Seats: power adjust
Free remedy
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE DRIVER PREFERRED PACKAGE, THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCH MAY BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND COULD BE PINCHED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT.
Research · Midsize Cars
2005 Nissan MaximaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 948 owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve power train (777) and engine (61). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2005
Owner complaints
948
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Child seat: latch strap
Free remedy
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE LOWER ANCHORAGE BRACKETS IN THE REAR SEATS DO NOT MEET THE LOCATION REQUIREMENT IN THIS STANDARD. THIS MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN ATTACHING SOME CHILD SEATS TO THESE BRACKETS.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
948 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Mar 2025
- Power train777
- Engine61
- Engine and engine cooling40
- Electrical system38
- Vehicle speed control33
- Structure25
- Tires18
- Steering17
- Equipment14
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Maxima model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 102 |
| 1997 | 110 |
| 1998 | 115 |
| 1999 | 174 |
| 2000 | 376 |
| 2001 | 181 |
| 2002 | 220 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 1,426 |
| 2005 | 948 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 79 |
| 2009 | 339 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 106 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 16
- Fires reported
- 10
- Injuries reported
- 29
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
777 reports8 crashes2 fires
“VEHICLE MAKES CLUNKING, JERKING NOISES AND BAD CLUNKING SOUNDS WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO GEAR OR SHIFT GEARS, DIGITAL GEAR DISPLAY SHOWS VEHICLE IS IN 5TH GEAR ALL THE TIME, ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY.”
Engine
61 reports1 crash
“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.”
Engine and engine cooling
40 reports1 crash
“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 NISSANS 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…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S5) · Manual 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Maxima Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Nissan Maxima as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1639
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2005 Maxima questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have?
2 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners filed 948 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (777), engine (61), engine and engine cooling (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2005 Nissan Maxima get?
The EPA rates the 2005 Nissan Maxima at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026