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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

Power Train complaints

393 reports
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71,117 miles · Mar 30, 2013
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AFTER ONLY 71,117 MILES. THE RPM REVS BUT THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING IN SEVERAL 2006 NISSAN MAXIMAS. THERE HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURES DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING. MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE NISSAN CORPORATION GOING TO DO. I WILL…

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MY TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AFTER ONLY 71,117 MILES. THE RPM REVS BUT THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE THEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR. THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING IN SEVERAL 2006 NISSAN MAXIMAS. THERE HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURES DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING. MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE NISSAN CORPORATION GOING TO DO. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN UNTIL THEY RECTIFY THIS ISSUE WITH THE FAILING TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505104

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

116,000 miles · Mar 9, 2013
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER TRAFFIC OR ADVANCE WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, LIKE WHAT OCCURS WHEN A TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGES WHEN YOU ARE APPROACHING IT. THE ENGINE WILL REV (RPM APPROX 4000-6000) THEN SLAM INTO GEAR AND JERK FORWARD. THIS CAUSES THE DANGER OF BEING PROPELLED INTO TRAFFIC AT THE WRONG TIME OR SIMPLY GET…

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TRANSMISSION HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER TRAFFIC OR ADVANCE WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, LIKE WHAT OCCURS WHEN A TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGES WHEN YOU ARE APPROACHING IT. THE ENGINE WILL REV (RPM APPROX 4000-6000) THEN SLAM INTO GEAR AND JERK FORWARD. THIS CAUSES THE DANGER OF BEING PROPELLED INTO TRAFFIC AT THE WRONG TIME OR SIMPLY GETTING REAR-ENDED. MY VEHICLE ALSO HAS THE PROBLEM OF HESITATING WHEN I PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION NISSAN MAXIMA AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AND CORRECT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502167

70,000 miles · Mar 7, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, LUNGE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, LUNGE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10501955

88,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

VEHICLE JERKS AT LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 10-25 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING (1ST-2ND GEARS). VEHICLE ALSO JERKS FROM SHIFTING PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE, REVERSE TO DRIVE AND DRIVE TO REVERSE. VEHICLE JERKS SO SEVERE AT LOW SPEEDS, IT FEELS LIKE BEING REAR-ENDED. VEHICLE WILL DO THIS WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHI…

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VEHICLE JERKS AT LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 10-25 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING (1ST-2ND GEARS). VEHICLE ALSO JERKS FROM SHIFTING PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE, REVERSE TO DRIVE AND DRIVE TO REVERSE. VEHICLE JERKS SO SEVERE AT LOW SPEEDS, IT FEELS LIKE BEING REAR-ENDED. VEHICLE WILL DO THIS WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500660

74,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Power Train

VEHICLE HARD SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. IT ALSO HARD SHIFTS DURING DECELERATION AROUND 1ST OR 2ND GEARS. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY REPORTED ON NISSAN FORUMS AND ON THE INTERNET. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A RECALL ISSUE AS IT HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE INJURY. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING KICKED WHEN IT D…

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VEHICLE HARD SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. IT ALSO HARD SHIFTS DURING DECELERATION AROUND 1ST OR 2ND GEARS. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY REPORTED ON NISSAN FORUMS AND ON THE INTERNET. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A RECALL ISSUE AS IT HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE INJURY. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING KICKED WHEN IT DOES IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500048

118,000 miles · Feb 20, 2013
Power Train

WHE WARMED UP RPMS SHOOT UP. HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499413

102,223 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Power TrainCrash

SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE 1 HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES, MINOR DAMAGE TO THEM AND THEN VEHICLE 1 FLIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN SERVICED TWICE FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE NISSAN MAXIMA WAS JUDGED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE DA…

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SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE 1 HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES, MINOR DAMAGE TO THEM AND THEN VEHICLE 1 FLIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN SERVICED TWICE FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE NISSAN MAXIMA WAS JUDGED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE DAMAGE INCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497800

95,000 miles · Feb 7, 2013
Power Train

I'M CONCERNED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS THAT NISSAN KNOWINGLY PLACED IN THE 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE BODILY HARM AND FATALITIES. MY CAR STARTED OUT JERKING, SLIPPING SO BAD IT WOULD CAUSE WHIP LASH. NOW IT'S AT A POINT I HAVE IT PARKED BECAUSE I'M SCARED THAT I, MY FAMILY, OR AN INNOCENT DRIVER WIL…

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I'M CONCERNED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS THAT NISSAN KNOWINGLY PLACED IN THE 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE BODILY HARM AND FATALITIES. MY CAR STARTED OUT JERKING, SLIPPING SO BAD IT WOULD CAUSE WHIP LASH. NOW IT'S AT A POINT I HAVE IT PARKED BECAUSE I'M SCARED THAT I, MY FAMILY, OR AN INNOCENT DRIVER WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT, OR POTENTIALLY KILLED. I RECENTLY CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS IN REFERENCE TO THIS MATTER AND THEY WANTED $5,100 TO FIX IT. IT'S A SHAME THAT THEY KNOWINGLY ARE CHARGING THE CONSUMERS AND HARMING THE INNOCENT. I'M A SOLDIER!!! WHAT IF I HALF WAY PROTECTED THIS COUNTRY? I PRAY SOMEONE WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. INNOCENT LIVES ARE AT STAKE.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496772

100,000 miles · Feb 7, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. MAH

NHTSA ODI #10496712

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.