Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (49.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train complaints here are 9.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 469 · 49.5% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 306 · 32.3% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 61 · 6.4% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 36 · 3.8% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 32 · 3.4% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 31 · 3.3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 948 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 05V512000 · 2005 · reported 11/07/2005
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V338000 · 2005 · reported 07/26/2005
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM WITH 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED (DIFFERENT COMPLAINT), THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH…”NHTSA complaint 10258134 — filed 02/09/2009 · POWER TRAIN
“MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HAS BEEN BUCKING AND JERKING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR SINCE 60,000 (NOW HAS 64,000) ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. IT'S BEEN…”NHTSA complaint 10243486 — filed 09/26/2008 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 469 of 948 NHTSA complaints (49.5%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (306), engine (61), electrical system (36). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
948 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 29 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 05V512000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
