2005 Nissan Maxima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 2%of 948 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Nissan Maxima, 2% of the 948 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 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.
“I am having a transmission issue that cant seem to be figured out. I am experiencing a hard jerk when I shift gears from 1st-2nd gear. It wont happen for days but all of a sudden it will comeback. For some reason no one can tell me what's wrong but there seems to be lots of reports and complaints about the problem on 2004-early 2005 model Nissan maximas. I love the car but Nissan needs to be made aware of this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10575458, filed 2014-03, 109,000 miles“While driving my 2005 Nissan Maxima the gears slip and jump into gear with a violent jerk that is affecting my driving and may cause me to lose control of the car and possible injury myself or others. There is a transmission issue with the valve body that is causing this violent shifting and it seems that I am not the only one that has this issue. It is disgrace that the NHTSA had done nothing to address this wide spread issue, must people die first so it does get addressed. I will also contact my state representative to report the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10915454, filed 2016-10, 101,000 miles“I recently bought a 2005 Nissan Maxima from carmax it was about a month after I bought the car the transmission started to slip and change gears really rough. The transmission hesitates when changing gears either at idle or while driving the transmission does it the most between first and second and second to third and when downshifting in those same gears. My main concern is my family in this vehicle or any other families in the same vehicle when we are driving in the vehice our heads and necks get whipped back and forth very roughly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10746773, filed 2015-08, 71,000 miles“My 2005 Nissan Maxima started having shifting problems when slowing. I would be coming to a stop sign and the transmission wouldn't jump out of gear and the car would free roll. Once stopped the car would jerk and try to take off while foot on brake. Now the transmission shifts very hard to the point to feels like im in an accident or the engine is coming through the hood. When I accelerate onto freeway from ramp im scared that I may get rear ended because the car just wont accelerate properly to get into lane safe. …”
NHTSA complaint #10356291, filed 2010-09, 85,000 miles“The car was equipped with a heated steering wheel. Athis winter I used it almost daily. I began to notice in march that the steering wheel was becoming discolored. The areas where the heating mechanism were now black and green.”
NHTSA complaint #10191486, filed 2007-05, 43,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
- 10043773Mar 22, 2012Nissan: altima, maxima, quest; power steering hose service part change. The hose now comes without the pressure sensor. Do not damage the pressure sensor upon removal or…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 158 | 57% |
| 2009 | 168 | 50% |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 3% |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 7 | 7% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 1% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Maxima
777 complaintsEngine
61 complaintsEngine cooling
40 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsBody and structure
25 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 29, 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