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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
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2012
Power Train

I BOUGHT MY NISSAN MAXIMA ABOUT 2YEARS AGO. MY DAD HAD BOUGHT ME A 1999 MAXIMA DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS AND IT NEVER GAVE ME PROBLEMS. IT RAN AWESOME SO THAT'S WHY I ENDED UP BUYING MY 1ST MAXIMA AND VERY DISAPPOINTED. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST BECAUSE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE HOT I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. IT…

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I BOUGHT MY NISSAN MAXIMA ABOUT 2YEARS AGO. MY DAD HAD BOUGHT ME A 1999 MAXIMA DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS AND IT NEVER GAVE ME PROBLEMS. IT RAN AWESOME SO THAT'S WHY I ENDED UP BUYING MY 1ST MAXIMA AND VERY DISAPPOINTED. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST BECAUSE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE HOT I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. IT SEEMED AFTER COMING DOWN SPEED IT WOULD SLIP AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER BREAKING FOR EXAMPLE: IF A CAR INFRONT OF ME WOULD BRAKE TO TURN AND I WOULD BRAKE AND THEN ACCELERATE THE CAR SEEMS TO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND IT GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE FOLLOWED BY A HARD JERK THAT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE JUST HIT MY BACK BUMPER. IT'S SO UNSAFE DRIVING I'VE HAD ALMOST BEEN IN CAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT WON'T ACCELERATE AND ALMOST GOT HIT. IT'S SO FRUSTRATING DEALING WITH THIS CAR ISSUE ESPECIALLY AFTER JUST BUYING IT AND STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN!! MY MOM BOUGHT A 2011 NISSAN VERSA AND ARE LOOKING INTO TRADING IT IN FOR ANOTHER MAKE FOR THE FEAR THAT IT WILL HAVE ISSUES TOO!! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $3000-4000 ON A REBUILD TRANSMISSION!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482956

110,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND WHEN IT WOULD SHIFT, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10482789

114,000 miles · Oct 28, 2012
Power Train

THE CAR JERKS WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482492

70,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Power Train

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE WITH APPROXIMATELY 70K MILES. I BEGAN NOTICING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS. IN THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP THAT SPECIALIZED IN TRANSMISSION, THEY REPLACED 2 ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHIC…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE WITH APPROXIMATELY 70K MILES. I BEGAN NOTICING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS. IN THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP THAT SPECIALIZED IN TRANSMISSION, THEY REPLACED 2 ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH REPAIRED THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM AND MADE THE CAR DRIVABLE, HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE 2004-2005 NISSAN MAXIMA APPEAR TO BE KNOWN FOR EARLY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I ALSO OWN A 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FUNCTION LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT A 70K NISSAN TRANSMISSION TO PERFORM - IT SLIPS, HESITATES AND STUTTERS. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT HERE. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY, THE CAR WAS ONCE AGAIN ACTING UP AND I WILL, UNFORTUNATELY, ONCE AGAIN, BE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THERE ARE HUNDRED OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THIS YEAR/MODEL .... PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482393

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2012
Power Train

VERY HARD JERKY SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. 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 OUTSI…

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VERY HARD JERKY SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. 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 TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND NONE OF THE PROBLEMS SHOWED UP FOR THEM BUT THEY NOTED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN BUT THAT WOULD NOT CAUSE THESE SYMPTOMS. THEY SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS FOR $4,000. 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 CAR UNTIL THESE SYMPTOMS. PLEASE SUGGEST WHAT COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS AND RESTORE MY FAITH IN NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481578

120,000 miles · Oct 20, 2012
Power Train

I AM HAVING VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD IN THE LOWER GEARS AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD WHEN IT GEARS DOWN IN THE LOWER GEARS. AND SOMETIMES IT JUST WONT GO AT ALL..AND THEN WHEN I SIT THERE A MIN AND PUT MY CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT …

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I AM HAVING VERY BAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT JERKS REAL BAD IN THE LOWER GEARS AND THEN WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT ALSO KICKS AND JERKS REAL BAD WHEN IT GEARS DOWN IN THE LOWER GEARS. AND SOMETIMES IT JUST WONT GO AT ALL..AND THEN WHEN I SIT THERE A MIN AND PUT MY CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT HESITATES FOR AFEW SECS AND THEN JUMPS REAL BAD AND THEN GOES INTO DRIVE.IT USUALLY DOES ALL THIS WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481245

36,010 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

STOPPED AT A LOCAL SHOP, GOT OUT OF CAR TO MAIL A LETTER, CAR STILL RUNNING, KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE DOORS LOCKED ON THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND NO ONE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT, IT WAS HOT AND IT TOOK ME HAVING TO GET SOMEONE TO GO TO MY HOME AND RETRIEVE A SPARE KEY TO OPEN T…

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STOPPED AT A LOCAL SHOP, GOT OUT OF CAR TO MAIL A LETTER, CAR STILL RUNNING, KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE DOORS LOCKED ON THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND NO ONE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT, IT WAS HOT AND IT TOOK ME HAVING TO GET SOMEONE TO GO TO MY HOME AND RETRIEVE A SPARE KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE IT WAS 10 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I FILED A COMPLAINT EARLIER, BUT NEVER HEARD A RESPONSE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 2005 ALTIMA. THE DOORS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO LOCK IF CAR IS RUNNING. THIS IS A HAZARD AND A DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480791

50,000 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Power Train

VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION LOCK IS ENGAGED (STARTED @ 50K MILES). ABRUPT DOWNSHIFTS AT ABOUT 20 MPH (STARTED @ 70K MILES). NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 5TH AND WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT (STARTED AT 75K MILES). VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I'M TOLD IT WILL COST AT LEAST $3000 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSI…

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VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION LOCK IS ENGAGED (STARTED @ 50K MILES). ABRUPT DOWNSHIFTS AT ABOUT 20 MPH (STARTED @ 70K MILES). NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 5TH AND WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT (STARTED AT 75K MILES). VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I'M TOLD IT WILL COST AT LEAST $3000 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 75K MILES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480014

65,000 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Power Train

I HAD BOUGHT A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITHIN A MONTH IT STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND SHIFT. GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP IT STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM MY BACK BUMPER, BUT IT JUST THE SHIFT GEAR PROBLEM. IT WAS REALLY SCARY ESPECIALLY HAVING MY TWO YEAR OLD SON…

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I HAD BOUGHT A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITHIN A MONTH IT STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND SHIFT. GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP IT STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM MY BACK BUMPER, BUT IT JUST THE SHIFT GEAR PROBLEM. IT WAS REALLY SCARY ESPECIALLY HAVING MY TWO YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS SO I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. MY MAXIMA NOW HAS 75000 MILES AND DOES NOT FALL UNDER WARRANTY I AM AFRAID THAT THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME $3000 FOR A PROBLEM THAT ALOT OF NISSANS SEEM TO HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479977

80,000 miles · Oct 12, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. ONE MONTH LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10479954

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.