2005 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 777about this part
- Share
- 82%of 948 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 777 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Nissan Maxima, 82% of the 948 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a Nissan Maxima 2005 from a second hand and looks great but one riding the transmission started to make a uful noise. Once I got home I turned of the engine. The next day when I start the engine and shifted to drive the wouldn't move. The mechanic told me that I have to buy a new transmission that it's to expensive. I hope you could help me. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10957732, filed 2017-03, 120,000 miles“Car jerks/jolts/slams into drive or reverse, when driving around 25 MPH & take my foot of the accelerator the car starts to jerk, when I start to speed up after slowing down the RPM's go crazy high & the motor feels like it's being forced to speed up but it won't & after a few seconds it will slam into gear & begin to speed up which is pretty scary.”
NHTSA complaint #10706577, filed 2015-04, 75,000 miles“When driving for a few miles it shifts hard like the transmission isn't wanting to shift right. After reading online I find out that this year of mission is known for some kind of fault in the transmission! Other then that the car is in excellent condition but afraid to drive because of the transmission but I can't afford to spend the money on whatever is wrong with the transmission!”
NHTSA complaint #10967088, filed 2017-03, 91,000 miles“Today is march 26, 2015 and for the past week; my car has been stalling when I am shifting gears. Today I was in a not safe situation at a red light. When I shifted the gears to my car to begin driving, the car stalled on me allowing me to only drive around 5-10 MPH down the street. I had to hurry up and pull over because I had cars behind me.”
NHTSA complaint #10702066, filed 2015-03, 105,000 miles“Transmission started jerking in the freeway jumping speed and coming down on speed when I took it to the dealership to get a check he told me the transmission went off which broke my transmission mounts and coil car had all maintenance done regularly and never was mentioned about the issue or engine light never went on”
NHTSA complaint #10872473, filed 2016-06, 10,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10038184Nov 5, 2013Nissan: the vehicle has a slower than normal acceleration from a stop. Updated on 06/08/2011. *kb updated on 06/13/2011. *rm updated 12/16/2013
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10039864Apr 7, 2011Nissan: 2004-2006 maxima. Harsh upshifts or downshifts during moderate acceleration or when slowing.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
- 10015845Jun 29, 20055 speed fwd a/t left side oil leak diagnostic. Update
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% |
| 2004 | 934 | 66% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 5 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Maxima
61 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 30, 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