2005 Nissan Maxima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Nissan Maxima: 2 recalls, 948 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Child seat Vehicle recall #05V338000 · 2005 · 90,016 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 requirement in this standard. This May cause difficulty in attaching some child seats to these brackets.
Why it matters: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lower anchorage brackets with modified brackets to ensure that the standard is met. The recall began on August 28, 2006. The Infiniti q45 model vehicles are being campaigned under a separate recall (please see 05v374000). Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or…
Seats Vehicle recall #05V512000 · 2005 · 102,551 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A pinched harness, in combination with driving vibration, May result in a short circuit in the harness that could lead to a fire in the seat.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wire harness and route it correctly. The recall began on January 16, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 29 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (777): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (680), noise or vibration (86), stalls / loses power (69).
- Engine (61): the most common themes are noise or vibration (11), stalls / loses power (10).
- Engine & cooling (40): the most common themes are noise or vibration (7), stalls / loses power (5).
- Electrical (38): the most common themes are electrical failure (13), door / lock issues (8).
The 2005 Nissan Maxima has 948 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 34 Maxima model years for complaints (5.0× the average Maxima year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (238 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 85,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (1426 complaints, 2 recalls), 2006 (576 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Nissan Maxima.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners have filed 948 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (777), engine (61), engine & cooling (40).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Maxima get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.5 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Nissan Maxima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.