KnownCarProblems2006 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 576 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Nissan Maxima, most often about the transmission (68% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Maxima model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2006 Nissan Maxima problems
Transmission
393 complaints · 68%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Own a 2006 nissa Maxima. Serviced monthly and now beginning to have major, dangerous transmission problems. Hard, jerking transmission shifts while accelerating or slowing down. Took it in for repair and auto transmission shop could not get any reads on problem through diagnostics. I have been told Nissan dealership…
Have an 06 Maxima se the car- jerking on the upshift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, sometimes even on the downshift. The car was problem-free for the 1st couple of months but the last 3-4 weeks have been a nightmare. The jerking gets so bad, it feels like you're getting punched! The problem is intermittent and rarely…
Engine
71 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
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…
I was driving 45mph and came to a red light which I stopped and when the light turned green I placed my foot on the gas and my Nissan would not get past 3rd gear and jerked really bad before it would accelerate. This happens now all the time and I even had transmission fluid replaced in my car which has not prevented…
Brakes
53 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
First after buying this Nissan Maxima 2006, I noticed that my head light lamps needed to be changed every 14 months. I never had a car where I had to replace the head light lamps so often. Both of my other cars (toyota and honda) have over 100k miles and we never had to change the lamps on those cars. Next, the ABS…
I purchased my 06' Maxima in 08' I had it for about 2 months and the cd player doesnt play any thing it skips spits the cd out and an error mesg. Comes up. I took it to the dealer and they "fixed it" so they say 1 week later it starts with the same issue I called and they said they can do anything about it maybe its…
Speed control
35 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that when shifting into drive, the engine exhibited an abnormal increase in rpms. The vehicle then rapidly accelerated at full force. The contact stated that the failure was a sporadic occurrence. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not yet…
The vehicle violently jerks. Takes up to ten seconds to shift into gear after changing from park to drive. When accelerating, the vehicle hesitates at first, then jerks forward as though someone has hit you from behind. When decelerating, the vehicle has a back-kick around the 20mph area. Lags during acceleration…
Electrical
26 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
I have a 2006, Nissan Maxima se. I've been having severe problems with my transmission. The car jerks violently when its changes gears between 1st and 2nd, as well as between 2nd and 3rd gear. After doing research on this problem online, I've seen countless number of people who complain about the same problem. I…
I purchased my car in june, 2010 and in july I noticed when I shift my gears it has a jerk to it, also I noticed the clutch will go all the way down and want come up. Causing me to pull over out of traffic cut the car off put it in gear and then start the car up and take off! I thought I would love Nissan, this is my…
Body and structure
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side floorboards on were rusted completely from the interior to the exterior of the vehicle. The contact could see the ground from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that there were no…
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the floor of the front end of the vehicle was rusted rotted out. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was not available.
Suspension
19 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
I purchased my 06' Maxima in 08' I had it for about 2 months and the cd player doesnt play any thing it skips spits the cd out and an error mesg. Comes up. I took it to the dealer and they "fixed it" so they say 1 week later it starts with the same issue I called and they said they can do anything about it maybe its…
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud snapping sound from the front end of the vehicle. The contact then noticed that the front passenger side tire was flat and the front passenger side coil spring was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for…
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles.
The ABS system, specifically the actuator, in the 2006 Nissan Maxima failed. Initially, the ABS system would activate every time the brakes are applied. It first occurred on dry pavement at highway speed (55mph) braking and then all subsequent braking thereafter, regardless of speed or road condition. Now the car is…
I bought this car two months ago and have been happy with it until now. When I have to back the car up in reverse and then switch into drive it kicks very hard. It started earlier this week and has been doing it ever since. The first time, it kicked so hard that I thought I had hit something, and my passengers were…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Nissan Maxima recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: power adjust
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (393 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); engine (71 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); brakes (53 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 13, 2006 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Maxima model year since 2000, with 576 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.