MYRModel Year Report

2005 Nissan Maxima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Nissan Maxima
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Maxima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 60 complaints 1987: 176 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 76 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: 1425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2005 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 78 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 95 complaints 2015: 1 complaints 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 102 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2023
2005: 948 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198660
1987176
198860
198962
1990106
199176
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200878
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201495
20151
2016142
2017102
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 49%

49% of complaints: power train — 469 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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. *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20140729

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, 20121102

POWER TRAIN 32%

32% of complaints: power train — 306 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 6%

6% of complaints: engine — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20250303

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20250303

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3%

3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 32 distinct reports on file.

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, 20070920

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 948
R 20060116 — seats

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 THE

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.

Campaign 05V512000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060828 — child seat

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 MEE

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 CAMPAIGNED

Campaign 05V338000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (469 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (306 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (61 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V512000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V338000 (child seat) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1984 ▲ 2018 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2006 ■ 2000

See all years ranked →

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 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.