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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

Power Train complaints

777 reports
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120,000 miles · May 13, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511722

74,000 miles · May 9, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511304

96,000 miles · May 6, 2013
Power TrainSuspension

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 96000 MILES AND DOES THIS JERK SHIFT BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. IT STARTED A ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IN TO SERVICE THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. I JUST TOOK IT AGAIN FOR TRANSMISSION CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY. I WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK AS TO THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO CORR…

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 96000 MILES AND DOES THIS JERK SHIFT BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. IT STARTED A ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IN TO SERVICE THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. I JUST TOOK IT AGAIN FOR TRANSMISSION CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY. I WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK AS TO THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO CORRECT THESE INTERMITTENT AND RANDOM SYMPTOMS THAT INCLUDE: 1. TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO CLICK INTO GEAR AFTER THE SHIFT LEVER IS PUT IN "D" 2. VERY HARD JERKY SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. 3. TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR DURING REGULAR DRIVING ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO REV FREELY THEN JERKING BACK INTO GEAR WITH A LOUD CLUNK. THE IS FOLLOWED BY A BURNT OIL / ELECTRICAL TYPE SMELL THAT GETS INSIDE THE CAR AND EVIDENT OUTSIDE AFTER STOPPING. SOMETIMES I GO FOR DAYS WITH NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL AND OTHER TIMES IT MAY HAPPEN A DOZEN TIMES IN A DAY. I DRIVE MAINLY ON THE FREEWAYS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND HAVE MAINTAINED AND BABIED THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. THIS IS MY FIRST NISSAN AND I HAVE LOVED THIS CARD UNTIL THESE SYMPTOMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510860

68,000 miles · May 2, 2013
Power Train

BOUGHT OUR NISSAN MAXIMA NEW OF THE DEALERSHIP LOT IN JUNE 2005. I HAVE HAD MINOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. BUT STARTED HAVING MAJOR ISSUES AROUND 68,00.00 MILES. TRANSMISSION WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULD SLIP OUT THEN ENGINE REVS UP AND JERKS FORWARD. WOULD HAPPEN EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE. NOW IT LUNGES FORW…

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BOUGHT OUR NISSAN MAXIMA NEW OF THE DEALERSHIP LOT IN JUNE 2005. I HAVE HAD MINOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. BUT STARTED HAVING MAJOR ISSUES AROUND 68,00.00 MILES. TRANSMISSION WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULD SLIP OUT THEN ENGINE REVS UP AND JERKS FORWARD. WOULD HAPPEN EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE. NOW IT LUNGES FORWARD WHEN I AM STOPPING GEARS ARE RESPONDING. I HAVE TWO YOUNG KIDS. I DON'T WANT THEM OR ANYBODY ELSE GETTING INJURED OVER THIS. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL. THESE CARS COST SO MUCH THESE DAYS THEY NEED TO LAST A LOT LONGER THEN 70,00.00 MILES. I HAVE A TOYOTA 95 THAT HAS NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES AND IS STILL GOING STRONG. STEP IT UP NISSAN AND TAKE CARE OF THESE ISSUE. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS EVERYWHERE ON THE 2004- AND 2005 MODELS. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. PLEASE RECALL ...THERE IS A LOT OF US OUT THERE THESE DAYS TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AND SPEND SO SO MUCH ON THESE VEHICLES AND NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT. SHAME ON YOU NISSAN FOR NOT CARING.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510425

150,000 miles · Apr 30, 2013
EnginePower Train

I,TOO, HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID THEY SAW NO PROBLEMS. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE JERKING UNTIL FINALLY, THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS ALL TOGETHER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOU…

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I,TOO, HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID THEY SAW NO PROBLEMS. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE JERKING UNTIL FINALLY, THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS ALL TOGETHER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REPLACED. AFTER EASING OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ALMOST EVERY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. TIME FOR A RECALL YET NISSAN!?! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510128

64,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WHICH HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I BEGAN EXPERIENCING JERKING. I TOOK CAR THE DEALER NO CODES CAME UP AT TIME AND WHEN THEY DROVE IT AT THAT TIME IT DROVE FINE. CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES AND WENT BACK NOW TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW VALVE BODY. UNFORTUNATELY THE VALVE BODY HAS CAUSE EXTEN…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WHICH HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I BEGAN EXPERIENCING JERKING. I TOOK CAR THE DEALER NO CODES CAME UP AT TIME AND WHEN THEY DROVE IT AT THAT TIME IT DROVE FINE. CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES AND WENT BACK NOW TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW VALVE BODY. UNFORTUNATELY THE VALVE BODY HAS CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION SO I NOW NEED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. PER PARTS SPECIALIST AND SERVICE ADVISOR AT NISSAN THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE VALVE BODY WITH THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HOWEVER NISSAN CORPORATE HAS NOT YET RECALLED IT YET. SHAME ON YOU NISSAN 3,800 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, I DON'T THINK SO. NO MORE NISSAN FOR ME. NISSAN REALLY NEED TO OWN UP TO THIS ISSUE. ITS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. PLEASE RECALL ISSUE. SIGNED DISSATISFIED NISSAN OWNER *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509739

98,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
Power Train

WHILE DECELERATING CAR UNDER 20MILES,THE CAR WILL JERK WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED FOR ACCELERATION(I.E.,SLOWING DOWN FOR RED LIGHT OR CHANGES IN TRAFFIC SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509203

85,000 miles · Apr 21, 2013
Power Train

WE BOUGHT A 2005 MAXIMA IN JUNE 2008 WITH APPROXIMATELY 30K[+/-] MILES. ON OR ABOUT SPRING 2012 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS[65K MILES], WITH HARD & JERKING SHIFTS WHEN TRAVELING AT 25MPH AND THEN SUDDEN HIGH REV'S WITH SUDDEN DOWN SHIFTS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. HAVE GONE ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL…

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WE BOUGHT A 2005 MAXIMA IN JUNE 2008 WITH APPROXIMATELY 30K[+/-] MILES. ON OR ABOUT SPRING 2012 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS[65K MILES], WITH HARD & JERKING SHIFTS WHEN TRAVELING AT 25MPH AND THEN SUDDEN HIGH REV'S WITH SUDDEN DOWN SHIFTS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. HAVE GONE ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF LIKE COMPLAINTS FOR 2005 MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EXACTLY LIKE OURS. HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT A NISSAN DEALER, YET THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES LIGHT WENT OUT. HOWEVER, THE SHIFTING PROBLEMS RETURNED AFTER FURTHER DRIVING A FEW MONTHS LATER.. HAD THE CODE STATE "SHIFT MALFUNCTION". AS THERE ARE OTHERS, HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAXIMA OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, IT IS TIME FOR A MAJOR RECALL ON THE 2004 -2006 MAXIMA FOR DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS: "TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS" CONTINUED AND WE CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A FEW MILES LOCALLY AND ONCE IT IS WARMED UP THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO SHIFT ROUGH & HARD, JERKY IN TO AND OUT OF GEARS. IF DRIVEN MORE THAN 15 MINUTES WILL FREEZE IN 5TH GEAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO OTHERS WHILE ON THE ROADS OF AMERICA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508986

97,980 miles · Apr 19, 2013
EnginePower Train

WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE FROM PARK.. IT TOOK ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS TO CATCH AND GO. THEN WHEN I PUT IT DRIVE IT DID THE SAME. IT WILL DO THIS SOME DAYS AND NOT DO IT SOME DAYS. MAJOR FLAW IN 05 MAXIMS TRANSMISSIONS FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ. NEED TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM . THIS IS MY 3RD NISSAN MAXIMAAND MY FI…

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WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE FROM PARK.. IT TOOK ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS TO CATCH AND GO. THEN WHEN I PUT IT DRIVE IT DID THE SAME. IT WILL DO THIS SOME DAYS AND NOT DO IT SOME DAYS. MAJOR FLAW IN 05 MAXIMS TRANSMISSIONS FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ. NEED TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM . THIS IS MY 3RD NISSAN MAXIMAAND MY FIRST ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. BIG DISSAPOINTMENT NISSAN. RECALL 05 MAXIMS AND FIXTRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508819

89,379 miles · Apr 17, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED BY A DEALER AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,379. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508584

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.