DIAGNOSIS 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 this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan Maxima steering problems
severe Owners of the 2005 Nissan Maxima have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 107,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Maxima (this page) | 17 |
| 2006 Maxima | 17 |
| 2007 Maxima | 7 |
| 2008 Maxima | 4 |
| 2009 Maxima | 168 |
1crash
5injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DIAGNOSIS 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 this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If 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 follow the tips listed in this bulletin. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe has been chosen as the approved tool for rotor resurfacing. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe can be ordered from TECH-MATE at 1-800-662-2001. - ProCut technical support or service can be obtained by calling 1-800-543-6618. NOTE: Brake rotors may need to be resurfaced during routine brake repair or for brake "judder" incidents. - Brake judder: A brake pedal pulsation and/or steering wheel shimmy when braking that occurs when there is too mu
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN: 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 INSTALLATION. IF ONLY THE PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, DO NOT REPLACE ANY HOSES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Maxima steering system shows consistent defects across multiple failure modes. Steering wheel vibration at 60 MPH is widespread—owners report dealers replaced tires and wheels multiple times without fixing it, and a Nissan engineer allegedly told one owner the shaking was normal design. Another owner's steering column rocks up and down an inch in the driving position, creating dangerous play.
Power steering failure occurs at high mileage—one owner at 107,000 miles experienced loss of power assist and had to repeatedly refill fluid with no resolution. Front-end rack-and-pinion failure shows up early: one owner at just 17,000 miles had strut assemblies replaced three times before the rack-pinion was identified as the real culprit; Nissan refused a buyback. One drive shaft or steering component broke during a low-speed parking-lot turn, leaving the wheels unresponsive. A heated steering wheel developed black and green discoloration at the heating element location after winter use. Owners report these failures coincide with transmission problems, and multiple narratives reference Nissan's refusal to acknowledge design defects or issue recalls despite widespread complaints.
Same Nissan Maxima steering reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Wheel Vibration at Highway Speed
Steering wheel shakes consistently at 60 MPH. Owners report dealership replaced tires multiple times and a Nissan engineer allegedly stated the vehicle was designed to do this, but the issue persists and correlates with transmission problems in affected vehicles.
When: Occurs at 60 MPH; reported on vehicle purchased new in 9/2005
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes at 60 MPH; Vibration in steering wheel and seats; Occurs at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced tires several times with no resolution; wheel was found out-of-round/bent and replaced; rotors and brakes replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan engineer allegedly stated the shaking was normal for the vehicle design; vehicle brought back to dealer four times in three weeks without resolving vibration
Power Steering Failure
Power steering system loses assist, requiring excessive force to steer. Owner reports frequently replenishing steering fluid but failure persists. No dealer or manufacturer notification made prior to complaint.
When: At approximately 107,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fails to operate; Excessive force required to steer vehicle; Repeated need to replenish steering fluid
Repairs/costs cited: Fluid was being replenished by owner; vehicle had not been repaired at time of complaint
Steering Column Loose/Movement
Steering column rocks up and down approximately 1 inch when in the driving position. This allows excessive play in the steering column mechanism.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column moves up and down approximately 1 inch in driving position
Rack and Pinion Failure with Front-End Noise
Faulty rack and pinion assembly generates noise and vibration in the front end. Owner had strut assemblies replaced three times before rack-and-pinion was identified as the actual source. Vehicle at only 17,000 miles when diagnosed.
When: By May 25, 2005; vehicle had 17,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Noise in front end/strut assembly area; Front-end vibration; Noise persists despite multiple strut replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Strut assemblies replaced three times by authorized Nissan dealership (Corpus Christi, TX) before rack-and-pinion was identified; owner requested buyback, which Nissan refused
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refused buyback request; no recall issued despite early failure at low mileage
Heated Steering Wheel Discoloration
Heated steering wheel develops black and green discoloration in areas where the heating mechanism is located. Owner noticed the problem starting in March after regular winter use.
When: After winter use; noticed in March
Symptoms owners cite: Black and green discoloration on steering wheel surface; Discoloration concentrated where heating mechanism is located
Drive Shaft Failure During Low-Speed Turn
Drive shaft or related steering/drivetrain component breaks during a low-speed parking-lot turn, making wheels unresponsive. Steering wheel input produces only popping sound with no wheel movement.
When: During low-speed turn in parking lot (Burger King drive-thru)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering response during turn; Popping sound when steering wheel is turned; Wheels will not turn
Repairs/costs cited: Something in drive shaft broke
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 85,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 107,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 85,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Maxima.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.