2005 Nissan Maxima: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2005 Nissan Maxima? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 948 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2005 Nissan Maxima Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2005 Nissan Maxima trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2005 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2005 Nissan Maxima has 948 owner complaints, 16 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Maxima
- Model year
- 2005
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 948
- Crash-related complaints
- 16
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Most Common 2005 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2005 Nissan Maxima?
The 2005 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2005 Nissan Maxima
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission for signs of failure or unusual behavior during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on transmission and drivetrain components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission for signs of failure or unusual behavior during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on transmission and drivetrain components.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2005 Nissan Maxima, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2005 Nissan Maxima are heavily concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain, accounting for the vast majority of reports. Engine problems and electrical faults are also notable but far less frequent. The data suggests a recurring theme of transmission-related issues, though the low confidence level and consumer-submitted nature of the data warrant caution.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints dominate with 777 out of 948 total complaints.
- Engine problems are the second most reported component with 101 complaints.
- Unintended acceleration complaints number 33, which may relate to transmission or engine issues.
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Engine Problems
- Unintended Acceleration
All 2005 Nissan Maxima Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan Maxima. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 777 | 8 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 101 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 38 | 1 | 5 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 33 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 28 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 27 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 25 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 18 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 17 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 13 | 1 | 6 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 9 | 6 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 t…
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 de…
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 d…
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.
I HAVE AN 05 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD AND ERRATICALLY
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 …
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 …
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 W…
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 …
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 BUT…
INDICATOR LIGHT IN VEHICLE SAYS PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING.
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…
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE... CV TRANSMISSION COULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. CV TRANSMISSION COULD HESITATE IN SHIFTING TO NEXT OR PREVIOUS GEAR. THIS CAN CAUSE HARD, VIOLENT SHIFTING TO OCCUR WHICH COULD SERIOUSLY DAMAGE THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
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.
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 …
JUST AFTER 100K MILES THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FROM R TO D AND SLOWLY PROGRESSED INTO FULL BLOWN SLIPPING, RPMS SHOOT THROUGH THE ROOF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIP AND SLAM INTO GEAR AT WHATEVER SPEED I'M GOING WHICH SOMETIMES CAUSE THE CAR TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. I'VE SEEN…
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 MA…
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…
I AM A FORENSIC CONSULTANT THAT HAS EXAMINED THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN APPROXIMATE 32 MPH LONGITUDINAL DELTA V. THE DRIVER WAS PROPERLY SAFETY BELTED BUT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AFFECTING …
SUDDEN SURGES AND JOLTING WHEN TRYING TO PARK CAR EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2005 Nissan Maxima.
2005 Nissan Maxima Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Nissan Maxima. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2005 Nissan Maxima Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 948 owner complaints, 16 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2005 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (777 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (101 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (38 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2005 Nissan Maxima?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2005 Nissan Maxima, NHTSA complaints include 16 crash-related reports and 10 fire reports out of 948 total complaints. 29 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2005 Nissan Maxima. A major recall area is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2005 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2005 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2005 Nissan Maxima based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.