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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
69,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Structure

MY 2006 MAXIMA HAVE RUSTED OUT FRONT FLOOR BOARDS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN GARAGE SENSE BUYING THE CAR NEW IN 2006. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH FLOOR BECAUSE OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10873991

121,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WENT AT 121000 MILES NOW A YEAR LATER SLIPPING AGAIN

NHTSA ODI #10873369

11 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Power Train

HI ALL, I WENT TO SMOKY MOUNTAINS FOR MEMORIAL DAY LONG WEEKEND END AND I WAS ON THE 11 MILES DRAGON TAIL ROAD. MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA HAD BEEN ACTING WEIRD BY JUMPING WHEN THE GEAR IS SHIFTING AUTOMATICALLY BUT I DIDN'T TAKE IT HARD BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS NOT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND I TRUSTED HIM, BUT THAT DAY WAS A …

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HI ALL, I WENT TO SMOKY MOUNTAINS FOR MEMORIAL DAY LONG WEEKEND END AND I WAS ON THE 11 MILES DRAGON TAIL ROAD. MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA HAD BEEN ACTING WEIRD BY JUMPING WHEN THE GEAR IS SHIFTING AUTOMATICALLY BUT I DIDN'T TAKE IT HARD BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS NOT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND I TRUSTED HIM, BUT THAT DAY WAS A SCARY DAY WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WAS JUMPING AUTOMATICALLY MORE THAN USUAL. I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD FALL FROM THE MOUNTAIN AND LUCKILY MY FRIEND ASKED ME TO TAKE A U TURN AFTER HALF THE ROAD. EVERYBODY IN THE CAR WERE SO SCARED AND PARANOID AFTER THE CAR ACTED IN SUCH WAY. WE KEPT OUR LIVES IN OUR HANDS AND LEFT HOPE ON GOD TO SAVE US TILL WE GET DOWN THE ROAD. THE WAY MY CAR ACTED ON THE DRAGON TAIL ROAD IN THE MOUNTAINS FREAKED US ALL. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE DUE TO BAD GAS WITH ADDITIVES MAY BE WHICH FILLED NEAR SMOKY MOUNTAINS, BUT GOT CONFIRMED TODAY AFTER READING MULTIPLE ISSUES AND COMPLAINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME PROBLEM VIA MANY SOURCES ON 2004-2006 NISSAN MAXIMA AND OTHER VEHICLES. WHY IS THE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WHO ENSURES THE SAFETY ABOUT THESE VEHICLES NOT EVEN TAKING ANY ACTION IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME. I SAW THAT MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED ON THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE GOT ANY LUCK ON THE SOLUTION. ALSO, WE ARE NOT ASKING TO GIVE US A NEW CAR. ALL THAT WE ARE ASKING IS JUSTICE FOR OUR HARD EARNED MONEY WHICH WE SPENT ON THIS JUNK NISSAN CARS. I THINK NISSAN HOLDS A JUNK YARD AND MAKES ALL THEIR TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE JUNK YARD PARTS. ALSO, THIS MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND PENALIZED TO THE MAXIMUM SO THAT NO OTHER PERSONAL CAN HAVE A BAD EXPERIENCE AS ME. IMAGINE IF I HAD HIT SOMEBODY OR I MYSELF FELL FROM THE MOUNTAIN DUE TO THE NISSAN'S MISTAKE IN MANUFACTURING THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. GOD, PLEASE PUNISH THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE PLAYING WITH OUR LIVES AS NO ONE ELSE IS HEARING OR HELPING US.

NHTSA ODI #10872935

146,000 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Power Train

"TRANSMISSION RECALL" MY NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 146,000 AND HAS NEVER BEEN HOT RODDED. I HAVE ONLY DROVE IT AROUND TOWN AND TO AND FROM WORK. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION JUST GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. I WAS NOTICING SOME WEIRD SHIFTING PROBLEMS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I NEVER REALLY NOTICED THAT BAD BUT IT WAS THERE. SO W…

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"TRANSMISSION RECALL" MY NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 146,000 AND HAS NEVER BEEN HOT RODDED. I HAVE ONLY DROVE IT AROUND TOWN AND TO AND FROM WORK. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION JUST GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. I WAS NOTICING SOME WEIRD SHIFTING PROBLEMS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I NEVER REALLY NOTICED THAT BAD BUT IT WAS THERE. SO WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I COUDNT GO ANYWHERE AND CARS WHERE HAVING TO GO AROUND ME. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THIS. I STARTED REASCHERING AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING. THIS IS AN EVIDENT PROBLEM THAT NEEDS FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10872556

144,500 miles · May 25, 2016
Power Train

MY SON BOUGHT A NISSAN MAXIMA IN SEPT, 2015. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING AND SOMETIMES FALLING OUT OF GEAR, IN NOVEMBER. I HAD SOMEONE CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SEVERAL TIMES, AT ONCE, BECAUSE THAT HAD BEEN REPORTED TO POSSIBLE HELP. IT LESSENED THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT GET RID OF IT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH SIN…

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MY SON BOUGHT A NISSAN MAXIMA IN SEPT, 2015. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING AND SOMETIMES FALLING OUT OF GEAR, IN NOVEMBER. I HAD SOMEONE CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SEVERAL TIMES, AT ONCE, BECAUSE THAT HAD BEEN REPORTED TO POSSIBLE HELP. IT LESSENED THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT GET RID OF IT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH SINCE JAN, 2016, AS MY SON HAS GONE INTO THE ARMY. BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING, AND THE 6300 DOLLAR CAR WE BOUGHT IN SEPT 2015, CARFAX OFFERED US 1500 FOR IT. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS ANYWHERE, AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. IT IS NOT CONSTANT, BUT HAPPENS ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10870772

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

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS

NHTSA ODI #10870272

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

AT 12,500 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION. AT 34,000 MILES, IT STARTED KNOCKING AND SMOKING WHEN YOU FIRST START IT. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND THE GAS WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL. MY CLAIM WAS DENIED SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. NOW AT 110,0…

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AT 12,500 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION. AT 34,000 MILES, IT STARTED KNOCKING AND SMOKING WHEN YOU FIRST START IT. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND THE GAS WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL. MY CLAIM WAS DENIED SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. NOW AT 110,000 MILES THE CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE MONEY TO SINK INTO THIS LEMON.

NHTSA ODI #10855204

130,719 miles · Apr 6, 2016
Power Train

HARD SHIFT TRANSMISSION STARTING AT APPROXIMATELY 130K MILES. HAPPENS DURING GEARING DOWN. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE GEARING UP AFTER A SLOW DOWN. ISSUE CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AFTER TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGED.

NHTSA ODI #10853735

115,000 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EVENTUALLY START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JOLT FORWARD WHEN SWITCHING GEARS AND STALL. THE TCS ENGINE SLIP INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EVENTUALLY START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JOLT FORWARD WHEN SWITCHING GEARS AND STALL. THE TCS ENGINE SLIP INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10853559

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.