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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

What owners actually said

576 reports
72,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE ABS SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10457391

98,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 40 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWENTY MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 40 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWENTY MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10457244

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2012
Power Train

I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA 2 IN 2009 WITH 35,000 MILES. AT 75,000 MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONAL JERK WITH CHANGING LOWER GEARS (20-30 MPH) AND THAT IT WOULD VIOLENTLY DOWN SHIFT WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP. THESE ACTIONS ONLY OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE. TH…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA 2 IN 2009 WITH 35,000 MILES. AT 75,000 MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONAL JERK WITH CHANGING LOWER GEARS (20-30 MPH) AND THAT IT WOULD VIOLENTLY DOWN SHIFT WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP. THESE ACTIONS ONLY OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE. THE DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WILL COST $4,000 TO REPLACE. THE VEHICLE HAS 80,000 MILES AT THIS POINT AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH MILES TO WARRANT A NEW TRANSMISSION. IN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON THEME WITH THE 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA . THIS ISSUES PRESENT SAFETY ISSUES AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456473

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2012
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT 60,000 MILES OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALSO HARD SHIFTS FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL AND NEUTRAL TO FIRST. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE TRANSMISSION PROPERLY. IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IT IS A…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. AT 60,000 MILES OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALSO HARD SHIFTS FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL AND NEUTRAL TO FIRST. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE TRANSMISSION PROPERLY. IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. HELP. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455998

90,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2006 BRAND NEW! 90K MILES THE ABS WENT.........AT 120K MILES THE AC WENT AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING FREON ALL SUMMER LONG! NOW AT 130K MILES THE CAR JERKS SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING IT SWITCHES GEARS AND TAKES ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS TO SWITCH GEARS. TRULY A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER. I PAID FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUS…

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PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2006 BRAND NEW! 90K MILES THE ABS WENT.........AT 120K MILES THE AC WENT AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING FREON ALL SUMMER LONG! NOW AT 130K MILES THE CAR JERKS SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING IT SWITCHES GEARS AND TAKES ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS TO SWITCH GEARS. TRULY A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER. I PAID FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, WHICH HAD I KNOWN AT THE TIME WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM REMAINS! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455686

113,300 miles · Apr 6, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME LARGE QUANTITIES OF OIL ABNORMALLY, WHICH THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS STORING THE OIL WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME LARGE QUANTITIES OF OIL ABNORMALLY, WHICH THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS STORING THE OIL WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE OR ENGINE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,680.

NHTSA ODI #10454347

115,706 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Power Train

THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK THE CAR AT ANY GIVEN TIME, WHICH INCREASES THE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE ONLY ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR. THIS MAY BE ONLY ONE ISSUE HOWEVER IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ONE. THE CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR T…

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THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK THE CAR AT ANY GIVEN TIME, WHICH INCREASES THE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE ONLY ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR. THIS MAY BE ONLY ONE ISSUE HOWEVER IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ONE. THE CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10453520

68,743 miles · Mar 22, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,743 UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ THE STRUTS AND STABILIZER BAR WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/27/12

NHTSA ODI #10452654

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2012
Power Train

THE CAR HAS HESITATED TO REACH THE NEXT GEAR. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS JERK GETTING INTO GEAR. ON A FEW INSTANCES WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THERE WAS A VERY HARD JERK AND LOUD NOISE. THIS OCCURRED WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHICH WAS SCARY. THE CAR HAS SHIFTED HARD WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND HAS TAKEN A WHILE TO PICK UP SPEED TO THE NEXT…

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THE CAR HAS HESITATED TO REACH THE NEXT GEAR. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS JERK GETTING INTO GEAR. ON A FEW INSTANCES WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THERE WAS A VERY HARD JERK AND LOUD NOISE. THIS OCCURRED WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHICH WAS SCARY. THE CAR HAS SHIFTED HARD WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND HAS TAKEN A WHILE TO PICK UP SPEED TO THE NEXT GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451044

123,241 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD IN TRAFFIC, AND UPON GOING UPHILL WOULD LOSE POWER, DUE TO TRANSMISSION JERKING AT SPEEDS 35MPH AND UP, RPM WOULD REDLINE AT 55MPH ON FREEWAY, WHICH WOULD CAUSE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME TO GAIN DISTANCE, LEAVING ME NO POWER TO MOVE OR AVOID THEM. WOULD JERK FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OUT OF DRIVEWAY. TRANSMISSION S…

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CAR BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD IN TRAFFIC, AND UPON GOING UPHILL WOULD LOSE POWER, DUE TO TRANSMISSION JERKING AT SPEEDS 35MPH AND UP, RPM WOULD REDLINE AT 55MPH ON FREEWAY, WHICH WOULD CAUSE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME TO GAIN DISTANCE, LEAVING ME NO POWER TO MOVE OR AVOID THEM. WOULD JERK FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OUT OF DRIVEWAY. TRANSMISSION SENSORS AND TRASMISSION WERE REPLACED TOTAL $3900.00

NHTSA ODI #10450993

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.