Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
"tamara inflators" seat belts didn't lock or light did not come on. Smashed body all the way to back seat bottom to ground. Engine was idling very high felt/sound as if we were going 60 but only was going 40. No air bags came on. Brakes grinding. Back window blew out and tires flat in back.. Windows slow on drivers side. When the sheriff tahoe hit us at 80mph on U.S. 40 greenfield in was in the shop at j&m truck an trailer on the west side of indianapolis having the oil leaked fixed and tires all fixed and rotors and lights by [redacted] a couple months prior. I had my little girl in the back seat as well where sheriff hit and ran. I uploaded a before and after picture. VIN#[redacted]
Brake ABS system failure. Subframe rust breaks the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and renders the ABS brake, traction control, and vehicle dynamic control systems inoperable. The slip, brake, vdc off (TCS off) lights all illuminate on the vehicle dashboard, notifying the driver of this problem. Further investigation into the problem demonstrates that the ABS sensors and/or ABS actuator fail on the vehicle due to a design defect that promotes excessive rust accumulation on ABS components. The ABS sensor failures disable all ABS, traction control, and vehicle dynamic control systems. Driver and occupant safety is severely compromised due to the vehicle's significantly diminished steering and accident avoidance capability during emergency braking and crash avoidance situations (especially skid situations) due to the non-functioning ABS, traction control, and vehicle dynamic control systems. …
Prior owner reported issues with ABS rear sensor, and having to disconnect fuse. Vehicle was taken to Nissan dealer for service weeks ago, I authorized diagnostic fee and was notified that computer reports rear right ABS sensor being defective and needing to be replaced at a total cost a little over $550. Driving from dealer, the vehicle has reduced acceleration out of nowhere to a point where I have not driven car until I proceed with repairs at dealer. Since re-connecting fuse that powers ABS... At times I have found the car battery drained. After jump starting vehicle, permitting battery to charge,,, after turning off car I would hear the ABS pump (on firewall, passenger side) on and not turn off unless I remove the fuse again. …
We purchased this car in 08/13 after we bought the car it needed a transmission then ended up putting 2 transmissions in the car, also a new throttle body with all this and the purchase of the car it is over $8,000 in this useless car, that now is totaled due to faulty brakes and traction control, these cars are dangerous it was only goin 20 MPH the brakes were applied, and the brakes locked and the throttle was hung open, then it hit a bank and flipped over now it is totaled and we have nothing these cars are junk.
Prior to incident car was shifting really hard and slipping gears. Once when driving, car suddenly went into a safety mode not letting it shift out of 5th gear. Going down hill caused the engine to stall because of being in 5th gear and car engine turned off, as well as power steering and braking. Had it been on a busy road a crash would have occurred.
We purchased a new 2005 Nissan Maxima in July 05. From day one, we noticed an engine surge when down-shifting gears, start from a stop and when placed in reverse. We attributed this to being a sportier car than we were used to. However, on nov. 9, as my wife was turning into a parking space in a parking deck, the brakes failed to engage. Specifically, she had just leveled-off from the up-ramp of the deck, made a left-turn into a parking space, pressed the brake pedal and - nothing. The pedal would not depress. Because the car was naturally slowing down from the up-ramp, the down-shifting of gears caused the car to stall, then surge, just as it has done before. B/c the brake pedal didn't depress, the brakes didn't engage, thus the car rolled into the boundary wall of the parking deck. When we notified the dealer, they said that it wasn't their problem and to call Nissan. …
While driving at speeds under 55 and above my ABS motor engages and pumps causing car to handle strange with out brakes being pressed at all , it is sporadic when doing so while driving. All of this is on 4 tires with good even pressure and on perfectly dry level asphalt . The ABS also engages while attempting to brake with a noticeable amount of pedal fade and flutter on perfectly dry asphalt with undesired stopping distances, such as rolling thru stop signs. Never has a warning light or any check light, light up during the incidents. Here is a link to consumer complaints of many other Maxima owners that have had same problems with there brakes .http://www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2006/Nissan/Maxima/anti-lock+braking+system+%28abs%29. This is a serious safety issue due to the diminished braking ability. …
I was driving on the freeway and went to go and apply my brakes. At this time my dashboard lights lit up with an ABS and brake light being illuminated. I talked to Firestone and told them the issue as I was out of town. They told me to bring it in and they would run a quick diagnostic. I did and they found it to be a known issue at Nissan. I took it to the dealer as there is a TSB on the vehicle for this issue. They told me they would have to change the ABS sensor and possibly the wheelhub, if all was done I would be out about $3000. I asked the dealer what issues could arise and they told me my brakes could lock up when driving. I find this to be unacceptable, especially if driving down the freeway at 70 with a big truck following. I got in touch with Nissan consumer affairs and they did some research, but came back with the would not help with any repairs. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, she applied pressure to the brake pedal and the anti lock brakes engaged. The brake pedal began to pump and the vehicle exhibited an increased stopping distance. During the failure, the anti lock brake light illuminated. The failure began to recur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the anti lock speed sensors were rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately three months later, the failure began to recur and the vehicle was taken back to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised to replace the anti lock braking system due to excessive rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The ABS system is defective based upon Nissan manufacturers bulletin regarding Maxima's years 2004, 2005, 2006. The requirement of Nissan to replace 2-rear wheel hubs $444.10, 2-rear ABS wheel sensors $627.20, and possibly the ABS actuator-assy $1306.51 all due to the technical fact that water accumulates in the wheel hubs and causes failure of the sensors & ABS actuator assy to properly engage the ABS computer ( actuator), causing the ABS computer to continually turn on it's pump motor making the vehicle be unstable and not stop evenly. I'm advised by Nissan service the effect of the actuator continually running will cause it to burn out prematurely but Nissan is requiring the customer to make the repairs at their own expense even though this issue has been apparent in 2004, 2005, 2006. …
Brake complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Nissan Maxima, 3% of the model year's 948 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Maxima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Nissan Maxima, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Maxima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.