MY CAR WAS UNDER 90K MILES WHEN IT EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, PREMATURE CLUTCH WEAR, OVERHEATING, AND OTHER PROBLEMS THAT ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN SERIOUS AND EXPENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Steering complaints
17 reportsMY 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.
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.
I WAS AT THE LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AS I GOT A BREAK TO TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC MY CAR JERKED AND CUT OFF. MY 2 YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD WAS ALSO IN THE CAR I WAS TERRIFIED AND NOW SCARED TO MAKE A TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC BC MY CAR MAY COST ME AND MY KIDS OUR LIFE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE LIKE…
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I WAS AT THE LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AS I GOT A BREAK TO TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC MY CAR JERKED AND CUT OFF. MY 2 YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD WAS ALSO IN THE CAR I WAS TERRIFIED AND NOW SCARED TO MAKE A TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC BC MY CAR MAY COST ME AND MY KIDS OUR LIFE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE LIKE THAT. *TR
HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE ISSUES DIAGNOSED AND THEY WOULD STATE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. FIRST STARTED WITH HAVING LOW AND DIRTY OIL AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN SERVICED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT PLACE THAT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID WE SHOULD GO. THE…
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HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE ISSUES DIAGNOSED AND THEY WOULD STATE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. FIRST STARTED WITH HAVING LOW AND DIRTY OIL AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN SERVICED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT PLACE THAT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID WE SHOULD GO. THEIR OIL SOLUTION OF ROYAL PURPLE SYNTHETIC OIL DID NOT WORK. TALKED TO THE PLACE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT AND BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ALMOST 108000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE ONLY OWNED IT A YEAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE HARD SHIFTING WHEN DRIVING AND THE SLAMMING OF THE HEAD AGAINST THE HEAD REST. IT WILL SLAM INTO SECOND, THIRD AND EVEN FOURTH GEAR ONCE IT GETS WARMED UP AND TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE AND ADJUST THE SPEED. I EXPERIENCE JERKING COMING FROM THE REAR WHILE DRIVING AND RECENTLY WHILE GOING FROM SPEED LIMITS OF 45 TO 30 I FELT A LOSE OF POWER LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO GO. WHILE PARKED IT ALSO SLAMS INTO REVERSE AND THE FIRST. I HAVE A YOUNG SON AND THIS VEHICLE IS DEFIANTLY NOT SAFE FOR HIM TO DRIVE IN. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE SOLENOIDS, TIMING CHAINS, AND TO PUT A KIT IN IT FOR THE SHIFTING ISSUES. I ALSO NEED TO GET AN ALIGNMENT DONE TO ADDRESS THE SHAKING WHEN GOING OVER 55MPH. AT THIS POINT THE MOTOR MOUNTS PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND ALL WARRANTIES ARE EXPIRED. THE AIR BAGS ARE ALSO MALFUNCTIONING AND THE LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF THIS WILL COST UP TO A $1000 TO HAVE FIXED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES OFF AND ON BUT NO CODES SHOW UP. THE RPM GAUGE GETS STUCK AT 3 AND YOU HAVE TO GO OVER 40MPH TO GET THAT GAUGE TO WORK. REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE MAKE A WHINING, THEN A GRINDING NOISE, ALONG WITH DIFFICULTY STEERING. HAD IT CHECKED (THINKING THE POWER STEERING PUMP) WAS TOLD IT WAS THE PUMP, THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE, AND THE RACK AND PINION AND THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL REPAIR ON VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, A…
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WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE MAKE A WHINING, THEN A GRINDING NOISE, ALONG WITH DIFFICULTY STEERING. HAD IT CHECKED (THINKING THE POWER STEERING PUMP) WAS TOLD IT WAS THE PUMP, THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE, AND THE RACK AND PINION AND THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL REPAIR ON VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE HOSE, AND STILL HAVING ISSUES. I HAVE AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS JAPANESE, AMERICAN, AND GERMAN SOME WITH TWICE THE MILEAGE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OF THIS NATURE. CHECKED THE NISSAN FORUMS AND THIS IS COMMON WITH VEHICLES OF THIS VINTAGE, MURANO, AND ALTIMA WITH A 3.5 LITER V6. REGARDLESS OF ITS COMMONALITY, ITS STILL OF SAFETY CONCERN AND DESERVES ATTENTION. *TR
WHILE CASUALLY DRIVING, HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL, FOOT ON ACCELERATOR, ASPHALT ROAD SLIGHTLY DAMP BUT NOT WET, ON A TWO WAY STREET WITH NO REASON TO EXPECT A SUDDEN CRISIS, THE ABA BRAKES ON MY 2006 MAXIMA SUDDENLY LOCKED THROWING THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE INTO A SLIDE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH AT THIS TIME THERE HAPPENED T…
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WHILE CASUALLY DRIVING, HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL, FOOT ON ACCELERATOR, ASPHALT ROAD SLIGHTLY DAMP BUT NOT WET, ON A TWO WAY STREET WITH NO REASON TO EXPECT A SUDDEN CRISIS, THE ABA BRAKES ON MY 2006 MAXIMA SUDDENLY LOCKED THROWING THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE INTO A SLIDE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH AT THIS TIME THERE HAPPENED TO BE NONE. WHEN I FELT THE SUDDEN ACTION, WHICH WAS LIKE I HAD RUN INTO AN INVISIBLE WALL, I THEN HIT THE BRAKES ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO FLOAT WITH NO CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION HEADED. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INSTEAD OF BRAKING. THIS SENT THE VEHICLE BACK ACROSS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A CONCRETE CURB AND OVER INTO A GRASSY AREA BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. ONLY EXTERIOR MINOR DAMAGE FROM HITTING A SMALL SIGN POST. HAD IT IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ROAD TESTED IT BUT FOUND NO REASON FOR THE INCIDENT. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO COMPUTER CODES FOR WHAT HAPPENED. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND CALLED NISSAN TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. THEY HAD NO CLUE FOR WHY. I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF A REPEAT. WITH SUCH LOW MILES AND IN THE GARAGE CARE OVER THE YEARS IT IS NOT TIME TO TRADE IT IN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 3 MPH WHEN THE WHEELS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 3 MPH WHEN THE WHEELS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,823.
I WAS FIRST TOLD THAT THE CATAYLIC CONVERTER WAS GONE, HAD THAT REPLACED, THEN WAS TOLD 2 MOTOR MOUNTS WERE GONE, HAD THEM REPLACED AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE CAR JERKING WITH A HARD KNOCK INTO 1 AND 2ND GEAR AND NOW IT IS ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING AND JERKING INTO GEAR. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION O…
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I WAS FIRST TOLD THAT THE CATAYLIC CONVERTER WAS GONE, HAD THAT REPLACED, THEN WAS TOLD 2 MOTOR MOUNTS WERE GONE, HAD THEM REPLACED AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE CAR JERKING WITH A HARD KNOCK INTO 1 AND 2ND GEAR AND NOW IT IS ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING AND JERKING INTO GEAR. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THE TRANSMISSION ON THESE 2006 MAXIMAS THERE ARE SO PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SE THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN JAN 2007. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE OEM TIRES BECAUSE I WAS OLD THEY WERE WORN OUT AND WERE THE CAUSE OF STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION ABOVE 60MPH. I REPLACED THE TIRES AND FRONT BRAKES/ROTORS AT MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE VIBRATION WAS REDUCED BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. IT GET…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SE THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN JAN 2007. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE OEM TIRES BECAUSE I WAS OLD THEY WERE WORN OUT AND WERE THE CAUSE OF STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION ABOVE 60MPH. I REPLACED THE TIRES AND FRONT BRAKES/ROTORS AT MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE VIBRATION WAS REDUCED BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. IT GETS WORSE WITH COLD TEMPERATURES. THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE STRUTS AND ENGINE MOUNTS AND SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR BUT THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. *TR
Official recalls
206V046000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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