RoadVitals

2005 Nissan Maxima Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
948
Latest Mar 3, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
26

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan Maxima, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

470
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE MAKES CLUNKING, JERKING NOISES AND BAD CLUNKING SOUNDS WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO GEAR OR SHIFT GEARS, DIGITAL GEAR DISPLAY SHOWS VEHICLE IS IN 5TH GEAR ALL THE TIME, ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY.

NHTSA ID 11406226 · filed Apr 3, 2021

I HAVE AN 05 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD AND ERRATICALLY

NHTSA ID 11402506 · filed Mar 11, 2021
All 470 reports naming powertrain (other)

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

312
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 WHICH IS NOW MESSING UP THE MOTOR MOUNTS. *TT

NHTSA ID 10582928 · filed Apr 15, 2014

HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF FIRST GEAR. HESITATION AND "CLUNKING FEELING". CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD SLIGHT HESITATION SHIFTING INTO/OUT OF FIRST SINCE PURCHASED NEW, BUT IS MUCH WORSE AT HIGHER MILEAGE. DEALER RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION FLUSH, HAS NOT SOLVED PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS WITH SAME PROBLEM, AND SAME FLUSHING RECOMMENDATION THAT DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. WAITING FOR REPAIR ESTIMATES, BUT SEEING ANYTHING FROM $3000-5000. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A DEFECT SINCE BEGINNING WITH THIS TRANSMISSION ON THE 2005 MAXIMA, BUT HAS NOW BECOME TOO NOTICEABLE TO IGNORE. *TT

NHTSA ID 10537785 · filed Aug 28, 2013
All 312 reports naming transmission

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

101
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

While driving my car down the road the vehicle randomly shut off lost power and I had to quickly pull into a plaza but was almost hit, looking through many different Nissan forums a lot of mechanics and owners are saying that the original crankshaft/camshaft position sensors on the Altima/maxima have experienced faulty mechanics over time that cause it to overheat and stop working and locking up the system completely. This is a huge problem as I can’t afford to fix this myself and it could have caused a serious accident this should be investigated due to other recalls on the Altima with the faulty sensors, the maxima 3.5 is also starting to experience these issues if you look through multiple forums and research the issue that’s happening. Please investigate this soon so that nobody gets seriously hurt.

NHTSA ID 11646032 · filed Mar 3, 2025

VEHICLE MAKES CLUNKING, JERKING NOISES AND BAD CLUNKING SOUNDS WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO GEAR OR SHIFT GEARS, DIGITAL GEAR DISPLAY SHOWS VEHICLE IS IN 5TH GEAR ALL THE TIME, ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY.

NHTSA ID 11406226 · filed Apr 3, 2021
All 101 reports naming engine

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

39
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS CAR HAS NOTHING BUT ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS ALONG WITH CONTINUING TO DEAL WITH THE CARS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE REVVING AND TROWING ITSELF IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND DYING THE THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES WITH NISSAN REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OR ADMIT FAULT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. IM SURE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY HURT FROM THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS STRONG ENOUGH TO BE MADE INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT.

NHTSA ID 11192878 · filed Apr 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE REVVED, THE VEHICLE SWITCHED GEARS, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT WHERE IT STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED, DIAGNOSED, OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID 11139323 · filed Oct 9, 2018
All 39 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

37
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

While driving my car down the road the vehicle randomly shut off lost power and I had to quickly pull into a plaza but was almost hit, looking through many different Nissan forums a lot of mechanics and owners are saying that the original crankshaft/camshaft position sensors on the Altima/maxima have experienced faulty mechanics over time that cause it to overheat and stop working and locking up the system completely. This is a huge problem as I can’t afford to fix this myself and it could have caused a serious accident this should be investigated due to other recalls on the Altima with the faulty sensors, the maxima 3.5 is also starting to experience these issues if you look through multiple forums and research the issue that’s happening. Please investigate this soon so that nobody gets seriously hurt.

NHTSA ID 11646032 · filed Mar 3, 2025

VEHICLE MAKES CLUNKING, JERKING NOISES AND BAD CLUNKING SOUNDS WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO GEAR OR SHIFT GEARS, DIGITAL GEAR DISPLAY SHOWS VEHICLE IS IN 5TH GEAR ALL THE TIME, ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY.

NHTSA ID 11406226 · filed Apr 3, 2021
All 37 reports naming electrical

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

28
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PRIOR OWNER REPORTED ISSUES WITH ABS REAR SENSOR, AND HAVING TO DISCONNECT FUSE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE WEEKS AGO, I AUTHORIZED DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT COMPUTER REPORTS REAR RIGHT ABS SENSOR BEING DEFECTIVE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST A LITTLE OVER $550. DRIVING FROM DEALER, THE VEHICLE HAS REDUCED ACCELERATION OUT OF NOWHERE TO A POINT WHERE I HAVE NOT DRIVEN CAR UNTIL I PROCEED WITH REPAIRS AT DEALER. SINCE RE-CONNECTING FUSE THAT POWERS ABS... AT TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CAR BATTERY DRAINED. AFTER JUMP STARTING VEHICLE, PERMITTING BATTERY TO CHARGE,,, AFTER TURNING OFF CAR I WOULD HEAR THE ABS PUMP (ON FIREWALL, PASSENGER SIDE) ON AND NOT TURN OFF UNLESS I REMOVE THE FUSE AGAIN. IF ABS IS NOT STANDARD IN ALL VEHICLES, WHY IS IT THAT IT CANNOT BE COMPLETELY DISABLED WITHOUT NEGATIVELY EFFECTING OTHER SYSTEMS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY BRAKING AND ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA ID 10979060 · filed Apr 18, 2017

BRAKE ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. SUBFRAME RUST BREAKS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND RENDERS THE ABS BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS INOPERABLE. THE SLIP, BRAKE, VDC OFF (TCS OFF) LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATE ON THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD, NOTIFYING THE DRIVER OF THIS PROBLEM. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM DEMONSTRATES THAT THE ABS SENSORS AND/OR ABS ACTUATOR FAIL ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT THAT PROMOTES EXCESSIVE RUST ACCUMULATION ON ABS COMPONENTS. THE ABS SENSOR FAILURES DISABLE ALL ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS. DRIVER AND OCCUPANT SAFETY IS SEVERELY COMPROMISED DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED STEERING AND ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE CAPABILITY DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING AND CRASH AVOIDANCE SITUATIONS (ESPECIALLY SKID SITUATIONS) DUE TO THE NON-FUNCTIONING ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ABS BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURES AND THE CAUSE, BUT REQUESTS TO NISSAN TO FIX THE SYSTEMS ARE DENIED. NISSAN HAS DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM IN TSB NTB07-016(B) WHICH SHOWS NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST MARCH 16, 2007. NISSAN'S TSB DOCUMENTATION SHOWS HOW TO CORRECT THE DESIGN DEFECT ON THE VEHICLE BY GRINDING THE SUBFRAME AND REPLACING DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH NISSAN REDESIGNED PARTS.

NHTSA ID 10970047 · filed Apr 3, 2017
All 28 reports naming brakes

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR HAS A SOUND AS IF IT WERE METAL FATIGUE IN THE FRONT OF THE HOOD A HARD BLOW SOUNDS LOUD EVERY TIME THE CAR MOVES FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY SAY WHAT IS A FACTORY DEFECT I AM AFRAID THAT IT IS A METAL THAT IS UNDER FATIGUE AND THE ENGINE FALLS ON THE GROUND RUNNING ON THE STREET.

NHTSA ID 11377303 · filed Dec 1, 2020

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING PERIODICALLY OVER A WEEKS TIME, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, NEXT DAY THE PARKED CAR '5 HOURS COLD' CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND FUSE BOX AREA EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL BURNED UP. POLICE REPORT WAS DONE BUT I DO NOT HAVE A COPY, STILL WAITING ON FIRE MARSHAL REPORT. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE OTHER VEHICLE HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 11132286 · filed Sep 29, 2018
All 25 reports naming body & structure

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 20005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BEGAN SMOKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE AUTHORITIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AS THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES, THE FIRE WAS THEN EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. DUE TO HER FRANTIC EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH KNEES AND HER RIGHT ANKLE; HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V512000 (SEAT) TO HER FAILURE; HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ID 11323773 · filed May 7, 2020

"TAMARA INFLATORS" SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK OR LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. SMASHED BODY ALL THE WAY TO BACK SEAT BOTTOM TO GROUND. ENGINE WAS IDLING VERY HIGH FELT/SOUND AS IF WE WERE GOING 60 BUT ONLY WAS GOING 40. NO AIR BAGS CAME ON. BRAKES GRINDING. BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT AND TIRES FLAT IN BACK.. WINDOWS SLOW ON DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THE SHERIFF TAHOE HIT US AT 80MPH ON U.S. 40 GREENFIELD IN WAS IN THE SHOP AT J&M TRUCK AN TRAILER ON THE WEST SIDE OF INDIANAPOLIS HAVING THE OIL LEAKED FIXED AND TIRES ALL FIXED AND ROTORS AND LIGHTS BY [XXX] A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR. I HAD MY LITTLE GIRL IN THE BACK SEAT AS WELL WHERE SHERIFF HIT AND RAN. I UPLOADED A BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURE. VIN#[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10882397 · filed Jul 4, 2016
All 23 reports naming interior & seats

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power steering would fail to operate. The steering wheel would require excessive force in order to steer the vehicle. The contact would frequently replenish the steering fluid however, the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000

NHTSA ID 11478670 · filed Aug 10, 2022

POWER STEERING GEAR

NHTSA ID 11024209 · filed Sep 19, 2017
All 17 reports naming steering

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I'M WAS DRIVING WHEN MY TIRE POPPED AND MY CAR WENT ACROSS ALL THREE LANES, ACROSS THE MEDIAN, THEN ACROSS THREE LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC INTO SOME WOODS AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE FRONT ON DIDN'T, WHICH CONCERNS ME SINCE I HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE SIDE AIRBAGS LEFT BRUISES ON MY FACE AND NECK INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10434826 · filed Nov 8, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH B.F. GOODRICH TIRES, SIZE 225/55/R17, DOT #VE00AE111109. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN AND ROLLOVER. THE CONTACT INJURED HER RIBS, BACK , AND FINGERS DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE TIRE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE PASSENGER WAS ALSO INJURED. UPDATED 04/04/11

NHTSA ID 10357214 · filed Sep 23, 2010
All 17 reports naming tires & wheels

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION. PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT WONT SHIFT OUT OF GEARS TO GO FASTER. SUCH AS IF I STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND THEN TRY TO GO AGAIN IT ACCELERATES VERY (5MPH). ALSO WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, IT DOES THIS LOUD BANGING JERK THAT JERKS THE ENTIRE CAR. WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE NISSIAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. CAR IS ONLY 13 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ID 11120805 · filed Aug 18, 2018

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 NISSAN/MAXIMA IS HARD SHIFTING WHEN ENGINE/TRANSMISSIONIS IS HOT, DELAYING TAKE OFF AND KICKING EXTREMELY BAD WHEN PICKING UP SPEED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS. TWO MOTOR MOUNT ARE ALREADY BROKEN AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACE TRANSMISSION. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIZED SHOP INSPECTED AND TESTED THE TRANSMISSION FOR SECOND OPINION AND DID NO FIND PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION, OTHER THAN 2 BAD SENSORS. SENSORS WAS REPLACED AND 6 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. *INTERIOR SUNVISOR LIGHTNING COVER BROKEN IN BOTH SIDES, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER. *CD PLAYER NOT WORKING, NOT PLAYING. *ORIGINAL CHROME WHEELS ARE CORRODED, BREAKING THE SEAL ON TWO OF THE TIRES CAUSING PRESSURE TO LOWER AND MAKES TIRE GO FLAT IN LESS THAN A WEEK, IF NOT ATTENDED SOON.

NHTSA ID 10944019 · filed Jan 9, 2017
All 17 reports naming other / unspecified

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR HAS A SOUND AS IF IT WERE METAL FATIGUE IN THE FRONT OF THE HOOD A HARD BLOW SOUNDS LOUD EVERY TIME THE CAR MOVES FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY SAY WHAT IS A FACTORY DEFECT I AM AFRAID THAT IT IS A METAL THAT IS UNDER FATIGUE AND THE ENGINE FALLS ON THE GROUND RUNNING ON THE STREET.

NHTSA ID 11377303 · filed Dec 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE OR BUMPY ROAD, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE RECENTLY REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID 10957700 · filed Feb 28, 2017
All 13 reports naming suspension

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

On June 6th. 2019 my 2005 nissan maxima struck a disabled vehicle left in the middle lane of the Long Island Expressway (a 3 laned highway). Although I was traveling at 60 mph when the collision occurred and struck the disabled vehicle from the rear, the passenger airbag never deployed. This resulted in the passenger receiving significantly more serious injuries than that of the driver (who's airbag did deploy).

NHTSA ID 11537062 · filed Aug 8, 2023

INDICATOR LIGHT IN VEHICLE SAYS PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ID 11196528 · filed Apr 15, 2019
All 9 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING UP GAS TANK I NOTICED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP KEPT SHUTTING OFF. I WAS SENT A NOTICE FOR FREE REPAIR BUT CANT FINE NOTICE PLEASE SEND ME ANOTHER ONE.

NHTSA ID 11165524 · filed Jan 6, 2019

I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN FOR STATE INSPECTION ON 11-21-2016 AND FOR THE CAR JERKING AND OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANGER THAT MY THREE WAY CATALY HAD GONE BAD. THEN IT WAS TOLD OTHER THINGS WAS WRONG WHICH WAS NOT EXPECTED SINCE I GET MY CAR SERVICE REGULARLY. SENSOR ASSY AIR, MOUNTING RUBBER, RIGHT AND LEFT STRUT, SPACER FRONT STR., BUMPER ASSY BOUN, INSULATOR ASSY-S, GASKET EXHAUST, HOSE ASSY-BLOW B, ALLL THIS WAS DONE TO FIX THE JERKING WHICH DID NOT WORK. I PAID $3662.55 ON THAT DAY DROVE 10 MILES AND THE CAR WAS STILL JERKING. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR BACK ON MONDAY. IT WAS THEN TOLD THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID 10981085 · filed Apr 27, 2017
All 8 reports naming fuel system

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA BRAND NEW IN APRIL OF 2005. I PAID COLD HARD EARNED CASH ($35,000) FOR THIS CAR. WE REFINANCED OUR HOME TOO BUY AN RELIABLE, STURDY, DEPENDABLE, STYLISH, ROAD CAR (INSTEAD WE GOT A LEMON). I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR. THE HEADLINER CONSTANTLY FALLING DOWN OVER MY HEAD WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN, THE SUNROOF NOT OPENING AND CLOSING PROPERLY, THE O2 SENSORS GOING OUT CONSTANTLY, , THE BRACKETS BEING REPLACED, THE LEATHER SEATS LOOK AS IF I HAVE RAZOR BLADES ATTACHED TO MY BOTTOM SIDE, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS AWFUL!!! AT 65,000 MILES IT STARTED GOING OUT. THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE TRANNY WITHOUT ADMITTING ANY FAULT ON NISSANS BEHALF. AT THE TIME WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE TROUBLING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2004-2005 TRANSMISSIONS. THEY ONLY CHARGED US FOR THE LABOR COST. WE ACTUALLY THOUGHT "WOW, THEY ARE COOL"!! HERE WE ARE AT 157,000 MILES (ABOUT 70,000 LATER AND THE TRANNY IS:JERKING EXTREMELY HARD ( IT FEELS LIKE I AM BEING RAMMED FROM THE REAR BY A 18 TON SEMI-TRAILER) BETWEEN GOING INTO 1ST AND SECOND GEAR AND AGAIN BACK IN REVERSE FROM 2ND INTO 1ST GEAR. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT IS NOW HESITATING IN SHIFTING AND I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!! I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH, AND THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC. NISSAN HAS TOO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS COUNTRY HAS HIT A RECESSION. US HARDWORKING AMERICANS DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS. PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS. THANK [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10504066 · filed Mar 22, 2013

TO NHTSA: I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST NISSAN CAR DEALERSHIP OF SHAKER HEIGHTS. ON OCTOBER 19TH, 2008, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE ON THE HIGHWAY ALONG A STRAIGHTAWAY WHEN MY SKYLIGHT MOON ROOF SUDDENLY IMPLODE. IT WAS A LOUD BURST CAUSING SMALL MICROSCOPIC GLASS PARTICLES TO SCATTER THROUGHOUT MY INTERIOR. THE GLASS CUT MY ARM AND FLEW IN MY HAIR. I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE SLIGHTEST POSSIBLE TWISTING OR TORQUE OF THE FRAME BENDING WITH THE ROAD. THE 2004 MODEL OF MY VEHICLE RECENTLY HAD A RECALL DUE TO THIS EXACT ISSUE. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURE IN JAN. 2005, I SUSPECT THAT IT WAS MADE UNDER THE SAME PARAMETERS AS THE 2004 MODEL. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED AS WELL DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION SINCE THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10247175 · filed Oct 29, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE. I BOUGHT MY 2005 MAXIMA SE IN FEB 24 2007 WITH 48,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT REACH 98,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES), MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN DISPLAYING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. 1.FROM PARK AND/OR REVERSE TO DRIVE IT HAD A 5 SECOND DELAY TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, AND WHEN IT DID IT SHIFTED HARD. 2.TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR DURING SLOW AND GO DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV AT HIGH RPM?S AND THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR. 3.VERY HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WHEN SHIFTING UP AND DOWN AT SPEEDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH. 4.ONCE IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, AND SHUT MY ENGINE DOWN. DURING SLOW AND GO DRIVING I COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION BEGIN TO SHIFT AT15 MPH, AND GET A HARD SHIFT AT ABOUT 20 AND 25 MPH. IT SHIFTED HARD BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW GEARS. I ALSO, EXPERIENCED LAG TIME, AND HIGH RPM?S BEFORE IT SLAMMED INTO GEARS WHEN SHIFTING. EVERY TRANSMISSION PLACE I WENT TO WANTED $3500 TO $4000 TO REPLACE IT. AS AN ALTERNATIVE, I BOUGHT A USED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 62,000 MILES IN DEC 15 2008, AND HAD IT INSTALLED FOR $2000.00. AFTER 150,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES) ON THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. I?VE HAD THE CAM SENSORS, SOLENOIDS, AND FLUIDS REPLACED AND IT STILL RESPONSE THE SAME WAY. I FIND IT ODD OF 2 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSIONS THAT ACTING THE SAME WAY. ALSO, EVER SINCE I GOT THIS CAR I HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS EVER YEAR. NOT GOOD FOR A CAR THAT COST $40,000 NEW FROM A COMPANY THAT USED TO HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10560053 · filed Jan 15, 2014

THE PROJECTOR HEADLAMPS ON MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAVE FAILED TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE SHOP FOR REPEAT OF INITIAL FAILURE. THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED INITIALLY AS A WHOLE AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE PROJECTOR LAMPS UTILIZE A SHUTTER TO CHANGE FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM. AFTER THE LAMP HAS OPERATED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME (30 MIN-1 HOUR) THE SHUTTER DOES NOT MOVE FULLY, LEAVING THE LAMPS IN A PARTIAL OR FULL HIGH BEAM MODE, EVEN WHEN LOW BEAM IS CALLED FOR BY THE CONTROL SWITCH. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ONCOMING DRIVERS, AND I GET FLASHED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC FREQUENTLY. *JB

NHTSA ID 10166067 · filed Aug 20, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

"TAMARA INFLATORS" SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK OR LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. SMASHED BODY ALL THE WAY TO BACK SEAT BOTTOM TO GROUND. ENGINE WAS IDLING VERY HIGH FELT/SOUND AS IF WE WERE GOING 60 BUT ONLY WAS GOING 40. NO AIR BAGS CAME ON. BRAKES GRINDING. BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT AND TIRES FLAT IN BACK.. WINDOWS SLOW ON DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THE SHERIFF TAHOE HIT US AT 80MPH ON U.S. 40 GREENFIELD IN WAS IN THE SHOP AT J&M TRUCK AN TRAILER ON THE WEST SIDE OF INDIANAPOLIS HAVING THE OIL LEAKED FIXED AND TIRES ALL FIXED AND ROTORS AND LIGHTS BY [XXX] A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR. I HAD MY LITTLE GIRL IN THE BACK SEAT AS WELL WHERE SHERIFF HIT AND RAN. I UPLOADED A BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURE. VIN#[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10882397 · filed Jul 4, 2016

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE MECHANIC ARRIVED THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $5,000. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 05V512000. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED IN 2006. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILES WERE 62000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10335609 · filed Jun 10, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID 10787069 · filed Oct 29, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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