FaultScore

2005 Nissan Maxima electrical problems

39 of the 1,152 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Maxima are about the electrical system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 78,360 miles.

C

39

Complaints

1

Crashes

5

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 36 92.3%
Interior/Under Dash 2 5.1%
Module 1 2.6%

Electrical System across every Nissan Maxima year

1986 12 1.5%
1987 23 2.8%
1993 11 1.3%
1995 22 2.7%
1997 41 5.0%
1998 24 2.9%
1999 87 10.6%
2000 177 21.5%
2001 28 3.4%
2002 25 3.0%
2003 17 2.1%
2004 58 7.1%
2005 39 4.7%
2006 26 3.2%
2009 79 9.6%
2010 79 9.6%
2011 12 1.5%
2012 20 2.4%
2016 31 3.8%
2017 11 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Tucson, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11646032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Church Hill, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11406226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,337 miles Littlestown, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR ONLY HAS 112337 MILE AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION , NOW AT 112954 HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE . THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD SHIFTING/ JERKING WHEN YOU GET TO ABOUT 30-35 MPH . SO IT COST ALMOST 4,000.00 TO FIX AND THE THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AFTER 500 MILES WITH NEW TRANSMISSION AND TOOK THE CAR TO ELECTRICAL SHOP TO FIND OUT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND AFTER ALL THE MONEY PUT IN THIS CAR I DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH FIXING THE ABS CONSIDERING I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT. 2018 AND THOUGHT I GOT A GREAT CAR AND ALREDY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY PUT IN IT AND COULD NEVER SELL IT FOR THE MONEY I HAVE IN IT NISSAN SHOULD BE FIXING THESE ISSUES NOT ME CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THESE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AT THE SAME MILEAGE

NHTSA complaint #11279650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Anchorage, AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS CAR HAS NOTHING BUT ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS ALONG WITH CONTINUING TO DEAL WITH THE CARS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE REVVING AND TROWING ITSELF IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND DYING THE THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES WITH NISSAN REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OR ADMIT FAULT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. IM SURE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY HURT FROM THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS STRONG ENOUGH TO BE MADE INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT.

NHTSA complaint #11192878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apalachicola, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11132286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles ST Louis, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, BUT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 08/31/17 *BF

NHTSA complaint #10995185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,960 miles Ossining, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PRIOR OWNER REPORTED ISSUES WITH ABS REAR SENSOR, AND HAVING TO DISCONNECT FUSE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE WEEKS AGO, I AUTHORIZED DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT COMPUTER REPORTS REAR RIGHT ABS SENSOR BEING DEFECTIVE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST A LITTLE OVER $550. DRIVING FROM DEALER, THE VEHICLE HAS REDUCED ACCELERATION OUT OF NOWHERE TO A POINT WHERE I HAVE NOT DRIVEN CAR UNTIL I PROCEED WITH REPAIRS AT DEALER. SINCE RE-CONNECTING FUSE THAT POWERS ABS... AT TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CAR BATTERY DRAINED. AFTER JUMP STARTING VEHICLE, PERMITTING BATTERY TO CHARGE,,, AFTER TURNING OFF CAR I WOULD HEAR THE ABS PUMP (ON FIREWALL, PASSENGER SIDE) ON AND NOT TURN OFF UNLESS I REMOVE THE FUSE AGAIN. IF ABS IS NOT STANDARD IN ALL VEHICLES, WHY IS IT THAT IT CANNOT BE COMPLETELY DISABLED WITHOUT NEGATIVELY EFFECTING OTHER SYSTEMS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY BRAKING AND ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA complaint #10979060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Holbrook, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HARD SHIFTING TRANSMISSION,STALLING AT CRUISING SPEEDS,FLASHING DASH LIGHTS. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10936389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Greenfield, IN Crash 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"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] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10882397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,000 miles Deer Park, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND BREAKS MOTOR MOUNTS. TORE UP THE TRANSMISSION AND ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS WRECKS. SLIPS FROM DRIVING FROM THE START. ISN'T ALWAYS SLIPPING BUT WHEN IT DOES IT'S BAD. WORSE IN STREET THAN ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10873516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TRANSMISSION SKIPPING

NHTSA complaint #10873312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I'VE NOTICED WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA HAVING TRANSMISSION. ISSUES AROUND 125K MILES. WHENEVER I SHIFT TO REVERSE, DRIVE , FIRST,SECOND, OR THIRD THERE IS A DELAY AND LOUD THUD. I'VE SEEN WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THE FACT THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL IS A SHAME. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. ANYONE?

NHTSA complaint #10871862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TODAY IS MARCH 26, 2015 AND FOR THE PAST WEEK; MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING WHEN I AM SHIFTING GEARS. TODAY I WAS IN A NOT SAFE SITUATION AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I SHIFTED THE GEARS TO MY CAR TO BEGIN DRIVING, THE CAR STALLED ON ME ALLOWING ME TO ONLY DRIVE AROUND 5-10 MPH DOWN THE STREET. I HAD TO HURRY UP AND PULL OVER BECAUSE I HAD CARS BEHIND ME.

NHTSA complaint #10702066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles NEW Philadelphia, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS NOW. FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS IT'S HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. IT TURNS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING IT AND I LOSE ALL POWER POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. I ALMOST DROVE INTO THE RIVER YESTERDAY BECAUSE IT SHUT OFF GOING AROUND A TURN AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. MY CAR STARTS ACTING UP AFTER IT WARMS UP ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER START. IT WILL SHIFT VERY HARD AND IS FINE ONCE IT IS PAST 3RD GEAR BUT IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET TO THIRD WHEN IT STARTS TO MESS UP THE RPMS WILL GO UP TO 4 AND 5 THROUGH 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. WHEN YOU'RE GOING DOWNHILL IT WILL DOWNSHIFT LIKE YOU SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. ALSO IF YOU SWITCH OVER TO MANUAL IT WILL SAY YOU'RE IN 5TH GEAR AND REALLY YOU'RE IN 1ST. THE SERVICE ENGINE DIAGNOSIS READS A CODE FOR THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS. I HAVE CHANGED BOTH OF THEM BANK 1 AND BANK 2 AND IT DID NOT FIX ANYTHING. NISSAN HAS FAILED TO DO ANYTHING AND IT'S HAPPENING TO A TON OF CARS. IF I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR SHUTS OFF, IT NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD SITUATION. IF YOU TAKE IT TO NISSAN THEY TRY TO GET YOU TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD AND THE JERKING OF THE CAR OR ANYTHING FOR THAT MATTER IS NOT SAFE FOR HER OR ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO REVIEW THIS, I APPRECIATE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10678186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apopka, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR AFTER 2-3 MONTHS I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIX. AFTER , A COUPLE OF WEEKS I STILL WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR , I TOOK IT BACK THEY SAID , IT WASN'T NOTHING WRONG WITH IT . THEN MY AIR CONDITION WENT OUT, IT WAS MY AIR COMPRESSOR TOOK IT IN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIX, AFTER, A WEEK OR TWO IT WENT OUT AGAIN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A PART ( SOME TYPE OF CLIP ). JUNE 10 , 2014 MY CAR WAS ON FIRE IN MY GARAGE WHILE I WAS SLEEPING. WHEN I WOKE UP THAT MORNING MY HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING OFF AND ON . WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR MY WINDOW WAS FULL OF SUT AND MY WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED . WHEN I OPEN THE CAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE THE DASH BOARD AND UNDER THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED , THE ODOMETER AND THE FUSE BOX (EVERYTHING ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS MELTED ) .YOU CAN SMELLED THE SMOKE,THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT JUST IN CASE IT SPARKED BACK UP. UNDER THE HOOD WAS NOT DAMAGE. I HAVE PICTURES OF DAMAGES. THEY HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE IT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THE RESULTS WAS IT STARTED FROM THE FUSE BOX. MY CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER. I FEEL THIS MATTER NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO AND SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION . THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE IT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE .

NHTSA complaint #10668531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Glendale, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #10664929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,142 miles Newark, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I DRIVE THE CAR AND IT IS HARD TO SHIFT GEARS. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT JERKS VERY HARD. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS SAID BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT INSTEAD IT WAS THE MOTOR MOUNTS THAT WERE THE PROBLEM. ONCE THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FIXED, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. I CALL THE DEALER BACK AND THEY HAVE YET TO GIVE ME A RESPONSE. WHEN DRIVING, IN BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR IT SHIFT TO THE 4TH OR 5TH GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD IF SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. COMPLICATED SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10597099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE TRANSMISSION IS DOING HARD SHIFTS AND I FEAR IT IS GOING TO FAIL. ALSO THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10593421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Erie, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN TOWN THE CAR STARTED JERKING ERRATICALLY, LAUNCHING FORWARD, HARD JERKS, CAR SHAKING LIKE CRAZY, SMELL BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR, I ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS DUE TO MY CAR JERKING FORWARD. I WAS FRIGHTENED... THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE TO SAY THE VERY LEAST. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING, IT JERKS AND LAUNCHES FORWARD AT WILL. MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE GOT SERIOUSLY HURT RIDING IN THIS CAR. I PAID CLOSE TO $800 TOGET THIS CAR FIXED IN MAY OF 2013, ONLY TO HAVE IT ALL HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN AS THE NISSAN CORPORATION KNEW OF DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE NISSAN MAXIAMAS. YET, THEY CONTINUE TO SELL THESE "DEATH TRAPS", TO CITIZENS.. THIS IS AN ATROCITY, WHAT THE NISSAN CORPORATION HAS TO DONE IT'S CONSUMERS.

NHTSA complaint #10526132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Wauwatosa, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND WENT TO GO AND APPLY MY BRAKES. AT THIS TIME MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT UP WITH AN ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TALKED TO FIRESTONE AND TOLD THEM THE ISSUE AS I WAS OUT OF TOWN. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD RUN A QUICK DIAGNOSTIC. I DID AND THEY FOUND IT TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE AT NISSAN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AS THERE IS A TSB ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE THE ABS SENSOR AND POSSIBLY THE WHEELHUB, IF ALL WAS DONE I WOULD BE OUT ABOUT $3000. I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT ISSUES COULD ARISE AND THEY TOLD ME MY BRAKES COULD LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING. I FIND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 WITH A BIG TRUCK FOLLOWING. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY DID SOME RESEARCH, BUT CAME BACK WITH THE WOULD NOT HELP WITH ANY REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2004-2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. FOR SOME PEOPLE THIS HAS GONE ON TOO LONG WITH NISSAN NOT WANTING TO HELP OUT. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10514194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,562 miles Bronx, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR REVS UP ON ITS OWN, ALSO SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING I PARKED THE CAR AND GEAR WOULD SLAM WHEN SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE,REVERSE AND WHENEVER SHIFTED TOLD IT IS DUE TO A BAD BODY VALVE WHICH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 THRU 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA AND OTHER NISSAN MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #10469966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clermont, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE ABOUT THE 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA!!! 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. THE CAR KEEPS MAKING SUDDEN VIOLENT JERKING MOVEMENTS WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR A CAR ACCIDENT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND CAN NOT GO MORE THAT 35MPH. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE AFTER BEING AT A STOP. THERE IS A LONG HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR BEGINS TO DRIVE AFTER BEING PUT IN GEAR TO DRIVE. IT ALSO JERKS FORWARD SUDDENLY WHEN IT DOES DECIDE TO MOVE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T MOVE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. AT STOP LIGHTS I HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS AT TIMES TO GET IT TO MOVE. ANOTHER INCIDENT INCLUDED THE CAR NOT STOPPING. I HAD TO MOVE IT INTO FIRST GEAR TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CAR JERKS BACKWARDS WHEN REVERSING. WHEN THESE PROBLEMS STARTED THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN BECAUSE WE SUSPECTED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEY TOLD US IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT INSTEAD MOTOR MOUNTS,RODS, AND BOLTS. I SPENT ALMOST $3,000 TO REPAIR IT AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. NOW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $3100. NISSAN HAS DIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM. WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE 2004-2005 MAXIMA. THIS INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS ACTUALLY AWARE OF. THE BATTERY HAS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED 3TIMES. THE POWER DOORS NO LONGER WORK NEITHER DOES THE SUN ROOF. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET TO WORK AND TO GET THE KIDS TO SCHOOL. I DO NOT LIKE TO DRIVE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP AGAIN OR THAT THERE WILL BE A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE JERKY MOVEMENTS AND THE CARS HESITATION. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN OFFERED AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10425125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clermont, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2005 NISSAN MAXIMA PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. THE CAR KEEPS MAKING SUDDEN VIOLENT JERKING MOVEMENTS WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR A CAR ACCIDENT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND CAN NOT GO MORE THAT 35MPH. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE AFTER BEING AT A STOP. THERE IS A LONG HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR BEGINS TO DRIVE AFTER BEING PUT IN GEAR TO DRIVE. IT ALSO JERKS FORWARD SUDDENLY WHEN IT DOES DECIDE TO MOVE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T MOVE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. AT STOP LIGHTS I HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS AT TIMES TO GET IT TO MOVE. ANOTHER INCIDENT INCLUDED THE CAR NOT STOPPING. I HAD TO MOVE IT INTO FIRST GEAR TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CAR JERKS BACKWARDS WHEN REVERSING. WHEN THESE PROBLEMS STARTED THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN BECAUSE WE SUSPECTED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEY TOLD US IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT INSTEAD MOTOR MOUNTS,RODS, AND BOLTS. I SPENT ALMOST $3,000 TO REPAIR IT AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. NOW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $3100. NISSAN HAS DIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM. WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE 2004-2005 MAXIMA. THIS INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS ACTUALLY AWARE OF. THE BATTERY HAS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED 3TIMES. THE POWER DOORS NO LONGER WORK NEITHER DOES THE SUN ROOF. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET TO WORK AND TO GET THE KIDS TO SCHOOL. I DO NOT LIKE TO DRIVE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP AGAIN OR THAT THERE WILL BE A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE JERKY MOVEMENTS AND THE CARS HESITATION. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN OFFERED AT THIS TIME. CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10417883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Attleboro, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURES ALL RECURRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA complaint #10410599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,542 miles Illinois, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DASHBOARD CLUSTER AND ABS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, IS THIS A RECALL ISSUE IF NOT SHOLD BE.

NHTSA complaint #10397274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,458 miles Irwindale, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ALL THE SUDDEN THE INSTRUMENT SHUT DOWN (OUT OF ORDER) I GOT PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR TIL FIXING THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10371137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles BEL AIR, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MAY/2110-WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA I DEVELOPED COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO BILL DENNY'S CAR REPAIR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DIRECTLY UNDER A COIN TRAY ON THE DASH. THE CORNERS ARE NOT SECURE AND SMALL COINS WERE ABLE TO SLIP DOWN THERE THUS SHORT CIRCUITING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MY AUTO REPAIR PERSON RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL KNOWN TO NISSAN. MANY NISSAN OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN TO THEM. THE COMPLAINTS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS 5 YRS OLD BUT IT ALSO HAPPENED TO NISSAN OWNERS WHEN THEIR MAXIMA WAS NEW. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. NISSAN IS IGNORING MY REQUEST TO PAY FOR MY AUTO'S REPAIR BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. NISSAN HAS IN FACT FIXED THIS DEFECT. WHEN I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED IN MAY THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. . JOHN ANELLO WRITER FOR AUTO TECH ON WHEELS WROTE AN ARTICLE OF THE MONTH FOR HIS MAGAZINE 06/2009- IT WAS ENTIRELY ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THIS TO BE IGNORED BY NISSAN . MY CAR COULD HAVE FAILED ON A HIGHWAY AT A HIGH SPEED WITH A DEADLY OUTCOME. I MADE A COMPLAINT THRU THE STATE OF MD CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION MY CASE NO#[XXX]. PLEASE HELP! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10362332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,158 miles Camby`, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IMPROPER BRAKING FUNCTION WITH ABS IN 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA - STARTED WITH NOISE AND "SOFT" BRAKES. IT CONTINUED TO A POINT WHERE THE ABS WAS INCORRECTLY BEING ACTIVATED (EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF). IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO A SPEED SENSOR IN THE WHEELS. THIS CONTROLS THE ABS ACTIVATION AND THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING. AND DUE TO THE ABS BEING UNDER CONSTANT STRAIN, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10323288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Greenwood, MO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON JUNE 23, 2009 MY 2005 MAXIMA WAS PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE WITHIN MY HOME. ON THAT SAME DATE I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER MY VEHICLE AND WAS GREETED WITH AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF SMOKE UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. NO FIRE WAS OCCURRING, SO I OPENED ALL CAR DOORS AND GARAGE DOORS TO CLEAR THE SMOKE. WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARED I DISCOVERED MY CAR HAD, AT SOME POINT IN THE PRIOR 8 HOURS, HAD AN INTERIOR FIRE AND HAD LUCKILY SELF-EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE NEAR THE FUSE BOX, LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN, ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE DASH. THE FIRE MELTED THE FUSE BOX AND SURROUNDING DASH AREA, SPREADING AROUND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO JUST ABOVE THE IGNITION ON THE DASH. NO POLICE OR FIRE EMERGENCY SERVICES WERE CALLED AS THE FIRE WAS OUT. MY INSURANCE WAS IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED AND A TOW ORDERED TO TAKE THE MAXIMA TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS FIRE. AFTER A FEW WEEKS THEY COMMUNICATED THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE FIRE. MY INSURANCE COVERED THE COST OF THE REPAIRS AND THE REPAIRS TOOK PLACE. UPON COMPLETION OF THE REPAIRS THE DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED WHEN THEY TESTED THE LUMBAR SWITCH, THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING THE FUSE PANEL AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY INSURANCE WAS CONTACTED TO COME OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ASSESS THE NEW DISCOVERY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER, SERVICE MANAGER, AND SERVICE TECHNICIAN MET AND AGREED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A PINCHED LUMBAR SWITCH AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PAID THE COST OF THE SWITCH AS INSURANCE ONLY COVERS DAMAGES. THE LUMBAR SWITCH WAS RECALLED IN 2006. MY LUMBAR SWITCH WAS REPAIRED IN APRIL OF 2006. THE RECALL STATES THE LUMBAR SWITCH WIRING COULD BECOME PINCHED AND CAUSE A FIRE. I ASKED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO REFUND AND INVESTIGATE MY FIRE AND IT'S ASSOCIATION TO THE RECALL. AT THIS TIME NEITHER IS COOPERATIVE AND REFUSES TO ASSIST OR INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA complaint #10283565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Greenwood, MO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2005 MAXIMA HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OCCURRED NEAR OR IN THE FUSE PANEL. WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE FIRE HAD SOMEHOW CONTAINED ITSELF AND SELF-EXTINGUISHED. THE CAR WAS SEALED SO WE ASSUME IT RAN OUT OF OXYGEN AS THE SMOKE DID NOT LEAK TO THE GARAGE. THE LOWER DASH PANEL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN APPEARS TO BE THE INITIAL FIRE. AS I AM NOT AN EXPERT, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THE HOUSING FOR THE FUSE PANEL WOULD RELATE TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS THIS IS WHERE MOST OF THE DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE FIRE MELTED THAT PANEL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SPREAD AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN, AROUND THE IGNITION AND SLIGHTLY UP TO THE UPPER DASHBOARD (RIGHT SIDE), AGAIN CAUSING THE DASH TO MELT. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY MOVEMENT. I HAD NOT ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT AS I RARELY, IF EVER, MOVE MY SEAT. THIS HAD OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 4-6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. ANOTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE CAR HAD PRIOR WAS THE SEAT BELT LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD REMAIN ON WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INDEED BUCKLED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES RELATE TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE. I DID HOWEVER FIND ANOTHER REPORT ON NHTSA INVOLVING THE SAME TYPE OF POWER SEAT ISSUES AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL FIRE TO THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MY MAXIMA. AT THIS TIME THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IS NOT SURE HOW THE FIRE STARTED AND IS NOT CLAIMING NISSAN LIABILITY. I AM CONCERNED THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF FIRE AND REPLACE THE DAMAGED COMPONENTS OF MY CAR WITH THE SAME POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARDS. I FEEL THIS FIRE SHOULD BE CAUSE FOR INVESTIGATION AS MY MAXIMA APPEARS TO BE AT LEAST THE SECOND NISSAN WITH THE SAME EXACT ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10276019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Nissan Maxima problems

← Full 2005 Nissan Maxima report