KnownCarProblems2005 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 948 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan Maxima, most often about the transmission (82% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Maxima model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2005 Nissan Maxima problems
Transmission
777 complaints · 82%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
I have a 2005 Nissan Maxima, and this car is having shifting problems, I only have 90k on my Maxima and it jerks when coming to a stop and accelerating from 1st gear to 2nd gear which sometimes me and my passengers get whiplash by it. I replaced the transmission fluid and the car is still slipping into gear. Some days…
2005 Nissan Maxima. Transmission would hesitate 15+ seconds at stop signs and intersections and then engage and jerk car out into traffic. Hard shift between 1st & 2nd gear. & gears would slip in freeway traffic. Nissan dealer replaced transmission ($3800) and said this is happening frequently with 2004-2005 maximas.…
Engine
101 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for brake related repairs and the technician noticed that both of the motor mounts were fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact planned to notify the manufacturer regarding the problem. The approximate failure…
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.…
Electrical
38 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
Car revs up on its own, also slips when accelerating I parked the car and gear would slam when shift from park to drive,reverse and whenever shifted told it is due to a bad body valve which is a very common problem for the 2004 thru 2006 Nissan Maxima and other Nissan models.
Improper braking function with ABS in 2005 Nissan Maxima - started with noise and "soft" brakes. It continued to a point where the ABS was incorrectly being activated (even when the car was off). It seems to be related to a speed sensor in the wheels. This controls the ABS activation and the speedometer/odometer. The…
Speed control
33 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
While driving my 2005 Nissan Maxima the gears slip and jump into gear with a violent jerk that is affecting my driving and may cause me to lose control of the car and possible injury myself or others. There is a transmission issue with the valve body that is causing this violent shifting and it seems that I am not the…
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.…
Other or unspecified
27 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles.
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…
I have an 2005 Maxima 3.5l sl. It has been jerking going into second gear when accelerating and also during deceleration. Only when I slow down under 20mph, then press the gas @ about 17mph appx. Then it shifts hard. The transmissions is not wanting to go into 2nd and 3rd gear. Then when it does it jerks really hard…
Brakes
27 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
Nissan 2005 Maxima had a defect in the anti lock brake device where water from the road accumulated and caused corrosion. Nissan advised the dealer to drill a hole to allow water to exit. The dealer stated that they had prior occurrences exactly like this. The cost to me was$ 534.34. Updated 11/16/09 the consumer…
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.…
Wheels and tires
26 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, rim.
The ABS system is defective based upon Nissan manufacturers bulletin regarding Maxima's years 2004, 2005, 2006. The requirement of Nissan to replace 2-rear wheel hubs $444.10, 2-rear ABS wheel sensors $627.20, and possibly the ABS actuator-assy $1306.51 all due to the technical fact that water accumulates in the wheel…
Tl contacts owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The vehicle has goodyear eagle rs-a tires, size p195/60r15. The contact noticed that the sidewalls were separating on the tires. The vehicle was taken to a tire company and they stated that all four sidewalls on the tires were separating and needed to be replaced. He filed claim…
Body and structure
25 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Transmission failure, check engine light comes on, car jerks into gears, RPM's accelerate when driving in first gears. Per Nissan dealer they said it needed new mounts and a new transmission, I should trade it in they said :[ I have maintained all oil changes and have kept up my service. They are not accepting any…
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the front passenger side floor board was corroded and developed a hole. The contact mentioned that as a result of the failure, fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Nissan Maxima recalls
Seats: power adjust
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Child Seat: latch strap
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (777 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); engine (101 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); electrical (38 complaints, typically around 79,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 7, 2005 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Maxima model year since 2000, with 948 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.