CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima has widespread transmission problems. It starts with the vehicle jerking when shifting, & progresses to full-blown transmission failure.

Maxima owners report spending $3,000 to replace the transmission, typically around when the odometer hits 100,000 miles.

There's a class action lawsuit filed in late 2011, & it is still in the "discovery" stage. Apparently, these things take time ... far too much time.

2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,568 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Nissan Maxima engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Jan 202011

Maxima

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car has stalled on a number of occasions. From a stop, the car will not accelerate nor go into gear, then after a few minutes the car will slam into gear and send the car lurching forward. It actually feels as though someone has hit you from behind. Luckily I was always a distance away from the car in front of me and/or not close enough to other vehicles. Someone is going to be killed from a situation such as this. I have been told that I need a whole new transmission. There are many, many similar defects noted on-line with 04', 05', 06' and 07' Nissan. I have also been told by Nissan dealers that Nissan is replacing transmissions on 07' models but not on the earlier vehicles & that there is a known defect in their valve body which results in failed transmissions.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

problem #10

Feb 012011

Maxima

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerk abnormally when driving 35 mph and above. When shifting gears, the vehicle would not respond for approximately five to ten seconds before engaging and the engine would exhibit an excessive increase in rpms. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who recommended having the valve body assembly replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not contacted in regards to the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000 and the current mileage was 97,000.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #9

Jun 012010

Maxima

  • miles
I bought my used car from a local Nissan dealership with aprx. 74000 miles on it in Feb 2010. Shortly after I started feeling the transmission shifting roughly in the lower gears. I took it in to a reputable repair shop in June 2010 and they could not find any kind of diagnostic codes in the computer for the transmission, but told me the engine mounts were broken and needed replacing. I replaced the engine mount and also had them flush and put in fresh transmission fluid at that time as well. Again very shortly after I started feeling the transmission shifting roughly and it progressively got worse and even started slipping intermittently!! I took my car back to the repair shop and they could not find any codes again. I did some research online and found that hundreds of 2004 and 2005 Nissan Maxima owners were having the same exact problems!!! I have searched for any recalls, but there are none!! I took the car back to the dealership were I bought it from and spoke with the service manager and he stated that he has dealt with this issue with owners of this make, model, and year!! I filed a complaint with Nissan and spoke with their Consumer Affairs dept, but the are not willing to help in any way. I believe, as well as hundreds of other owners, that Nissan knows about this defect, but is unwilling to issue a recall to the public!!! I think this is completely irresponsible and negligent on Nissan's behalf and has shattered my faith in their company.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #8

Aug 282009

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought a 2005 Nissan Maxima, the car quit working in August 2009, I've taken it to 6 mechanics and it's still doing the same thing. The Nissan dealerships don't seem to have a solution to the problem just kept charging me more and more. The car jerks in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, I've had the transmission replaced, motor mounts, catalytic convertor replaced and the car is still doing the same thing.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #7

Apr 042010

Maxima

  • 97,500 miles
2005 Nissan Maxima with less than 100K miles was taken to Nissan service shop and was said to need a part replaced in trans. And timing chain needs replacing along with motor mounts. After reviewing many websites this year make and model vehicle has 1000 with the same problem. Tried taking to 2 different Nissan reps and was told there was nothing they could or would do about their faulty product.. would like to know what else or who else I could speak with about this matter. I have owned 4 prior Nissan and have never had problems and seeing that this issue seems to be in this vehicle I do feel that they are somewhat responsible.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #6

May 212010

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 117,000 miles
I am the original owner for my 2005 Nissan Maxima, at approximately 80K mi my car began hesitating slightly. I took my car to the Nissan dealer and was told that the problem was not detectable with a diagnostic machine, but the technician indicated that the problem was possibly a missing engine mount. I was also told that a transmission flush may also help the problem. The flush found no particles and did not stop the hesitation. My lease ended and I decided to keep the car. This hesitation has gotten progressively worst over time and culminated with almost lost of power while traveling from my home to the mall tonight. The car had very little power and made a low humming sound. I put my hazards on as other cars whizzed by. By the time I pulled into the restaurant and tried to back into a parking space the car would not drive. I turned it off then on again that helped and I was able to reverse. Going home the car would not accelerate and the RPM needle kept going up to 4-5 then hesistated before coming down. I am scheduled to work tomorrow and I must now see about having the car towed to the dealership for evaluation. I am at a lost I just don't know what to do. I seen many other complaints about the 2005 Nissan but no recall. I can't afford to buy a new car as I still owe 12000 and I am afraid my daughter and I are not safe in this car. Please help.

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #5

Jan 132009

Maxima

  • 71,835 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Failure of timing chain & tensioners. Upon hearing whining noise took 2005 Maxima to dealer who verified noise was due to an impending failure of the timing chains and tensioners. Researched problem & discover that this manufacturing defect involved engines made from 2004 to 2007 affecting Maxima's, quest's, Altima's, pathfinder's, &xterrra's. we contacted Nissan usa & were informed that Nissan had no responsibility for this problem and since our 36,000 miles had expired we were on our own. (case #6392191) no choices left we paid this replacement of defective parts to the price tag of $2800.93. Appealed to Nissan usa again but was treated like the proverbial red-headed son even though we have purchased 3 new Nissan Maxima's in the last 10 years. There is no way that we did anything to make this problem occur. It is a case of manufacturing defective parts!!!

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #4

Jan 052009

Maxima

  • 72,000 miles
Timing chain problem with 2005 Nissan Maxima. After having my transmission replaced (different complaint), the dealer told me that there was a known problem with the timing chain guides breaking and that my timing chain and corresponding parts needed to be replaced for $1600. I thought this was a problem because my car is not old and should not need this repair. I did research on the internet and found hundreds of cases with the same defect in Nissan Maxima's. I would like my complaint heard and a possible recall done if possible. This is clearly a Nissan defect and problem and not normal wear and tear on the car.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 112008

Maxima

  • 68,174 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 50 mph, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle lost all power and shut off. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and they discovered that the crank sensor failed. The mechanic reset the sensor. He took the vehicle to the Nissan dealer and they stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The current and failure mileages were 68,174.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #2

Jul 312006

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 20mph the engine stalled without warning. Afterwards, the check engine light illuminated. Additionally, the engine was difficult to start after sitting for a prolonged period of time. The vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop where a diagnostic test was performed. Although the code indicated the crank position sensor failed, the vehicle was not inspected. The manufacturer was also not alerted.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #1

Jan 122005

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 278 miles
The vehicle will crank, but would not start. While driving home the vehicle shut down in the middle of the intersection. Vehicle was inched into a parking lot. Towed the next day. The ipdm module was found to be defective. The module part was on back order....a brand new design, and consumer believed there was a major flaw in design to have no auxilliary power or warning when this should occur.

- Rockville Centre, NY, USA

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