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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 · Mar 9, 2011
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND SHAKING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR.*TGW

NHTSA ODI #10389088

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2011
Power Train

NISSAN HAS A HUGE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA CARS! MY MAXIMA WAS JERKING BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, RPMS REACHING 4 DURING SHIFTING, HARD JERKS IN DOWN SHIFTING; A 5 SEC PAUSE WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, I ALSO HEARD GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING. …

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NISSAN HAS A HUGE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA CARS! MY MAXIMA WAS JERKING BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, RPMS REACHING 4 DURING SHIFTING, HARD JERKS IN DOWN SHIFTING; A 5 SEC PAUSE WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, I ALSO HEARD GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING. THIS OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASES.I HAD TO PAY $3,500 FOR A REBUILT TRANS. NISSAN HEADQUARTERS REFUSE TO; LOOK AT MY CAR...AT THAT TIME I ONLY HAD 95,000 MILES NISSAN SAID MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. NISSAN TOLD ME I WASN'T A TRUE CUSTOMER BECAUSE I WASN'T GETTING MY OIL CHANGED BY THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS. (I PAID MY CAR OFF IN FULL IN 2005 HOW DEVOTED IS THAT) NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. ON TOP OF ALL THAT MY ABS SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY GONE IT'S TOO MUCH TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386351

92,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH AND ABOVE. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO TEN SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING AND THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN EXCESSIVE INCREASE IN RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH AND ABOVE. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO TEN SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING AND THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN EXCESSIVE INCREASE IN RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED HAVING THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10386172

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2011
Power Train

I BOUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA ABOUT 2 YRS AGO. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT THE TRANS REALLY MAKES ME NOT WANT IT. IM THINKING ABOUT TRADING IT IN . IT JERKS AND SLAMS INTO GEAR SO HARD. I SAW TRANS FLUID IN MY YARD THE OTHER DAY. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD BE ABOUT 2500 JUST TO REBUILD IT.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386108

100,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR! MY MAXIMA IS JERKING BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, RPMS REACHING 4 DURING SHIFTING, HARD JERKS IN DOWN SHIFTING AS WELL. A 5 SEC PAUSE WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE! A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING. THIS OCCURS ON A …

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2005 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR! MY MAXIMA IS JERKING BETWEEN 1ST 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, RPMS REACHING 4 DURING SHIFTING, HARD JERKS IN DOWN SHIFTING AS WELL. A 5 SEC PAUSE WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE! A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING. THIS OCCURS ON A DAILY BASES! VERY UNHAPPY WITH NISSAN, THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AND I MAKE SURE THAT I TELL EVERYONE TO BUY TOYOTA OR HONDA! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386059

80,000 miles · Feb 25, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS............WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD IT KICKS REALLY HARD JUST SHAKES THE ENTIRE CAR AT FIRST IT WAS A LIGHT KICK BUT AFTER 1MONTH IT BECAME A REALLY HARD KICK IT KNOCKS YOU BACK.....I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT HOW IS NOTHING WRONG WHEN YOUR DRIVING AND IT FEE…

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TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS............WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD IT KICKS REALLY HARD JUST SHAKES THE ENTIRE CAR AT FIRST IT WAS A LIGHT KICK BUT AFTER 1MONTH IT BECAME A REALLY HARD KICK IT KNOCKS YOU BACK.....I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT HOW IS NOTHING WRONG WHEN YOUR DRIVING AND IT FEELS LIKE A MULE KICKED YOU........I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, I DID THE REPAIR IT COST ME $2000 AND IT STILL DOES IT I'VE HEARD ON FORUMS THAT ALOT OF MAXIMAS FROM 04-05 HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384460

88,000 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Power Train

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SL WITH AROUND 88,000 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEARS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND REVERSE TO PARK AND PARK TO REVERSE. THE CAR REVS TO VERY HIGH RPMS BEFORE SHIFTING TO GEAR AND THEN JERKS VIOLENTLY. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEP…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SL WITH AROUND 88,000 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEARS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND REVERSE TO PARK AND PARK TO REVERSE. THE CAR REVS TO VERY HIGH RPMS BEFORE SHIFTING TO GEAR AND THEN JERKS VIOLENTLY. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1800-647-7261 AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAVE TO TAKE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET, WHICH I REFUSED BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND NOT DOING ANYTHING TO ASSIST US. IN THIS WEBSITE ALONE THERE ARE 316 COMPLAINTS REGARDING 05 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE PROBLEM TO MY UNDERSTANDING AFFECTS MAXIMA FROM 04-07. IF YOU GO TO THIS WEB SITE HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2005/NISSAN/MAXIMA/AUTOMATIC+TRANSMISSION, THERE ARE OVER 150 COMPLAINTS. IF YOU GO TO HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/NISSAN/MAXIMA/R83689/COMMENTS/PAGE-7/ THERE ALMOST 100 COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. TO FIX THESE ISSUES ACCORDING TO MY UNDERSTANDING WOULD TAKE ON AVERAGE $3000 WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY. KINDLY HELP US GET SOME RESOLUTION FROM NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384141

98,000 miles · Feb 22, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK BETWEEN GEARS, USUALLY BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 0…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK BETWEEN GEARS, USUALLY BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

NHTSA ODI #10383959

83,000 miles · Feb 21, 2011
Power Train

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IS HAVING JERKING/SLAMMING SHIFTING PROBLEMS FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND BACK, ETC. NOT SMOOTHLY SHIFTING INTO GEARS BESIDES THE JERKING. ALREADY TOLD BY NISSAN TO REPLACES MOUNTS AND FLUID, AND HAVE DONE SO AND EXPENSIVE FOR THAT... BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEM AND I'VE READY MANY, MANY FORUMS ON VARIOUS…

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2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IS HAVING JERKING/SLAMMING SHIFTING PROBLEMS FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND BACK, ETC. NOT SMOOTHLY SHIFTING INTO GEARS BESIDES THE JERKING. ALREADY TOLD BY NISSAN TO REPLACES MOUNTS AND FLUID, AND HAVE DONE SO AND EXPENSIVE FOR THAT... BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEM AND I'VE READY MANY, MANY FORUMS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND MANY HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP I USE FOR SERVICE TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION AS WELL MAY NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ALREADY. I THOUGHT NISSAN WAS A RELIABLE CAR AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AN REPLACEMENT IS HAPPENING FROM 60,000 TO 100,000 - THIS SHOULD NOT BE AND NISSAN SHOULD STEP UP AND RIGHTFULLY PUT A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THIS JERKING OR HESTITATION PROBLEM CONTINUES WHILE DRIVING, AS MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED, IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT NOT ONLY ON A LOCAL STREET, BUT DEFINITELY ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS COMPLAINT FORM IS ASKING AT WHAT SPEED AND I CAN'T PUT A NUMBER ON THAT - WHEN PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, NOT MUCH, WHEN HESITATING OR FEELING ROUGHNESS/SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING IT VARIES IN THE SPEEDS - A SAFETY ISSUE, AND RECALL ISSUE TO BE LOOKED AT. NISSAN - DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383440

71,560 miles · Feb 16, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A NISSAN MAXIMA 05. IT HAS 71532 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION ALREADY STARTED SHOWING PROBLEMS. IT JERKS REALLY HARD INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND ALSO SKIPS GEAR WHICH CAUSES THE REV'S TO GO HIGH. IT HAPPEN EVERYTIME I TAKE OUT THE CAR AND I AM SCARED THAT THIS WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO NOT WORK AT ALL. I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF $3500 T…

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I HAVE A NISSAN MAXIMA 05. IT HAS 71532 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION ALREADY STARTED SHOWING PROBLEMS. IT JERKS REALLY HARD INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND ALSO SKIPS GEAR WHICH CAUSES THE REV'S TO GO HIGH. IT HAPPEN EVERYTIME I TAKE OUT THE CAR AND I AM SCARED THAT THIS WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO NOT WORK AT ALL. I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF $3500 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I SEE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CARS TRANSMISSION AND I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382877

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.