NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. UPDATED ON 08-11-2011.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan Maxima tires problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
1crash
3injuries
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Nissan Maxima we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 15.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering tires 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2005 Nissan Maximas report recurring tire failures across multiple brands, most commonly Goodyear Eagle RS-A in sizes 245/45R18 and 245/35R20. Failures begin as early as 16,000 miles and cluster between 24,000 and 40,000 miles.
The failures fall into distinct patterns. Sidewall separation is the most frequent complaint—visible slits, circular tearing patterns, and internal separation that isn't apparent until the tire flattens. Bubbles form on sidewalls around 24,000 miles, matching on both sides despite no reported road impact; Goodyear dealers classify these as "impact breaks" and deny warranty coverage while acknowledging they see them routinely. Tread separation occurs regularly, with separated tread wrapping around axles. One owner reports replacing tires three times on a 63,000-mile vehicle.
Worst are the catastrophic failures. Two complaints describe tire sidewalls separating completely, with wire reinforcement extreting and wrapping around brake lines, severing them entirely and pulling brake system brackets out of position. In one case, the driver lost all braking at highway speed. Another involved a front tire exploding at 60 mph, causing a rollover crash with injuries. Internal wall cracking develops invisibly; one inspection found all four tires cracked on the inside. Owners paid $266–$575 per tire when replacements were necessary.
Failure modes owners describe
Sidewall Separation
Sidewalls separate from the tire body, leaving the tire structurally compromised and unsafe. Owners report both visible separation and internal separation that isn't apparent until the tire fails.
When: Between 16,000 and 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible slits or separating sidewalls; Circular tearing pattern on sidewalls; Internal separation not visible from outside; Tire flattening while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required; some owners paid $266–$575 per tire set. Goodyear offered prorated replacements in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Goodyear prorated some replacements; dealers in at least one case stated this was a manufacturer defect and tires would be recalled; Goodyear classified one case as 'impact break' and denied warranty coverage.
Sidewall Bubbling/Impact Breaks
Bubbles form on the sidewalls, typically in matching locations on both tires. Goodyear dealers classify these as 'impact breaks' and deny warranty coverage, though owners report no road impact.
When: Around 24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible bubble on sidewall; Matching bubbles on both tires in the same spot; No obvious cause or road hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement necessary; warranty denied by Goodyear dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Goodyear dealer denied warranty, stating this is not uncommon and they see it all the time.
Tread Separation and Deterioration
Tread separates from the tire carcass or degrades prematurely, leaving owners with unsafe tires well before expected tire life.
When: Between 24,000 and 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tread separation identified by mechanic; Tread falling off and wrapping around axle; Tire flattenings
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple tire replacements; one owner reports replacing tires three times total; another spent $266 per tire.
Catastrophic Tire Failure with Secondary Vehicle Damage
Tire sidewalls completely separate or blow out, expelling wire reinforcement that wraps around suspension, axles, and brake lines, cutting brake lines in half and damaging brake system brackets. One incident involved a tire explosion at highway speed causing a rollover crash with injuries.
When: 18,000–40,000 miles and highway speeds (30–60 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Tire goes flat at night or highway speed; Internal sidewall wires (radial/beading) extrude from tire; Wires wrap around brake lines and axles; Brake line severed completely; Loss of brake function; Brake system brackets pulled out of position; Vehicle rollover at 60 mph with no prior warning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner documented: tire $266, wheel/rim $800, brake lines damaged, internal mounting brackets damaged and cut through. Another incident involved rollover crash with injuries to ribs, back, and fingers.
Internal Cracking of Tire Walls
Cracks develop along the inside wall of tires, invisible from external inspection until tread failure occurs. Dealer inspection reveals all four tires cracked.
When: Between 28,000 and 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibrations in steering wheel; Cracks along inside wall of all four tires; One tire blows out without warning; Cracks visible only on internal inspection; High-speed wobble
Repairs/costs cited: All four tires replaced at prorated rate in one case; another involved 245/35R20 Wahl tires with similar internal cracking.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tires replaced at prorated rate.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had tires 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 tires problem on the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $150.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 20,000 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 29,104. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 60,000. 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 $150 for tires 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 tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires 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.