Problems · by component
2005 Nissan Maxima structure problems
25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan Maxima cite structure, 3% of all 948 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
25
3% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
What owners say about the structure
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“THE CAR HAS A SOUND AS IF IT WERE METAL FATIGUE IN THE FRONT OF THE HOOD A HARD BLOW SOUNDS LOUD EVERY TIME THE CAR MOVES FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY SAY WHAT IS A FACTORY DEFECT I AM AFRAID THAT IT IS A METAL THAT IS UNDER FATIGUE AND THE ENGINE FALLS ON THE GROUND RUNNING ON THE STREET.”
“ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING PERIODICALLY OVER A WEEKS TIME, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, NEXT DAY THE PARKED CAR '5 HOURS COLD' CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND FUSE BOX AREA EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL BURNED UP. POLICE REPORT WAS DONE BUT I DO NOT HAVE A COPY, STILL WAITING ON FIRE MARSHAL REPORT. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE OTHER VEHICLE HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE.”
“PIECES STARTED FALLING OFF OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FLOORBOARD WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE ONLY THING BETWEEN MY FEET AND THE GROUND WAS THE CARPETING.”
“"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 [XXX] 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#[XXX] *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.”
“TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR JERKS INTO GEARS, RPM'S ACCELERATE WHEN DRIVING IN FIRST GEARS. PER NISSAN DEALER THEY SAID IT NEEDED NEW MOUNTS AND A NEW TRANSMISSION, I SHOULD TRADE IT IN THEY SAID :[ I HAVE MAINTAINED ALL OIL CHANGES AND HAVE KEPT UP MY SERVICE. THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NEED HELP PLEASE, I CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION, I CAN NOT AFFORD 5 YEARS OF CAR PAYMENTS AS WELL. THANK YOU, [XXX] *TR”
Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.