2005 Nissan Maxima

Above average

Owners filed 948 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 2 times.

Avoid One of the Nissan Maxima years to avoid: 8.5× the complaints of a typical Maxima year. Which Nissan Maxima years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
85,000 milesMedian miles at failure

820 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2005 Nissan Maxima problems

727 of the 948 complaints (77%) are about the transmission.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train · transmission421
212
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission299
406
Engine34
002
Electrical System23
030
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine17
000
Unknown or Other15
000
Structure › Body · body and frame14
010
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration10
100
Service Brakes · brakes10
102
Tires9
203

2005 Nissan Maxima transmission problems

77% of all complaints

727 of the 948 complaints are about the transmission. This is what owners describe:

  • jerks, lurches or bucks57% · 415
  • slips or will not engage a gear25% · 180
  • shifts hard, late or not at all16% · 118
  • hesitates before moving or accelerating13% · 91
  • knocks, grinds or clunks7% · 51
  • stalls6% · 46

Share of the 727 transmission complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
85,000 mi
median of 646 reports
Peak year of filing
2011
214 transmission complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
6 · 1 · 8
in these complaints
Recalls on the transmission
None
“The 2005 nissan maxima has a terrible transmission. Problems shifting gears and when trying to accelerate it wont shift out of gears to go faster. Such as if I stop at a stop light or stop sign and then try to go again it accelerates very (5mph). Also when shifting into drive, it does this loud banging jerk that jerks the entire car. Was told transmission is slipping.”
Owner complaint, filed Aug 18, 2018 at 170,000 miles
“Automatic transmission had to be replaced under 100,000 miles due to severe jerking during shifts between low gears. The worst would often be slowing down, as in approaching a stop light or stop sign. In stop-and-go traffic, the kick from the transmission when slowing (down-shift from 2nd to 1st) would often cause the car to nose-down a bit suddenly, such that drivers behind would react as if I were making a hard …”
Owner complaint, filed Apr 2, 2017 at 85,000 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2005: 16 complaints, 3 about the transmission'052006: 11 complaints, 0 about the transmission2007: 18 complaints, 1 about the transmission'072008: 23 complaints, 9 about the transmission2009: 45 complaints, 33 about the transmission'092010: 137 complaints, 118 about the transmission2011: 238 complaints, 214 about the transmission'112012: 149 complaints, 129 about the transmission2013: 121 complaints, 104 about the transmission'132014: 65 complaints, 49 about the transmission2015: 40 complaints, 25 about the transmission'152016: 42 complaints, 26 about the transmission2017: 23 complaints, 13 about the transmission'172018: 6 complaints, 2 about the transmission2019: 7 complaints, 1 about the transmission'192020: 2 complaints, 0 about the transmission2021: 2 complaints, 0 about the transmission'212022: 1 complaints, 0 about the transmission2023: 1 complaints, 0 about the transmission'232024: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission2025: 1 complaints, 0 about the transmission'25Recall 05V338000 (child seat)Recall 05V512000 (seats)
All complaintsAbout the transmissionRecall (red: the transmission)

Complaints about the 2005 Maxima peaked in 2011, with 238 filed that year. No recall on file covers the transmission, the subject of 77% of the complaints. In 2025 owners filed 1 so far.

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust05V512000
Filed Nov 7, 2005102,551 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Child Seat › Latch Strap05V338000
Filed Jul 26, 200590,016 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

Technical service bulletins

94 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2005 Maxima. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 15electrical system 14engine 11body and frame 10suspension 7brakes 5transmission 5steering 4
P5216Warranty extensionAug 20, 2015equipment

To ensure customer satisfaction, Nissan extended the warranty for cracking of the rear sub-frame due to corrosion to a total of 13 years with unlimited mileage on all model year 2002-2005 Nissan Altima and 2004-2005 Nissan Maxima vehicles.

NTB11-002AService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 5, 2013transmission

NISSAN: THE VEHICLE HAS A SLOWER THAN NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. UPDATED ON 06/08/2011. *KB UPDATED ON 06/13/2011. *RM UPDATED 12/16/2013 *JS

NTB12-035Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 10, 2012transmission

NISSAN: ECM REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES WITH CONSULT III PLUS. APPLIES TO ALL 2004 AND LATER (DOES NOT APPLY TO LEAF/EV) VEHICLES. *JS

NTB-11-035Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 7, 2011transmission

NISSAN: 2004-2006 MAXIMA. HARSH UPSHIFTS OR DOWNSHIFTS DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION OR WHEN SLOWING. *RM

NTB08-049Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 28, 2008transmission

NISSAN; SPECIAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID REQUIREMENT. 2004 TO CURRENT NISSAN VEHICLES. *NJ

05055Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 29, 2005transmission

5 SPEED FWD A/T LEFT SIDE OIL LEAK DIAGNOSTIC. UPDATE *SC

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2025AZ

While driving my car down the road the vehicle randomly shut off lost power and I had to quickly pull into a plaza but was almost hit, looking through many different Nissan forums a lot of mechanics and owners are saying that the original crankshaft/camshaft position sensors on the Altima/maxima have experienced faulty mechanics over time that cause it to overheat and stop working and locking up the system completely. This is a huge problem as I can’t afford to fix this myself and it could have caused a serious accident this should be investigated due to other recalls on the Altima with the faulty sensors, the maxima 3.5 is also starting to experience these issues if you look through multiple forums and research the issue that’s happening. Please investigate this soon so that nobody gets seriously hurt.

Air BagsCrash5 injured
Filed Aug 8, 2023NY

On June 6th. 2019 my 2005 nissan maxima struck a disabled vehicle left in the middle lane of the Long Island Expressway (a 3 laned highway). Although I was traveling at 60 mph when the collision occurred and struck the disabled vehicle from the rear, the passenger airbag never deployed. This resulted in the passenger receiving significantly more serious injuries than that of the driver (who's airbag did deploy).

Steering
Filed Aug 10, 2022107,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power steering would fail to operate. The steering wheel would require excessive force in order to steer the vehicle. The contact would frequently replenish the steering fluid however, the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000

Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 2021120,000 milesTN

VEHICLE MAKES CLUNKING, JERKING NOISES AND BAD CLUNKING SOUNDS WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO GEAR OR SHIFT GEARS, DIGITAL GEAR DISPLAY SHOWS VEHICLE IS IN 5TH GEAR ALL THE TIME, ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY.

Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2021275,587 milesLA

I HAVE AN 05 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD AND ERRATICALLY

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 1, 202045,500 milesPR

THE CAR HAS A SOUND AS IF IT WERE METAL FATIGUE IN THE FRONT OF THE HOOD A HARD BLOW SOUNDS LOUD EVERY TIME THE CAR MOVES FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY SAY WHAT IS A FACTORY DEFECT I AM AFRAID THAT IT IS A METAL THAT IS UNDER FATIGUE AND THE ENGINE FALLS ON THE GROUND RUNNING ON THE STREET.

Seats › Front Assembly › Power AdjustFire1 injured
Filed May 7, 2020112,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 20005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BEGAN SMOKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE AUTHORITIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AS THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES, THE FIRE WAS THEN EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. DUE TO HER FRANTIC EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH KNEES AND HER RIGHT ANKLE; HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V512000 (SEAT) TO HER FAILURE; HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *DT*JB*DT*JB

Electrical System
Filed Nov 12, 2019112,337 milesPA

MY CAR ONLY HAS 112337 MILE AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION , NOW AT 112954 HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE . THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD SHIFTING/ JERKING WHEN YOU GET TO ABOUT 30-35 MPH . SO IT COST ALMOST 4,000.00 TO FIX AND THE THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AFTER 500 MILES WITH NEW TRANSMISSION AND TOOK THE CAR TO ELECTRICAL SHOP TO FIND OUT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND AFTER ALL THE MONEY PUT IN THIS CAR I DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH FIXING THE ABS CONSIDERING I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT. 2018 AND THOUGHT I GOT A GREAT CAR AND ALREDY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY PUT IN IT AND COULD NEVER SELL IT FOR THE MONEY I HAVE IN IT NISSAN SHOULD BE FIXING THESE ISSUES NOT ME CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THESE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AT THE SAME MILEAGE

Engine
Filed May 2, 2019157,465 milesMD

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN GEARS STARTED TO SHIFT ON ITS OWN , SO STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF MY ENGINE THEN I TURNED IT BACK ON AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND IT WAS DRIVING WELL UNTIL AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE GEARS WOULDN'T GO PAST 2ND GEAR

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 24, 2019109,000 milesNY

THIS DANGER OF WHICH I COMPLAIN IS NOT ABSOLUTE TO MY VEHICLE BUT TO ALL OTHERS THAT ARE MADE WITH SUCH SHORTCUT. IN PREVIOUS DECADES CARS WERE MADE WITH A TRUNK KEY AND OR MECHANICAL CABLE FOR OPENING. MY 2005 MAXIMA AND MOST RECENT VEHICLES ARE MADE WITH ONLY AN ELECTRONIC BUTTON TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. RECENTLY MY CAR LOST POWER AT A PRECARIOUS LOCATION AND I HAD NO WAY OF ACCESSING THE TRUNK. MY FLARES, MY BOOSTER CABLES,ALL EMERGENCY TOOLS, SUPPLIES, FIRST AID KIT, FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WATER ALL LOCKED AWAY IN THE TRUNK AND I HAD NO ACCESS TO IT. THIS IS NOT MERELY INCONVENIENT, BUT VERY DANGEROUS. CAR MANUFACTURERS MAY SAY THAT THERE IS ACCESS THROUGH THE BACK SEAT. THIS, HOWEVER, IS TOTALLY INADEQUATE. IT IS VERY CUMBERSOME AND CALL FOR PHYSICAL MANEUVER WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT, TIME CONSUMING AND SUBJECT TO FAILURE. FIRST IT IS A TASK IN ITSELF TO FIGURE OUT AND TO GET THAT BACK SEAT DOWN. EVEN WHEN DOWN, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO EVEN CRAWL INSIDE AND ACCESS THINGS YOU NEED. FEELING AROUND IN THE DARK WITH YOUR HAND IS NOT EFFICIENT. FURTHERMORE THE APPARATUS TO GET THE TRUNK DOOR OPEN FROM THAT POSITION IS NOT ONLY OBSCURED BUT PHYSICALLY ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION. I PROPOSE THAT IT BE MANDATED THAT VEHICLES COME WITH A MORE ACCESSIBLE BACKUP, SUCH AS A MECHANICAL CABLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR OR KEY LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE TRUNK IN CASE OF POWER FAILURE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE! ONE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ABLE

Air Bags
Filed Apr 15, 201932,000 milesAZ

INDICATOR LIGHT IN VEHICLE SAYS PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 1, 2019125,000 milesAK

THIS CAR HAS NOTHING BUT ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS ALONG WITH CONTINUING TO DEAL WITH THE CARS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE REVVING AND TROWING ITSELF IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND DYING THE THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES WITH NISSAN REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OR ADMIT FAULT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. IM SURE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY HURT FROM THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS STRONG ENOUGH TO BE MADE INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT.

Power Train
Filed Jan 28, 2019SC

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE... CV TRANSMISSION COULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. CV TRANSMISSION COULD HESITATE IN SHIFTING TO NEXT OR PREVIOUS GEAR. THIS CAN CAUSE HARD, VIOLENT SHIFTING TO OCCUR WHICH COULD SERIOUSLY DAMAGE THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 6, 2019FL

HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING UP GAS TANK I NOTICED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP KEPT SHUTTING OFF. I WAS SENT A NOTICE FOR FREE REPAIR BUT CANT FINE NOTICE PLEASE SEND ME ANOTHER ONE.

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2018120,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE REVVED, THE VEHICLE SWITCHED GEARS, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT WHERE IT STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED, DIAGNOSED, OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 5, 2018HI

JUST AFTER 100K MILES THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FROM R TO D AND SLOWLY PROGRESSED INTO FULL BLOWN SLIPPING, RPMS SHOOT THROUGH THE ROOF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIP AND SLAM INTO GEAR AT WHATEVER SPEED I'M GOING WHICH SOMETIMES CAUSE THE CAR TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. I'VE SEEN 1,000S OF FORUMS WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND CLAIMING NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOT ONLY IS MY CAR UNSAFE BUT I FEEL AS IF NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LACK OF CARE THEY PUT INTO THE 2004-2007 MODELS OF THE MAXIMA.

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Sep 29, 2018FL

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING PERIODICALLY OVER A WEEKS TIME, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, NEXT DAY THE PARKED CAR '5 HOURS COLD' CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND FUSE BOX AREA EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL BURNED UP. POLICE REPORT WAS DONE BUT I DO NOT HAVE A COPY, STILL WAITING ON FIRE MARSHAL REPORT. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE OTHER VEHICLE HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE.

Power Train
Filed Aug 18, 2018170,000 milesMS

THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION. PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT WONT SHIFT OUT OF GEARS TO GO FASTER. SUCH AS IF I STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND THEN TRY TO GO AGAIN IT ACCELERATES VERY (5MPH). ALSO WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, IT DOES THIS LOUD BANGING JERK THAT JERKS THE ENTIRE CAR. WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE NISSIAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. CAR IS ONLY 13 YEARS OLD.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 29, 2018159,000 milesCA

I AM A FORENSIC CONSULTANT THAT HAS EXAMINED THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN APPROXIMATE 32 MPH LONGITUDINAL DELTA V. THE DRIVER WAS PROPERLY SAFETY BELTED BUT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AFFECTING PUBLIC SAFETY. *TT *BF *JB

Power Train
Filed Apr 13, 2018144,000 milesCA

SUDDEN SURGES AND JOLTING WHEN TRYING TO PARK CAR EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED

Power Train
Filed Dec 10, 2017107,000 milesKY

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Power Train
Filed Oct 9, 201772,000 milesNM

CAR WOULD STAY IN 5TH GEAR WHEN TURNED. IT WOULD MOVE BUT AT SLOW RATE. NOW IT WILL MOVE ABOUT A 100 FEET THEN GEAR WONT ENGAGE. YOU CAN GIVE IT GAS BUT IT JUST WONT MOVE. ILL LET IT COOL DOWN AND IT MOVE AGAIN BUT WILL RESUME PROBLEM.

Power Train
Filed Oct 3, 2017TX

TRANSMISSION FAILING DELAY IN GEAR SELECT FOLLOWED BY A HARD THUMP HARD SHIFTING AFTER 30MIN DID NOT EXPECT THIS FROM A CAR WITH 108K MILES WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

Steering
Filed Sep 19, 2017MO

POWER STEERING GEAR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 15, 2017160,000 milesIL

CAR JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING, SLIPS GEARS, HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO OVER 20 MPH (WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 50MPH ROAD!)

Electrical System
Filed Jun 14, 201790,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, BUT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 08/31/17 *BF *CN

Power Train
Filed Jun 4, 201745,699 milesWA

SUDDEN TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 45,699 MILES ON MAXIMA 2005. PUT CAR IN REVERSE, BACKED OUT PUT IN DRIVE IT STALLED OUT. CAR DID NOT WANT TO START, I WAS IN MIDDLE OF STREET. CAR HAS NEVER EVER GIVEN ME ISSUES PRIOR. SUDDEN "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT, (NEVER ILLUMINATED BEFORE. PUT ACCELERATOR TO FLOOR TO START THEN CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE FORWARD, IT HAD NO 1, 2ND GEARS. DROVE IT OUT OF MIDDLE OF STREET. TOOK FOREVER TO GET TO 20MPH. PARKED CAR, STARTED EASIER IN THE MORNING BUT MADE HORRIBLE CLUNK WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. IT IS NOW AT REPAIR SHOP AND NOT SURE OF FULL DIAGNOSIS YET BUT TOLD WILL PROBABLY BEE A FULL TRANSMISSION REBUILD.

Engine
Filed May 2, 2017132,376 milesSD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; THEREFORE, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. CASE NUMBER: 26278170 WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,376.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 27, 2017NC

I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN FOR STATE INSPECTION ON 11-21-2016 AND FOR THE CAR JERKING AND OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANGER THAT MY THREE WAY CATALY HAD GONE BAD. THEN IT WAS TOLD OTHER THINGS WAS WRONG WHICH WAS NOT EXPECTED SINCE I GET MY CAR SERVICE REGULARLY. SENSOR ASSY AIR, MOUNTING RUBBER, RIGHT AND LEFT STRUT, SPACER FRONT STR., BUMPER ASSY BOUN, INSULATOR ASSY-S, GASKET EXHAUST, HOSE ASSY-BLOW B, ALLL THIS WAS DONE TO FIX THE JERKING WHICH DID NOT WORK. I PAID $3662.55 ON THAT DAY DROVE 10 MILES AND THE CAR WAS STILL JERKING. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR BACK ON MONDAY. IT WAS THEN TOLD THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 18, 2017175,960 milesNY

PRIOR OWNER REPORTED ISSUES WITH ABS REAR SENSOR, AND HAVING TO DISCONNECT FUSE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE WEEKS AGO, I AUTHORIZED DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT COMPUTER REPORTS REAR RIGHT ABS SENSOR BEING DEFECTIVE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST A LITTLE OVER $550. DRIVING FROM DEALER, THE VEHICLE HAS REDUCED ACCELERATION OUT OF NOWHERE TO A POINT WHERE I HAVE NOT DRIVEN CAR UNTIL I PROCEED WITH REPAIRS AT DEALER. SINCE RE-CONNECTING FUSE THAT POWERS ABS... AT TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CAR BATTERY DRAINED. AFTER JUMP STARTING VEHICLE, PERMITTING BATTERY TO CHARGE,,, AFTER TURNING OFF CAR I WOULD HEAR THE ABS PUMP (ON FIREWALL, PASSENGER SIDE) ON AND NOT TURN OFF UNLESS I REMOVE THE FUSE AGAIN. IF ABS IS NOT STANDARD IN ALL VEHICLES, WHY IS IT THAT IT CANNOT BE COMPLETELY DISABLED WITHOUT NEGATIVELY EFFECTING OTHER SYSTEMS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY BRAKING AND ELECTRICAL.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 201796,000 milesIL

BRAKE ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. SUBFRAME RUST BREAKS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND RENDERS THE ABS BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS INOPERABLE. THE SLIP, BRAKE, VDC OFF (TCS OFF) LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATE ON THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD, NOTIFYING THE DRIVER OF THIS PROBLEM. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM DEMONSTRATES THAT THE ABS SENSORS AND/OR ABS ACTUATOR FAIL ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT THAT PROMOTES EXCESSIVE RUST ACCUMULATION ON ABS COMPONENTS. THE ABS SENSOR FAILURES DISABLE ALL ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS. DRIVER AND OCCUPANT SAFETY IS SEVERELY COMPROMISED DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED STEERING AND ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE CAPABILITY DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING AND CRASH AVOIDANCE SITUATIONS (ESPECIALLY SKID SITUATIONS) DUE TO THE NON-FUNCTIONING ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ABS BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURES AND THE CAUSE, BUT REQUESTS TO NISSAN TO FIX THE SYSTEMS ARE DENIED. NISSAN HAS DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM IN TSB NTB07-016(B) WHICH SHOWS NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST MARCH 16, 2007. NISSAN'S TSB DOCUMENTATION SHOWS HOW TO CORRECT THE DESIGN DEFECT ON THE VEHICLE BY GRINDING THE SUBFRAME AND REPLACING DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH NISSAN REDESIGNED PARTS.

Power Train
Filed Apr 2, 201785,000 milesGA

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED UNDER 100,000 MILES DUE TO SEVERE JERKING DURING SHIFTS BETWEEN LOW GEARS. THE WORST WOULD OFTEN BE SLOWING DOWN, AS IN APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC, THE KICK FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SLOWING (DOWN-SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 1ST) WOULD OFTEN CAUSE THE CAR TO NOSE-DOWN A BIT SUDDENLY, SUCH THAT DRIVERS BEHIND WOULD REACT AS IF I WERE MAKING A HARD STOP.

Engine
Filed Mar 31, 201750,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 20, 2017FL

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING HITTING INTO GEARS HARD

Power Train
Filed Mar 19, 201791,000 milesMO

WHEN DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES IT SHIFTS HARD LIKE THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T WANTING TO SHIFT RIGHT. AFTER READING ONLINE I FIND OUT THAT THIS YEAR OF MISSION IS KNOWN FOR SOME KIND OF FAULT IN THE TRANSMISSION! OTHER THEN THAT THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND THE MONEY ON WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION!

Power Train
Filed Mar 1, 2017120,000 milesPR

I BOUGHT A NISSAN MAXIMA 2005 FROM A SECOND HAND AND LOOKS GREAT BUT ONE RIDING THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE A UFUL NOISE. ONCE I GOT HOME I TURNED OF THE ENGINE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE WOULDN'T MOVE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT IT'S TO EXPENSIVE. I HOPE YOU COULD HELP ME. THANK YOU

Power Train
Filed Feb 28, 201780,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE OR BUMPY ROAD, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE RECENTLY REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 24, 201740 milesGA

HARSH SHIFTING, JERKING, LOTS SHIFT SLIPPAGE. ACTUALLY SLOWED DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. DIAGNOSIS RETURNED AS FAILED TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY AND COST $4,100 TO REPAIR.

Power Train
Filed Feb 24, 2017103,000 milesWI

AROUND 103000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR. I HAD A FLUID CHANGE DONE AND NOW NOT ONLY DOES IT SLIP ON ACCELERATION IT ALSO SLAMS WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS.

Power Train
Filed Jan 20, 201798 milesTX

HARSH ENGAGEMENT AT REVERSE AND FORWARD GEARS. ERRATIC SHIFTING. AFTER START UP THE TRANSMISSION HAS A HARSH ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE AND FORWARD. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A HARSH UP SHIFT AND DOWN SHIFT. DRIVING ON CITY OR HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME OF HARSH UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING. HARSH ENGAGEMENT. THE VALVE BODY HAS BEEN REPLACED. WE HAVE INSTALLED NEW (DEALER) CAM SENSORS. WE HAVE HAD IT REPROGRAMMED. WE HAVE REBUILT THE UNIT AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 18, 2017170,000 milesMS

VEHICLE IS SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD IN LOWER GEAR AND AT STOPPING

Engine
Filed Jan 9, 2017NM

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 NISSAN/MAXIMA IS HARD SHIFTING WHEN ENGINE/TRANSMISSIONIS IS HOT, DELAYING TAKE OFF AND KICKING EXTREMELY BAD WHEN PICKING UP SPEED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS. TWO MOTOR MOUNT ARE ALREADY BROKEN AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACE TRANSMISSION. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIZED SHOP INSPECTED AND TESTED THE TRANSMISSION FOR SECOND OPINION AND DID NO FIND PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION, OTHER THAN 2 BAD SENSORS. SENSORS WAS REPLACED AND 6 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. *INTERIOR SUNVISOR LIGHTNING COVER BROKEN IN BOTH SIDES, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER. *CD PLAYER NOT WORKING, NOT PLAYING. *ORIGINAL CHROME WHEELS ARE CORRODED, BREAKING THE SEAL ON TWO OF THE TIRES CAUSING PRESSURE TO LOWER AND MAKES TIRE GO FLAT IN LESS THAN A WEEK, IF NOT ATTENDED SOON.

Power Train
Filed Jan 7, 2017AZ

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY..

Power Train
Filed Dec 31, 201697,000 milesFL

THE CAR IS OVER WINDING AND SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SPIKE IN THE RPMS BEFORE IT SHIFTS BETWEEN GEAR TO GEAR. IT'S ONLY GOT 98K AND IT'S METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A THOUSAND MILES.

Power Train
Filed Dec 23, 2016169,000 milesMD

MY TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER BEING REPLACED THE FIRST TIME BY NISSAN AS IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS REGULARLY FLUSHED/ SERVICED. THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF AND NISSAN MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 20, 201668,000 milesMA

HARD SHIFTING TRANSMISSION,STALLING AT CRUISING SPEEDS,FLASHING DASH LIGHTS. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE.

Power Train
Filed Dec 14, 201685,000 milesFL

TRANSMISSION BANGS INTO GEAR. WINDS UP THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR AND ACCELERATES UP IMMEDIATELY. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. THIS HAPPENED WHILE GOING 40 MPH.

Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2016101,000 milesGA

AT 101,000 MILES TRANSMISSION CUT OUT. GEARS NOT CHANGING. JERKING MOVEMENT WHEN ACCELERATING. IN MOTION OR STATIONARY

Engine
Filed Dec 5, 201610,000 milesFL

TIMING CHAIN NOISE/TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS NOISE STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES ON IT.

Power Train
Filed Nov 18, 201690,000 milesPA

WHEN I WOULD SHIFT IT WOULD BANG , BUT THEN IT WOULD DRIVE FINE , AND WHEN IT IDLES IT WOULD GO REV BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 RPM. ONCE YOU DRIVE IT LIKE IT HEATS UP THO IT WON'T DO IT , LIKE IT WILL DO IT IF YOU ARE SHIFTING WHEN YOU ARE FIRST STARTING THE CAR IT'S HIT AND MISS.

Complaints 1-50 of 948, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20231000Routine
20225010Routine
20213000Routine
202022100Routine
201918100Routine
201836210Routine
2017106430Routine
2016142840Routine
20151000Routine
201496010Routine
201362010Routine
2012107020Routine
2011106010Routine
2010275120Above average
2009339120Above average
200879000Routine
2007129110Routine
2006576240Above average
2005 — this page9482100Above average
20041,4262162Fatalities reported
2003206421Fatalities reported
2002205906Fatalities reported
2001172740Routine
2000360362Fatalities reported
1999165450Routine
19981136121Fatalities reported
19971026160Routine
199696530Routine
1995152550Routine
199489530Routine
199378640Routine
1992110530Routine
199176420Routine
1990106430Routine

Compare every Maxima year →

2005 Nissan Maxima: questions buyers ask

Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the Maxima years to avoid: owners filed 948 complaints, 8.5 times as many as a typical Maxima year. The most common complaint is about the transmission (77%).

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Nissan Maxima?

The transmission: 727 of the 948 complaints (77%) are about it. Owners most often say it jerks, lurches or bucks (57%), slips or will not engage a gear (25%) and shifts hard, late or not at all (16%). The typical report comes at 85,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have?

2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Nov 7, 2005. The largest, 05V512000, covered 102,551 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Maxima problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 85,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 2005 Nissan Maxima?

The manufacturer filed 94 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (14), the engine (11) and the body and frame (10). They include a warranty extension, P5216, filed Aug 20, 2015. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 7, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.