETIME. I RESEARCHED THIS TOPIC AND FOUND MANY AMERICANS WITH SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHO OWN 2004-2005 NISSAN MAXIMAS. THE CAR JERKS FORWARD WHEN GOING FROM 2-3 GEAR, NEUTRAL TO REVERSE AND NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. ENGINES REVS HIGH WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING AND JERKS FORWARD WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND ENGINE FIRES. SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AND COMPLAINTS CAN BE FOUND AT-HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/NISSAN_MAXIMA.HTML UPDATED IVOQ 05/10/11 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392696

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.