2005 Nissan Maxima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 61about this part
- Share
- 6%of 948 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 61 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Nissan Maxima, 6% of the 948 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle was in motion and all of a sudden gears started to shift on its own , so stopped on the side of the highway and turned off my engine then I turned it back on after about 15 minutes and it was driving well until after about 10 minutes of driving the gears wouldn't go past 2nd gear”
NHTSA complaint #11205400, filed 2019-05, 157,465 miles“My 2005 Maxima transmission is jerking when switching gears and also slippage. At first I thought it was the mounts because one was bad but after replacing them the problem still was still there. Later I found out it was just the transmission. I looked online and found a number of people was having the same problem and there still have not been a recall. This will be my last Nissan.”
NHTSA complaint #10691515, filed 2015-03, 130,000 miles“When the vehicle gets up to normal operation it begins jerking extremely hard and shifting hard, sometimes bangs on shift and revs and jumps into gear. I have been informed that I need a new transmission which is going to cost around $3700!!!! Not to mention every mechanic that I took it too mention that this year and make are notorious for needing the transmission replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10474321, filed 2012-09, 90,500 miles“I bought a used Nissan Maxima for 8,000 since the day I bought it, the car has a hard time shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear and so on it makes a loud clunk noise and is staring to damage the mounts. I have read similar complaints to mine online and need to learn how to get it recalled or fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10547885, filed 2013-10, 118,000 miles“When I put car in reverse from park.. It took about 3-5 seconds to catch and go. Then when I put it drive it did the same. It will do this some days and not do it some days. Major flaw in 05 maxims transmissions from all the complaints I've read. Need to recall and fix this ongoing problem . This is my 3rd Nissan maximaand my first one with these problems. Big dissapointment Nissan. Recall 05 maxims and fixtransmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10508819, filed 2013-04, 97,980 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 4 | 22% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 8 | 8% |
| 2016 | 18 | 13% |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 11 | 10% |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% |
| 2010 | 20 | 7% |
| 2009 | 18 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 6% |
| 2007 | 18 | 14% |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 | 61 | 6% |
| 2004 | 51 | 4% |
| 2003 | 43 | 21% |
| 2002 | 19 | 9% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Maxima
777 complaintsEngine cooling
40 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsTires
17 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsAir bags
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology