MY CAR STARTING JERKING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. I MADE AN APPT WITH MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR A FEW DAYS LATER AND WITHIN THOSE FEW DAYS IT PROGRESSED TO SEVERE BUCKING BETWEEN GEARS AND I NO LONGER FELT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, LUCKILY THE DEALER ISN'T FAR FROM MY HOUSE. I WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND 3 ENGINE MOUNTS WERE CRACKED. TOTAL COST $5200. I WASN'T ABLE TO COME UP …
2005 nissan Maxima engine problems
moderate 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
IT HAS BEEN PROVEN AND REPORTED MANY TIMES ON THE INTERNET OF THE POOR DESIGN OF THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS, TENSIONERS, AND GUIDES FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF NISSAN. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE HAD TO PAY HUGE REPAIR BILLS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS THAT WERE PLACED IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED. THEY WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 nissan Maxima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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