9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,080
Average Mileage:
97,550 miles
Total Complaints:
92 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. recall the transmissions for ongoing problems, jerking (43 reports)
  2. replace transmission (22 reports)
  3. not sure (20 reports)
  4. replace valve body (7 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Nissan dealer.

problem #92

Dec 132021

Maxima SL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,000 miles

I have a 2005 Nissan Maxima with transmission problems now it runs for a few hundred feet then it just stops running transmission neutralizes itself when Engine cools off transmission runs again for a few hundred feet and then goes into neutral again good looking car but has been too expensive to fix this transmission!

- Dean R., Yucca Valley, CA, US

problem #91

Oct 012018

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,600 miles

The transmission slips in and out of gear once the car is warmed up after 10 minutes. Really wish Nissan would acknowledge this issue. WHERE IS NISSAN RECALL?????

- harrynunez2015, Bound Brook, US

problem #90

Apr 022018

Maxima SL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

Purchased this car in 2005. Expected to have the car a long time. Only drive the car on weekends so I do not have a lot of miles on the car. But I was also told by many people after I had the car a while that at around 100,000 miles the transmissions start to fail on the car. I should have heed the warnings and got rid of it before than. The car is still in good condition and wanted to keep it as long as I could, but I did not expect that the transmission would fail like it did. I am so sorry that I did not trade it earlier. I will never purchase another nissan again.

- Mary D., Vacherie, LA, US

problem #89

Apr 012016

Maxima SL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

Nissan asked me to pay a diagnostic fee of 190$ and then they say entire transmission to be replaced

Nissan Consumer Affairs is not helpful as well

Worst company

- Nikhilesh G., Union City, NJ, US

problem #88

May 082017

Maxima SE/SL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

My husband and I purchased this car for our daughter to get safely to school and work. This vehicle is not at all safe. The car jerks when shifting and at times it will not go over 20 miles an hour. The transmission slips, and we can not afford to have it fixed. So now we are all trying to share two cars to get 3 people to and from work.. Nissan needs take responsibility for this piece of crap transmission and put peoples safety first. Suck it up Nissan, you screwed up now make it right!!!!!

- winterfeldt, New Lenox, US

problem #87

Nov 212016

Maxima SE 3.5lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,664 miles

Car jerking at 10 and 20 miles when braking and when accelerating, sometimes very hard.

- lalovely, Burlington, NC, US

problem #86

Aug 052016

Maxima SL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

Transmission was rebuilt at 111,XXX miles at a cost of just under $3000.00 dollars. The car currently has approximately 136,000 miles and the transmission is failing. The symptoms are as follows:

Transmission clunks hard into first and second gear regardless of throttle position.

Transmission slips into all other gears upon normal driving conditions.

Transmission engages hard into reverse from the Park position.

- Joe B., Manville, NJ, US

problem #85

Nov 152016

Maxima LS 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 105,000 miles

I purchased my 2005 Nissan Maxima with only 100,000 miles on it, thinking it was still a reliable car. Low and behold driving it only about 3,000 miles and all of a sudden it starts to rev up high and feels like it's about to drop out. It's slips and I can honestly say that I am scared to drive it anywhere. So now I am stuck with a car that I don't want to drive and still owe close to $6000 on it.

- Glen C., Mukwonago, US

problem #84

Jan 262017

Maxima S V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

RPMs racing while driving. Car jerks periodically, delay from when car is put in Drive or Reverse. Is my Nissan Maxima unsafe to drive. Failing with only 113,000 miles. 2nd maxima I've owned. Nissan, stand behind your car, recall & fix this obvious manufacturer's defect.

- Chris R., Enfield, CT, US

problem #83

May 172013

Maxima ES 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,177 miles

Our transmission went out at a very inconvenient time. We had to borrow the money to have it repaired. We talked to a Nissan dealership here in Goodyear Arizona was told the transmission was not covered on our 2005 Nissan. We took our car to a transmission shop and was told we had to completely rebuild the transmission. The cost was $3,755.82. We were very upset that Nissan did not back the transmission when they were aware of problems with the transmissions.

- Richard W., Goodyear, AZ, US

problem #82

Oct 012011

Maxima SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

My transmission just failed for the second time since this incident (this time not under warranty). I've regularly serviced/ flushed the transmission. Everywhere I've read sounds like everyone else is having the same exact issue with the same exact make/ model vehicle. Nissan must do something about this! They are ripping off their customers by selling them an expensive car that is guaranteed to need very expensive repairs! They should be ashamed of themselves!!

- rlw107, Upper Marlboro, MD, US

problem #81

Jul 052013

Maxima SE 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

When I would shift it would bang , but then it would drive fine ,And when it idles it would go rev between 1000 and 2000 rpm Once you drive it like it heats up. It won't do it , like it will do it if you are shifting when you are first starting the car. I am having issues getting it inspected now and I cannot afford the cost of the transmission repair. I read that there was a recall and figured since it is a manufacturer issue that I could get assistance.

- Ashley K., Dunlevy, PA, US

problem #80

Sep 142016

Maxima LX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,407 miles

My vehicle is only driven by me, a 65 year old senior citizen. I purchased the vehicle new in 2005 and only drive it to work and for occasional shopping. I have spent over $7000 in 2016 for repairs that include: the brakes, the air conditioner, various leaking fluids and $1800 to replace the timing chain in Feb. of 2016.

On Sept. 14th, I had to take my Maxima to a transmission specialist because of jerking, stalling and the "check engine" light on the dash. The transmission company took 5 days to rebuild the transmission and charged me $3800 for the repairs. My car is only valued at $3500 but I can not afford to replace it.

I am so disappointed with this car and would not recommend it to no one. This vehicle has been a major expense for me, unfortunately I can not afford to purchase a new one because I put too much money into this lemon. Nissan should be forced to recall this vehicle and reimburse owners for all the expensive repairs required before the car even has 100,000 miles.

I will NEVER purchase another Nissan and would recommend family and friends do the same.

- Rosie S., Memphis, TN, US

problem #79

Jul 132016

Maxima SE 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

Transmission does not appear to be shifting to 1st gear. When starting from a complete stop, the engine revs to 3000 RPM and the car has very little acceleration.

- Kevin B., League City, TX, US

problem #78

May 052016

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,428 miles

It is very frustrating,uncomfortable and annoying experienced. I really maintained my car but after this problem occurred I kinda lost interest buying a Nissan. Who would want a car that used to be smooth and now these sudden stops or jerking once you press the brake. Not only that but it also hesitates and has sudden acceleration when the gas is pressed at minimal. It can still take you anywhere, but scared of driving it a lot. I know the fact that it will cost me a lot and don't know what to do. In my honest opinion, This should be part or considered as Nissan's major Recall. I'm not happy!!!

- evange, Mississauga, ON, Canada

problem #77

Mar 012016

Maxima S.E 3.5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,000 miles

NISSAN SHOULD BE CLOSED. THEY ARE BASICALLY SCREWING PEOPLE OUT MONEY. THEY ARE SELLING THESE PIECE OF SH*T CARS TO PEOPLE AND NOT EVEN DOING ANYTHING ABOUT. I HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE OF NISSAN ONE DAYS GETS A CAR LIKE THIS AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH AND THEN MAYBE THEY WILL TAKE SOME ACTION CAUSE THEY WILL NOW SEE WHAT ITS LIKE. IT SUCKS CAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR I LOVE THE CAR TO DEATH ITS BY FAR ONE OF MY FAVORITE CARS BUT THE TRANNY IS MESSED UP IT IS SO FREAKING AWFUL HOPE THOSE BITCHES GET WHAT IS COMING FOR THEM.

- maxima_fan, Lewisville, TX, US

problem #76

May 292015

Maxima 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

5/29/15

I took my 2005 Nissan maxima in to IPAC(Ingram Park Nissan) in San Antonio tx because the transmission was jerking and also making a very loud noise going into reverse and neural and also drive. My check engine light was also on and traction control light and slip light c ame on and off light is was on. The Service advisor called me a few days later and states I need a new transmission and motor mounts and transmission mounts and cam crank sensor's total bill of $5,586 dollars. I asked the service tech if he knew of any transmission issue with this model, he said no. I called there customer service for help and they said to trade car in for a new one and also refused to work with me on my car....I will never buy another Nissan car and I tell others not to buy them as well.....

- jhub2, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #75

Sep 302011

Maxima ES

  • CVT transmission
  • 118,000 miles

I think it's sad that Nissan can get away with this...I guess we will get their attention when someone is seriously hurt...sad to say.....

This is criminal and everyone with this model has the same problem...so where is the Recall

- Arieta H., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #74

Feb 012015

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The transmission is sticking when you stop and go, this is common if you live in a small town like I do and there is a stop sign at every corner. It gets hung-up so bad that you can't control the vehicle when it releases into next gear. I am afraid something bad might happen one day to me or someone in front of my vehicle. It is a comfortable ride, can't travel out of town because jerks too bad. Captured in your own car, not able to go anywhere with a paid car.

I really think with all the complaint Nissan is having they would try to do something for its customers who still have their vehicles and represent their brand and for the safety to their customers. Is something going to be done for us or not? I hate to get rid of my car but if the company won't help then I am forced to leave Nissan and go elsewhere, unfortunately. I really hope this account and complaint will help me and everyone who owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima.

- Jeremy T., Sanford, NC, US

problem #73

Jan 312016

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,500 miles

It's a shame that issues like this are happening to a 11 year old car and Nissan isn't acknowledging the issue.

- Daniel R., Norfolk, VA, US

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