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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
105,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

BRAKE "ACTUATOR" STARTED HUMMING OR RUNNING AS SOON AS CAR ('06 NISSAN MAXIMA SE) WAS TURNED ON AWAY FROM HOME. CONTINUED TO KICK IN ABS AT EVERY BRAKE APPLICATION CREATING UNSAFE (OR AT LEAST NOT NORMAL) BRAKING SITUATIONS AND CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF. ABS LIGHT, TCS LIGHT, AND SLIP LIGHT ALL ACTIVATED CONTINUAL…

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BRAKE "ACTUATOR" STARTED HUMMING OR RUNNING AS SOON AS CAR ('06 NISSAN MAXIMA SE) WAS TURNED ON AWAY FROM HOME. CONTINUED TO KICK IN ABS AT EVERY BRAKE APPLICATION CREATING UNSAFE (OR AT LEAST NOT NORMAL) BRAKING SITUATIONS AND CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF. ABS LIGHT, TCS LIGHT, AND SLIP LIGHT ALL ACTIVATED CONTINUALLY. CODES C1110 & C1105 & C1106 WERE PRESENT AFTER SCANNING AT LOCAL GARAGE. BATTERY DRAINED AFTER CAR SHUT OFF DUE TO ACTUATOR CONTINUING TO RUN WITH CAR SHUT OFF. PER RESEARCH AND OTHER TSB OR NISSAN-ISSUED TECHNICAL BULLETINS, THE REAR HUB ABS SENSOR FREQUENTLY MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR. IF DRIVEN WHILE MALFUNCTIONING (AS IN THIS CASE) THE CONTROLLER/ACTUATOR MAY MALFUNCTION. TURNING OFF "ABS" WHILE DRIVING SEEMS TO KEEP THE ACTUATOR FROM RUNNING, BUT ALSO MAKES DRIVING LESS SAFE, ESPECIALLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER DUE TO TURNING OFF TCS/ABS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS OUT-OF-POCKET (DESPITE BEING AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE). SENSORS AND ACTUATOR WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE DRIVEN AGAIN. LESS THAN 8 MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUES RETURN. NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR SENSOR PER CODES, NEW CODE FOR ACTUATOR SHOWS AGAIN (AFTER SENSORS PLACED IN) AND THEY REQUIRE ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AGAIN FOR NEW ACTUATOR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR (PER MANY OTHER REPORTS) AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639052

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2014
Structure

DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR PANS DISINTEGRATED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THESE PANS TIE THE CENTER TUBE TO THE SIDE FRAMES SO ANY STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY THERE IS LOST. THERE IS NO LONGER SUPPORT FOR THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FEET, ONLY THE CARPET IS KEEPING THEM FROM FALLING THROUGH TO THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627588

95,566 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Power Train

THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. CAR WILL NOT MOVE NOW. IT SLAMS INTO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626018

195,800 miles · Aug 7, 2014
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 80MPH. THERE WAS A STALLING/JERKING MOTION THAT TOOK PLACE. AFTER LOOKING OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I NOTICE IT WAS STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE MPH HAD DROPPED A FEW MILES. ONCE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, I NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE IN ACCELERATION. IT FELT …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 80MPH. THERE WAS A STALLING/JERKING MOTION THAT TOOK PLACE. AFTER LOOKING OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I NOTICE IT WAS STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE MPH HAD DROPPED A FEW MILES. ONCE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, I NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE IN ACCELERATION. IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS STUCK IN THIRD OR FORTH GEAR. I HAD TO HOLD PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAIT AS IT PICKED UP SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620746

170,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Traction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN STALLED. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN STALLED. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10618902

65,800 miles · Jul 29, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,800.

NHTSA ODI #10617244

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.