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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,782 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. Consumer writes in regards to transmission slipping. The consumer stated he had to drain and re-fill the transmission fluid to keep the gears from slipping.
The transmission has begun to jerk excessively when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. Sometimes it jerks so hard the occupants get tossed forward a bit. It lags when shifting from park to drive also resulting in the car to jerk violently. This is horrendous that a car that has 70,000-80,000 miles on would have such a serious transmission problem already. Its dangerous and from research I've found is not isolated, but rather a widespread issue with the 2004-2005 Nissan Maxima's. its absolutely ridiculous that Nissan hasnt made a recall on what they know are faulty transmissions. I had a Honda civic that had well over 110,000 miles on it and I never had a single power-train or engine issue with that car. I for one will never by another Nissan again!
I am experiencing transmission problems in my 2005 Maxima. The vehicle has only 54000 miles to date and is starting to slip gears in between 1-2 and 2-3 while driving at a slow speed; this also occurs when switching in reverse. This problem needs to be fixed since it can be detrimental to fellow drivers on the road while driving due to the fact of the transmission causing the car to lunge forward when in the act of switching gears. This issue seems to be well documented at this point to Nissan corporate as well as the NHTSA database and should be taken seriously. I believe a recall at this point should be in order due to the mass documented complaints of this specific issue.
I have been feeling a jerking in my car, which sounds like the motor is moving around. I had the motor mounts replaced, but still was having the same problems. I have now found out it is the transmission, which will cost me $3200, I have been told by the shop that a lot of 2005 Maxima are having the same problems, if this is true why is there not a recall?
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle lunged forward independently. The vehicle continued to experience the failure until the vehicle was stopped and allowed to cool down. The vehicle would then operate as designed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who advised the contact to have the transmission replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle lost acceleration power. The contact continuously depressed the accelerator then the vehicle suddenly lunged forward. The contact stated the vehicle jerked and surged constantly when the temperature was warm. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic three different times for diagnostic testing. The mechanic replaced the transmission sensor and performed a transmission flush. The failure continued after the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
This Nissan has been having issues where it jerks from reverse to drive, upshifting from first to second, and second to third. The vehicle also jerks when down shifting from third to second, second to first and first to park is delayed in shifting. This issue is a safety concern due to affecting the ability to stop the vehicle as the vehicle specifications indicate stopping distance for the vehicle should be. The issue is highly unpredictable as to the severity of the jerk the car will experience which has been known to cause the vehicle to either not stop or slide in inclement weather such as snow.
Serious transmission issue. It makes a loud noise when it shifts from 2nd and 3rd gear, sometimes it only goes high on RPM without giving any traction to the wheels. Also the transmission kicks when I put in reverse after a while of being driving the car. I have already changed the 3 motor mounts because they were broken but I never I thought it would be due to transmission problems. I live in Mexico and apparently it's very common also in Maximas in Mexico.
The vehicle jerks hard when going from park to reverse, and reverse to drive. When driving it will shift hard from 1st to 2nd. It will slip before ramming in to gear. There is also slipping in 4th gear. When trying to accel on the highway it will slip before doing so. Replace front & left engine mount, flush transmission fluid but still doing the same jerking issue. Please investigate.
The vehicle jerks hard when going from park to reverse, and reverse to drive. When driving it will shift hard from 1st to 2nd. It will slip before ramming in to gear. There is also slipping in 4th gear. When trying to accel on the highway it will slip before doing so. Replace front & left engine mount, flush transmission fluid at 95521 but still doing the same jerking issue. Please help.
My 2005 Nissan Maxima has 115000 miles and has started showing signs of what may be serious transmission problems. 1. takes about 5 seconds to click into gear after the shift lever is put in "D" 2. very hard jerky shifts between 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st and accompanied by loud clunking noise. 3. transmission slips out of gear during regular driving allowing the engine to rev freely then jerking back into gear with a loud clunk. The is followed by a burnt oil / electrical type smell that gets inside the car and evident outside after stopping.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 mph, he noticed that the transmission began slipping from second to third gear. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The current mileage was approximately 89,500. The VIN was unavailable.
First incident: Car didn't immediately shift into reverse and when it did, it slammed into gear violently. The problem eventually manifested into the following: 1.) taking off car jerks real bad between 1st & 2nd gear. 2.) slowing down, car kicks & jerks when down shifting 3.) now it's at the point where the car stalls /shuts off 4.) putting the car from park to drive it hesitates about 5 to 7 sec. 5.) transmission slips out of gear under 20M.P.H... causing engine to rev up to 4rpm and sometimes 5rpm.
Transmission began to shows signs of failure. Currently, the vehicle jerks hard when going from park to reverse, and reverse to drive. When driving it will shift hard from 1st to 2nd. It will slip before ramming in to gear. There is also slipping in 4th gear. When trying to accel on the highway it will slip before doing so. In town driving is horrible. I have to try and drive the car in manual mode but that does necessarily help. After doing further research, I found that this generation of Nissan Maxima's have this problem. Nissan is also aware but refuses to acknowledge.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the engine rpms increased excessively and as the brake was being depressed, the vehicle slammed into gear. The failure occurred whenever the contact accelerated from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed a diagnostic test and advised the contact that the computer did generate a failure code. The dealer was also unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph when the vehicle began to jerk with a slight hesitation. The failure progressed over time and became a permanent occurrence. The vehicle was taken to both an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and switching gears, there was a harsh jerk from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where they advised him that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The current mileage was approximately 105,000.
My 2005 Nissan Maxima transmission has been slipping since 75,000 miles. I have been doing alot of research and alot of other individuals with 04 and 05 Maximas are experiencing the same issues. Nissan Maxima put defected transmissions in their 04 and 05 models. I contacted Nissan usa however the refused to fix my car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Washington, DC, USA