2005 Nissan Maxima SL

Faults:

So my car started acting funny i.e. shifting very hard when braking, and the RPM acting funny when accelerating. I took it to 2 transmission places, and they both said we cannot pull up any codes on it, but seems to be a computer that needs to be reset. Only Nissan can do that.

So I take it to Nissan, and they tell me it's my timing chain and the cost is $2300.00, plus this is wrong with your car and this too, blah, blah, blah...

I take it to another place, and they tell me that they re-met with the transmission place and it is my valve body!

My issue with Nissan, from all these posts, is they try to tell you the wrong thing constantly to get more $ out of you, and this is not the first time. One time I took it there for an oil change, and they tell me you need about $1700 of work done on your car. I didn't do any of it, and the next time I got an oil change they tell me everything checked out fine with the car.

I have also pulled into the service department and had a young kid that works there make a lewd comment to me; real professional!

If they want to charge loads of $, then give correct, good service.

I will not buy another Nissan.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th October, 2013

5th Oct 2013, 10:44

We live in an era where owners of businesses are pushing their employees to sell their products and services, so your service adviser is now your Fuller Brush salesman, and it's probably going to get worse.

My advice to anyone that has a Nissan product, is to get as many free quotes on any problem that it might have. If they give it to you in writing, it's even better. Keep track of what they say, and go on the Internet and plug in "problems and complaints on a 2005 Nissan Maxima". Look up problems that the Nissan Maximas had, and go all the way through the websites. Sometimes they will give you detailed information on what owners experienced, or owners' views and complaints on the car, and what was done to it and if it was resolved.

Check on pending lawsuits on your vehicle. Sometimes lawsuits are slowly working their way through the court system. Keep all records and bills of any work you have done on your car. If a lawsuit is won, then you could be asked for those receipts and records.

Also the salvage yards of this country are filled with parts for your car. Anything from engines to windows to radios... they have it all. And these are original equipment parts, not reproduction parts.

I have owned many Nissan vehicles and trucks. They're not a bad vehicle, but they do have some issues from time to time. And if there is a problem, you cannot panic and give any mechanic a blank check to do work on it... it has to be researched. Find out the best deal on the part, and pick a good reliable mechanic to fix it. Panic, and it could get very expensive for you...

2005 Nissan Maxima SL

Summary:

Good, but not great, seems like I bought a lemon

Faults:

The first thing mechanically that went wrong with the car, was the driver's side automatic window. Just started grinding, & the window wouldn't go up or down. Got stuck half-way up, & pushed it up manually to close it, & put clear tape along the top of the window. Had to buy the motor.

Sometimes the passenger door lock gets stuck when using the remote, so have to make sure that door is locked. And when opening, your passenger is locked out. Just annoying, but not going to have a fit over it.

The chrome trim from the rear of the hood, that extends across the hood, down the sides of the windows, is discolored & flaking. Weird, because the chrome trims on both sides of the rear window are shiny - no problem. The trunk and roof clear coat is gone. The side view mirrors are discolored. Maybe all the above exterior problems are because of me not washing/waxing it enough, while living in a salty, hot, sunny climate.

The interior dash is not up to par. The silver area by the CD slot has a black smudge mark that I can't get off. The slots that hold the sun shades are both having problems. Passenger side-piece fell off. Driver's side - it keeps unscrewing.

The one air conditioning fan broke. That is after the car overheated due to my negligence, because there was no fluid. Don't know if the fan broke because of that.

Due to horrible road conditions where I live, & it being hilly, brakes need to be replaced, I assume more than often. Rotors too. I'm lucky I go over 40 miles per hour.

Both V-belts were changed. Not because they snapped. But they were getting dry & worn. So I replaced them while I was getting my brakes, rotors, and air conditioning fan done. My mechanic did all that work for a very decent price, because I gave up on the dealership. Too expensive & rips you off. Also, misdiagnosed a problem with the radiator.

Now about the transmission. I haven't noticed anything as of yet. Or maybe I just am undereducated about how to recognize the problems. I am assuming I have a semi-automatic, because I can drive automatic or shift in a separate area off automatic gear. I only shift to 2nd gear when going down this one steep hill occasionally.

I will check with my mechanic to see if he notices any transmission problems. Let him test drive it.

I don't drive the car everyday, but sometimes when I do, it does get a work-out.

I bought the car in Northeastern PA, & the mechanics there were nice when I went for oil changes & maintenance checks. But then I moved to the United States Virgin Islands, & shipped it down here, which cost money. The dealership here is horrible.

I bought the car new & cash. Always wanted a Max.

General Comments:

Like the style of the car.

When lived in states, it did have power. Still does, but nowhere to use it. I got it up to 115 miles per hour while in PA. Also, nice to have heated seats & steering wheel for the cold winters.

Bose sound system is great. Works for me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th September, 2011