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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
40,000 miles · Mar 6, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MALFUNCTION OF THE REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. IT HAS HAPPENED TO EACH OF THE REAR BRAKES, WITHIN 40,000 MILES. THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM RELATED THAT THIS IS NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220229

47,000 miles · Feb 18, 2008
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SL CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD ON THE DRIVER'S LEFT SIDE ON 2/05/08 AT APPROX 12:00 THAT DAY. AFTER RETURNING FROM A SHORT DRIVE, I SMELLED SMOKE. UPON PARKING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND EXITING THE CAR WE NOTICE FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH BOARD. ONCE WE EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND CALLED THE FIRE D…

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SL CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD ON THE DRIVER'S LEFT SIDE ON 2/05/08 AT APPROX 12:00 THAT DAY. AFTER RETURNING FROM A SHORT DRIVE, I SMELLED SMOKE. UPON PARKING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND EXITING THE CAR WE NOTICE FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH BOARD. ONCE WE EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT WE REALIZED THE SOURCE APPEARED TO BE IN THE AREA OF THE FUSE HOUSING AREA. I'VE HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. MY SERVICE RECORD IS QUITE EXTENSIVE ON THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ONE VEHICLE. THE LATEST BEING 12/28/07 WHEN I HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING FOR THE DRIVER SEAT FAILURE TO MOVE. MY VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 12/31/07 AND THE SEAT WAS OPERABLE THEN, BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECH THAT THEY WEREN'T SURE IF THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BUT IT WAS WORKING AT THE PRESENT TIME. AS AN ENSUING RESULT I WAS UNAWARE I WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT COULD OF WENT IN FLAMES WHEN BEING DRIVEN. I'VE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT NISSAN CORP AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN THE REP THAT TOOK MY INFORMATION ON 2/8/08. I'VE ALSO ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE OWNER OF THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY LUCK THERE EITHER. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT RAY BRYANT NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED, AGAIN, POST THE FIRE DAMAGE. THIS IS THE SAME DEALERSHIP I'VE BEEN BRINGING MY VEHICLE TO FOR AL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE EXISTED WITH THIS CAR. ANY HELP AND GUIDANCE YOU CAN OFFER ME WITH THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218460

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS REAR-ENDED SO HARD IT CATAPULTED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAVE A BULGE AND BRUISING ABOVE MY RIGHT EYE AND RIGHT CHEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216790

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2007
Tires

FACTORY TIRES FOR A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5 SE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A P245/45R18 96V CRACKING ON SIDEWALLS M6A9 CMWR 0505. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207966

62,150 miles · Oct 10, 2007
Tires

TIRES DEFECTIVE POOR WORKMANSHIP.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10205351

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V512000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST). SINCE THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO FAIL AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED TWO WIRES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V512000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST). SINCE THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO FAIL AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED TWO WIRES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR OVER THIRTY DAYS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE MILEAGE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 1,300 MILES AND THE CARPET WAS DYED A DIFFERENT COLOR. SHE ALSO NOTICED HOLES IN THE SUNROOF SLIDER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DEALER ORDERED A REPLACEMENT WITHOUT HER KNOWING. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE SHE WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE REPAIRS, THEY WOULD HAVE THE MANUFACTURER REPLACE THE SUNROOF LINER. THE DEALER ALSO ORDERED A PART FOR THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO FAIL AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST HER IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10206042

14,450 miles · Sep 20, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AFTER IT WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL, HOWEVER, IT KEPT ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,450 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR WAS REPLACE AT HIS EXPENSE HOWEVER, HE DOES NOT FEEL THIS WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/16/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203590

19,839 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE TCF, CHECK ENGINE, AND SLIP LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE COASTED AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY REQUESTED HE HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN AND INSPECTED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE TCF, CHECK ENGINE, AND SLIP LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE COASTED AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY REQUESTED HE HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN AND INSPECTED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE THROTTLE BODY SHORTING OUT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,839.

NHTSA ODI #10200184

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2007
SuspensionWheels

CAR HAS 41K MILES. WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR A SHIMMY AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING OVER 55 MPH. 3 TIMES BALANCED AND ALIGNED TIRES. 4TH TIME WAS TOLD ALL 4 RIMS ARE BENT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. UNABLE TO GET ACCURATE INFORMATION ON WARRANTY FROM DEALER NOR NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199080

24,436 miles · Jul 9, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ONE OF THE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES FLATTENED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE CHANGED THE VEHICLES TIRES THREE TIMES SINCE THE FIRST FAILURE. THE # OF CYLINDERS AND DOT NUMBER WERE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ONE OF THE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES FLATTENED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE CHANGED THE VEHICLES TIRES THREE TIMES SINCE THE FIRST FAILURE. THE # OF CYLINDERS AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,436.

NHTSA ODI #10195636

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.