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.
Bought this car for my daughter and it has had issues since we bought it. Since it was bought AS IS, we cannot return it, and it supposedly costs 3k to fix and is not covered..
As the result of this bum transmission, I now have a very nicely running performance automible with cold air induction that sits in the yard because it isn't valued on the market high enough to cover the cost of a new transmission. To say that I'm pissed would be an understatement.
My son inherited this car. This is his first car. We replaced the motor mount and had new brakes put in. This cost approximately $500.00. After that, we found out the car needs a new transmission. He does not have the money to fix the car. It has approximately 85,000 on it right now. This is very sad and unfortunate for him. Nissan needs to do a recall on the 2005 (and possibly other years) Maxima. This is a very expensive and serious problem. Nissan is getting a bad name in the automotive industry. I would NEVER buy a Maxima now. I will also let everyone else know that.
- Jill O.,
Plymouth, MA, US
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I think Nissan should have to repair the transmissions, being as there are so many complaints there should be a recall. I'm very unhappy about this and won't ever buy nissan again if the dealer doesn't repair for free.
I have an 2005 maxima 3.5L SL. It has been jerking going into second gear when accelerating and also during deceleration. Only when i slow down under 20mph, then press the gas @ about 17mph appx. then it shifts hard. The transmissions is not wanting to go into 2nd and 3rd gear. Then when it does it jerks really hard which is now messing up the motor mounts.
The transmission not only jerks severely when down shifting but also when taking off in low gear. It slips (spins) when changing gears. Shame on Nissan, obviously they're not proud enough of what they manufacture to stand behind it. Woe to anyone who buys a Nissan.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is absolutely heart breaking because it is a beautiful vehicle, but garbage under the hood.
- Sonia E., Grenada, US