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
59,000 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Power Train
2005 NISSAN MAIMA, 60K MILES. I AM NOW HAVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE FOUND ARE RATHER COMMON FOR THIS CAR. I WILL BE TAKING TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MY CONCERN IS THE FACT THAT NISSAN IS NOT IDENTIFYING THIS AS A HABITUAL PROBLEM - WHICH SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE SHO…
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2005 NISSAN MAIMA, 60K MILES. I AM NOW HAVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE FOUND ARE RATHER COMMON FOR THIS CAR. I WILL BE TAKING TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MY CONCERN IS THE FACT THAT NISSAN IS NOT IDENTIFYING THIS AS A HABITUAL PROBLEM - WHICH SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE SHOWROOM AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR ACCORDING TO NISSAN REQUIREMENTS. HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED IN 09 AFTER I NOTICED UNUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR WHEN I WOULD ACCERLATE FROM A STOP. INSPECTION DISCOVERED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A DIRECT CAUSE TO MY TRANSMISSION ISSUE NOW AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL FORUM COMPLAINTS MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING NOW. ONCE MY INSPECTION WITH NISSAN THAT WILL BE DONE ON 8/30/10 AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS I WILL UPDATE MY COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352535
51,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Wheels
I HAVE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WHERE THE STEEL WHEELS ARE CORRODING CAUSING SLOW LEAKS WHEN TIRES ARE SEALED TO THE WHEEL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HITTING POTHOLES AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND SEAL BREAKING CAUSING CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. CAR HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED ADVISES CORROSION WARRANTY LAPSED A…
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I HAVE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WHERE THE STEEL WHEELS ARE CORRODING CAUSING SLOW LEAKS WHEN TIRES ARE SEALED TO THE WHEEL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HITTING POTHOLES AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND SEAL BREAKING CAUSING CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. CAR HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED ADVISES CORROSION WARRANTY LAPSED AS OF 3/25/2010.THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN 3/2008. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352281
92,600 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Equipment
2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE CAR HAS A REAL PROBLEM GOING INTO GEAR FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352213
106,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT HARD AND THE GEARS WOULD SLIP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMED UP (10-15 MILES AFTER BEING DRIVEN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT HARD AND THE GEARS WOULD SLIP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMED UP (10-15 MILES AFTER BEING DRIVEN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.
NHTSA ODI #10351982
79,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,0…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10351234
80,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS BEING REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10350354
75,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AFTER 10 MINUTES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND SLIPPED INTO SECOND GEAR WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE GEARS WOULD SLIP FROM FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR AND THEN TO THIRD GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AFTER 10 MINUTES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND SLIPPED INTO SECOND GEAR WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE GEARS WOULD SLIP FROM FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR AND THEN TO THIRD GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76005.
NHTSA ODI #10349032
70,000 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING, REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED. WHEN SHE TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE ALSO MAKE A CLANKING NOISE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING, REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED. WHEN SHE TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE ALSO MAKE A CLANKING NOISE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND NISSAN WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10348849
65,000 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH HE HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. HE THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE CONTINUED. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH HE HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. HE THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE CONTINUED. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10348722
97,500 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN SERVICE SHOP AND WAS SAID TO NEED A PART REPLACED IN TRANS. AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACING ALONG WITH MOTOR MOUNTS. AFTER REVIEWING MANY WEBSITES THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE HAS 1000 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. TRIED TAKING TO 2 DIFFERENT NISSAN REPS AND WAS TOLD…
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2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN SERVICE SHOP AND WAS SAID TO NEED A PART REPLACED IN TRANS. AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACING ALONG WITH MOTOR MOUNTS. AFTER REVIEWING MANY WEBSITES THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE HAS 1000 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. TRIED TAKING TO 2 DIFFERENT NISSAN REPS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WOULD DO ABOUT THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT.. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ELSE OR WHO ELSE I COULD SPEAK WITH ABOUT THIS MATTER. I HAVE OWNED 4 PRIOR NISSANS AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS AND SEEING THAT THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE IN THIS VEHICLE I DO FEEL THAT THEY ARE SOMEWHAT RESPONSIBLE. *TR
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