FaultScore

2005 Nissan Maxima steering problems

17 of the 1,152 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Maxima are about the steering — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 99,000 miles.

C

17

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering 14 82.4%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 1 5.9%
Column 1 5.9%
Rack AND Pinion 1 5.9%

Steering across every Nissan Maxima year

2002 11 2.6%
2004 37 8.7%
2005 17 4.0%
2006 17 4.0%
2009 170 40.2%
2010 161 38.1%
2012 10 2.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 107,000 miles Wylie, TX

STEERING

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power steering would fail to operate. The steering wheel would require excessive force in order to steer the vehicle. The contact would frequently replenish the steering fluid however, the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000

NHTSA complaint #11478670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boonville, MO

STEERING

POWER STEERING GEAR

NHTSA complaint #11024209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles Milford CT, CT

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA THE GEARS SLIP AND JUMP INTO GEAR WITH A VIOLENT JERK THAT IS AFFECTING MY DRIVING AND MAY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLE INJURY MYSELF OR OTHERS. THERE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE VALVE BODY THAT IS CAUSING THIS VIOLENT SHIFTING AND IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS ISSUE. IT IS DISGRACE THAT THE NHTSA HAD DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS WIDE SPREAD ISSUE, MUST PEOPLE DIE FIRST SO IT DOES GET ADDRESSED. I WILL ALSO CONTACT MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO REPORT THE ISSUE. I OPENED UP A CASE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WITH NO LUCK OR ADMITTANCE OF THEIR FAILED COMPONENT. NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION WITH A P0726 CODE AND HAD AN OPEN TECHNICAL BULLETIN NTB11'035 WHICH IS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NISSANS FAILED DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. NISSAN HAS QUOTED ME OVER $2500 TO REPAIR THEIR FAILED DESIGN COMPONENT.

NHTSA complaint #10915454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Greenfield, IN Crash 3 injured

STEERING

"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 170,000 miles Millersburg, OH

STEERING

PRIOR TO INCIDENT CAR WAS SHIFTING REALLY HARD AND SLIPPING GEARS. ONCE WHEN DRIVING, CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO A SAFETY MODE NOT LETTING IT SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR. GOING DOWN HILL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL BECAUSE OF BEING IN 5TH GEAR AND CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF, AS WELL AS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. HAD IT BEEN ON A BUSY ROAD A CRASH WOULD HAVE OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10778054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Anaheim, CA 2 injured

STEERING

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM CARMAX IT WAS ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND CHANGE GEARS REALLY ROUGH. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS EITHER AT IDLE OR WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION DOES IT THE MOST BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND AND SECOND TO THIRD AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING IN THOSE SAME GEARS. MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER FAMILIES IN THE SAME VEHICLE WHEN WE ARE DRIVING IN THE VEHICE OUR HEADS AND NECKS GET WHIPPED BACK AND FORTH VERY ROUGHLY. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS ON ITS OWN WHILE IM DRIVING THE CAR. I ONLY ASK FOR YOU TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE IT A RECALL. NISSAN DID NOT WANT TO HELP ME OUT OR ANYONE ELSE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND HEARD NUMEROUS STORIES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. NISSAN PUT OUT A POOR PRODUCT AND WONT FIX IT. THEY NEED TO OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR DIES. I ASK OF YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. NOT ONLY FOR MY SAFETY OR MY INFANT'S SAFETY BUT FOR ANYONE WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE. PS. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR I WOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN IT. PPS. THE TEST DRIVE AND THE 1ST MONTH WERE FINE UNTIL NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS OCCURRED. PLEASE HELP, PLEASE HELP! GET THIS RECALL ACTIVE! THANKS, FRANK

NHTSA complaint #10746773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Austin, TX

STEERING

I AM HAVING A TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT CANT SEEM TO BE FIGURED OUT. I AM EXPERIENCING A HARD JERK WHEN I SHIFT GEARS FROM 1ST-2ND GEAR. IT WONT HAPPEN FOR DAYS BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL COMEBACK. FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE LOTS OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON 2004-EARLY 2005 MODEL NISSAN MAXIMAS. I LOVE THE CAR BUT NISSAN NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10575458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Darien, GA

STEERING

WHEN TURNING IN BURGER KING DRIVE THRU TURNING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVE SHAFT SOMETHING IN IT BROKE AND THE WHEELS WOULDN'T TURN. WE WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SND IT WOU LD JUST SOUND LIKE POPPING SOUND. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME.

NHTSA complaint #10558102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Meridan, MS

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,941.

NHTSA complaint #10465978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dillsboro, IN

STEERING

I RECENTLY PURCHASED AN 05 MAXIMA WITH 107,000 MILES ON IT. THE NEXT DAY I HEARD A LOUD TICKING FROM ENGINE. MY TENSIONERS ARE FAILING AN ESTIMATED $2000 REPAIR. IN THE SAME DAY UPON ACCELERATION MY WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY, A SIGN OF A FAILING TRANSMISSION. $3000+ THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN INITIATED BY NISSAN.THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, AND A SEVERE RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER. I WILL BE CONTACTING EVERY AVAILABLE NEWSPAPER AND NEWS AGENCY IN MY AREA AND WILL TRY TO CONTACT NATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS. I BEG OTHER NISSAN OWNERS TO MAKE THIS A PROBLEM FOR NISSAN THAT WONT GO AWAY UNTIL PROPER ACTIONS ARE TAKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10454030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Charlotte, NC

STEERING

BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW 9/2005. CAR WAS SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES AND EVEN A NISSAN ENGINEER TESTED STEERING AND SUSPENSION. WHEN SPEED IS AT 60 MPR, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON BY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO. ENGINEER STATED THAT CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. WELL NOW MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP. PLEASE NOTE THAT STEERING WHEEL STILL SHAKES, TOO. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SEE THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS CAR HAS TO BE A LEMON. I WILL BE CONTACTING NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO FILE A COMPLAINT ALSO AND REQUEST THAT THEY REPAIR MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10440436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Charlotte, NC

STEERING

BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW 9/2005. CAR WAS SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES AND EVEN A NISSAN ENGINEER TESTED STEERING AND SUSPENSION. WHEN SPEED IS AT 60 MPR, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON BY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO. ENGINEER STATED THAT CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. WELL NOW MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP. PLEASE NOTE THAT STEERING WHEEL STILL SHAKES, TOO. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SEE THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS CAR HAS TO BE A LEMON. I WILL BE CONTACTING NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO FILE A COMPLAINT ALSO AND REQUEST THAT THEY REPAIR MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10440439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Milwaukee, WI

STEERING

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN SLOWING. I WOULD BE COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T JUMP OUT OF GEAR AND THE CAR WOULD FREE ROLL. ONCE STOPPED THE CAR WOULD JERK AND TRY TO TAKE OFF WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD TO THE POINT TO FEELS LIKE IM IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE ENGINE IS COMING THROUGH THE HOOD. WHEN I ACCELERATE ONTO FREEWAY FROM RAMP IM SCARED THAT I MAY GET REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE CAR JUST WONT ACCELERATE PROPERLY TO GET INTO LANE SAFE. THIS OCCURS EVERYDAY PARTICULARLY WHEN CAR WARMS UP AND I THEN BEGIN TO SMELL ELECTRIC BURN OR OIL BURN.

NHTSA complaint #10356291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,850 miles Valrico, FL

STEERING:COLUMN

STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT,ONCE STEERING COLUMN IS IN THE DRIVING POSITION IT CAN BE MOVED UP AND DOWN ABOUT 1 INCH.

NHTSA complaint #10221626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Martin, KY

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED STEERING WHEEL. ATHIS WINTER I USED IT ALMOST DAILY. I BEGAN TO NOTICE IN MARCH THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BECOMING DISCOLORED. THE AREAS WHERE THE HEATING MECHANISM WERE NOW BLACK AND GREEN.

NHTSA complaint #10191486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 600 miles Lancaster, OH

STEERING

VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL & SEATS - HAVE HAD BACK TO DEALER FOUR TIMES IN THREE WEEKS - THEY'VE REPLACED WHEEL (OUT OF ROUND/BENT), ROTORS/BRAKES AND ARE NOW INVESTIGATING TIRES - VIBRATION OCCURS IN & OUT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS-LOOKING AT LEMON LAW.

NHTSA complaint #10132761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 500 miles Corpus Christi, TX

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA IN DECEMBER 2004. BY MARCH OF 2005, THE STRUT ASSEMBLIES (BOTH) HAD BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT OF NOISE IN THE STRUT ASSEMBLY BUT WAS REPAIRED TO NO AVAIL. MAY 25, 2005: NOISE IN THE FRONT END AGAIN. UPON INSPECTION FROM THE AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, IT WAS SAID THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM A FAULTY RACK AND PINION. PRIOR TO THIS (UPON CONCLUSION THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME), I ASKED NISSAN TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THEY REFUSED. THIS VEHICLE'S FRONT END IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND HAZARDOUS. THE CAR, AT THIS TIME, HAS 17K MILES AND NEEDS TO BE EITHER REPLACED OR BOUGHT BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10122155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Nissan Maxima problems

← Full 2005 Nissan Maxima report