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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
20,000 miles · Jun 15, 2005
Tires

STEEL BELT WIDEWALLS FAILED, ALL FOUR TIRES SIDEWALLS CRACK, SOME TO OPENING OF 3/8 INCHE. SOME ON INSIDE, SOME ON OUTSIDE , ONLY 28645 MILES ON TIRES WHEN NOTICED DUE TO HIGH SPEED WOBBEL

NHTSA ODI #10125336

500 miles · May 25, 2005
SteeringSuspension

PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IN DECEMBER 2004. BY MARCH OF 2005, THE STRUT ASSEMBLIES (BOTH) HAD BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT OF NOISE IN THE STRUT ASSEMBLY BUT WAS REPAIRED TO NO AVAIL. MAY 25, 2005: NOISE IN THE FRONT END AGAIN. UPON INSPECTION FROM THE AUTHORIZED…

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PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IN DECEMBER 2004. BY MARCH OF 2005, THE STRUT ASSEMBLIES (BOTH) HAD BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT OF NOISE IN THE STRUT ASSEMBLY BUT WAS REPAIRED TO NO AVAIL. MAY 25, 2005: NOISE IN THE FRONT END AGAIN. UPON INSPECTION FROM THE AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, IT WAS SAID THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM A FAULTY RACK AND PINION. PRIOR TO THIS (UPON CONCLUSION THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME), I ASKED NISSAN TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THEY REFUSED. THIS VEHICLE'S FRONT END IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND HAZARDOUS. THE CAR, AT THIS TIME, HAS 17K MILES AND NEEDS TO BE EITHER REPLACED OR BOUGHT BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10122155

40 miles · May 19, 2005
Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED 2005 MAXIMA AND HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME VIBRATING AND SHIMMYING PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE SEEMS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. IF I HAD ONLY SEEN THIS WEBSITE BEFORE I BOUGHT ONE! THE DEALERSHIP TRIES THEY'RE BEST TO BLAME THE TIRES/WHEELS. THEY HAVE NOW PUT 5 SETS OF TIRE AND WHEELS ON MY BRAND NEW CAR..…

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PURCHASED 2005 MAXIMA AND HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME VIBRATING AND SHIMMYING PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE SEEMS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. IF I HAD ONLY SEEN THIS WEBSITE BEFORE I BOUGHT ONE! THE DEALERSHIP TRIES THEY'RE BEST TO BLAME THE TIRES/WHEELS. THEY HAVE NOW PUT 5 SETS OF TIRE AND WHEELS ON MY BRAND NEW CAR...THE ONLY PERSON THERE THAT IS TRUTHFUL WAS THE SERVICE MANAGER. I TOOK HIM FOR A RIDE IN THE CAR AND FINALLY, HE SAID, THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR...THEY WISH NISSAN WOULD FIX IT. HE SAID MAYBE 1 OUT OF 25 PEOPLE ACTUALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. I HAVE AM FILING A LEMON LAW SUIT AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. WHEN WILL NISSAN HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI #10121601

250 miles · May 13, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I PURCHASED A NISSAN MAXIMA SL AT THE START OF NOVEMBER 2004. A HARNESS INSIDE THE ENGINE CONTAINING A SENSOR TO DETECT ENGINE KNOCKS WAS DAMAGED BY A RODENT. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BUCK, STOP SHIFTING, CHANGE SPEED OF THE CAR ON IT'S OWN,LOSE ACCELERATION, NOT SHIFT, SHIFT SUDDENLY …

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I PURCHASED A NISSAN MAXIMA SL AT THE START OF NOVEMBER 2004. A HARNESS INSIDE THE ENGINE CONTAINING A SENSOR TO DETECT ENGINE KNOCKS WAS DAMAGED BY A RODENT. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BUCK, STOP SHIFTING, CHANGE SPEED OF THE CAR ON IT'S OWN,LOSE ACCELERATION, NOT SHIFT, SHIFT SUDDENLY AND PUT THE DRIVER IN A SITUATION WHERE IF THEY DID NOT COMPENSATE THEY COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR AND WORSENED OVER THE NEXT THREE THOUSAND MILES OF DRIVING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER IGNORED THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT UNTIL I SAID I WOULD PAY FOR THEM TO PLUG THE ENGINE INTO A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. AT THIS POINT THEY FOUND A MISFIRE CODE, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED MY THE MASTER MECHANIC AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE HARNESS AT MY EXPENSE! THE MANUFACTURE REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DANGEROUS DEFECT. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THEIR COMPUTER LOGIC AND/OR DESIGN. A SENSOR MALFUNCTION SHOULD NOT CAUSE AN ENGINE MISFIRE AND TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. NOTE THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 3 2004 INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT CONTINUED UNTIL THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER MANY TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT RETURNING MY CALLS. THE MASTER MECHANIC SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE WHICH TELLS ME THAT THIS IS PERHAPS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM THAT NISSAN CHOOSES TO IGNORE.

NHTSA ODI #10120858

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SLOWING DOWN ONCE THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.*MR THERE IS A ONE SECOND DELAY FROM THE TIME THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED UNTIL THE ENGINE STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10117729

45 miles · Feb 22, 2005
Electrical System

THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES WHEN THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE CONTROL IS PRESSED. THIS OCCURS ON A RANDOM BASIS WHEN ONE INDIVIDUAL REMOTE CONTROL IS USED AND 100% OF THE TIME WHEN GOING BETWEEN ONE REMOTE TO THE OTHER. ON A RANDOM BASIS, DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE BACK WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AND THAT AREA OF THE EXIT FEATURE IS …

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THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES WHEN THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE CONTROL IS PRESSED. THIS OCCURS ON A RANDOM BASIS WHEN ONE INDIVIDUAL REMOTE CONTROL IS USED AND 100% OF THE TIME WHEN GOING BETWEEN ONE REMOTE TO THE OTHER. ON A RANDOM BASIS, DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE BACK WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AND THAT AREA OF THE EXIT FEATURE IS ENABLED. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS FOR THE MAXIMA EQUIPPED WITH THE MEMORY SEAT OPTION WHEN THE ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE IS ENABLED. EXTERIOR MIRRORS MOVE ON THEIR OWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. NISSAN HAS MADE 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS FOR EACH PROBLEM STATED ABOVE AND CLAIMS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111997

40 miles · Feb 14, 2005
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I CALLED ON 1/31/05 AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT FOR MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE AS YET AND I AM WONDERING HOW I NEED TO PROCEED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110496

278 miles · Jan 31, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE WILL CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT START. WHILE DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. VEHICLE WAS INCHED INTO A PARKING LOT. TOWED THE NEXT DAY. THE IPDM MODULE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE MODULE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER.*AK...A BRAND NEW DESIGN, AND CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A MAJ…

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THE VEHICLE WILL CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT START. WHILE DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. VEHICLE WAS INCHED INTO A PARKING LOT. TOWED THE NEXT DAY. THE IPDM MODULE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE MODULE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER.*AK...A BRAND NEW DESIGN, AND CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A MAJOR FLAW IN DESIGN TO HAVE NO AUXILLIARY POWER OR WARNING WHEN THIS SHOULD OCCUR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10109280

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.