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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,983 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.

2005 Nissan Maxima engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Aug 122012

Maxima

  • 118,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was about to pull off from a stop light and when I hit the gas it was like I was in neutral. The car wouldn't move. Cars were blowing at me and all. I looked down and saw that the car was still in drive. The ABS, brake, service engine and tns/ins? lights were on and my gas hand had dropped from 3/4 of a tank down to empty and the light came on. I turned the car off for a split second and turned it back on. The only light that stayed on afterward was the service engine light. My gas hand never went back up to the 3/4 of a tank. I was nervous that the car was going to cut off so I stopped and put more gas in the car. My car now drives like the bottom is falling out. It's slow to accelerate and then picks up once you get to about 35 mph.

- Crewe, VA, USA

problem #11

Jul 232012

Maxima

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerks when shifting gears after being driven for over 20 minutes. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 170,000 and the current mileage was 171,000.

- Bermingham , AL, USA

problem #10

Dec 012011

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
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?!

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #9

Jan 182011

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #8

Dec 052011

Maxima 6-cyl

  • miles
I was driving in 40's and suddenly my transmission gets stuck. It wont go down or up.and sudddenly when it does it gives me a huge jerk. This can be a dangerous problem which can cause serious accidents. Looking at all the forums in the internet seems like almost all the Nissan users of (2004 to 2006) are facing the same problem. There has to some kind of recall that all these customers have to get.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #7

Sep 152011

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

problem #6

Mar 072011

Maxima

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated when driving various speeds or starting the vehicle, it would lunge forward. The vehicle also jerked violently when shifting from first to second gear. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Roselyn, GA, USA

problem #5

Sep 022010

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
When the engine is warn and you shift from park to drive or reverse the car jerks really hard before it goes to the desired gear. Once it picks up you will feel a jerk while driving especially when you are slowing down from high speed to a stop. It really jerks around 2nd and 3rd shifting, picking up or slowing down. During driving when you depress the accelerator, it does not pick up right away and the engine will rave before it kicks in with a jerk. The transmission slips before it picks up. Once you start acceleration, there is a rattling sound when you press the gas. I have taken it to the dealership several time and they tell me they cannot find anything wrong with it and that I should always use premium gas. The last time I had to spend $500 to replace the visa valve and evap valve the problem still continues. This happens after driving the car and it has warmed up. The dealership cannot replicate the problem because whenever you take it in they wait till the engine has cooled down before they take it for a test drive. It sounds to me like they do it on purpose. My car is about 110K miles and this started about 10K miles ago.

- Englewood, OH, USA

problem #4

Oct 162010

Maxima

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 15 mph the vehicle surged forward while shifting gears. He also experienced hard shifting as the vehicle jerked forward. The failure recurred intermittently while driving approximately 15 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where he was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 82,000 and the current mileage was 84,000.

- Roselle, IL, USA

problem #3

Sep 162007

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,450 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. While idling at a stop light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 20 mph. There were no warning lights present during or after the failure occurred. A police report was filed. The vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. Both vehicles were damaged. There were no injuries. The vehicle shut off after it was placed in neutral, however, it kept attempting to accelerate as if the pedal was depressed. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence with the emergency brake applied. The failure did not recur. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The failure mileage was 14,450 and current mileage was 14,500. The consumer stated the throttle actuator was replace at his expense however, he does not feel this was the problem with the vehicle. Updated 10/16/07

- Fayetteville , GA, USA

problem #2

Jun 272005

Maxima 6-cyl

  • miles
2005 Nissan Maxima developed problems with lurching forward and the engine racing.** answer required***. the consumer had to quickly place the gear into neutral to avoid an accident.

- Syosset, NY, USA

problem #1

Apr 012005

Maxima

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2005 Nissan Maxima SE experiencing problems with slowing down once the accelerator is released. There is a one second delay from the time the accelerator is released until the engine starts to slow down. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but they provided no assistance.

- Edmond, OK, USA

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