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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
17,900 miles · Jul 6, 2007
Tires

NOTICED CIRCULAR TEARING OF ALL FOUR TIRES BEGINNING AT 16,000 MILES. LATER, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW AND TORE APART. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND I FOUND A SMALL EDGE OF THE FREEWAY TO CHANGE THE TIRE, WHICH WAS VERY NERVE RACKING WHEN CHANGING THE TIRE. THIS OCCURRED AT 18,000 MILES, 18 MO…

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NOTICED CIRCULAR TEARING OF ALL FOUR TIRES BEGINNING AT 16,000 MILES. LATER, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW AND TORE APART. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND I FOUND A SMALL EDGE OF THE FREEWAY TO CHANGE THE TIRE, WHICH WAS VERY NERVE RACKING WHEN CHANGING THE TIRE. THIS OCCURRED AT 18,000 MILES, 18 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR. THIS WAS A WEEK AFTER I TOLD NISSAN TO LOOK AT MY TIRES AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THEM, DESPITE THE CIRCULAR BREAKAGE BEGINNING TO OCCUR. I TOLD THEM TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AS WELL. THEY SAID NO LEAKS. THEY WERE GOODYEAR TIRES 245/45/18 EAGLE RSA TIRES. I HAD TO BUY FOUR NEW TIRES DUE TO SAFETY REASONS AT $575. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10195450

40,000 miles · Jun 27, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A P245-45R18 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS MAKING AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. SHE BELIEVED THAT THERE MAY BE A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES HAD SLITS IN THEM AND WOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO A M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A P245-45R18 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS MAKING AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. SHE BELIEVED THAT THERE MAY BE A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES HAD SLITS IN THEM AND WOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED PERFORMED ALL NECESSARY MAINTENANCE FOR VEHICLE AND COMPLAINED @ 37,000 ABOUT NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND THE DEALER INFORMED CUSTOMER TIRES WOULD WEAR IN. THE CONSUMER STATED FEELS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR 4 NEW TIRES AT $300 A PIECE. THE CONSUMER STATED GOODYEAR PRORATED THE REAR TIRES BUT CONSUMER FEELS THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENT. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10194796

43,000 miles · May 22, 2007
Steering

THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED STEERING WHEEL. ATHIS WINTER I USED IT ALMOST DAILY. I BEGAN TO NOTICE IN MARCH THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BECOMING DISCOLORED. THE AREAS WHERE THE HEATING MECHANISM WERE NOW BLACK AND GREEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191486

24,000 miles · Apr 21, 2007
Tires

AFTER 24,000 MILES THE GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES ON MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA DEVELOPED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL IN EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT ON BOTH TIRES. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE GOODYEAR DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED AND THEY SAID THE TIRES HAD AN "IMPACT BREAK." THEY SAID THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON IN THIS TIRE…

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AFTER 24,000 MILES THE GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES ON MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA DEVELOPED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL IN EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT ON BOTH TIRES. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE GOODYEAR DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED AND THEY SAID THE TIRES HAD AN "IMPACT BREAK." THEY SAID THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON IN THIS TIRE AND THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188490

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2007
Structure

OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO NISSAN ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PUT TOGETHER CORRECTLY IN THE FACTORY AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN RE-WELDED TWO SEPARATE TIMES IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS ON THE VEHICLE. NISSAN SENT A REPRESENTATIVE OUT ON OUR REQUEST TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WHEN THE DEAL…

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OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO NISSAN ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PUT TOGETHER CORRECTLY IN THE FACTORY AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN RE-WELDED TWO SEPARATE TIMES IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS ON THE VEHICLE. NISSAN SENT A REPRESENTATIVE OUT ON OUR REQUEST TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WHEN THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS TWO BUTTON WELDS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR TO ALLEVIATE THE FRAME FROM RUBBING/INSTABILITY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK IN THE SHOP (2 WEEKS LATER) FOR ADDITIONAL CONCERNS THAT WERE TO BE ADDRESSED AT THE TIME OF OUR LAST SERVICE (MARCH 30, 2007), BUT WERE NOT. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE ROTORS, MUFFLER AND SUSPENSION, IN ADDITION TO THE REAR SUBFRAME RECALL AND LATCH SYSTEM RECALL. CLEARLY A CAR WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10188189

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2007
Unknown Or Other

CHROME RAILS THAT RUN FROM FRONT OF WINDSHIEL TO REAR HAVE FADED AND ARE PEELING. EVERY MAXIMA I HAVE SEEN IS THE SAME. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS. GREAT CAR EXCEPT FORTHIS.

NHTSA ODI #10185585

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2007
Suspension

BOUGHT NISSAN MAXIMA 2005 IN MARCH OF 2005. STARTED WITH SHAKING STEERING WHEEL FROM 55 MPH AND ABOVE. TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES TO PREMIUM NISSAN, NEW ROCHELLE. REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, STRUTS, RIMS AND TYRES. ALSO BODY REPAIRS LIKE SWAYING REAR FENDER AND VIBRATING HEAT SHIELD IN ENGINE. STILL HAVE SHAKING PROBLEMS, CANNOT R…

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BOUGHT NISSAN MAXIMA 2005 IN MARCH OF 2005. STARTED WITH SHAKING STEERING WHEEL FROM 55 MPH AND ABOVE. TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES TO PREMIUM NISSAN, NEW ROCHELLE. REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, STRUTS, RIMS AND TYRES. ALSO BODY REPAIRS LIKE SWAYING REAR FENDER AND VIBRATING HEAT SHIELD IN ENGINE. STILL HAVE SHAKING PROBLEMS, CANNOT ROTATE TYRES AND SPEED BALANCED OVER 7 TIMES AND NO SOLUTION. LOST BBB ARBITRATION AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS HEARING. ON 3/7/07 TOOK FOR SERVICE AND NISSAN DID RECALLS TO REAR SUSPENSION ABS AND CHILD SEAT ANCHORS. THEY ROTATED THE TYRES AND NOW THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT ON ROUGH ROADS (TOTAL NIGHTMARE).

NHTSA ODI #10185306

46,580 miles · Mar 5, 2007
Power Train

MY 2005 MAXIMA HAS 47,000 MILES. RECENTLY, THE CAR CHOKES WHILE STOPPING AS THE CAR IS DOWN SHIFTING BACK INTO 1ST GEAR BEFORE STOPPING. SOMETIME WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL JUMP INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS VEHICLE IS AUTOMATIC TRASMISSION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184258

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2007
Unknown Or Other

MY 2005 MAXIMA HAS A TRAY ON THE DASH DESIGNED TO HOLD CHANGE SUNGLASSES CELL PHONE ETC.--I ALWAYS PUT CHANGE IN THE TRAY BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS A SPACE/SLIT WHERE THIS CHANGE CAN SLIP DOWN. THE CHANGE DID SLIP DOWN INTO ONE OF THE CIRCUIT PANELS AND BURNED UP MY CIRCUIT PANEL CAUSING MY MAJOR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THIS …

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MY 2005 MAXIMA HAS A TRAY ON THE DASH DESIGNED TO HOLD CHANGE SUNGLASSES CELL PHONE ETC.--I ALWAYS PUT CHANGE IN THE TRAY BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS A SPACE/SLIT WHERE THIS CHANGE CAN SLIP DOWN. THE CHANGE DID SLIP DOWN INTO ONE OF THE CIRCUIT PANELS AND BURNED UP MY CIRCUIT PANEL CAUSING MY MAJOR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AND COULD HAVE EASILY BURNED MY CAR UP WITH ME AND MY CHILD IN THE CAR. NISSAN SAID SINCE IT WAS DUE CHANGE IT WAS MY FAULT AND WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSES. MY QUESTION TO THEM WAS IF THIS TRAY WAS DESIGNED FOR CHANGE ETC. AND THERE WAS NO WARNING STATING TO NOT PUT CHANGE THERE THEN I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD COVER IT AS THIS IS FAULTY DESIGN AND A FIRE HAZARD. THEY SAID UNTIL THEY GET OTHER COMPLAINTS THEY WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAYING FOR THIS. IRONIC THAT WHEN IT CAME BACK FROM A NISSAN REPAIR SHOP THIS AREA THAT WAS OPEN IS NOW SEALED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10181842

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2007
Electronic Stability ControlService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 MAXIMA FRONT END SHAKING WHEN I START BRAKING. I HAVE HAD MY TIRES ROTATED BALANCED AND RE-ALIGNED BUT AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181841

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.