Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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]
I recently bought a 2005 Nissan Maxima from carmax it was about a month after I bought the car the transmission started to slip and change gears really rough. The transmission hesitates when changing gears either at idle or while driving the transmission does it the most between first and second and second to third and when downshifting in those same gears. My main concern is my family in this vehicle or any other families in the same vehicle when we are driving in the vehice our heads and necks get whipped back and forth very roughly. It is a safety hazard due to the transmission changing gears on its own while im driving the car. I only ask for you to please look into this and make it a recall. Nissan did not want to help me out or anyone else. I have seen numerous complaints and heard numerous stories about this problem. It needs to be resolved. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH on normal road conditions. Pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal, followed by an unintended lunge and forceful acceleration. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was shifting in the first, second and third gears. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned the engine off. The vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician recommended replacement of the transmission. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was 61,000. Updated 03/04/10. The consumer also complained that when accelerating, the transmission would jerk. The dealer found internal transmission failure. The transmission fluid was burned. Also the front and rear engine mounts were broken. …
Within one month of getting the car, transmission started jerking. It would jerk really hard and almost red line between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. It also does it when I try to reverse! It jerked so hard one time I thought somebody had hit the back of my car! I took it back to carmax (where I originally got it) and they told me it was something wrong with the valve. They quoted 2000.00 to fix the car, but since I had it for less than 30 days they fixed it. Seven months later I started having the same problem. I'm so frustrated! I just want another car! I will never buy another Nissan, ever! After researching and reading all the reviews, a lot of people are having the same issue as me with this car. (along with other Nissan models). Do your research people! Don't buy any of these models from Nissan or anyone else! (2004-2006 Maxima)
The car started jerking when you put it in geer.then it started jerking and changing while driving and take off at a rapid speed.I took it to Nissan in December 2010 to get it checked out for the jerking and to get an oil change. I was told that the car wasn't under warranty even though I had taken a extended warranty out.I purchase a new vehicle at that time. 2011 pathfinder. I took my Maxima back to Nissan in July 2015 because the check engine light was coming on and the car was still doing the same but worse. The dealer never sat that there was a recall on the car for the transmission. A family member found this website for me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While driving 40 MPH up a hill, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the engine revved, the vehicle switched gears, and the vehicle began moving in reverse. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to a parking lot where it stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was not towed, diagnosed, or repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started to jerk and then stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was determined that the motor mounts, crank position sensor, and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the vehicle May still need a new transmission, but these repairs should be done first. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While driving 80 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called the dealer, but the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall; therefore, nothing could be done. Case number: 26278170 was provided. The failure mileage was 132,376.
Engine complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Nissan Maxima, 11% of the model year's 948 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Maxima engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.