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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
37,750 miles · Feb 3, 2009
Electrical System

NISSAN OF MIDDLETOWN REPLACED DRIVE BELTS, AIR FILTER, & CHANGED OIL 12/1/08. (I REQUESTED THE ORIGINAL DRIVE BELTS TO SHOW MY HUSBAND AS I NEVER RECALLED HAVING THIS SERVICE DONE ON ANY OF THE CARS I OWNED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE.) ON 12/5/08, MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA (APPROX. 37,900 MI) JUST STOPPED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS PUSHE…

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NISSAN OF MIDDLETOWN REPLACED DRIVE BELTS, AIR FILTER, & CHANGED OIL 12/1/08. (I REQUESTED THE ORIGINAL DRIVE BELTS TO SHOW MY HUSBAND AS I NEVER RECALLED HAVING THIS SERVICE DONE ON ANY OF THE CARS I OWNED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE.) ON 12/5/08, MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA (APPROX. 37,900 MI) JUST STOPPED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY, OPENED THE HOOD, CHECKED THE BELTS (WHICH WERE FINE) & NOTICED FRESH BATTERY ACID SPEWING FROM THE BATTERY. TOWED TO MECHANIC IN TOWN WHO HAD THE CAR FOR 10 DAYS IN WHICH TIME HE CHANGED THE BATTERY AND SAID THE BATTERY WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN DAMAGED BUT STILL THINKS IT IS SOMETHING ELSE AS THE CAR WOULD START BUT WOULDN'T RUN. CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO MIDDLETOWN NISSAN AND THEY IMMEDIATELY FOUND THE PROBLEM - THE MASS AIR SENSOR WAS BAD. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR 12/15/08 AND TOLD ME THAT THESE THINGS GO BAD. I CONTACTED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND STATED MY CONCERN THAT THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE MAINTENANCE WORK HAD JUST BEEN DONE. AFTER REVIEW, NISSAN REPAID ME $426.25 FOR THE SENSOR. I CONTINUE TO HAVE CONCERN THAT NOT ONLY MUST I NOW REPLACE THE BATTERY WIRING HARNESS AT A GREAT COST WHICH THE LOCAL MECHANIC ESTIMATED THE PART AT $700 PLUS LABOR, BUT ALSO WHEN I STATED THAT MY CAR JUST STOPPED, WITHOUT WARNING--NO SERVICE LIGHTS, NOTHING (WHAT IF I WERE ON THE THRUWAY DOING 65 MPH AND LOST POWER - ENGINE, STEERING, EVERYTHING -- WITH NO WARNING-- I'D PROBABLY BE DEAD ALONG WITH ANY PASSENGERS) NISSAN'S HEADQUARTERS VERBALLY REPORTED TO ME OVER THE PHONE THAT A CAR IS MECHANICAL AND THESE THINGS CAN HAPPEN. WELL, I'M NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS RESPONSE. I STILL QUESTION WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BASICALLY BRAND NEW CAR WHEN NISSAN MIDDLETOWN DID THE MAINTENANCE WORK ON IT. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION ON THE MECHANICS AND THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257370

70,000 miles · Dec 18, 2008
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE CAR IS JERKING AND JUMPING WHILE DRIVING AND UPON STOPPING. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR AND I'VE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEIR SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THESE CARS BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH TH…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE CAR IS JERKING AND JUMPING WHILE DRIVING AND UPON STOPPING. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR AND I'VE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEIR SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THESE CARS BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US AND LOOK INTO THIS. NISSAN IS NOT TRYING TO HELP US AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252236

14,509 miles · Nov 20, 2008
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES KEPT GOING FLAT. THE INNER BEAD WHERE THE CHROME IS LOCATED CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO FLATTEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY VOIDED THE WARRANTY BECAUSE ARMOR ALL WAS APPLIED TO THE TIRES, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO FLATT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES KEPT GOING FLAT. THE INNER BEAD WHERE THE CHROME IS LOCATED CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO FLATTEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY VOIDED THE WARRANTY BECAUSE ARMOR ALL WAS APPLIED TO THE TIRES, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO FLATTEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,509.

NHTSA ODI #10249421

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2008
Tires

MY GOODYEAR RSA TIRE FLEW APART WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED. THE SIDEWALL CAVED IN. THE TIRE DIDN'T HAVE ANY VISUAL DEFECTS PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT. TRULY CONCERNED WITH THE OTHER TIRES, SIMPLY VANISHING FROM BENEATH THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING. I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF THE TR…

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MY GOODYEAR RSA TIRE FLEW APART WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED. THE SIDEWALL CAVED IN. THE TIRE DIDN'T HAVE ANY VISUAL DEFECTS PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT. TRULY CONCERNED WITH THE OTHER TIRES, SIMPLY VANISHING FROM BENEATH THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING. I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF THE TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE WAS CONGESTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246880

43,278 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. HE DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS SENSORS WERE CORRODED DUE TO A BUILD UP OF MOISTURE, WHICH CAUSED TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. HE DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS SENSORS WERE CORRODED DUE TO A BUILD UP OF MOISTURE, WHICH CAUSED THE GRINDING NOISE. THE MECHANIC DRILLED A HOLE IN THE REAR HUBS TO RELEASE THE MOISTURE SO THAT THE ABS SENSORS WOULD NOT CORRODE AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,338 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,278. UPDATED 11/6/08 *CN UPDATED 11/10/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10242412

41,876 miles · Sep 14, 2008
Electrical System

AS I TURNED ON THE IGNITION THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING APROX. 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE INCIDENT. I HAD DRIVEN APROX. 15 MILES BEFORE STOPPING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED A MINUTE OR SO TO LET THE SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE TO CLEAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED THE BATTERY. I WAS SPLIT IN SEVERAL PLACES. T…

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AS I TURNED ON THE IGNITION THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING APROX. 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE INCIDENT. I HAD DRIVEN APROX. 15 MILES BEFORE STOPPING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED A MINUTE OR SO TO LET THE SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE TO CLEAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED THE BATTERY. I WAS SPLIT IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE TWO CELL COVERS WERE OFF THE BATTERY. THE IMPRINT OF THE BATTERY CAP TOP WAS LEFT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD. THE HOOD HAD A SMALL DENT UP FROM THE UNDER SIDE. IT LOOKS AS IF THE OTHER CAP HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD WHERE THE INFORMATION STICKER IS LOCATED, THERE IS NO INSULATING PROTECTION IN THAT SMALL AREA OF THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS SPRAYED OFF. I WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I ASKED WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE HOOD. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE LAPSED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242109

40,000 miles · Aug 1, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPLIES THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, HE CAN FEEL A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO DRIVE VERY ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPLIES THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, HE CAN FEEL A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO DRIVE VERY ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10236630

44,000 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WAS SQUEALING BRAKES, SHAKING STEERING WHEELS, LOUD NOISES ON THE BRAKE, AND ROUGH RIDE WHEN BRAKES ARE PRESS SLIGHTLY. CAR DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY WHEN PRESSED LIGHTLY UNDER DRY WEATHER AND TENDS TO LOCK TEMPORARILY AND LET GO DURING WET WEATHER WHICH CAN REALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. NISSAN C…

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THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WAS SQUEALING BRAKES, SHAKING STEERING WHEELS, LOUD NOISES ON THE BRAKE, AND ROUGH RIDE WHEN BRAKES ARE PRESS SLIGHTLY. CAR DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY WHEN PRESSED LIGHTLY UNDER DRY WEATHER AND TENDS TO LOCK TEMPORARILY AND LET GO DURING WET WEATHER WHICH CAN REALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM I WAS INFORMED TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH I DID, DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I'M OUT OF WARRANTY, I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS BACK BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOT SOMETHING CAUSED BY ME BUT NISSAN WILL NOT ADMIT TO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236531

26,000 miles · Jul 23, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. IN RAINY WEATHER, THE CONTACT HEARS A CLUCKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP, THE CLUCKING SOUND STOPS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ROTORS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. IN RAINY WEATHER, THE CONTACT HEARS A CLUCKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP, THE CLUCKING SOUND STOPS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN UPDATED 11/21/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10235491

45,676 miles · Jun 23, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE TIRES BALANCED, SHE WAS INFORMED OF A CRACK IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V046000 (SUSPENSION:R…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE TIRES BALANCED, SHE WAS INFORMED OF A CRACK IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V046000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,676.

NHTSA ODI #10232002

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.