The Lemon Index2005 Nissan Maxima.
The 2005 Nissan Maxima is worse than average by owner complaints: 68 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 130, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Nissan Maxima year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 948 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Maxima year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 68K to 100K miles on the car (820 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 70K–102K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 74K–121K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 60K–114K miles
Recalls 2
- seats 2005
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.
- child seat 2005
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 REQUIREM…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 94 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2004-2006 maxima
- Trailer light wiring
- Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
I went to do the monthly check of tire air pressure and found that the label on the driver's door post does not list the recommended tire pressure. All four tires are at 40 psi cold and I do not know if that is dangerous.
2005 Nissan Maxima owner · NHTSA complaint 10127330
More owner reports
245-45-18 goodyear eagle rs-a tire on 2005 Maxima came apart.
NHTSA complaint 10159665
Problems with the transmission. Has been advise that transmission needs to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10246224
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 130; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Maxima year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Maxima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (19%), tires (18%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have?
2 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Maxima get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Maxima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 68,000 and 100,200 miles. The middle report was at 85,000 miles, from 820 complaints.
Does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Nissan Maxima cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Maxima year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works