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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-NISSAN-MAXIMANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Nissan
2005 Nissan Maxima problems
The 2005 Nissan Maxima has 948 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 2 active recall campaigns.
The 2005 Nissan Maxima has 948 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 738 complaints, typically surfacing around 89,237 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Maxima?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Nissan Maxima? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 738 owner reports
· tends to show around 89,237 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 53 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,972 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,215 mi · ~$850 to fix
body — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 89,792 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 83,215 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 Maxima· powertrain
The car is over winding and sounds like the transmission is slipping. There is a significant spike in the rpms before it shifts between gear to gear. It's only got 98k and it's meticulously maintained. It's been happening for about a thousand miles.
December 2007 - took car into Nissan dealer because transmission was hesitating and slamming hard into the "drive" gear. Dealer discovered transmission needed to be replaced. January 2008, I received my car back with a reman transmission from Nissan. February through may 2008 -…
When I brought my car after 2-3 months I had transmission problems, I took it to the Nissan dealership to get it fix. After , a couple of weeks I still was having problems with the car , I took it back they said , it wasn't nothing wrong with it . Then my air condition went out,…
Had a problem with your 2005 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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 driver seat
A pinched harness, in combination with driving vibration, may result in a short circuit in the harness that could lead to a fire in the seat.
Fix: 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.
Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no
If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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 under a separate recall (please see 05v374000). Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 948 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Nissan Maxima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
The 2005 Nissan Maxima is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 738 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 89,237 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 948 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 89,237 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 738 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 89,237 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 89,237 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Maxima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 948 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Maxima.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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