← 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

What owners actually said

576 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR STARTED WITH A RATTLING NOISE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CABIN AT 56,000 MILES,, THE NOISE WOULD COME AND GO. THEN AT 77,000 MILES SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY GOES OUT, IT STARTS MAKING A WHINING NOISE,, SIMILAR TO POWER STEERING WHEN FLUID IS LOW,, WELL IT TURNS OUT ITS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER,, MADE UP OF PLASTIC AND THE C…

Read full complaint

MY CAR STARTED WITH A RATTLING NOISE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CABIN AT 56,000 MILES,, THE NOISE WOULD COME AND GO. THEN AT 77,000 MILES SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY GOES OUT, IT STARTS MAKING A WHINING NOISE,, SIMILAR TO POWER STEERING WHEN FLUID IS LOW,, WELL IT TURNS OUT ITS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER,, MADE UP OF PLASTIC AND THE COST OF REPAIR IS 1200.00 DOLLARS!!, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS GONE THRU THIS ON NISSAN VEHICLES, EVEN CARS FROM 1997 TO PRESENT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM RELATED TO THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS GOING BAD RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES,, THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL BUT NISSAN WONT ADMIT IT, IM STARTING TO GET VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN, HOPEFULLY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM COMPLAIN HERE,, VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444972

55,000 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KEPT ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WAS PAST MY WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. THEY INDICATED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED ($350). WE REPLACED IT, THEN 14 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ($350). MY MECHANIC REPLACED IT…

Read full complaint

MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KEPT ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WAS PAST MY WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. THEY INDICATED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED ($350). WE REPLACED IT, THEN 14 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ($350). MY MECHANIC REPLACED IT AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PUMPED STARTED RUNNING NON-STOP. EVEN WHEN IN PARK. THE MECHANIC THEN STATED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROLLER NEEDED REPLACED ($1300). NOW IT HAS BEEN 10 MONTHS AND IT'S STARTING AGAIN. IF I DRIVE ON DRY PAVEMENT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN NON-STOP. THERE OBVIOUSLY IS A DESIGN MALFUNCTION SOMEWHERE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444940

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2012
Power Train

I WAS HAPPY DRIVING HOME WITH NEW RIMS AFTER BUYING MY 2006 MAXIMA AND WAS TURNING INTO MY PARKING SPOT AND NEEDED TO BACK-UP BECAUSE OF SPACE RESTRICTIONS. I PLACED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT DID NOT GO INTO GEAR, THERE WAS LAG AND A CLUNK BACK TO 1ST GEAR. HAPPY TO SAD IN LESS THAN 1 SECOND, I BECAME. THE VEHICLE HESIT…

Read full complaint

I WAS HAPPY DRIVING HOME WITH NEW RIMS AFTER BUYING MY 2006 MAXIMA AND WAS TURNING INTO MY PARKING SPOT AND NEEDED TO BACK-UP BECAUSE OF SPACE RESTRICTIONS. I PLACED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT DID NOT GO INTO GEAR, THERE WAS LAG AND A CLUNK BACK TO 1ST GEAR. HAPPY TO SAD IN LESS THAN 1 SECOND, I BECAME. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AT TIMES AND NOW IT DOES IT MORE OFTEN. EVEN WHEN I DRIVE IT CLUNKS INTO THE LOWER GEARS AND NOW THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES FROM THE MOTOR. THE RPMS FLARE UP TO 8000 THEN CATCH GEAR WHICH MAKES MY TIRES CHIRP CAUSING MY HEAD TO GO BACK BY THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION CHANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444834

70,000 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10444771

68,000 miles · Jan 15, 2012
Power Train

I BOUGHT THE CAR AFTER IT WAS INSPECTED BY A NISSAN DEALERSIP AT 60,000 MILES. THE INSPECTION SHOWED IT TO BE IN "EXCELLENT" CONDITION. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, 8,000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WHILE I'M DRIVING. AFTER THAT I LEFT AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC WHEN HE INFORMED ME THAT MANY MAXIMA'S FROM 2004-2006…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT THE CAR AFTER IT WAS INSPECTED BY A NISSAN DEALERSIP AT 60,000 MILES. THE INSPECTION SHOWED IT TO BE IN "EXCELLENT" CONDITION. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, 8,000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WHILE I'M DRIVING. AFTER THAT I LEFT AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC WHEN HE INFORMED ME THAT MANY MAXIMA'S FROM 2004-2006 HAD THE SAME ISSUES. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THE MAJORITY OF THE MAXIMA'S HAD TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS AS EARLY AS 35,000 MILES. I CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND EVEN GAVE THEM THE CODES FOR THE MALFUNCTION GIVEN TO ME BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THEY STATED NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS I MUST GET A DIAGNOSIS RAN FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. AFTER I DID THE DIAGNOSIS THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T HELP ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AS IF I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. I TOLD THEM I SHOULD RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BEING THAT THEY ARE SELLING A PRODUCT THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, I TOLD THEM ABOUT MY PAST, VERY OLD, NISSANS WHICH RAN WITHOUT ANY ISSUES EVEN ONE REACHING 200,000 MILES BEFORE I DECIDED TO UPGRADE TO A NEWER MODEL, AND THEY BASICALLY KEPT SAYING THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEY'RE ACTIONS AND DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE MAXIMAS TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I ALSO HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, PAY TO TOW THE CAR VARIOUS TIMES DUE TO THEM DEMANDING ME TAKE IT TO THEY'RE DEALER, AND I HAD TO PAY A STORAGE FEE FROM THEY'RE DEALER. I WENT WITH NISSAN BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE TRUSTWORTHY,I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEM AT ALL. I AM VERY DISSAPPOINTED IN NISSAN DEALERSHIP BUY A CAMRY OR A ACCORD, YOU'LL BE MUCH BETTER OFF WITHOUT NISSAN STEALING FROM THE POOR. I'VE HAD ABOUT 5 NISSAN'S AND MY FIANCE WAS MAKING PAYMENTS ON A NISSAN, I AM TURNING IT IN AND GETTING A CAMRY. WILL UPDATE AND ADD THE VIN# SOON

NHTSA ODI #10443885

108,000 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE BUT THE FAILURE REPEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MIL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE BUT THE FAILURE REPEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000 .

NHTSA ODI #10443344

70,800 miles · Jan 6, 2012
Power Train

MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA, HAS 74000 MILES AND HAS STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF WHAT MAY BE SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. 1. TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO CLICK INTO GEAR AFTER THE SHIFT LEVER IS PUT IN "D" 2. VERY HARD JERKY SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. 3. TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GE…

Read full complaint

MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA, HAS 74000 MILES AND HAS STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF WHAT MAY BE SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. 1. TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO CLICK INTO GEAR AFTER THE SHIFT LEVER IS PUT IN "D" 2. VERY HARD JERKY SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. 3. TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR DURING REGULAR DRIVING ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO REV FREELY THEN JERKING BACK INTO GEAR WITH A LOUD CLUNK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON 04-06 MODELS. HERE ARE SOME REVIEWS IN THIS LINK :HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/MAXIMA/9183-05-MAXIMA-TRANSMISSION-SHIFTING-PROBLEMS.HTML ALSO: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/NISSAN/MAXIMA/AUTOMATIC+TRANSMISSION . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442609

89,000 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441918

70,000 miles · Dec 29, 2011
Power Train

AFTER 65000 MILES TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHOW PROBLEMS. MOSTLY FROM 1 TO 2 GEAR IT JUMPS LIKE A MULE. ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WARRANTY IS NO LONGER ACTIVE SO MOST SPEND 3500 DOLLARS. I WOULD NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441606

99,150 miles · Dec 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, JUMPS OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN GEARS. OFTEN IT WILL GO TO SHIFT THEN IT REVS UP NOT IN GEAR INSTEAD OF SHIFTING THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT SLAMS HARD INTO GEAR. THIS IS NOT A DAILY CONSTANT ISSUE IT IS RANDOM AND SOMETIMES WILL GO WEEKS BETWEEN HAVING THE ISSUE POP UP. WHEN IT POPS UP IT WILL HAPPEN DURING…

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, JUMPS OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN GEARS. OFTEN IT WILL GO TO SHIFT THEN IT REVS UP NOT IN GEAR INSTEAD OF SHIFTING THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT SLAMS HARD INTO GEAR. THIS IS NOT A DAILY CONSTANT ISSUE IT IS RANDOM AND SOMETIMES WILL GO WEEKS BETWEEN HAVING THE ISSUE POP UP. WHEN IT POPS UP IT WILL HAPPEN DURING THAT ENTIRE DRIVE. THE NEXT TIME IT IS DRIVEN EVEN THAT SAME DAY EVEN JUST 15 MINUTES LATER IT WILL NOT HAVE SHIFTING ISSUES SOMETIMES IT DOES. THERE ARE MANY MANY MANY CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441162

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.