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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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70,000 miles · Oct 21, 2014
Power Train

I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA SE FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH ROUGHLY 36,000 MILES ON IT IN 2006 MARCH. THE CAR RAN GREAT FOR A WHILE, BUT RIGHT AROUND WHEN IT HIT ABOUT 65,000 MILES IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. INITIALLY, THE PROBLEM WOULD ONLY SURFACE WHEN I PUT MY CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND THE CAR WOU…

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I BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA SE FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH ROUGHLY 36,000 MILES ON IT IN 2006 MARCH. THE CAR RAN GREAT FOR A WHILE, BUT RIGHT AROUND WHEN IT HIT ABOUT 65,000 MILES IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. INITIALLY, THE PROBLEM WOULD ONLY SURFACE WHEN I PUT MY CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD VIOLENTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT 2003-2006 NISSAN MAXIMA'S WERE KNOWN TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY A WARRANTY AS MY CAR WAS BEYOND THE 5 YR COVERAGE PERIOD. THE CAR NOW HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE CAR TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTERMITTENTLY WHICH LEADS TO PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION OR MAINTAINING SPEED AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND DUE TO THIS REASON I AVOID DRIVING ON FREEWAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649086

90,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, VARIOUS INSTANCES OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION, INCLUDING MIRROR LIGHTS FLICKERING, DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING/HALF DOESN'T COME ONE, AS WELL AS FAULTY WIRING IN SUN ROOF CAUSING IT TO OPEN AND CLOSES RANDOMLY ON IT'S OWN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND KNOCK HARD INTO GEARS, EVEN THOUG…

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IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, VARIOUS INSTANCES OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION, INCLUDING MIRROR LIGHTS FLICKERING, DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING/HALF DOESN'T COME ONE, AS WELL AS FAULTY WIRING IN SUN ROOF CAUSING IT TO OPEN AND CLOSES RANDOMLY ON IT'S OWN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND KNOCK HARD INTO GEARS, EVEN THOUGH PROPER MAINTENANCE WAS ALWAYS COMPLETED. BRAKES REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. SUSPENSION LACKING. AS OF LAST WEEK, THE TRACTION/SLIP LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED, AS NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THIS VEHICLE HAS CAUSED FINANCIAL HARM AS WELL AS NEAR PHYSICAL HARM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648745

72,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SWITCHED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SWITCHED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 01/13/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10648424

97,000 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

I WAS AT THE LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AS I GOT A BREAK TO TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC MY CAR JERKED AND CUT OFF. MY 2 YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD WAS ALSO IN THE CAR I WAS TERRIFIED AND NOW SCARED TO MAKE A TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC BC MY CAR MAY COST ME AND MY KIDS OUR LIFE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE LIKE…

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I WAS AT THE LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AS I GOT A BREAK TO TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC MY CAR JERKED AND CUT OFF. MY 2 YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD WAS ALSO IN THE CAR I WAS TERRIFIED AND NOW SCARED TO MAKE A TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC BC MY CAR MAY COST ME AND MY KIDS OUR LIFE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE LIKE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644346

90,000 miles · Oct 11, 2014
Power Train

HARD SHIFT WHEN TRANSMISSION IS HOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643982

110,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FAULTY TIMING CHAIN BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643226

70,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION SLOWLY BEGAN TO KICK AND JERK. AFTER A WHILE IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE. IT HAS GOT ME INTO MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS DO TO EITHER JERKING OR FAILED TO SHIFT AND ACCELERATE. IT NOW WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT ALL, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH NISSAN, AND THINK IT IS UNACCEP…

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MY TRANSMISSION SLOWLY BEGAN TO KICK AND JERK. AFTER A WHILE IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE. IT HAS GOT ME INTO MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS DO TO EITHER JERKING OR FAILED TO SHIFT AND ACCELERATE. IT NOW WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT ALL, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH NISSAN, AND THINK IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THEY DO NOT RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638596

85,000 miles · Sep 14, 2014
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE ISSUES DIAGNOSED AND THEY WOULD STATE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. FIRST STARTED WITH HAVING LOW AND DIRTY OIL AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN SERVICED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT PLACE THAT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID WE SHOULD GO. THE…

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HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE ISSUES DIAGNOSED AND THEY WOULD STATE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. FIRST STARTED WITH HAVING LOW AND DIRTY OIL AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN SERVICED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT PLACE THAT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID WE SHOULD GO. THEIR OIL SOLUTION OF ROYAL PURPLE SYNTHETIC OIL DID NOT WORK. TALKED TO THE PLACE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT AND BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ALMOST 108000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE ONLY OWNED IT A YEAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE HARD SHIFTING WHEN DRIVING AND THE SLAMMING OF THE HEAD AGAINST THE HEAD REST. IT WILL SLAM INTO SECOND, THIRD AND EVEN FOURTH GEAR ONCE IT GETS WARMED UP AND TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE AND ADJUST THE SPEED. I EXPERIENCE JERKING COMING FROM THE REAR WHILE DRIVING AND RECENTLY WHILE GOING FROM SPEED LIMITS OF 45 TO 30 I FELT A LOSE OF POWER LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO GO. WHILE PARKED IT ALSO SLAMS INTO REVERSE AND THE FIRST. I HAVE A YOUNG SON AND THIS VEHICLE IS DEFIANTLY NOT SAFE FOR HIM TO DRIVE IN. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE SOLENOIDS, TIMING CHAINS, AND TO PUT A KIT IN IT FOR THE SHIFTING ISSUES. I ALSO NEED TO GET AN ALIGNMENT DONE TO ADDRESS THE SHAKING WHEN GOING OVER 55MPH. AT THIS POINT THE MOTOR MOUNTS PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND ALL WARRANTIES ARE EXPIRED. THE AIR BAGS ARE ALSO MALFUNCTIONING AND THE LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF THIS WILL COST UP TO A $1000 TO HAVE FIXED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES OFF AND ON BUT NO CODES SHOW UP. THE RPM GAUGE GETS STUCK AT 3 AND YOU HAVE TO GO OVER 40MPH TO GET THAT GAUGE TO WORK. REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633051

113,000 miles · Sep 11, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND SLAM INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND SLAM INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632456

9,930,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Power Train

THE VEHICLE SHIFTS REALLY HARD BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628645

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.