2005 Nissan Maxima Consumer Reviews

RECALL

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Don't buy this car, I have experienced one problem after another from the transmission failing in 2 years from the catalytic converter and solenoid failing at 5. That is over $8,000 in repairs. Do your homework on the Maxima years 2004-06 (mine is a 2005). There is a class action lawsuit against Nissan. Beware, this is an absolute lemon!
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I bought a Headache

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Recently I bought a 2005 Maxima without enough prior research (In fact I went to the dealership to buy a Honda and the Salesman convinced me to buying this one instead.) Now, after reading all these horrible reviews about 2004-06 Maxima, everyday I start the car fearing that the transmission is going to fail......it is a real pain to drive a car that we cannot trust....
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Worse vehicle I have ever purchased...

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This car has been nothing but problems since I purchased. Mainly the transmission. Shoddy build from the start. Defective valve body used in this year model causes the transmission to falter and high cost to repair. Manufacturer will not repair or recall. Trusted the name Nissan but now will never again buy a car from this manufacturer
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Horrible!!

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

All i have to say is when i bought the car at 70,000 miles right away my transmission started slipping, kicking, jerking. my a/c compressor went out. my Stock chrome rims started to peel. my suspension in the rear is starting to sag.. Please do not buy this car. unless you really like it and have lots of money for repair.
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UPDATE ON TRANSMISSION....

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have two other reviews on this car. I bought it used with around 60,000 miles on it. Drove perfect until around 119,000. Like ever other 2004-2006 maxima, the transmission started jerking, kicking, and slipping. I really like this car. I had the car put in the shop when it had 127,000 miles on it, to have the transmission rebuilt. They had it for about 2 weeks (shop was really busy). I picked it up and he said that he did not replace the transmission (took it to a private transmission speciallest, not nissan dealer) he put a Shifter Kit in it and flushed the transmission fluid and not the car has 132,000 miles on it and drives smooth, on occasions it will slip but hardly noticable.
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My 2005 Pearl-Xima

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Well my last review was in November 2010, and I must say my car is doing great. Even though it is 6 years old, I still get plenty of compliments. The ride quality, performance, and basic usability in this car has been awesome. I get about 24.7 MPG, on premium fuel, in mixed driving. City is about 19-23 MPG, and 30-33 MPG on the highway. As for the transmission, now that I've realized, I should have checked the transmission oil often than rely on the manufactures recommendation. It's been over a year since the rebuilt, and she is still shifting smoothly. I do the oil change myself, and ONLY use Nissan's K-Matic Oil. Do it yourself, it's MUCH cheaper than having the dealer do it for you.
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Only buy if it's a steal!!!

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

The car itself has been good to me for the three years I've owned it until recently. The transmission is garbage. Just like everyone else my Maxima bumps, randomly shifts, accelerates, and downshifts hard when stopping. Sometimes it won't even downshift when I stop it will stay in 3rd gear. Only 70k on the car. This car has been serviced on time by Nissan the entire three years I've owned it so it has been taken care of. It's just a known defect with these cars. I thought I bought a Nissan not a Dodge! $4500 to repair the transmission. Who's going to pay that much for a car that is 6 years old? I'm looking to trade it in and leave Nissan alone because they won't stand by their products!
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Never buy a Nissan

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I bought the sixth generation 2005 Maxima when it was abt 49k miles. At abt 70k miles I starting experiencing transmission problems. shifting from park to drive, it jerks and it is really bad when the engine is warm. from drive to reverse or reverse to drive it does the same thing. The engine slips and the RPM races to 5 or 6 when you accelerate without any pick up. When I contacted Nissan they told me there is nothing they can do about it. Thousands of sixth generation maxima owners are having the same problem but nissan will not own up to their defect and recall and fix the problem. I am going back to TOYOTA. always faithful. NEVER AGAIN IN MY LIFE WILL I BUY A NISSAN PRODUCT.
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IM OVER IT!!!

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I bought this car used with bout 60,000 miles on it. Ive had for about 3 years and im now at 124,000 miles. I loved this car at first, but now, i don't even like driving the car because of the AWFUL transmission! It's so bad! I will NOT replace the transmission! I have been driving with it jerking and hesitating for about 5 months and i am trading it in this weekend! I have been looking at the 2008-2010 Honda Accords and that is probably what i am gonna end up getting. This car is just a head ache now! I have had two previous maxima's and they were GREAT! I wish i never would have gotten ride of my 2003 maxima.
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Awful

Vehicle

2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

my 3rd Maxima I have owned and by far the absolute worst!! I have spent well over $8,000 on mechanical repairs (not maintenance) and it still has under 80k miles on it. Transmission valve body, both catalytic converters, both primary and secondary timing chains tensioners and guides, multiple sensors, 4 sets of headlights (considered maintenance if it were only 2, but 4 sets!!) I wish I still had my 96 which my neighbor still drives w/ 250k+ miles with minor repairs and maintenance.
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