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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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82,500 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH UNDER 90,000 MILES. I AM EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR JERKS WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND DOES THE SAME THING GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHICH I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION/ENGINE MOUNTS WHICH WE…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH UNDER 90,000 MILES. I AM EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR JERKS WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND DOES THE SAME THING GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHICH I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION/ENGINE MOUNTS WHICH WERE REPLACED, AFTER A WEEK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME, BUT I READ THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH SHOULD BE A RECALL. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN SUGGEST CAN DO PLEASE HELP. MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I PURCHASED THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE STYLE AND NISSAN REPUTATION FOR HAVING RELIABLE CARS. THEIR REPUTATION IS TAKING A HIT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THEY ARE NOT SHOWING ANY CONCERNS ABOUT PROBLEM WHY WHY WHY WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE!!!!!!!!!! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416574

87,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DOWN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DOWN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE MOTOR WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND OVER TIME BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415611

115,000 miles · Jul 28, 2011
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD. WHEN IN PARK TO DRIVE HESITATES A FEW SECONDS THAN ROUGHLY SHIFTS TO DRIVE. HESITATES WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. SPORADICALLY HAS ISSUES THAT APPEARS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD MANY THINGS. READING ALL THE FORUMS THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT TH…

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TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD. WHEN IN PARK TO DRIVE HESITATES A FEW SECONDS THAN ROUGHLY SHIFTS TO DRIVE. HESITATES WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. SPORADICALLY HAS ISSUES THAT APPEARS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD MANY THINGS. READING ALL THE FORUMS THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10416138

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE A LONGER TIME THAN NORMAL TO ACCELERATE UP TO SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE A LONGER TIME THAN NORMAL TO ACCELERATE UP TO SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/20/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415519

98,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. AS A RESULT, THE MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415251

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2011
Power Train

I PURCHASED A 05 NISSAN MAXIMA FEB OF THIS YEAR IT WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED JERKING WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM THE 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL BECAUSE MINE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WAS LOOKING.INTO THE 09 MAXIMA BUT I DON'T KNOW NOW. COULD YOU PLEASE L…

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I PURCHASED A 05 NISSAN MAXIMA FEB OF THIS YEAR IT WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED JERKING WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM THE 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL BECAUSE MINE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WAS LOOKING.INTO THE 09 MAXIMA BUT I DON'T KNOW NOW. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10414811

75,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Power Train

WE HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT JERKS AND HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR WHILE GOING FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR. SHIFTING WITH THE LEVER DOES NOT HELP OR ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE FLUSHED. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS VERY UNSAFE. *T…

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WE HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT JERKS AND HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR WHILE GOING FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR. SHIFTING WITH THE LEVER DOES NOT HELP OR ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE FLUSHED. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS VERY UNSAFE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10414655

70,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VIOLENT JERKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VIOLENT JERKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HAVE NOT RETURNED HIS CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10413832

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH UNDER 90,000 MILES. I AM EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR JERKS WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND DOES THE SAME THING GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHICH I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION/ENGINE MOUNTS WHICH WE…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH UNDER 90,000 MILES. I AM EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR JERKS WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND DOES THE SAME THING GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHICH I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION/ENGINE MOUNTS WHICH WERE REPLACED, AFTER A WEEK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME, BUT I READ THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH SHOULD BE A RECALL. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN SUGGEST CAN DO PLEASE HELP. MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I PURCHASED THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE STYLE AND NISSAN REPUTATION FOR HAVING RELIABLE CARS. THEIR REPUTATION IS TAKING A HIT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THEY ARE NOT SHOWING ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413257

114,000 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Power Train

I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MY WIFE'S 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT HARD SHIFTS IN 1ST GEAR AND SOMETIME HESITATE TO GO. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT ($3000) AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEMS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT. THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10413074

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.