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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

33 reports
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118,200 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WAS LIKE I WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. CARS WERE BLOWING AT ME AND ALL. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE ABS, BRAKE, SERVICE ENGINE AND TNS/INS? LIGHTS WERE ON AND MY GAS HAND HAD DROPPED FROM 3/4 OF A TANK DOWN TO EMPTY AND…

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I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WAS LIKE I WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. CARS WERE BLOWING AT ME AND ALL. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE ABS, BRAKE, SERVICE ENGINE AND TNS/INS? LIGHTS WERE ON AND MY GAS HAND HAD DROPPED FROM 3/4 OF A TANK DOWN TO EMPTY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT STAYED ON AFTERWARD WAS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. MY GAS HAND NEVER WENT BACK UP TO THE 3/4 OF A TANK. I WAS NERVOUS THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CUT OFF SO I STOPPED AND PUT MORE GAS IN THE CAR. MY CAR NOW DRIVES LIKE THE BOTTOM IS FALLING OUT. IT'S SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND THEN PICKS UP ONCE YOU GET TO ABOUT 35 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470341

170,000 miles · Aug 10, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ODI #10470109

95,000 miles · Feb 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN BEGINNING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL JERK WHEN IT REACHES 2 AND 3 RPMS AND REV THE ENGINE. BEFORE IT RESUMES "NORMAL" DRIVE, IT WILL JERK AGAIN AND MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE. …

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A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN BEGINNING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL JERK WHEN IT REACHES 2 AND 3 RPMS AND REV THE ENGINE. BEFORE IT RESUMES "NORMAL" DRIVE, IT WILL JERK AGAIN AND MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE. I WAS TOLD TODAY BY THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED COSTING APPROXIMATELY $3300.00! THE DEALERSHIP NEVER INFORMED ME OF THESE ISSUES, EVEN AFTER A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND A COURTESY CHECK WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. I AM SHOCKED AND DISTURBED AFTER READING HOW MANY OTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS MUST THERE BE FOR A RESOLUTION IF EACH PERSON IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM?! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447452

65,000 miles · Feb 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA (BUILD DATE OF 08/04) HAS 77000 MILES AND HAS STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF WHAT MAY BE SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 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 C…

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MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA (BUILD DATE OF 08/04) HAS 77000 MILES AND HAS STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF WHAT MAY BE SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 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. THEN FOLLOWED BY A BURNT OIL / ELECTRICAL TYPE SMELL THAT GETS INSIDE THE CAR AND EVIDENT OUTSIDE AFTER STOPPING. 4. ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND NISSAN DEALER REFUSE TO HELP KNOWING THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH THEIR MAXIMA. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446353

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING IN 40'S AND SUDDENLY MY TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK. IT WONT GO DOWN OR UP.AND SUDDDENLY WHEN IT DOES IT GIVES ME A HUGE JERK. THIS CAN BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. LOOKING AT ALL THE FORUMS IN THE INTERNET SEEMS LIKE ALMOST ALL THE NISSAN USERS OF (2004 TO 2006) ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM…

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I WAS DRIVING IN 40'S AND SUDDENLY MY TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK. IT WONT GO DOWN OR UP.AND SUDDDENLY WHEN IT DOES IT GIVES ME A HUGE JERK. THIS CAN BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. LOOKING AT ALL THE FORUMS IN THE INTERNET SEEMS LIKE ALMOST ALL THE NISSAN USERS OF (2004 TO 2006) ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS TO SOME KIND OF RECALL THAT ALL THESE CUSTOMERS HAVE TO GET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444099

62,000 miles · Oct 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHIFTS UP AND DOWN CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD WHEN AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20-40, SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING UP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AS WELL AS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AROUND 35-45 MPH REVVING THE ENGINE THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZZ…

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THE TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHIFTS UP AND DOWN CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD WHEN AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20-40, SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING UP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AS WELL AS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AROUND 35-45 MPH REVVING THE ENGINE THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZZARD. NISSAN MAXIMA PROBLEM YET NISSAN WON'T HELP, PLEASE HELP MYSELF AND OTHER NISSAN OWNERS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT FROM A SURGING/SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. I JUST WANT THIS PROBLEM TO GO AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432295

70,000 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10405783

98,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARN AND YOU SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR JERKS REALLY HARD BEFORE IT GOES TO THE DESIRED GEAR. ONCE IT PICKS UP YOU WILL FEEL A JERK WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEED TO A STOP. IT REALLY JERKS AROUND 2ND AND 3RD SHIFTING, PICKING UP OR SLOWING DOWN. DURING DRI…

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WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARN AND YOU SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR JERKS REALLY HARD BEFORE IT GOES TO THE DESIRED GEAR. ONCE IT PICKS UP YOU WILL FEEL A JERK WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEED TO A STOP. IT REALLY JERKS AROUND 2ND AND 3RD SHIFTING, PICKING UP OR SLOWING DOWN. DURING DRIVING WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR, IT DOES NOT PICK UP RIGHT AWAY AND THE ENGINE WILL RAVE BEFORE IT KICKS IN WITH A JERK. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BEFORE IT PICKS UP. ONCE YOU START ACCELERATION, THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIME AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THAT I SHOULD ALWAYS USE PREMIUM GAS. THE LAST TIME I HAD TO SPEND $500 TO REPLACE THE VISA VALVE AND EVAP VALVE THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. THIS HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND IT HAS WARMED UP. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WHENEVER YOU TAKE IT IN THEY WAIT TILL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED DOWN BEFORE THEY TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THEY DO IT ON PURPOSE. MY CAR IS ABOUT 110K MILES AND THIS STARTED ABOUT 10K MILES AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405424

82,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING AS THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING AS THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10366405

14,450 miles · Sep 20, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AFTER IT WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL, HOWEVER, IT KEPT ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,450 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR WAS REPLACE AT HIS EXPENSE HOWEVER, HE DOES NOT FEEL THIS WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/16/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203590

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.