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.

7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,690
Average Mileage:
101,750 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new transmission (13 reports)
  2. not sure (12 reports)
  3. repair valve assembly (1 reports)
2005 Nissan Maxima transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Nissan Maxima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2005 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Jan 042016

Maxima LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

For a few previous months, the transmission gradually began to shift roughly while in Drive. When shifting to reverse, a very strong jerk was felt. The valve assembly had to be repaired and a broken rear engine support replaced. The vehicle was out of the shop on Feb 6, with a 6 months repairs or 6,000 miles guarantee. Now, very slowly I am noticing that the shifting to reverse is not so smooth as it was on Feb 6. If it worsens, I will have to go back to the shop before the guaranty expires, fix it, and trade-in the car for another brand. I am the sole driver of this car, and as a retired person, I don't drive to work daily getting stuck in traffic jams or other similar situations.

- Pedro J., Caguas, Puerto Rico

problem #5

Jan 012016

Maxima LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,943 miles

click to see larger images

shifting roughly shifting roughly shifting roughly shifting roughly shifting roughly

When the car at low speed, the car shift roughly, I went to Henderson Nissan dealer, they asking around $1800.00 to fix, I have no choice and paid, but after they finished the job, they problem still exists. I took the car back, now, the dealer told me I need a new transmission and I have to pay another $3000.00.

It is unacceptable and irresponsible. I start to search the solution on the web and found out this is a common problem and in lawsuit already.

Also, My fuel gauge needle stuck and found out this is a common problem too. Nissan should recall this problem ASAP.

- Allden C., Henderson, NV, US

problem #4

Oct 012015

Maxima SL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

For some time now, our 2005 Nissan Maxima shifts roughly through low gears. This problem persists when accelerating and also decelerating. Further, we've noticed that the transmission has a rough shift when moving from Park to either Drive or Reverse, and vice versa.

Sometimes when driving slowly, the rough shifting transmission isn't obvious. However, after the car warms up or when driving with slightly quicker starts and stops, the problem becomes noticeable to the point of multiple bought shifts. It's become so bad that once, when driving down a decline and approaching a concrete barrier for parking, the car downshifted roughly, causing us to momentarily lose control of the car and it scraped the barrier, leaving yellow paint on our front ground effects molding.

In researching the problem, I came across many other people with the same transmission problems affecting their Nissan Maxima cars, particularly in the 2004-2006 model years. Given the volume of issues that people are experiencing, it's obvious that there is a significant flaw in the structure and design of the transmission on the 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima. As such, Nissan should step up, take responsibility and fix these problems to avoid a potentially massive safety issue in the future, one that costs lives.

- Stephen S., West Grove, PA, US

problem #3

Sep 062015

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

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

I just won't buy a Nissan any more especially the Maxima. Trust me it causes problem after problem.. I'm done with Nissan. You call them to let them know about you problem and they end up finding more problems with the car and nothing about the problem you take it to check.

- calitos, Fontana, CA, US

problem #2

Sep 122015

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,580 miles

It doesn't seem to happen at any speed in particular, but sometimes the transmission starts slipping and can feel it lose a little speed. Then it feels like the transmission tries to grab but it can't quite engage. It makes the car do a couple light, to some what moderate, lunges before it engages fully and the car resumes driving as if there is no problem. After a few blocks it will likely happen again. As this is being typed I'm not aware of any damage caused by this. But it's only a matter of time before things begin to fail if the problem is not addressed.

- Janice T., Juda, WI, US

problem #1

Mar 012010

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

jerking and shifts hard

Pretty good car overall but the transmission went early and it's been very difficult to deal with. Also had tremendous problems keeping tread on the tires.

- monsterfish, Winchester, CA, US

Not what you are looking for?