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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

Engine complaints

47 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10573375

40,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,900.

NHTSA ODI #10568375

3,800 miles · Feb 20, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10565165

101,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
EnginePower Train

EVERY TIME I PUT CAR IN GEAR IT JUMPS AND FEELS LIKE CAR FALLING APART. AS I AM DRIVING AND GET UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR WILL JERK. I HAVE REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS, HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHES, TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGES, NEW TIRES AND CAR STILL JERKS AND TRANNY AND GEAR SHAFTS ARE FAULTY. THE ENTIRE BODY OF CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S…

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EVERY TIME I PUT CAR IN GEAR IT JUMPS AND FEELS LIKE CAR FALLING APART. AS I AM DRIVING AND GET UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR WILL JERK. I HAVE REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS, HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHES, TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGES, NEW TIRES AND CAR STILL JERKS AND TRANNY AND GEAR SHAFTS ARE FAULTY. THE ENTIRE BODY OF CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S COMING APART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562607

110,000 miles · Jul 12, 2013
EnginePower Train

I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. I SPENT $4,000 FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN IS APPEALING THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. I AM UPSIDE DOWN ON THIS VEHICLE. I NEED TO GET RIDE OF IT, NOW THE MOTOR WHINES?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524554

102,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013
EnginePower Train

AFTER MY CAR WARMS UP IF I GO FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE IT DOES NOT CHANGE IMMEDIATELY. IT TAKES ABOUT 3 TO 5 SECONDS THEN IT SLAMS INTO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520218

114,000 miles · May 15, 2013
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE TCS, ABS, AND THE SLIP WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A REAR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE TCS, ABS, AND THE SLIP WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A REAR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ONE WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STOP, AND WOULD NOT MOVE. ONCE HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST TAKE OFF. UPDATED 12/16/13

NHTSA ODI #10512250

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2013
EnginePower Train

I PURCHASED MY NISSAN MAXIMA BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2006. I STARTED FEELING MY CAR HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING IN GEAR IN 2011. NOW ITS GETTING WORST. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND I WAS TOLD MY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SEEN NOW THAT NISSAN HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE 2006 MAXIMAS AND I BELIEVE THAT T…

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I PURCHASED MY NISSAN MAXIMA BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2006. I STARTED FEELING MY CAR HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING IN GEAR IN 2011. NOW ITS GETTING WORST. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND I WAS TOLD MY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SEEN NOW THAT NISSAN HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE 2006 MAXIMAS AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. I AM IN THE NAVY AND I NEED MY CAR, FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION, LET ALONE A NEW CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502425

100,000 miles · Feb 5, 2013
EnginePower Train

HARD SHIFT IN LOW GEARS WHEN ENGINE IS WARM/HOT. WILL REV UP TO HIGHER RPM WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY THEN SHIFTS TO HIGHER GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496444

65,000 miles · Jan 12, 2013
EnginePower Train

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS WORKING FINE BUT JUST TWO DAYS AFTER THE CAR STARTED TO JERK HARD THE MPH WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST NUMBER LIKE IT WAS REVING UP TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP THEY TOOK IT TO ONE OF THERE MECHANICS AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAD TO BE REPLACE AND FORD WOULDNT PAY FOR IT …

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WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS WORKING FINE BUT JUST TWO DAYS AFTER THE CAR STARTED TO JERK HARD THE MPH WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST NUMBER LIKE IT WAS REVING UP TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP THEY TOOK IT TO ONE OF THERE MECHANICS AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAD TO BE REPLACE AND FORD WOULDNT PAY FOR IT NOT ONE PENNY ARE EVEN HALF I PUT DOWN 5000 FOR THE CAR AT THEY COULD OF PAID HALF ARE GAVE US A NEW CAR I HAVE TWO KIDS WITH ME IN THE CAR EVERY DAY AM JUST SCARED IT MY STALE WHEN AM ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492351

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.