MYRModel Year Report

2005 Nissan Maxima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Nissan Maxima
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
948
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

82% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2005 948 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1985 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2005 948 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2021 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1984 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1986 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1996 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1998 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2002 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2005 948 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2008 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2010 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2016 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2020 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint

2005: 948 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198663
1987178
198860
198964
1990106
199177
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041,425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
20151
2016142
2017104
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

82% · 782 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car kept jerking between gears, engine rev'd to 5000 rpms car lunged forward - hitting trailer hitch and rear end of an SUV stopped in road construction.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-29

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk as the transmission slipped gears with a rapid increase in engine rpms. In addition, there was a burning electrical odor inside of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-02

Engine

6% · 61 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-03

Also filed under Electrical system

Engine and engine cooling

4% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASH

Electrical system

4% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and module.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Vehicle speed control

3% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While idling at a stop light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 20 MPH. There were no warning lights present during or after the failure occurred.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-09-20

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 948 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-01-16Seats05V512000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wire harness and route it correctly. The recall began on January 16, 2006. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-08-28Child seat05V338000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower anchorage brackets with modified brackets to ensure that the standard is met. The recall began on August 28, 2006. The Infiniti Q45 model vehicles are being…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 782 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 61 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 40 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V512000 · Seats
  • Recall 05V338000 · Child seat
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Nissan Maxima is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 82% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.