CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima has widespread transmission problems. It starts with the vehicle jerking when shifting, & progresses to full-blown transmission failure.
Maxima owners report spending $3,000 to replace the transmission, typically around when the odometer hits 100,000 miles.
There's a class action lawsuit filed in late 2011, & it is still in the "discovery" stage. Apparently, these things take time ... far too much time.
2.5
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,568 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I purchased my 2005 Nissan Maxima brand new in April of 2005. I paid cold hard earned cash ($35,000) for this car. We refinanced our home too buy an reliable, sturdy, dependable, stylish, road car (instead we got a lemon). I have had many issues with the car. The headliner constantly falling down over my head while driving with the sunroof open, the sunroof not opening and closing properly, the O2 sensors going out constantly, , the brackets being replaced, the leather seats look as if I have razor blades attached to my bottom side, and the transmission is awful!!! at 65,000 miles it started going out. The local dealer replaced the tranny without admitting any fault on Nissan behalf. At the time we did not know about the troubling problems with the 2004-2005 transmissions. They only charged us for the labor cost. We actually thought "wow, they are cool"!! here we are at 157,000 miles (about 70,000 later and the tranny is:jerking extremely hard ( it feels like I am being rammed from the rear by a 18 ton semi-trailer) between going into 1st and second gear and again back in reverse from 2nd into 1st gear. The problem has gotten so bad that is now hesitating in shifting and I have had enough!! I have done my research, and this is an epidemic. Nissan has too step up and fix this problem. This country has hit a recession. Us hardworking americans deserve better than this. Please help us consumers. Thank [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I have been feeling a jerking in my car, which sounds like the motor is moving around. I had the motor mounts replaced, but still was having the same problems. I have now found out it is the transmission, which will cost me $3200, I have been told by the shop that a lot of 2005 Maxima are having the same problems, if this is true why is there not a recall?
I recently purchased an 05 Maxima with 107,000 miles on it. The next day I heard a loud ticking from engine. My tensioners are failing an estimated $2000 repair. In the same day upon acceleration my wheel jerked violently, a sign of a failing transmission. $3000+ this is ridiculous. This is absolutely criminal that a recall has not been initiated by Nissan.this is a problem for thousands of people, and a severe risk to the safety of the driver. I will be contacting every available newspaper and news Agency in my area and will try to contact national news agencies this is absolutely atrocious. I beg other Nissan owners to make this a problem for Nissan that wont go away until proper actions are taken.
I am told that I am experiencing problems with my transmission and engine. After careful research, and two mechanic opinions it has been told to me that Nissan knew that they had problems with this model of Maxima and has not owned up to this problem. Neither have they recalled or trying right their wrong. These items are the life of the car. I have also checked the reviews on edmunds.com and there are several owners of this same car that have had the same issues and complaints. I would like to know what measures can be taken against Nissan for them own up to these defective components. It will hurt them in the long run if they do not. I will certainly make sure that the world knows about this and do not even attempt to purchase a Nissan. I only wish I had done this before I purchased this car.
- Buford, GA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I bought this vehicle used with and it started jerking 2 months later. It has gotten to be really bad now! and very dangerous. I have read many many many people with the same problem. I dont want money or a new car, I just want my car fixed. Bad transmission.
A couple of months ago, my 2005 Nissan Maxima began having transmission problems. When beginning to drive, the vehicle will jerk when it reaches 2 and 3 rpms and rev the engine. Before it resumes "normal" drive, it will jerk again and make a loud clunking noise. This also happens when attempting to put the car into reverse. I was told today by the local Nissan dealership that the transmission must be replaced costing approximately $3300! the dealership never informed me of these issues, even after a transmission flush and a courtesy check when I first brought the car to them several weeks ago. I am shocked and disturbed after reading how many other Nissan Maxima owners are having the exact same problem I am having. How many complaints must there be for a resolution if each person is having the same problem?!
My 2005 Nissan Maxima (build date of 08/04) has 77000 miles and has started showing signs of what may be serious transmission problems that include the following: 1. takes about 5 seconds to click into gear after the shift lever is put in "D" 2. very hard jerky shifts between 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st and accompanied by loud clunking noise. 3. transmission slips out of gear during regular driving allowing the engine to rev freely then jerking back into gear with a loud clunk. Then followed by a burnt oil / electrical type smell that gets inside the car and evident outside after stopping. 4. engine mounts have been replaced due to this problem and Nissan dealer refuse to help knowing this problem occurs with their Maxima.
I own a 2005 Nissan Maxima which I absolutely love! but about two months ago I started to experience problems with the transmission. After the car was warmed up and I have been driving it for about 20 min.S or so the transmission would act up when I was between 2 and 3 rpms and would either rev the engine or take about 5 to 10 seconds before shifting gears with a rough clunk noise and a hard jerk. The same thing happens when I go from drive to reverse it would take a while and then make a rough jerk before changing gears. I feel this is a safety hazard because you never know when the car will accelerate on its own or thrust into another car when changing gears abruptly.
Bought car brand new 9/2005. Car was serviced multiple times and even a Nissan engineer tested steering and suspension. When speed is at 60 mpr, steering wheel shakes. New tires were put on by dealership several times, also. Engineer stated that car was supposed to do that. Well now my car's transmission is acting up. Please note that steering wheel still shakes, too. I did a google search and see that numerous people are having the same issue. This car has to be a lemon. I will be contacting Nissan North America to file a complaint also and request that they repair my car.
I like many others am having the exact transmission "slipping, jerking" problems between 2nd and 3rd gear. The RPM's just jump right up under acceleration, the transmission slips then catches causing a jerking, lurching forward action. It is very dangerous especially coming on to a major highway. Because of this I will not let my wife and children drive in the car. We cannot afford the quoted $3500 to $4000 to replace the transmission. Nor do we feel as if we should have to. We have owned this car since new. It has been very reliable but this is absurd. Nissan needs to recall this model year and replace with corrected transmission before someone gets killed. Or is that what it's going to take to get them to acknowledge the problem.
I was told by the dealer mechanic that I am having problems with my timing chain tightener. This problem was first diagnosed more than a year ago, and I was told that the sound it was making would worsen with time, and that I should get it replaced before it fails completely. The mechanic told me he feels a recall should have been placed on this part, but so far no such recall has been made. The internet is rife with similar stories, and the gentleman in line in front of me had the same diagnosis.
The transmission violently shifts up and down causing the car to jerk forward when at speeds ranging from 20-40, slowing down or accelerating up almost causing an accident. As well as slipping out of gear around 35-45 mph revving the engine then slamming into gear causing temporary loss of control. This is an extreme safety hazzard. Nissan Maxima problem yet Nissan won't help, please help myself and other Nissan owners before someone dies in an accident from a surging/slipping transmission. I just want this problem to go away.
Took the car to dealership and they detected that the timing chain tensioners have worn out and will need replacement. The part is made of cheap plastic and fails in 2005 Maxima cars after about 65000 miles. The part cost is about $50 but the labor cost is about $1500. The process of replacing the part requires taking out the engine. This is an expensive car and a poorly designed plastic part is installed which helps control the timing chain of the engine. If the part fails eventually the engine will fail. I am disappointed that this problem showed up after my warranty has expired. This repair should be paid for by Nissan and not by the customers.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for brake related repairs and the technician noticed that both of the motor mounts were fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact planned to notify the manufacturer regarding the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Transmission, experiencing jerking when in 1st & 2nd gear. Even when im on the freeway when I slow down and try to speed up again my car will hesitate and jump into gear. I also was exiting freeway when my vehicle completely shut off, I could not stear, lucky for me there was no traffic behind me. I had both of my kids with me at the time!! I believe this is a huge problem and have heard many Nissan with the same problem. And the corporation is not doing anything to fix the problem. My vehicle barely reache 70,000 miles and im getting a transmission put in!
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 20 mph and down shifting the vehicle would jerk forward. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technicians stated the transmission and motor mount needed to be replaced and that the motor was cracked. The failure would occur intermittently and over time became progressively worse. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
I purchased a new 2005 Nissan Maxima. Since then I have replaced the engine mounts 4 times. Now at 88,000, I am told I need a new transmission. I am 47 years and have owned many cars in my lifetime. I researched this topic and found many americans with similar transmission problems who own 2004-2005 Nissan Maximas. The car jerks forward when going from 2-3 gear, neutral to reverse and neutral to drive. Engines revs high when this is happening and jerks forward when driving. This is a public safety issue that has lead to accidents and engine fires. Similar experiences and complaints can be found at-www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/nissan_maxima.html updated IVOQ 05/10/11
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Myers, FL, USA