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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
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

73,000 miles · Mar 29, 2013
Structure

WHILE MY MECHANIC WAS DOING MAINTENANCE WORK ON MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA, HE FOUND THE FRONT FLOORBOARDS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. HE WAS SURPRISED THAT MY FEET HAD NOT GONE THRU THE FLOOR. I WAS TOLD THIS HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE AND WHEN I CALL NISSAN THAT TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED. MY AUTO HAS JUST RESEARCHED 73,000 MI…

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WHILE MY MECHANIC WAS DOING MAINTENANCE WORK ON MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA, HE FOUND THE FRONT FLOORBOARDS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. HE WAS SURPRISED THAT MY FEET HAD NOT GONE THRU THE FLOOR. I WAS TOLD THIS HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE AND WHEN I CALL NISSAN THAT TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED. MY AUTO HAS JUST RESEARCHED 73,000 MI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504929

68,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING WITH MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM ONE VENT. CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. PROBLEM WAS 2 COINS HAD SLIDE DOWN BEHIND RADIO INTO THE AMPLIFIER / AC CONTROLLER SHORTING IT OUT N SEVERAL LOCATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504421

114,000 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH WITH THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT POLE, AND A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND WRIST. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH WITH THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT POLE, AND A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND WRIST. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD BE SENT TO INSPECT THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE ENGINEER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10502766

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

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.