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2006 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Maxima years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Maxima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

512 reports with mileage · 64 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 393 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

17 reports
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137,820 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes

I BOUGHT THIS 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SL WITH 137,806 MILES. I DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY, IT WOULD NOT START, I WENT AND BOUGHT A BATTERY, ON THE WAY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON., THEN THE TCS AND SLIP LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP, HE KEEP IT ALMOST 4 WEEKS, AND THEN TOLD ME IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING/REPAIRING …

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I BOUGHT THIS 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SL WITH 137,806 MILES. I DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY, IT WOULD NOT START, I WENT AND BOUGHT A BATTERY, ON THE WAY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON., THEN THE TCS AND SLIP LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP, HE KEEP IT ALMOST 4 WEEKS, AND THEN TOLD ME IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING/REPAIRING IT. I COULD NOT BELIEVE, I JUST SPENT OVER $4,000.00 ON THIS CAR AND I ONLY DROVE IT HOME!!, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER WELL KNOWN MECHANIC SHOP, HE TELLS ME THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, MOTOR MOUNTS, SENSORS AND PROBABLY MORE. IT IS NOT WORTH FIXING IT. I AM A 57 YEAR OLD LADY AND I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ANOTHER CAR AND I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. I HEAR THAT THESE CARS HAVE ALOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND MORE. I WISH I HAD KNOWN THAT BEFORE BUYING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11360137

161,210 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND SUDDENLY STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF, BRAKES SEEMED TO BE ON, DASHBOARD LIGHTS APPEARED WITH "TCS OFF" "SLIP" AND "CHECK ENGINE " ALL APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. I ALMOST CRASHED DUE TO THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11281178

193,588 miles · Aug 23, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

"TAKATA RECALL" IN MOTION, SHIFTING HAS A LARGE CLOCK SOUND I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF IT'S A RECALL ON THE COIL. BOTH CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY, WHEN ACCELERATING IT SEEMS TO STALL IN MOVING TO THE NEXT GEAR OR ACTUALLY NOT EVEN SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR IN MOTION, SO WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO PICK UP ANY MOMENTUM. REVERSE IS VERY LOUD W…

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"TAKATA RECALL" IN MOTION, SHIFTING HAS A LARGE CLOCK SOUND I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF IT'S A RECALL ON THE COIL. BOTH CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY, WHEN ACCELERATING IT SEEMS TO STALL IN MOVING TO THE NEXT GEAR OR ACTUALLY NOT EVEN SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR IN MOTION, SO WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO PICK UP ANY MOMENTUM. REVERSE IS VERY LOUD WITH A SOMEWHAT BANG TO IT. AS I SAID BEFORE IT COULD BE THE COIL BUT I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY IF IT'S ALSO A DRIVESHAFT.

NHTSA ODI #11245962

100,030 miles · Apr 12, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

ABS, TRC,BRAKE, STABILITY LIGHT ON, CAR JUMPS WHEN BRAKING AND LOUD NOISE WHEN BREAKING 25MPH AND LOWER. DEALER REFUSE TO DO THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM FOR NISAN OWNERS. COST OF REPAIR 2-3000.00

NHTSA ODI #10972092

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

AT 12,500 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION. AT 34,000 MILES, IT STARTED KNOCKING AND SMOKING WHEN YOU FIRST START IT. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND THE GAS WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL. MY CLAIM WAS DENIED SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. NOW AT 110,0…

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AT 12,500 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION. AT 34,000 MILES, IT STARTED KNOCKING AND SMOKING WHEN YOU FIRST START IT. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND THE GAS WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL. MY CLAIM WAS DENIED SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. NOW AT 110,000 MILES THE CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE MONEY TO SINK INTO THIS LEMON.

NHTSA ODI #10855204

162,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringCrash

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, GOING AROUND A CURVE, THE WHEEL STABILIZER TURNED ON FOR NO REASON. I COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND I GOT SLAMMED INTO TWO CONCRETE WALLS AND A DIESEL TRUCK AS A RESULT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #10823935

117,000 miles · Sep 23, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSuspension

WHEN GOING TO ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS (PARK TO REVERSE) THE CAR JERKS. WHEN DRIVING IN CITY AND I BREAK THEN TAKE OFF, THE CAR ENGINE REV'S LIKE THE GEAR HAS SLIPPED ..

NHTSA ODI #10775401

91,545 miles · Apr 26, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

MY MAXIMA HAS BEEN JERKING AND HESITATING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT IS ONLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A BIT AND IS WARMED UP. A FEW TIMES IT HAS SLAMMED INTO GEAR SO HARD I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. IT IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHT ON. I'M AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THIS PROBLEM…

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MY MAXIMA HAS BEEN JERKING AND HESITATING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT IS ONLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A BIT AND IS WARMED UP. A FEW TIMES IT HAS SLAMMED INTO GEAR SO HARD I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. IT IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHT ON. I'M AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THIS PROBLEM SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN LIGHTLY AND I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712908

105,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

BRAKE "ACTUATOR" STARTED HUMMING OR RUNNING AS SOON AS CAR ('06 NISSAN MAXIMA SE) WAS TURNED ON AWAY FROM HOME. CONTINUED TO KICK IN ABS AT EVERY BRAKE APPLICATION CREATING UNSAFE (OR AT LEAST NOT NORMAL) BRAKING SITUATIONS AND CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF. ABS LIGHT, TCS LIGHT, AND SLIP LIGHT ALL ACTIVATED CONTINUAL…

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BRAKE "ACTUATOR" STARTED HUMMING OR RUNNING AS SOON AS CAR ('06 NISSAN MAXIMA SE) WAS TURNED ON AWAY FROM HOME. CONTINUED TO KICK IN ABS AT EVERY BRAKE APPLICATION CREATING UNSAFE (OR AT LEAST NOT NORMAL) BRAKING SITUATIONS AND CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF. ABS LIGHT, TCS LIGHT, AND SLIP LIGHT ALL ACTIVATED CONTINUALLY. CODES C1110 & C1105 & C1106 WERE PRESENT AFTER SCANNING AT LOCAL GARAGE. BATTERY DRAINED AFTER CAR SHUT OFF DUE TO ACTUATOR CONTINUING TO RUN WITH CAR SHUT OFF. PER RESEARCH AND OTHER TSB OR NISSAN-ISSUED TECHNICAL BULLETINS, THE REAR HUB ABS SENSOR FREQUENTLY MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR. IF DRIVEN WHILE MALFUNCTIONING (AS IN THIS CASE) THE CONTROLLER/ACTUATOR MAY MALFUNCTION. TURNING OFF "ABS" WHILE DRIVING SEEMS TO KEEP THE ACTUATOR FROM RUNNING, BUT ALSO MAKES DRIVING LESS SAFE, ESPECIALLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER DUE TO TURNING OFF TCS/ABS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS OUT-OF-POCKET (DESPITE BEING AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE). SENSORS AND ACTUATOR WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE DRIVEN AGAIN. LESS THAN 8 MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUES RETURN. NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR SENSOR PER CODES, NEW CODE FOR ACTUATOR SHOWS AGAIN (AFTER SENSORS PLACED IN) AND THEY REQUIRE ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AGAIN FOR NEW ACTUATOR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR (PER MANY OTHER REPORTS) AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639052

60,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

CAR WILL NOT COMPLETELY START, (AND THE START IS FINE) ALARM STATES ITS STOLE ETC. ANTI-THIEF... BEEN IN SHOP FOR WEEKS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606374

Official recalls

2

06V046000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 13, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE REAR SUBFRAME MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRACK IN A BRACKET WHICH HOLDS PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BRACKET IS CRACKED, THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUBFRAME TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

05V512000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Nov 7, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND ROUTE IT CORRECTLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.