NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA

1152 NHTSA complaints, 32 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005NISSANMAXIMA carries 1152 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 32 crashes, 17 fires, 74 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 MAXIMA is power train with 469 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (306) and engine (61). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2005 MAXIMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1152
Complaints
32
Crashes
17
Fires
74
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

1152 filings

Crashes Reported

32 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN469
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION306
ENGINE61
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL32
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING31
UNKNOWN OR OTHER27
STRUCTURE:BODY15
STEERING14
SERVICE BRAKES13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC11
TIRES10
SUSPENSION10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
WHEELS8

Recalls (2)

05V33800026/07/2005

CHILD SEAT:LATCH STRAP

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 SEAT

05V51200007/11/2005

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

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.

Recent Complaints

20250303ENGINE

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.

20250303ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20230808CrashAIR BAGS

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).

20220810STEERING

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

Mileage: 107,000

20210403ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20210403ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20210403POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20210311ENGINE

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

Mileage: 275,587

20210311POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 275,587

20201201STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 45,500

20201201POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 45,500

20201201SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 45,500

20200507FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

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

Mileage: 112,000

20191112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR ONLY HAS 112337 MILE AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION , NOW AT 112954 HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE . THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD SHIFTING/ JERKING WHEN YOU GET TO ABOUT 30-35 MPH . SO IT COST ALMOST 4,000.00 TO FIX AND THE THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AFTER 500 MILES WITH NEW TRANSMISSION AND TOOK THE CAR TO ELECTRICAL SHOP TO FIND OUT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND AFTER ALL THE MONEY PUT IN THIS CAR I DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH FIXING THE ABS CONSIDERING I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT. 2018 AND THOUGHT I GOT A GREAT CAR AND ALREDY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY PUT IN IT AND COULD NEVER SELL IT FOR THE MONEY I HAVE IN IT NISSAN SHOULD BE FIXING THESE ISSUES NOT ME CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THESE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AT THE SAME MILEAGE

Mileage: 112,337

20191112POWER TRAIN

MY CAR ONLY HAS 112337 MILE AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION , NOW AT 112954 HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE . THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD SHIFTING/ JERKING WHEN YOU GET TO ABOUT 30-35 MPH . SO IT COST ALMOST 4,000.00 TO FIX AND THE THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AFTER 500 MILES WITH NEW TRANSMISSION AND TOOK THE CAR TO ELECTRICAL SHOP TO FIND OUT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND AFTER ALL THE MONEY PUT IN THIS CAR I DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH FIXING THE ABS CONSIDERING I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT. 2018 AND THOUGHT I GOT A GREAT CAR AND ALREDY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY PUT IN IT AND COULD NEVER SELL IT FOR THE MONEY I HAVE IN IT NISSAN SHOULD BE FIXING THESE ISSUES NOT ME CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THESE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AT THE SAME MILEAGE

Mileage: 112,337

20190502ENGINE

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

Mileage: 157,465

20190424UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS DANGER OF WHICH I COMPLAIN IS NOT ABSOLUTE TO MY VEHICLE BUT TO ALL OTHERS THAT ARE MADE WITH SUCH SHORTCUT. IN PREVIOUS DECADES CARS WERE MADE WITH A TRUNK KEY AND OR MECHANICAL CABLE FOR OPENING. MY 2005 MAXIMA AND MOST RECENT VEHICLES ARE MADE WITH ONLY AN ELECTRONIC BUTTON TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. RECENTLY MY CAR LOST POWER AT A PRECARIOUS LOCATION AND I HAD NO WAY OF ACCESSING THE TRUNK. MY FLARES, MY BOOSTER CABLES,ALL EMERGENCY TOOLS, SUPPLIES, FIRST AID KIT, FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WATER ALL LOCKED AWAY IN THE TRUNK AND I HAD NO ACCESS TO IT. THIS IS NOT MERELY INCONVENIENT, BUT VERY DANGEROUS. CAR MANUFACTURERS MAY SAY THAT THERE IS ACCESS THROUGH THE BACK SEAT. THIS, HOWEVER, IS TOTALLY INADEQUATE. IT IS VERY CUMBERSOME AND CALL FOR PHYSICAL MANEUVER WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT, TIME CONSUMING AND SUBJECT TO FAILURE. FIRST IT IS A TASK IN ITSELF TO FIGURE OUT AND TO GET THAT BACK SEAT DOWN. EVEN WHEN DOWN, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO EVEN CRAWL INSIDE AND AC

Mileage: 109,000

20190415AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 32,000

20190401ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 125,000

20190401POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 125,000

Compare 2005NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA has 1152 NHTSA complaints, 32 crashes, 17 fires, 74 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Yes, the 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is CHILD SEAT:LATCH STRAP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA is POWER TRAIN with 469 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ENGINE.
Is the 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.