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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.

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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

6 reports
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5 miles · Dec 5, 2016
Exterior LightingPower TrainSteering

MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA IS SHIFTING GEARS ON ITS ON AS IF THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL KEEPS SHIFTING TO ONE SIDE THE GUYS AT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT PLACE TOLD ME IT'S THE RACK AND PINION. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE RACK AND PINION GOES OUT VERY FAST AND THE PART IS ABOUT 400$. THE GAS LIGHT AND THE LIGHT T…

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MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA IS SHIFTING GEARS ON ITS ON AS IF THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL KEEPS SHIFTING TO ONE SIDE THE GUYS AT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT PLACE TOLD ME IT'S THE RACK AND PINION. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE RACK AND PINION GOES OUT VERY FAST AND THE PART IS ABOUT 400$. THE GAS LIGHT AND THE LIGHT THAT TELLS YOU THAT YOU NEED COOLANT HAS BEEN ON AND STAYS ON. THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING HOT AND MY CAR HAS A FULL TANK OF GAS.

NHTSA ODI #10930058

100,000 miles · Aug 20, 2016
Exterior LightingPower Train

"TAKATA RECALL" TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND WIRING ON HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT ALL THIS GOING ON WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #10897311

35,000 miles · May 24, 2016
EngineExterior LightingPower Train

EXHAUST/EMISSION - CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND MAKES TERRIBLE NOISE - NOT FIXED YET. DEALER SAYS, CAR WILL WORK WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AT 103,000 MILES (8TH YEAR) BODY FRAME - UNDER CARRIAGE ON DRIVER SIDE RUSTED, WITH A BULGE. DEALER SAID, RUSTING IT NOT ENOUGH, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT THE SCREW DRIVER OR FINGER THROUGH THE…

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EXHAUST/EMISSION - CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND MAKES TERRIBLE NOISE - NOT FIXED YET. DEALER SAYS, CAR WILL WORK WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AT 103,000 MILES (8TH YEAR) BODY FRAME - UNDER CARRIAGE ON DRIVER SIDE RUSTED, WITH A BULGE. DEALER SAID, RUSTING IT NOT ENOUGH, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT THE SCREW DRIVER OR FINGER THROUGH THE RUSTED PORTION. 35000 MILES ( AFTER 5YEARS AND 2 DAYS) TRANSMISSION - IT JERKS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD. REPAIR ESTIMATION IS AROUND $3500 FROM THE DEALER. WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP IN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, THEN SOMETIMES, IT DOES NOT MOVE. AFTER ACCELERATING A BIT, IT JUST JUMPS. IT IS VERY VERY HARD TO GO IN A STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. SO I MAINTAIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE KEEPING THIS IN MIND. NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION DOES NOT CARE FOR ANY OF THE ISSUES. DEALER COMES UP WITH ONE OR THE OTHER REASON. UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE NEVER WORKED CONDUCIVELY WITH THE CUSTOMERS. 103,000 (9TH YEAR.) ENGINE - THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED, ENGINE WAS MAKING THE SOUND OF A RAILROAD. COSTED A LOT TO GET IT FIXED, AND AFTER THAT, SOUND IS NOT COMPLETELY GONE. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLIANTS, THEY ARE NOT BOTHERED. THEY SAY, USE ONLY 93 OCTANCE. 103,000(9TH YEAR)

NHTSA ODI #10870480

64,000 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Exterior LightingPower TrainService Brakes

FIRST AFTER BUYING THIS NISSAN MAXIMA 2006, I NOTICED THAT MY HEAD LIGHT LAMPS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 14 MONTHS. I NEVER HAD A CAR WHERE I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT LAMPS SO OFTEN. BOTH OF MY OTHER CARS (TOYOTA AND HONDA) HAVE OVER 100K MILES AND WE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THE LAMPS ON THOSE CARS. NEXT, THE ABS BRAKES ARE NO…

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FIRST AFTER BUYING THIS NISSAN MAXIMA 2006, I NOTICED THAT MY HEAD LIGHT LAMPS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 14 MONTHS. I NEVER HAD A CAR WHERE I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT LAMPS SO OFTEN. BOTH OF MY OTHER CARS (TOYOTA AND HONDA) HAVE OVER 100K MILES AND WE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THE LAMPS ON THOSE CARS. NEXT, THE ABS BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, REALLY? AFTER 70K MILES? WOW! LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE ABS APPEAR TO BE RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AND ON DRY ROADS. FINALLY, THE TRANSMISSION. WHY DO I HAVE A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH ONLY 64K MILES. AFTER RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS THAT I'M HAVING WITH THIS NISSAN MAXIMA, HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALWAYS HAD HONDA AND TOYOTA CARS AND I DECIDED TO TRY SOMETHING NEW IN THIS MAXIMA. I WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN, I'M RUNNING BACK TO HONDA AND TOYOTA!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496345

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

2006 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND JERKING IN-BETWEEN GEARS. THERE IS A GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE IS A SQUEAKING COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE SHOCK. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND THEY COULDN'T "RECONSTRUCT THE NOISES…

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2006 NISSAN MAXIMA TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND JERKING IN-BETWEEN GEARS. THERE IS A GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE IS A SQUEAKING COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE SHOCK. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND THEY COULDN'T "RECONSTRUCT THE NOISES FROM THE SHOCK" AND THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFY THE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410084

37,500 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Exterior Lighting

IN JUNE OF 2010 WE STARTED TO NOTICE CONDENSATION BUILDING UP IN THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE BUT THE LEESBURG FL NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID TO IGNORE IT SINCE IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE ($1200) TO REPLACE THE UNIT. THEN IN FEB OF 2011 WE NOTICED THAT THE XENON BULB IN THAT FIXTURE HAD BLOWN OUT. …

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IN JUNE OF 2010 WE STARTED TO NOTICE CONDENSATION BUILDING UP IN THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE BUT THE LEESBURG FL NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID TO IGNORE IT SINCE IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE ($1200) TO REPLACE THE UNIT. THEN IN FEB OF 2011 WE NOTICED THAT THE XENON BULB IN THAT FIXTURE HAD BLOWN OUT. WE DON'T DO TOO MUCH NIGHT DRIVING SO WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN IT BLEW, BUT IT SEEMS THE EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE BULB'S FAILURE. ASIDE FROM THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE BULB AND FIXTURE, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CONDENSATION PROBLEM SEEMS A SAFETY ISSUE (AND A MANUFACTURER DEFECT) BECAUSE OF REDUCED VISIBILITY AND THE PROSPECT OF THE XENON BULB FAILING PREMATURELY.

NHTSA ODI #10394730

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.