Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
While driving my car down the road the vehicle randomly shut off lost power and I had to quickly pull into a plaza but was almost hit, looking through many different Nissan forums a lot of mechanics and owners are saying that the original crankshaft/camshaft position sensors on the Altima/maxima have experienced faulty mechanics over time that cause it to overheat and stop working and locking up the system completely. This is a huge problem as I can't afford to fix this myself and it could have caused a serious accident this should be investigated due to other recalls on the Altima with the faulty sensors, the maxima 3.5 is also starting to experience these issues if you look through multiple forums and research the issue that's happening. Please investigate this soon so that nobody gets seriously hurt.
"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]
My 2005 Nissan Maxima sl caught on fire under the dash board on the driver's left side on 2/05/08 at approx 12:00 that day. After returning from a short drive, I smelled smoke. Upon parking in my driveway and exiting the car we notice fire coming from under the dash board. Once we extinguished the flames and called the fire dept we realized the source appeared to be in the area of the fuse housing area. I've had a recurring problem with this vehicle for quite some time. My service record is quite extensive on the electrical problems associated with this one vehicle. The latest being 12/28/07 when I had my vehicle in for servicing for the driver seat failure to move. My vehicle was returned to me on 12/31/07 and the seat was operable then, but I was told by the service tech that they weren't sure if the problem was solved but it was working at the present time. …
I have had my 2005 Nissan Maxima for about 5 months now. For the past three months it's has been extremely hazardous. It turns off while I'm driving it and I lose all power power steering, brakes, etc. I almost drove into the river yesterday because it shut off going around a turn and I was almost rear ended. My car starts acting up after it warms up about 5 minutes after start. It will shift very hard and is fine once it is past 3rd gear but it takes a while to get to third when it starts to mess up the rpms will go up to 4 and 5 through 1st and 2nd gear. When you're going downhill it will downshift like you slammed on the brakes. Also if you switch over to manual it will say you're in 5th gear and really you're in 1st. The service engine diagnosis reads a code for the cam shaft sensors. I have changed both of them bank 1 and bank 2 and it did not fix anything. …
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. …
My car only has 112337 mile and needed to replace the transmission , now at 112954 have to replace the ABS control module . The transmission was hard shifting/ jerking when you get to about 30-35 MPH . So it cost almost 4,000.00 to fix and the the speedometer and odometer quit working after 500 miles with new transmission and took the car to electrical shop to find out I now have to replace the ABS control module and after all the money put in this car I don't think it is worth fixing the ABS considering I just bought the car in oct. 2018 and thought I got a great car and alredy have enough money put in it and could never sell it for the money I have in it Nissan should be fixing these issues not me considering all the complaints on these cars with the same problems at the same mileage
This car has nothing but issues. I have had to replace the timing chains along with continuing to deal with the cars transmission and engine revving and trowing itself in and out of gear and dying the the middle of the road or highway. This car is dangerous and hundreds of people are having the exact same issues with Nissan refusing to address the issue or admit fault. Something needs to be done. Im sure people have been physically hurt from this issue and seems strong enough to be made into a class action suit.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact heard a noise progressing from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The manufacturer issued technical service bulletins, but there was no service campaign or manufacturer recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,000...updated 08/31/17
Today is March 26, 2015 and for the past week; my car has been stalling when I am shifting gears. Today I was in a not safe situation at a red light. When I shifted the gears to my car to begin driving, the car stalled on me allowing me to only drive around 5-10 MPH down the street. I had to hurry up and pull over because I had cars behind me.
ABS and brake light came on flashing periodically over a weeks time, speedometer stopped working, next day the parked car '5 hours cold' caught on fire around fuse box area everything electrical burned up. Police report was done but I do not have a copy, still waiting on fire marshal report. Upon researching online other vehicle have had same issue.
Electrical complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Nissan Maxima, 4% of the model year's 948 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Maxima electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.