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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
100,000 miles · Jun 12, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN SECOND GEAR. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE BEFORE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN SECOND GEAR. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE BEFORE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10461352

78,000 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Power Train

SLAM SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE, INTERMITTENT REV LIMITATIONS, HIGH REVS WITH NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT, STALL & ROUGH IDLE, FEELS LIKE SOMEONE SLAMS INTO THE BACK OF ME WHEN I COME TO A STOP, CAR REVS UP AND THEN HARD JERKS FORWARD VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT TR…

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SLAM SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE, INTERMITTENT REV LIMITATIONS, HIGH REVS WITH NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT, STALL & ROUGH IDLE, FEELS LIKE SOMEONE SLAMS INTO THE BACK OF ME WHEN I COME TO A STOP, CAR REVS UP AND THEN HARD JERKS FORWARD VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461241

68,000 miles · Jun 10, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION JERKED HARD AND CAR TURNED OFF. THE TRANNY NO LONGER ENGAGES INTO DRIVE AND LITERALLY JUMPS INTO REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461156

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2012
EnginePower Train

I BOUGHT A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS (JUST RIGHT OVER 100K MILES), I HAVE NOTICED MAJOR JERKING AND PULLING WHILE DRIVING OR SHIFTING GEARS. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC, BUT WHEN I START TO GO, IT TAKES IT A FEW SECONDS TO GET IN GEAR AND JERKS. I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2…

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I BOUGHT A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS (JUST RIGHT OVER 100K MILES), I HAVE NOTICED MAJOR JERKING AND PULLING WHILE DRIVING OR SHIFTING GEARS. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC, BUT WHEN I START TO GO, IT TAKES IT A FEW SECONDS TO GET IN GEAR AND JERKS. I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2004-2005 MODELS. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS AS OF YET? I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD GREAT THINGS ABOUT MAXIMAS AND DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION, ESPECIALLY THIS EARLY ON! PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460050

70,000 miles · May 28, 2012
Service Brakes

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A SERVICE RECORD AND A REPAIR OF OVER $2000 YET NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR OR RECALL THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT IN MY VEHICLE OCCURRED IN OCTOBER 2011. IT HAS SINCE HAD THE SAME ISSUE THREE TIMES. THE CAR PU…

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THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A SERVICE RECORD AND A REPAIR OF OVER $2000 YET NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR OR RECALL THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT IN MY VEHICLE OCCURRED IN OCTOBER 2011. IT HAS SINCE HAD THE SAME ISSUE THREE TIMES. THE CAR PULLS WHEN BRAKING, MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459798

113,000 miles · May 24, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF FOR A MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF FOR A MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTING THEY BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459534

87,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT WAS MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VALVE COVER BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT WAS MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VALVE COVER BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459072

70,000 miles · May 17, 2012
Power Train

MY CAR HAS A SHIFTING PROBLEM. IT SHIFTS VERY HARD BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEAR. IT WILL ALSO REV TO HIGH RPM WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. LAST YEAR I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN MECHANIC AND HAD THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AND THAT HELPED SOME, BUT THE CAR STILL SHIFTS VERY HARD AND BUCKS LIKE A BRONCO. I ONLY H…

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MY CAR HAS A SHIFTING PROBLEM. IT SHIFTS VERY HARD BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEAR. IT WILL ALSO REV TO HIGH RPM WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. LAST YEAR I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN MECHANIC AND HAD THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AND THAT HELPED SOME, BUT THE CAR STILL SHIFTS VERY HARD AND BUCKS LIKE A BRONCO. I ONLY HAVE 123000 MILES ON IT AND IT SHOULD NOT BE ACTING LIKE THIS. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR MODEL AND ALL THE ISSUES PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. I THOUGHT MAYBE I JUST GOT A LEMON, BUT IT SEEMS THERE WAS A LOT OF LEMONS IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458877

90,000 miles · May 17, 2012
EnginePower Train

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 FOL…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458794

73,000 miles · May 17, 2012
Power TrainSuspension

I HAVE HAD MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS. PURCHASED IT FROM USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST YEAR I HAD IT, I HAD TO GET A TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED A TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT 3000, AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. THE CAR IS REALLY NICE EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I FOUND OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAININ…

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I HAVE HAD MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS. PURCHASED IT FROM USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST YEAR I HAD IT, I HAD TO GET A TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED A TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT 3000, AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. THE CAR IS REALLY NICE EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I FOUND OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING. I HAD TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL TRANSMISSION PLACES FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY ALL SAY THESE CARS HAVE THAT PROBLEM, AND THEY THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLE FOR THAT REASON. PLEASE HELP. I DO NOT WANT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR, BUT I HAVE TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458767

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.