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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

40 reports
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70,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ UPDATED 08/13/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10594505

111,024 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE AND ACTUATOR DEFECT; ABS SYSTEM SENSORS AND HUBS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN AUGUST 2009 AFTER NOTIFICATION TO NISSAN. NISSAN HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY PUBLIC OF AN ABS SYSTEM DESIGN DEFECT AND TO ISSUE A RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN ITS VEHICLES SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2004 AND THE DEALERS HAVE…

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ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE AND ACTUATOR DEFECT; ABS SYSTEM SENSORS AND HUBS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN AUGUST 2009 AFTER NOTIFICATION TO NISSAN. NISSAN HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY PUBLIC OF AN ABS SYSTEM DESIGN DEFECT AND TO ISSUE A RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN ITS VEHICLES SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2004 AND THE DEALERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AN ADVISORY. FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN LEAD TO FAILURE IN PROPER BRAKING, SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER, LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER, AND REPORTEDLY FIRE. NISSAN ALSO HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF RE-OCURRENCE BY COMPLAINANT AND REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10567197

111,024 miles · Jan 8, 2014
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS AND ACTUATOR DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS SENSOR AND HUBS WERE REPLACED IN AUGUST 2009, AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN. A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY, REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSORS, HUBS AND ACTUATOR. NISSAN FAILED TO NOTIFY THE PUBL…

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2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS AND ACTUATOR DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS SENSOR AND HUBS WERE REPLACED IN AUGUST 2009, AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN. A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY, REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSORS, HUBS AND ACTUATOR. NISSAN FAILED TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM SINCE 2004 AND ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO DEALERS. FAILURE OF THE COMPONENTS COULD LEAD TO FAILURE IN PROPER BRAKING, SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER AND LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER READING. NISSAN WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT, BUT REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10557788

72,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE ABS SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10457391

90,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2006 BRAND NEW! 90K MILES THE ABS WENT.........AT 120K MILES THE AC WENT AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING FREON ALL SUMMER LONG! NOW AT 130K MILES THE CAR JERKS SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING IT SWITCHES GEARS AND TAKES ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS TO SWITCH GEARS. TRULY A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER. I PAID FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUS…

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PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2006 BRAND NEW! 90K MILES THE ABS WENT.........AT 120K MILES THE AC WENT AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING FREON ALL SUMMER LONG! NOW AT 130K MILES THE CAR JERKS SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING IT SWITCHES GEARS AND TAKES ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS TO SWITCH GEARS. TRULY A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER. I PAID FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, WHICH HAD I KNOWN AT THE TIME WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM REMAINS! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455686

88,736 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WITH NO WARNING, THE ABS LAMP, TCS LIGHT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKES BECAME SENSITIVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE, RENDERING THE ABS SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTIO…

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WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WITH NO WARNING, THE ABS LAMP, TCS LIGHT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKES BECAME SENSITIVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE, RENDERING THE ABS SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION INACTIVE. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED AN ABS MOTOR/MODULE PER THE NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED MARCH 16, 2007 AND REMOVED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND KNUCKLE MODIFICATION PER THE BULLETIN. THE COST OF THE ABS ACTUATOR ALONE WAS $1,300; 75% OF THE TOTAL REPAIR BILL WHICH COST, I FEEL, IS EXORBITANT AND EXCESSIVE. UPDATED IVOQ 03/20/12 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449765

91,000 miles · Feb 27, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10449437

25,000 miles · Feb 16, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD RECURRING ISSUES WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS APRIL 2008 WHEN I NEEDED THE ABS SENSORS REPLACED. APRIL 9 2009, NISSAN REPLACED THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY. OCTOBER 2009 NISSAN REMOVED THE ABS SENSOR AND CLEAN THE CONTACTS. THEN IN MAY 2011, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ABS WAS ACTIVATING BUT THEY SAI…

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I HAVE HAD RECURRING ISSUES WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS APRIL 2008 WHEN I NEEDED THE ABS SENSORS REPLACED. APRIL 9 2009, NISSAN REPLACED THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY. OCTOBER 2009 NISSAN REMOVED THE ABS SENSOR AND CLEAN THE CONTACTS. THEN IN MAY 2011, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ABS WAS ACTIVATING BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IN FEBRUARY 2012 NISSAN REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR AND ACTUATOR AT A COST OF 3K. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME PRICE WISE SINCE ALL MY PREVIOUS WORK WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448262

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2006 MAXIMA HAS 27,474 MILES ON IT. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG. NO WARNING LIGHTS. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE, BUT WE NEEDED TIRES. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SOUND WAS LOUDER AND CONSTANT WHEN THE C…

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MY 2006 MAXIMA HAS 27,474 MILES ON IT. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG. NO WARNING LIGHTS. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE, BUT WE NEEDED TIRES. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SOUND WAS LOUDER AND CONSTANT WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING. I TOOK IT INTO A DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT PROBABLY WAS THE ABS BRAKE BECAUSE THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THE 2006 MAXIMAS. DIAGNOSIS IS AS FOLLOWS: NO CODES STORED. SENSORS NOT TRIPPED. AFTER TEST DRIVING, VERIFIED ABS TURNING ON WITHOUT TOUCHING BRAKES. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, BUT THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ONCE WE ARRIVED HOME. REPAIR RECOMMENDATION: START BY REPLACING BOTH REAR HUBS AND ABS SENSORS. QUOTED PRICE OF $1,097.08. POSSIBILITY CAR MAY ALSO NEED ABS ACTUATOR. IF ABS ACTUATOR NEEDED QUOTED PRICE OF $1787.00. MY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN FOR THESE REPAIRS WAS FLATLY DENIED. EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 27,000 MILES ON IT, NISSAN DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSED TO ASSIST A LOYAL CUSTOMER, WHO HAS BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 4 WEEKS NOW. I HAVE OWNED 7 PREVIOUS NISSAN VEHICLES. I THOUGHT AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD COVER THIS EXPENSE THROUGH THEIR "LOYALTY" WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO MORE NISSANS FOR ME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447086

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA IN FEBRUARY 2011..WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION..THERE WERE A FEW VISIBLE PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE HEADLIGHTS,RUNNING LIGHT,POWER SEATS, OR WINDOWS WEREN'T WORKING PROPERLY..THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND THE OWNER AGREED TO FIX THE BRAKES AND THE REMAINDER OF THE P…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA IN FEBRUARY 2011..WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION..THERE WERE A FEW VISIBLE PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE HEADLIGHTS,RUNNING LIGHT,POWER SEATS, OR WINDOWS WEREN'T WORKING PROPERLY..THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND THE OWNER AGREED TO FIX THE BRAKES AND THE REMAINDER OF THE PROBLEMS HOWEVER ALMOST A YEAR LATER MY ANTI BRAKE LIGHT IS STILL ON & THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO FIX MY CAR. 4MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE CAR THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND THE ODOMETER,THE GAS GAUGE GOES BACK & FORTH,THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND THE CAR JERKS WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE INTO REVERSE IT JERKS HARD. I HAVE QUITE A FEW FRIENDS WHO HAVE MAXIMA'S ALSO AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS..IT'S OBVIOUS IT'S A DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS,SPEED GAUGE & SO MANY OTHER DEFECTS WITH THESE CARS. SOMEWHERE THERE HAS TO BE SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP MYSELF AS WELL AS OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ FAR TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR CARS. THE COST TO REPAIR THESE CARS ARE EXPENSIVE & NOT TO MENTION THE COST TO HAVE YOUR TRANSMISSION REPLACED & ON TOP OF ALL THAT YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING YOUR CAR NOTE. HOPEFULLY SOON THERE WILL BE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445272

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.