← New search

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

Power Train complaints

393 reports
Clear category filter
80,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED GEARS ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE V…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED GEARS ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, SOMETIMES NOT SHIFTING AT ALL. THE RMPS' WERE UP, BUT THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT. IT ALSO RESPONDED WITH A THUMPING NOISE WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. UPDATED 12/05/11

NHTSA ODI #10402424

95,000 miles · May 19, 2011
Power Train

2006 MAXIMA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. 95,000 ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. NISSAN MUST MAKE US WHOLE ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402047

73,390 miles · May 18, 2011
Power Train

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY INFO TO THE CASE YOU HAVE OPEN CONCERNING THE NISSAN MAXIMA LINE OF CARS AND THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON MY 2006 MAXIMA AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT STARTED WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO GET INTO GEAR AFTER A COLD START EARLY IN THE MORNINGS, THAT WOULD LAST ABOUT …

Read full complaint

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY INFO TO THE CASE YOU HAVE OPEN CONCERNING THE NISSAN MAXIMA LINE OF CARS AND THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON MY 2006 MAXIMA AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT STARTED WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO GET INTO GEAR AFTER A COLD START EARLY IN THE MORNINGS, THAT WOULD LAST ABOUT 2 MINUTES. AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ROLLING DOWN THE HILL THE CAR WOULD ACT FINE. I WAS TOLD A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM FROM A NISSAN TECH OVER THE PHONE. NOW IT IS MORE SERIOUS, WHEN PLACING IT IN GEAR IT MAKES A LOUD THUMP SOUND. IT SOUNDS LIKE I TEARING UP SOMETHING AND I KNOW THAT WILL LEAD TO MORE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN THE CARPORT MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET TO WORK. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 08 SO I AM STILL MAKING CAR NOTES ON A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT USABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10401996

69,200 miles · May 16, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER HAVING THE FLUID REPLACED SHE NOTICED THAT THE SHIFTING BECA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER HAVING THE FLUID REPLACED SHE NOTICED THAT THE SHIFTING BECAME WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,200. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. UPDATED 07/22/11

NHTSA ODI #10401064

93,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006, NISSAN MAXIMA SE. I'VE BEEN HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN ITS CHANGES GEARS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND, AS WELL AS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, I'VE SEEN COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED NISSAN AN…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2006, NISSAN MAXIMA SE. I'VE BEEN HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN ITS CHANGES GEARS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND, AS WELL AS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, I'VE SEEN COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED NISSAN AND ALL THEY SAID WAS IF THERE IS EVER A RECALL, THEN KEEP YOUR RECEIPT AND YOU WILL BE REIMBURSED. THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FROM 2004 TO 2008. I DONT SEE HOW THIS COULD GO ON. A "REPUTABLE" COMPANY, SUCH AS NISSAN, PUTTING OUT A PRODUCT THAT THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE. ITS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER. TO PAY OVER $36,000 FOR A VEHICLE AND TO HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS WRONG. WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN? DO PEOPLE NEED TO DIE FIRST BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED? LIKE THE ISSUE THAT TOYOTA HAD IN REGARDS TO THEIR ACCELERATORS GETTING STUCK. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF A NATIONAL MEDIA PROGRAM, LIKE DATELINE OR 20/20 AND BRING TO LIGHT HOW BAD NISSAN IS TREATING ITS CUSTOMERS AND HOW THE NHTSA ISN'T DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THE PUBLIC WITH THIS ISSUE? I'M HOPING THAT THIS LETTER WILL GET THROUGH TO SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES AND WILL TAKE ACTION TO HELP THE CONSUMER GET SOME JUSTICE. THE PRESIDENT MADE AN EMPHASIS ON COMPANIES PUTTING OUT QUALITY VEHICLES AND HELPED BAIL OUT SOME OF THE AUTO MAKERS. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL HELP THIS CONSUMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399933

70,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD ACCELERATE AT A SLOWER RATE THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD ACCELERATE AT A SLOWER RATE THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FLUSHED, BUT THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR A FEW DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10399637

82,376 miles · May 7, 2011
Power Train

FOR THE PAST MONTH, MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING, AS THE CAR SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS 1-3, THERE ARE SOME LOUD NOISES AND THE CAR JERKS FORWARD WITH EVERY GEARSHIFT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AS THE JERKS PROPEL THE CAR FORWARD BETWEEN EVERY GEARSHIFT. …

Read full complaint

FOR THE PAST MONTH, MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING, AS THE CAR SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS 1-3, THERE ARE SOME LOUD NOISES AND THE CAR JERKS FORWARD WITH EVERY GEARSHIFT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AS THE JERKS PROPEL THE CAR FORWARD BETWEEN EVERY GEARSHIFT. I DID A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR AND THE RESULTS WERE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY ON THE TRANSMISSION. I THEN WENT ONLINE AND SAW THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE AND ALL OF THE CARS, WERE BETWEEN 2005 -2008 AND MILEAGE RANGED FROM 78000 TO 95000. WITH ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE ONLINE OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CAR'S PROBLEMS. IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THERE ARE SOME MAJOR DEFECTS WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION. CALLED A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND THEY VERIFIED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY NISSAN MAXIMA CARS THAT HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT ITS SHOP. THERE PROJECTED REPAIR PRICES RANGE FROM $3000-$4000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399439

120,000 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN JERKING WITH EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO ANY GEAR RANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN JERKING WITH EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO ANY GEAR RANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10397461

75,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Power Train

THERE IS A FACTORY PROBLEM WITH THE 04-06 NISSAN MAXIMA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. MINE IS A 06, IT JERKS WHENEVER IT GOES FROM 3RD TO 2ND, ALSO FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. IT HAPPENS ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP. USUALLY AFTER THE 50K MILES, SOME AFTER 85K MILES. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE VALVE BODY, IT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY NISSAN 3 TIMES ALRE…

Read full complaint

THERE IS A FACTORY PROBLEM WITH THE 04-06 NISSAN MAXIMA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. MINE IS A 06, IT JERKS WHENEVER IT GOES FROM 3RD TO 2ND, ALSO FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. IT HAPPENS ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP. USUALLY AFTER THE 50K MILES, SOME AFTER 85K MILES. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE VALVE BODY, IT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY NISSAN 3 TIMES ALREADY, AND THEY SAY THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ONCE THE VALVE BODY IS NOT WORKING AS IT SHOULD, IT PRODUCES INTERNAL DAMAGE ALSO INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, THEN IT WILL BRAKE MOTOR (EN GINE) AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. ALSO TO GO FROM SECOND TO THIRD THE ENGINE WILL GO NEED TO GO ATHIGH REVOLUTIONS, IT MAY KILL THE ENGINE. AND AN ENGINE DEAD IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IS A RECEIPT FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HOPE YOU CAN ADDRESS THIS AND MAKE NISSAN FIX THEIR PROBLEMS. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT IN A CAR THAT COSTS 30K+ NEW HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397446

76,000 miles · Apr 23, 2011
Power Train

HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SL WITH 76K. THIS CAR HAS SEEMED TO BE MORE OF A HEADACHE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. HERE ARE A LIST OF PROBLEMS. 1.) TRANSMISSION: JERKS BAD, FREE REV'S BAD, JUMPS FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND REVERSE BAAAD. 2.) ABS SYSTEM: THE SYSTEM INITIATED ITSELF AND I TOOK IT TO MIDAS THERE SCAN…

Read full complaint

HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SL WITH 76K. THIS CAR HAS SEEMED TO BE MORE OF A HEADACHE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. HERE ARE A LIST OF PROBLEMS. 1.) TRANSMISSION: JERKS BAD, FREE REV'S BAD, JUMPS FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND REVERSE BAAAD. 2.) ABS SYSTEM: THE SYSTEM INITIATED ITSELF AND I TOOK IT TO MIDAS THERE SCANNER READ THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS BUT STILL (TO THIS DAY) BAD GRINDING WHEN I BRAKE AND RUBBING SOUND WHEN I ACCELERATE. (HAPPENING FOR 3 DAYS NOW) 3.) CAR WAS MAKING BAD CLICKING NOISE WHILE ENGINE WAS ON....DIAGNOSIS FROM DEALERSHIP; TIMING CHAIN $1200.00 NOISE IS STILL SOUNDING AFTER REPLACEMENT. PLEASE I HAVE READ COUNTLESS FORUMS HOPING THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE....THE TRANSMISSION ESPECIALLY IS DEFECTIVE PLEASE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397220

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.