Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2005 Nissan Maxima
NHTSA data on file today
The 2005 Nissan Maxima has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 948 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #05V512000 DRIVER SEAT POWER LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V338000 FMVSS 225/LOWER ANCHORAGE BAR NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 777 complaints
- Engine 61 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 40 complaints
- Electrical System 38 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 33 complaints
- Unknown or Other 27 complaints
Of the 948 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 948 complaints, owners report 29 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2005 Nissan Maxima suffers from significant power train issues, with the highest complaint count. Electrical and engine problems are also notable, leading to increased maintenance hassle and cost.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 90,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | very common |
| engine | 100,000–130,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | common |
| electrical system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $200–$800 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Replace brake pads and rotors occasionally
- Coolant flush every 40,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles
- Regular tire rotations
- Check and replace belts as needed
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission slipping or hesitation
- Engine misfires or rough idling
- Electrical failures or shorts
- Unusual vibrations or noises
- Check engine light frequently on
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2005 Nissan Maxima at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.