2005 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 948 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (76% of complaints); the 2003 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 948 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2022
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2021
“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).”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle was in motion and all of a sudden gears started to shift on its own , so stopped on the side of the highway and turned off my engine then I turned it back on after about 15 minutes and it was driving well until after about 10 minutes of driving the gears wouldn't go past 2nd gear”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2019
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2018
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2018
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2018
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2018
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2018
“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.”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 29 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Maxima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 948 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is power train (76% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:front assembly:power adjust. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.