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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

Engine complaints

47 reports
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101,000 miles · Apr 18, 2015
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. I WAS GOING 30 MPH, I HIT A TRUCK THAT WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. $4870 IN DAMAGE BUT MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO BE CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS ($170 AWAY FROM BEING CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706432

48,000 miles · Dec 13, 2014
Engine

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SOME SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $2000.00 FOR THE WORK. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. NISSAN HAS ISSUED AS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS A PLASTIC PART WAS USED ON THE TIMING C…

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I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SOME SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $2000.00 FOR THE WORK. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. NISSAN HAS ISSUED AS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS A PLASTIC PART WAS USED ON THE TIMING CHAIN AND IT WEARS PREMATURELY. I SPOKE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND LEARNED THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE GOOD FOR AT LEAST 100000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT IF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED, IT COULD RESULT IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, IF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILS, THE VEHICLE COULD BE REAR-ENDED SINCE THE FAILURE MAKES THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664039

76,027 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Engine

IN NEIGHBOR DRIVING 30, CAR JUMPS AND MOTOR IDLES. HAS JUMPED INTO REVERSE WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT TO DRIVE. WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE TRYING PARK, THE CAR JUMPS INSTEAD OF DRIVING. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING, CAR JUMPS THREE TIMES BEFORE TAKING OFF TO ACTUALLY DRIVE. CAR REFUSED TO GO INTO REVERSE TO BACK…

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IN NEIGHBOR DRIVING 30, CAR JUMPS AND MOTOR IDLES. HAS JUMPED INTO REVERSE WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT TO DRIVE. WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE TRYING PARK, THE CAR JUMPS INSTEAD OF DRIVING. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING, CAR JUMPS THREE TIMES BEFORE TAKING OFF TO ACTUALLY DRIVE. CAR REFUSED TO GO INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662484

132,491 miles · Dec 2, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,491. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10661596

84,848 miles · Nov 13, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR WILL START OFF RIDING GREAT BUT THEN THE JERKING STARTS AND THE ACCELERATION STALLS. I AM SO AFRAID THAT I MAY GET IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTANT JERKING. SOMETIMES MY ENGINE REVS UP AND MY CAR JERKS AS IF THE WHOLE CAR WILL JUST FALL APART. I PRAY EVERYTIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. I DON'T HAVE $3,000 TO …

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MY CAR WILL START OFF RIDING GREAT BUT THEN THE JERKING STARTS AND THE ACCELERATION STALLS. I AM SO AFRAID THAT I MAY GET IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTANT JERKING. SOMETIMES MY ENGINE REVS UP AND MY CAR JERKS AS IF THE WHOLE CAR WILL JUST FALL APART. I PRAY EVERYTIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. I DON'T HAVE $3,000 TO GET IT REPAIRED AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT WHEN THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THIS ISSUE. I AM HOPING THAT A RECALL IS DONE SO THAT I WON'T HAVE TO PAY. I BELIEVE ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN GET IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURE SOMEONE. IT PISSES ME OFF THAT NISSAN WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654886

110,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FAULTY TIMING CHAIN BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643226

195,800 miles · Aug 7, 2014
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 80MPH. THERE WAS A STALLING/JERKING MOTION THAT TOOK PLACE. AFTER LOOKING OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I NOTICE IT WAS STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE MPH HAD DROPPED A FEW MILES. ONCE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, I NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE IN ACCELERATION. IT FELT …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 80MPH. THERE WAS A STALLING/JERKING MOTION THAT TOOK PLACE. AFTER LOOKING OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I NOTICE IT WAS STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE MPH HAD DROPPED A FEW MILES. ONCE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, I NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE IN ACCELERATION. IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS STUCK IN THIRD OR FORTH GEAR. I HAD TO HOLD PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAIT AS IT PICKED UP SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620746

65,800 miles · Jul 29, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,800.

NHTSA ODI #10617244

70,000 miles · May 13, 2014
EnginePower Train

AFTER CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY INTO AND OUT OF 3RD GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG, HE ASKED ME IF MY TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING UP. WHEN I SAID YES HE RATTLED OFF ABOUT 5 THINGS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPER…

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AFTER CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY INTO AND OUT OF 3RD GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS WRONG, HE ASKED ME IF MY TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING UP. WHEN I SAID YES HE RATTLED OFF ABOUT 5 THINGS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING (HARD SHIFTING IN REVERSE, HESITATION IN UPSHIFTING, ETC) AND I SAID YES TO EACH ONE. WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT HE SAID IT WOULD BE $4,000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ALL OF THEM HAVE THAT PROBLEM. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT PAYING FOR IT AND THEY REFUSED, TWICE. I'VE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO A HANDFUL OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. SWITCHING LANES TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND SENDS THE RPM'S TO 7000 AND I ALMOST GET REAR-ENDED, THEN WHEN IT DOES SHIFT IT JERKS SO HARD THE CAR SWERVES ALL OVER THE ROAD. IT SHIFTS SO HARD MY ENGINE MOUNTS ARE BROKEN AND NEED REPLACED TOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588091

65,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SEPARATING FROM THE ENGINE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SEPARATING FROM THE ENGINE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10584494

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.